4 Day Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor
Sail via Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu, then visit the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist and full-board meals
The short answer
4-day Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor is a 4-day, 3-night trip to Luxor and Aswan: 3 nights on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. It includes an Egyptologist guide and transfers. Prices start at £683 per person, two sharing (Classic, May–September).
02Overview
A first look
By early morning in Aswan, granite islands break the Nile into silver channels, and the deck offers a quieter view than the roads beside the river. Ashore, you examine the Unfinished Obelisk before our Egyptologist explains how Philae Temple was moved to higher ground. Unlike a road journey, the landscape changes gradually as the vessel sails north, with Kom Ombo and Edfu appearing between open desert and cultivated banks.
There are early starts, particularly for the Valley of the Kings, and some ancient surfaces are uneven. In return, you see Luxor’s temples in the cooler hours, then rest in your cabin as the river carries you onward. We arrange your transfers, cruise booking and Egyptologist support through our licensed Egyptian tour operator.
What lingers
- 01Visit Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam
- 02Explore the Ptolemaic temples at Kom Ombo and Edfu
- 03Enter the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank
- 04See Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 05Visit Karnak Temple on Luxor East Bank
- 06Sail aboard a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser with full-board meals
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom £683well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSemiramis III · Magic I | £683May–Sep: from £626 | |
| Comfortfrom £7695★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsLady Mary · Tower Prestige | £769May–Sep: from £683 | |
| Classicfrom £8845★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsJaz Crown Jubilee · Stephanie | £884May–Sep: from £683 | |
| Prestigefrom £1,0285★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNile Excellence · Nile Serenity | £1,028May–Sep: from £884 | |
| Luxuryfrom £1,7175★ luxury Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | £1,717May–Sep: from £1,028 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom £2,348Iconic heritage vessels | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsJaz Elite Senator · Historia | £2,348May–Sep: from £1,602 |
Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
A 4-day, 3-night stay · Aswan · Aswan High Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk · Kom Ombo · Edfu
- 1
On arrival at Aswan Airport, our driver takes you to your arranged arrival point before your guided sightseeing begins. At the High Dam, your guide explains how its completion in 1970 changed Nile water management and formed Lake Nasser. A short boat journey leads to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, where inscriptions honour Isis and other ancient Egyptian deities.
You will also visit the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan’s granite quarry, a 42-metre monument still joined to the bedrock. The pace is measured, although the quarry surface is uneven and offers limited shade.
- 2
During the morning, your Egyptologist leads a visit to Kom Ombo Temple, a Ptolemaic sanctuary shared by Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, shown with a falcon’s head. Later, continue along the Nile to Edfu for the Temple of Horus, constructed between 237 and 57 BCE. Your guide points out the carved courtyards, religious scenes and tall columns, with uneven ancient paving underfoot.
Unlike shorter sailing programmes, this route gives you time to see both temples and compare their different religious traditions.
- 3
In the morning, visit Luxor Temple with your guide. The complex includes the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Great Court of Ramesses II and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III. Later, explore Karnak Temple, Egypt’s largest ancient religious complex. Its Hypostyle Hall contains 134 columns, while the Sacred Lake provides evidence of ritual activity by temple priests.
Your Egyptologist will explain how these monuments developed over several reigns. Surfaces are uneven in places, and shade is limited, so bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes.
- 4
This morning, your guide leads you across Luxor’s West Bank to the Valley of the Kings, where you enter three royal tombs included in today’s visit. At Deir el-Bahari, explore the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, built against the limestone cliffs for Egypt’s female pharaoh. The Colossi of Memnon follow, with two quartzite figures linked to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
Later, we arrange your transfer from Luxor city centre to Luxor Airport for departure.
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Private transfer
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Support provided for the entire tour
- Every transfer in a modern, deluxe air-conditioned vehicle
- Three nights in a cabin on a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser, with full-board dining
- Every Nile cruise excursion included in the programme
- Admission fees to all the sights listed between Aswan and Luxor
- Egyptologist guidance throughout the journey
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Extras not specified in the programme
- Entry to pyramid interiors, premium tombs and optional activities unless specifically requested
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Philae, late-afternoon light is often softer and day-trip crowds may be smaller.
- 02
Kom Ombo’s approach road offers clear views of the temple with the Nile in the background.
- 03
Wear shoes with grip at the Valley of the Kings, where paths can be dusty and uneven.
- 04
Karnak’s open courts can feel hottest around midday, so an earlier visit can help.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Egypt Discovery can arrange this itinerary privately or coordinate it with a small group, subject to cruise availability. Travellers may request additional Luxor or Aswan sightseeing, premium tomb tickets, extra hotel nights before or after the cruise, private transfers and dietary requirements; any additions are confirmed and priced separately.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This tour suits first-time visitors to Upper Egypt, history enthusiasts and travellers aged approximately 12 and above who want to combine guided sightseeing with the slower pace of river travel. It is best for travellers comfortable with early starts, walking over uneven temple surfaces and boarding or leaving a cruise vessel.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different itinerary if you need step-free access or use a wheelchair for most mobility, as ancient sites include stairs and uneven stone. It may also not suit travellers on a strict budget who want to avoid cruise accommodation and optional extras.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Combines Aswan and Luxor highlights with Kom Ombo and Edfu.
- Egyptologist-led visits add context at the main archaeological sites.
- Listed entrance fees are included, excluding premium tombs and extras.
- Cruise accommodation reduces the need to change hotels between cities.
- A structured route avoids arranging separate transport between each stop.
Things to Consider
- Uneven ancient stone and steps feature at several sites.
- Early starts help avoid crowds and the strongest daytime heat.
- Outdoor temples offer limited shade around midday.
- Gratuities, personal expenses and optional activities cost extra.
Where it fits
Pair the cruise with two nights in Aswan before departure and two nights in Luxor afterwards to allow time for sightseeing at both ends. It also follows naturally after a Cairo stay, with Aswan as the starting point and Luxor next for Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a road-only Upper Egypt itinerary, this package combines sightseeing with sailing between Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, reducing repeated long-distance road transfers. Unlike a self-guided cruise booking, it includes arranged transfers, listed entrance fees and Egyptologist-led excursions, while the third-party supplier operates the vessel.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Nile Cruise Package with a Guide
- Accommodation
- Deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser for 3 nights
- Destinations
- Aswan · Aswan High Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
- Includes
- A three-night stay aboard a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser · Nile cruise meals on a full-board basis · Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle · Egyptologist guide · Excursions listed for the Nile cruise · Admission fees for the sights listed · Taxes and service charges
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples and adult travellers · Families with older children · Travellers seeking guided Upper Egypt sightseeing
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Arrivals at Aswan International AirportMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Walking shoes with firm soles
- A hat for the sun and SPF 50 sunscreen
- A water bottle you can refill
- Your personal medicines and basic first-aid supplies
- Light daypack
- A camera or phone, plus a spare battery
- Egyptian pounds for personal purchases and gratuities
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
- Breathable layers for warm days and cooler mornings
- Comfortable walking shoes with closed toes
- Shoulders and knees covered at temples and religious sites
- Modest clothing for mosques if visited independently
- Sun hat, sunglasses and a light scarf or cover-up
Children & families
Children may join, but the booking terms provided do not specify a minimum age. Please confirm each child’s age before booking. Child prices depend on the cruise operator’s cabin and sharing rules, and are confirmed on request. Strollers are impractical at several sites because of sand, steps, uneven stone and cruiser gangways. High-chair availability on the cruiser is not confirmed, so please request this before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor includes uneven stone surfaces, sand, steps and exposure to the sun at Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. A gangway is normally needed to board the Nile cruiser, and stairs connect some decks. Vehicles have air conditioning, though wheelchair lifts have not been confirmed. A folding wheelchair may be accommodated with advance notice, depending on available space in the vehicle and vessel. The Valley of the Kings and a number of temple areas do not have full wheelchair access. Please tell us about your mobility requirements before booking, so we can check what arrangements are practical.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Road transfers use modern air-conditioned vehicles and the Nile section uses a locally operated passenger cruiser. We work with Egyptian Egyptologists, drivers, cruise staff, excursion providers and site-service teams in Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor. This keeps spending with businesses in the Nile Valley. Grouping several sights into each scheduled stop also avoids some repeated road journeys between the same destinations. We do not claim that the vehicles or cruiser are low-emission, and fuel use is part of operating the route. Carry a refillable bottle where permitted, avoid single-use plastic and follow site rules that protect ancient stonework.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the 4 Day Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor?
The journey lasts four days and includes three nights in a cabin aboard a Nile cruiser. You travel north from Aswan to Luxor, with sightseeing stops along the river. The programme combines time aboard the vessel with visits on shore, including temples at Kom Ombo and Edfu and monuments in Luxor.02How are airport transfers arranged for the Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise?
A transfer from Aswan Airport to the cruise embarkation point is included, as is a transfer from central Luxor to the airport on the final day. We arrange these journeys by air-conditioned vehicle. Please share your arrival and departure details when booking so the transfer arrangements can be confirmed.03What is included in this four-day Nile cruise package?
The package covers three nights on board a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser with full-board meals. It also includes the listed excursions, admission to the specified sights, transfers, assistance, an Egyptologist guide, service charges and taxes. The cruise and onshore services are arranged through suppliers by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.04What is excluded from the Aswan to Luxor cruise package?
Gratuities, personal spending and extras not listed in the programme are excluded. Entry to pyramid interiors and premium tombs, as well as optional activities, is also excluded unless specifically requested. The three Valley of the Kings tombs included in the programme are distinct from any premium tomb visit.05How physically demanding are the shore visits on this Nile cruise?
Expect walking over uneven ancient stone, steps and some sandy or exposed ground at sites such as Edfu Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Cruise vessels can have stairs between decks, and access gangways may be steep. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss the arrangements; access cannot be assumed at every site.06Is the four-day Nile cruise suitable for children?
Children can join the cruise, but the suitability depends on their age, mobility and comfort with early starts and archaeological visits. Sites such as Karnak Temple involve substantial walking across uneven ground, while time aboard offers a change of pace. Share your children’s ages when enquiring so we can check the arrangements.07What should I wear and bring for the Nile cruise excursions?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water for the shore visits. Temperatures can be high, particularly from late spring into summer, and shade is limited at some sites. Choose modest clothing for temple visits, covering shoulders and knees as a practical guide.08Can I take photographs at the temples and tombs on the cruise route?
Photography rules vary by site and may differ between open-air areas and tomb interiors. Flash photography may be restricted, and some tombs require a separate photography permit or do not allow photography. Check with your Egyptologist before taking pictures at the Valley of the Kings or other sites, and follow notices on the day.09When is the best season for the Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise?
The cooler months, roughly October to April, are generally more comfortable for walking around the temples. Summer brings stronger heat, so visits often begin early to avoid the hottest part of the day. Even in winter, bring sun protection, as open sites such as the Unfinished Obelisk quarry offer little shade.10Which sites are visited on the Luxor West Bank?
The Luxor West Bank visits include the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Entry covers three tombs open for the visit; premium tombs are not included unless specifically requested. The West Bank’s open terrain and uneven paths make sturdy footwear useful.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-ASW-759477
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Wed, Thu or Fri
- Route
- Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, transfers