5-Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan | Egyptologist Guide
Guided visits to Karnak, Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings), Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with transfers, accommodation and entrance fees included.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan, 5 days 4 nights is a 5-day guided tour covering Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan in the Nile region, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with Accommodation
- Accommodation
- Comfort to Luxury Nile Cruise / Hotels Arranged by Supplier
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Nile
- Includes
- 4 nights accommodation · All stated transfers · English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees where listed · Daily breakfast · Selected lunches · Local taxes and service charges
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Private travelers · Families with older children
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The most comfortable time for this itinerary is generally October to April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are usually milder and sightseeing is easier outdoors. December to February can be busy at major sites, while Ramadan and public holidays may affect opening hours, meal timing, and local traffic.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- English-speaking Egyptologist for guided visits
- Transfers and sightseeing are arranged with on-the-ground coordination
- Entrance fees are included where listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 local support for pre-arranged travel services
02Overview
A first look
At dawn the Nile narrows to a ribbon of saffron light along Luxor’s quay, the slap of oars the first sound before engines start. From river level you move into open temple courts where columns throw lattice shadows, follow hieroglyph-lined avenues, and have time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo to study reliefs and inscriptions without feeling rushed.
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange all transfers and an English-speaking Egyptologist for every guided visit. Unlike large coach-bus day tours, our pace allows full visits to each temple, and your Egyptologist, for example Dr Ahmed Hassan, will meet you at the first pickup.
Background
The facts
This 5-day, 4-night itinerary runs between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile corridor, covering major ancient Egyptian sites in Upper Egypt. The route includes Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple on the east bank, then the West Bank monuments of Thebes, including the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. In the Valley of the Kings, standard visits commonly allow access to three tombs, while premium tombs such as Tutankhamun are typically optional and excluded unless specifically added.
South of Luxor, the itinerary continues to Edfu and Kom Ombo, two of the best-preserved temple complexes on the Nile. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, dates to the Ptolemaic period and is one of the most intact temples in Egypt; Kom Ombo is a rare double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus and sits on a bend of the river. These sites are usually visited by road or river connection as part of the scheduled sightseeing program, with enough time ashore for the main courtyards, sanctuaries, and reliefs.
The final sightseeing day in Aswan includes Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Philae was relocated after the construction of the High Dam, which created Lake Nasser and changed the Nile’s flood control system. Aswan is the southern terminus of the route, and transfers are typically arranged to Aswan Airport or a booked hotel after the final overnight stay.
This itinerary is generally sold as a multi-day guided tour with accommodation and scheduled transfers, rather than as a simple point-to-point transfer. Entrance fees are included where listed in the program, while gratuities, drinks, visa fees, international flights, and optional extras remain excluded unless stated otherwise.
Named in this entry
Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Colossi of Memnon·Temple of Hatshepsut·Deir el-Bahari·Temple of Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Sobek·Horus·Philae Temple·Aswan High Dam·Unfinished Obelisk·Agilkia Island·Lake Nasser
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time visitors to Egypt, history-focused travelers, and adults or older teens who want a structured Upper Egypt program with guided site visits. It is also suitable for private travelers who prefer included transfers, pre-arranged overnight stays, and a pace that allows time at major monuments rather than short stopovers.
What lingers
- 01Guided visit to Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings
- 02Temple of Edfu, a well-preserved Ptolemaic temple visited with adequate shore time
- 03Kom Ombo, the double temple of Sobek and Horus, visited mid-route
- 04Philae Temple at Agilkia Island and the Aswan High Dam in Aswan
- 05Sunset felucca option on the Nile in Aswan, arranged on request
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike shorter 3-night Nile programs, this 4-night itinerary provides more time at Edfu and Kom Ombo, which are often rushed on abbreviated routes. Compared with a simple land transfer between Luxor and Aswan, it combines arranged accommodation, guided sightseeing, and included site admissions where listed. It is also different from large coach tours because the day-by-day program is built around full monument visits and an Egyptologist guide.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Edfu
- 1
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- 3
- 4
- 5
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Four nights' accommodation, as stated in the itinerary, in hotels in Luxor, Aswan and mid-route stops
- All transfers between airports, hotels and excursion sites shown in the itinerary
- An English-speaking Egyptologist for all guided visits
- Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums listed in the itinerary
- Daily breakfast, plus the lunches specified in the day-by-day programme
- Local taxes and passenger service charges
- Sightseeing and guided tours as laid out in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Drinks, personal expenses and optional activities unless explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities for Egyptologists, drivers and hotel staff
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Single-room supplement where applicable
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be arranged with different accommodation standards, from comfort to luxury, depending on the selected supplier and room category. It can also be customized with optional add-ons such as a felucca ride in Aswan, extra temple visits, upgraded meals, or a longer stay before or after the Nile route.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves regular walking on uneven stone, cobbles and loose sand, with short boat landings and steps at island temples. Expect standing, uphill approaches and low, narrow tomb entrances on the Luxor West Bank, plus stepped stairways at many temple complexes. Wheelchair users can use an accessible vehicle for road transfers on request, but independent access at many sites is limited: ramps exist at some modern entrances, while tomb interiors and temple inner chambers often have steps and low ceilings. We can arrange porter assistance and a trained escort for guests with reduced mobility, but you must contact us before booking so we can confirm specific lift or ramp availability, on-site support and whether a given site visit is practical on your dates. Some river landings use temporary gangways which are not suitable for heavy electric wheelchairs.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport, with at least six months' validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat
- Refillable water bottle and a small daypack
- Prescription medication and a basic personal first-aid kit
- Copies of flight details and an emergency contact
- Light waterproof or windproof layer for early mornings on deck
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed shoes for tombs and uneven stone surfaces
- A warm layer for early mornings and evenings by the Nile
- UV-protective sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
Children & families
Minimum recommended age is five years, because transfers, boat landings and site visits include steps and uneven terrain. Child pricing depends on age and room-sharing; reductions are generally available when a child shares a double room with two adults. Strollers work on flat hotel areas and modern quays, but are difficult on cobbled temple approaches and inside tombs. High chairs and baby equipment are not guaranteed at all hotels; request these at booking so we can advise availability and arrange alternatives where feasible.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport — ArrivalsMap
On the ground
Your route
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers between Luxor and Aswan use air-conditioned coaches that meet local emissions standards where available; short water transfers to Agilkia Island and other river landings use licensed local motorboats. The optional felucca sail is operated by local boatmen using traditional craft. We contract Egyptologists, drivers and boat crews directly and pay locally agreed rates to support regional livelihoods; hotels and restaurants used on route are nearby businesses chosen to keep spending in the communities visited. To reduce single-use plastic we encourage refillable bottles and our coaches carry sealed drinking water on request. We also brief guests on staying on marked paths to protect fragile archaeological surfaces and time visits to reduce queuing at sensitive sites where possible.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·In summary
This 5-day, 4-night itinerary includes guided visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk. It also includes accommodation, transfers, selected meals, entrance fees where listed, and an English-speaking Egyptologist for guided visits. International flights, visas, drinks, and gratuities are excluded unless stated otherwise.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of this Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
This Nile cruise itinerary is 5 days and 4 nights, travelling from Luxor to Aswan. It includes four overnight stays on the cruise vessel, allowing for comprehensive sightseeing along the route.02What is included in the price of this Nile cruise?
The cruise includes 4 nights' accommodation, all transfers between airports, hotels, and excursion sites, and the services of an English-speaking Egyptologist for all guided visits. Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums listed in the itinerary, daily breakfast, and selected lunches are also covered.03What is not included in the Nile cruise package?
International flights to and from Egypt, drinks, personal expenses, and optional activities are not included. Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff, along with visa fees and travel insurance, are also excluded. A single-room supplement may apply.04What kind of transfers are provided during the cruise?
All necessary transfers are included, such as arrival transfer from Luxor Airport to the cruise, transfers to all excursion sites, and a departure transfer from the cruise or Aswan hotel to Aswan Airport. These are private transfers arranged by our drivers.05Is an Egyptologist guide provided for the sightseeing tours?
Yes, the services of an English-speaking Egyptologist are included for all guided visits throughout the itinerary. Our Egyptologists provide detailed insights into the ancient sites you will visit.06What are the main archaeological sites visited on this cruise?
The cruise visits major sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk.07Is this cruise suitable for children and families?
This cruise is suitable for families, offering a structured itinerary with guided visits to historical sites. The pace allows for exploration, but parents should consider their children's interest in ancient history and ability to walk at sites.08What should I wear and bring for the Nile cruise and excursions?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. Modest dress is advised for temple visits, covering shoulders and knees.09What is the best time of year to take this Nile cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best time for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. The summer months, May to September, can be very hot, particularly at midday.10How does this 4-night cruise differ from shorter 3-night options?
Unlike shorter 3-night cruises, this 4-night programme provides more comprehensive visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo. The itinerary allows for ample time ashore at each site, rather than abbreviated stopovers, enhancing the experience.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: TOU-NIL-106280
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