5 Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan with Hot Air Balloon and Abu Simbel
Sail the ancient river, soar above the west bank, and stand before the temples of eternity.
This 5 day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan combines the most celebrated monuments of Upper Egypt with a dawn hot air balloon flight and a dedicated excursion to the Abu Simbel temple complex, creating one of the most comprehensive journeys available along the river.
Guided by an experienced Egyptologist, travelers move between UNESCO-listed sites on both banks of the Nile, board a traditional motor-boat to reach Philae Temple Island, and ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Edfu, all while the cruise vessel drifts through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.
Evenings bring the chance to explore the souks of Luxor and Aswan, sample local drinks on the sun deck, and watch the light fade over Nubian villages lining the riverbanks. The itinerary is rated Easy, making it accessible to a wide range of travelers.
Tour Highlights
Rise at dawn for a hot air balloon flight over the west bank of Luxor, with views across the Valley of the Kings and the Theban hills.
Walk through Karnak Temple, the largest ancient religious complex ever built, and continue to the adjacent Luxor Temple on the east bank.
Descend into the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where the burial chamber of Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.
Cruise the full stretch of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, passing local islands, the Esna lock, and traditional feluccas along the way.
Visit the Abu Simbel temple complex, carved into the sandstone cliffs by Ramesses II and now relocated above Lake Nasser.
Explore Kom Ombo Temple at sunset and the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu, arriving by traditional horse-drawn carriage from the riverbank.
Discover Philae Temple on its island setting in Aswan, accessible by motor-boat across the waters of the First Cataract.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your Egyptologist guide collects you and crosses to the west bank by motor-boat. The day covers the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari, Howard Carter's house, and the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the east bank to board and check in to the cruise. The evening is free to browse Luxor's markets.
An early motor-boat transfer brings you to the west bank for a hot air balloon flight at sunrise. The cruise then visits Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank before casting off. The vessel passes through the Esna lock and continues south, with open-deck views of rural Egypt throughout the afternoon.
After breakfast, a horse-carriage ride from the dock leads to the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu. The cruise resumes southward, and around sunset the ship moors at Kom Ombo for a visit to the twin-deity temple overlooking the Nile. Overnight sailing brings the vessel into Aswan.
Departure by road at approximately 5:00 AM reaches Abu Simbel before the midday heat, allowing time to study the facades of Ramesses II and Nefertari's temples in detail. The group returns to Aswan around 1:00 PM. The afternoon is free to rest, and the evening offers a walk through Aswan's famous local market.
A motor-boat crosses to Philae Island for a guided tour of the Temple of Isis, followed by a drive to the Aswan High Dam. The guide then transfers you to your Aswan hotel, the railway station, or the airport according to your onward travel arrangements.
What Is Included
Included
- 4 nights aboard a Nile cruise vessel (full board)
- Hot air balloon flight over Luxor west bank
- All guided tours: Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Philae, and Aswan High Dam
- Licensed Egyptologist guide throughout
- Motor-boat transfers to west bank and Philae Island
- Horse-drawn carriage to Edfu Temple
- All entrance fees to listed sites
- Road transport to and from Abu Simbel
- Final transfer to Aswan hotel, station, or airport
Not Included
- International or domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending and gratuities
- Optional purchases at markets
- Any meals or drinks outside full-board program
- Items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on the Nile
Spaces on this cruise-based itinerary are limited. Secure your dates now and receive full confirmation with all logistical details ahead of your trip.
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