8-Day Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise: Temples, Tombs & Timeless Egypt
Sail the legendary Nile from Luxor to Aswan, exploring pharaonic temples, royal tombs, and sacred monuments on a fully guided luxury cruise.
This luxury Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes travellers on an eight-day journey through Egypt's most celebrated ancient sites, from the Valley of the Kings to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel. Every detail is arranged by expert guides, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience from departure at Gatwick to the final farewell in Luxor.
Passengers spend the first days aboard a fully-equipped Nile cruise vessel, visiting the West Bank temples of Luxor, sailing through the Esna Lock, and calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo before reaching Aswan. The journey then shifts to a five-star hotel base in Luxor for three nights, allowing deeper exploration of Karnak, Luxor Temple, Dendera, and the artisan village of Deir el-Medina.
The itinerary is rated easy in terms of physical difficulty, making it accessible to a wide range of travellers. Highlights include a traditional felucca ride on the Aswan River, the evening Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, and a pre-dawn excursion to Abu Simbel by air-conditioned vehicle.
From the moment the group lands at Luxor Airport to the final transfer back, Elite Trip representatives are on hand to manage logistics, luggage, and briefings. The programme blends structured sightseeing with genuine downtime, giving travellers space to absorb the scale and atmosphere of each site at their own pace.
Tour Highlights
Explore over 60 royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including the burial chamber of Tutankhamun and the tomb of Ramses II on Luxor's West Bank.
Visit Abu Simbel at dawn, witnessing the four colossal statues of Ramses II carved into the Nubian rock face along the banks of Lake Nasser.
Sail the Nile aboard a traditional felucca from Aswan, drifting past lush islands and verdant riverbanks in a peaceful and intimate setting.
Walk through the hypostyle hall of Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious structures ever built, featuring over 130 towering columns adorned with reliefs.
Attend the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, where narration, music, and coloured illumination bring the history of ancient Thebes to life after dark.
Tour the island sanctuary of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, reached by boat across the Nile and set against a backdrop of calm river waters.
Discover the dual-dedicated Temple of Kom Ombo, shared between the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, positioned dramatically at the Nile's edge.
Itinerary Overview
The journey begins with a direct flight from Gatwick Airport to Luxor. On arrival, an Elite Trip representative meets the group at the airport and escorts everyone through arrival procedures before transferring to the Nile cruise vessel for check-in and an itinerary briefing.
Day 2 covers the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, followed by an afternoon sailing through the Esna Lock. Day 3 brings visits to the Temple of Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo as the vessel continues toward Aswan.
An early-morning departure by air-conditioned vehicle reaches Abu Simbel before the main crowds arrive. After returning to the boat for lunch, the afternoon features a relaxing felucca sail on the calm waters around Aswan.
Morning visits take in the island Temple of Philae, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk quarry site. After lunch the group travels by train to Luxor and checks into a five-star hotel for three nights.
Day 6 covers Luxor Temple and the Karnak complex, ending with the evening Sound and Light Show. Day 7 includes the Temple of Hathor at Dendera and an optional tour of Luxor's downtown souq.
The final morning visits the mortuary temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu and the artisan village of Deir el-Medina. After a farewell lunch, the group transfers to Luxor Airport for the return flight home.
What Is Included
Included
- Return direct flights from Gatwick Airport to Luxor
- Cabin accommodation on a Nile cruise vessel for the cruise portion
- Five-star bed and breakfast hotel in Luxor for three nights
- All meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on cruise days)
- Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout the tour
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for all site visits
- Entrance fees to all listed temples and archaeological sites
- Felucca boat ride on the Aswan River
- Sound and Light Show ticket at Karnak Temple
- Airport meet-and-greet by Elite Trip representative
- Luggage handling throughout the journey
Not Included
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses and optional purchases at local markets
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise crew
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages and room service
- Optional excursions not listed in the programme
- Visa fees for entry into Egypt (where applicable)
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Nile Journey
Spaces on this guided luxury cruise are limited. Secure your booking today and let the ancient world of Egypt reveal itself to you over eight carefully planned days.
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