Egypt · Cruise & Sailing

4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Philae and Karnak

4 Days Round trip from Aswan Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
02 Visit the mystical Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis
03 Discover Kom Ombo Temple's rare double design for Sobek and Horus
04 Encounter Edfu's remarkably preserved Temple of Horus
05 Explore the Valley of the Kings and its elaborate royal tombs
06 Visit the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple in Luxor

Discover ancient wonders on a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, sailing through some of Egypt's most iconic historical sites. Visit the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the mystical Philae Temple before continuing to Kom Ombo's unique double temple. Along the way, explore Edfu's remarkably preserved Temple of Horus and Esna Temple, then arrive in Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings and the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple. This journey combines scenic cruising with some of the Nile Valley's most celebrated monuments.

Visit the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the mystical Philae Temple before continuing to Kom Ombo's unique double temple.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Cities Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Esna

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Aswan Embarkation, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk

Morning: Your Nile cruise adventure begins in Aswan, a city renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance. Upon arrival at the ship, you will be warmly welcomed aboard. Settle into your comfortable cabin, which offers picturesque views of the Nile.
Afternoon: Start your exploration of Aswan with a visit to the Aswan High Dam. This modern engineering marvel has tamed the mighty Nile River and provided Egypt with invaluable resources. You will also explore the Unfinished Obelisk, an abandoned monument that offers insight into ancient stone quarrying techniques.

Day 02

Philae Temple and Kom Ombo Cruise

Morning: Explore the mystical Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. This captivating temple was relocated to its current island location to preserve it from the rising waters of the High Dam. Marvel at the intricate carvings and rich history that surround you.
Afternoon: Cruise to Kom Ombo and visit the unique Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Its double design allows for an intriguing exploration of ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Day 03

Edfu Temple of Horus and Esna Temple

Morning: Arrive in Edfu, where you will encounter the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, this temple is a testament to the architectural grandeur of the Pharaohs.
Afternoon: Sail to Esna and explore Esna Temple, which is dedicated to the god Khnum. This well-preserved temple features impressive reliefs and columns, providing a glimpse into the religious practices of ancient Egypt.

Day 04

Luxor West Bank and Karnak Temple

Morning: Arrive in Luxor, often called the "open-air museum" because of its abundance of historical treasures. Explore the West Bank, home to the Valley of the Kings, where you can visit the elaborate tombs of pharaohs. Marvel at the exquisite artwork and hieroglyphs that adorn the tomb walls.
Afternoon: Conclude your Nile cruise with a visit to the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple, dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. Its monumental architecture and vast hypostyle hall leave a lasting impression of ancient Egyptian grandeur.

Where this trip takes you

Aswan, Philae Temple, Valley of the Kings

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Aswan 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

3 nights' accommodation on board the Nile cruise on an F&B basis
Meet-and-assist service upon arrival and departure
The assistance of our personnel during your stay and excursions
All transfers by a modern private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
All Nile cruise excursions, as mentioned in the itinerary, are private
Private English-speaking Egyptologist tour guide(s)
Complimentary 01 bottle of water per day per person
All transfers by AC vehicles with qualified driver(s)
All service charges and taxes
Cruise facilities:
- Special sauna and oriental steam bath
- Exercise equipment is available
- Sun decks
- Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, washbasin, w.c., and hairdryer
- A swimming pool
- Air-conditioning and state-of-the-art water filtration systems
- The suite includes a sitting area with antique furnishings and a large balcony

What's Not Included

Egypt entry visa
Entrance fees to all sights in and between Luxor and Aswan
International flight tickets, domestic flights, and train tickets, if any
Optional tours, meals, beverages during the tour, personal expenses, and any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Tipping

Know before you go

The primary schedule of the cruises:
- 03 nights ex Aswan on Wednesday or Friday, with a few cruises on Monday.
- 04 nights ex Luxor on Saturday or Monday, with a few cruises on Thursday.
Please check the latest updates about Covid-19.
The above is just an offer subject to your acceptance. No booking has been made yet; space will be subject to availability while we process the booking.
The rate is based on the above-mentioned number of travellers. If the number of travellers increases or decreases, or the date changes, we reserve the right to change the rate accordingly.
All transfers throughout the entire trip are private by AC deluxe vehicle.
All of the above-mentioned sightseeing will be done privately in Cairo, and other guests will be joined onboard the cruise, including entrance fees.
Cruise itineraries may be changed without prior notice due to navigational circumstances in sequence, but not in visits.
Rates include taxes and service charges.
Hotel official check-in is at 15:00 hrs, and check-out is at 12:00 hrs.
Cruise official check-in is before lunch at 12:00 hrs, and check-out is after breakfast at 08:00 hrs.
International meals are served at the hotels and onboard the cruises.
Full-day tours start at 09:00 hrs and continue until 17:00 hrs (maximum 8 hours).
Half-day tours start at 09:00 and last until 13:00, or start at 12:00 and last until 16:00 (maximum 4 hours).
Our rates do not include any kind of insurance.
Drones and wireless planes are prohibited in Egypt and will be confiscated at borders on arrival.
Tipping is a way of life in Egypt, and citizens even use it to show their satisfaction and appreciation for the services provided. Unless stated in our inclusions, tips are not included in our rates.
There are two accepted ways of payment in Egypt:
- Credit card (fees 2.5% of total amount).
- Bank transfer (excluding banking fees according to your bank regulations).
Room types and special requests:
- Triple rooms are usually twin or double rooms with roll-away extra beds, not three standard beds.
- Twin rooms or king-size bedrooms are subject to availability at check-in, as they cannot be confirmed in advance.
- In case of accommodation special requests, we can confirm only when we receive hotel confirmation; otherwise, it will be according to availability at check-in.
Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months before your arrival date in Egypt. Some airlines require this minimum validity to avoid problems while booking the flight.
Weather in Egypt - Egypt's climate is hot from May to September, and the season is fantastic from October to April.
Dress code in Egypt - We recommend proper dress for the month of travel. Hot shorts are not recommended, especially at religious places, but they are allowed in resort cities like Sharm, Dahab, El Gouna, Marsa Alam, and Hurghada.
Some nationalities can apply for visas directly.
The top attraction of Luxor and Aswan in 3 nights.
Visit Aswan and Luxor in three nights on one of the best Egypt Nile cruises. Start your sail with the High Dam and Philae Temple in Aswan and end it with the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon on Luxor day tours.
Philae Temple: This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis. It tells one of the most famous Egyptian mythologies you can hear during Egypt tours - the story of Isis, how she brought her beloved husband back to life, the birth of her son Horus, and the mummification of Osiris after death.
The temple was moved to a small island called Agilika after the building of the High Dam to preserve it from flooding. It was originally built during the reign of Ptolemy II in Egypt's Greco-Roman Period.
Obelisks once stood in front of the temple, but British Consul Henry Salt removed them in 1918 and placed them in a garden in Dorset, England.
The High Dam: The High Dam is a rock-fill dam located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. It is considered an engineering miracle that protects Egypt from the Nile's annual floods. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in 1968.
The High Dam protects Egypt and has become a top attraction on Aswan day tours. It was officially inaugurated in 1971 and measures 111 m in height, 3,830 m in length, and has a base width of 980 m. The spillway has a discharge capacity of 11,000 m3 per second.
Kom Ombo Temple: Kom Ombo Temple is unique because it was dedicated to two gods - the falcon god Horus and the crocodile god Sobek - and was built by Ptolemy VI. Its design contains courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods, and it contains 02 parts.
The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, the god of fertility and the world's creator in ancient Egyptian religion. The northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
The Temple of Edfu (Temple of Horus): Your next stop will be Edfu Temple. You will be transferred by cruise between Luxor and Aswan to learn the story of each temple.
The temple is dedicated to Horus, the avenging son of Isis and Osiris, and was also called