5-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Abu Simbel and Balloon

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Karnak Temple, the largest temple ever built over 2000 years
• 02 Enjoy a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank
• 03 Visit the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut's mortuary temple
• 04 Marvel at the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel built for Ramses II and Queen Nefertari
• 05 Discover Aswan's High Dam and Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis

Embark on a five-day journey along the Nile, exploring the ancient wonders of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, soar above Luxor on a breathtaking hot air balloon ride, and discover the West Bank's Theban Necropolis, including the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut's temple. Continue to the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo, then marvel at the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Conclude in Aswan with visits to the High Dam and Philae Temple.

Experience the breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Luxor.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Esna, Abu Simbel

Languages Arabic, English, Italian, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival and Luxor East Bank Temples

• Our licensed tour guide will meet and assist you at Luxor Airport, Railway Station, or your hotel.
• Transfer by air-conditioned van to your 5-star Nile cruise to check in before lunch.
• Have lunch on board, then start your tour by visiting Karnak Temple, the largest temple ever built over 2000 years, covering an area of about 63 acres.
• Proceed to visit Luxor Temple, where ancient Egyptian, Christian, and Islamic features are exhibited.
• Admire its obelisk and statues.
• Return to the cruise and have dinner on board.

2

Day 02

Hot Air Balloon Ride and Luxor West Bank

• Early morning pickup to the marina, where we will take a motorboat to the west bank of Luxor to enjoy the hot air balloon ride.
• Experience the breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Luxor.
• After the balloon ride, start the visit to the West Bank to explore the Theban Necropolis.
• Visit the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs from the New Kingdom hewed their tombs in the mountains, aiming to hide their treasure and protect their mummies.
• Proceed to the Mortuary Temple of the famous Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari.
• End the tour on the West Bank with a photo stop in front of the gigantic statues of Memnon.
• Return to the cruise by noon to have your lunch.
• Start sailing down the River Nile to cross Esna Lock.

3

Day 03

Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

• Enjoy breakfast on board while sailing. Our tour guide will pick you up once the cruise docks.
• Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
• After finishing your tour, transfer back to the cruise.
• Sail to Kom Ombo.
• Have lunch on board, then visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeis, in Kom Ombo.

4

Day 04

Abu Simbel Excursion from Aswan

• Around 4:30, your guide will pick you up for the Abu Simbel trip, sharing with a small group.
• Visit one of the most impressive places in Egypt: the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, with their unique design, built for King Ramses II and his beloved Queen Nefertari.
• Return to the cruise by noon to have your lunch and enjoy a free afternoon.

5

Day 05

Aswan Highlights and Departure Transfer

• Check out after breakfast. Discover the highlights of Aswan with your guide and learn about the story of Nubian immigration.
• Start your tour by visiting the High Dam, which was completed in 1960 to protect Egypt from floods and generate electricity.
• Proceed to visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, using a small motorboat to get there.
• Later, you will be transferred to your Aswan hotel, airport, or railway station.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Four nights on board the cruise
• Cabin with facilities
• Meals starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day
• Qualified Egyptology guide
• Motorboat
• Horse and carriage
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
• Hot air balloon ride
• Shared small-group tour to Abu Simbel with an English-speaking tour guide
• Sightseeing cruise
• Transport by air-conditioned coach
• Breakfast (4)
• Dinner (4)
• Lunch (4)

What's Not Included

• Tipping
• Any personal expenses
• Entrance fees to all the mentioned sightseeing

What to bring

• Passport

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Luxor, Egypt

Tour start

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.