3-Nights Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor
Travel from Aswan to Luxor on a three-night Nile cruise, exploring riverside temples and royal tombs with your own private Egyptologist guide.
3-Nights Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor follows the Nile north through a concentrated stretch of ancient history, with a private Egyptologist guide for every included visit. Begin among the granite quarries and island temples of Aswan, then settle into the rhythm of the river as your ship sails toward Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Each day balances guided sightseeing with time on board. You will examine the unusual double sanctuary at Kom Ombo, walk through the remarkably complete Temple of Horus at Edfu and reach Luxor for the royal tombs and monumental temples on both banks. Private transfers between the ship and the sites keep the touring straightforward, while your guide explains the people, rituals and building techniques behind what you see.
The price covers your Egyptologist guide, private transfers, every sight in the itinerary and your full-board cabin on the cruise — flights and hotels are booked separately so you choose your own standard. Entrance tickets are paid separately on site, as listed in the exclusions. This route suits travellers who want a clear, well-paced introduction to Upper Egypt without joining a large sightseeing group.
What you will see
- Aswan High Dam — modern engineering beside Lake Nasser
- Unfinished Obelisk — ancient stoneworking in the granite quarry
- Philae Temple — island sanctuary of the goddess Isis
- Kom Ombo Temple — a riverside sanctuary shared by two gods
- Temple of Horus at Edfu — preserved courts and carved walls
- Valley of the Kings — royal tombs with your private guide
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut — terraces beneath the Theban cliffs
- Karnak Temple Complex — monumental halls and sacred precincts
Day by day
Day 1Embark in Aswan / Aswan Sightseeing
Meet your representative in Aswan and transfer to the ship for embarkation before lunch, normally around 11:00 am. After lunch, leave with your private Egyptologist guide for the High Dam, where a short stop introduces the Nile’s modern story. Continue to the granite quarry to see the Unfinished Obelisk and the marks left by ancient workers.
A motorboat then carries you to Agilkia Island for Philae Temple, the sanctuary dedicated to Isis. Allow about four hours for the afternoon circuit, including the boat crossings, before returning to the ship. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples
After breakfast, sail north and go ashore with your guide at Kom Ombo Temple. Its paired courts and sanctuaries served Sobek and Haroeris, and the riverside setting makes the temple plan easy to read. The visit usually takes about one hour before you rejoin the ship and continue toward Edfu.
At Edfu, travel from the quay to the Temple of Horus, where the pylon, courtyard and carved ritual scenes survive in unusual detail. Allow roughly two hours for the transfer and guided visit. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing toward Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings
Cross to Luxor’s west bank after breakfast for a guided morning among the Theban necropolis. Enter the Valley of the Kings, where your standard ticket covers three open royal tombs; particular tombs may require separate tickets. Continue to the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and discuss how its architecture frames the limestone cliffs.
Pause at the Colossi of Memnon, the two seated statues that once guarded Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple. The west-bank circuit usually lasts four to five hours, with private transport throughout. Return to the ship for lunch and time to relax. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4Luxor East Bank / Disembarkation
Eat breakfast on board, check out and meet your guide for Luxor’s east bank. Spend about two hours inside the Karnak Temple Complex, tracing its pylons, courts and columned halls while your Egyptologist places each major addition in context. Continue to Luxor Temple, a compact riverside complex linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.
The guided sightseeing normally finishes around early afternoon, depending on disembarkation and local traffic. Your private vehicle then takes you to Luxor airport, station or your independently booked hotel for your onward plans. Today’s service ends after your drop-off, with no overnight arranged.
Included
- 3 nights in a cabin on a 5-star Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner on board)
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure
- All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout
- All sightseeing tours as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled water during tours
Not included
- International and domestic flights — not included (we can book domestic flights for you on request)
- Hotel nights before or after the cruise — not included (we can arrange them on request)
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sites (to be paid by guests on-site)
- Optional tours (Abu Simbel, Hot Air Balloon, Sound & Light Shows)
- Drinks during meals
- Egypt entry visa
- Tipping for guide, driver and cruise staff
- Personal expenses
Frequently asked questions
Are flights included?
No. International and domestic flights are not part of the cruise price. If you need a flight to Aswan before embarkation or a flight from Luxor after the tour, we can book it for you on request.
Is the hotel or other accommodation included?
Your three nights in a Nile cruise cabin are included. Hotel nights before embarkation in Aswan or after disembarkation in Luxor are not included, although we can arrange a 4-star or 5-star hotel to match your plans.
What is included on the cruise?
The cruise includes your cabin for three nights and full board on board: lunch and dinner on embarkation day, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the two full sailing days, and breakfast before disembarkation.
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance tickets for the temples and tombs named in the itinerary are paid by guests on site. Your guide will explain the ticket choices, including any separately priced royal tombs, before each visit.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The transfers and sightseeing are private, and you have your own Egyptologist guide for the visits. The ship itself is shared with other cruise passengers, and its sailing and meal schedules apply to everyone on board.
What should I pack for the cruise?
Bring light, modest clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a light layer for cool evenings from November to February. A small day bag is useful for water and tickets during temple visits.
