5-Day Marsa Alam to Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise Tour
Private road transfers link Marsa Alam with the Nile. In between, four nights on a cruise ship take in Luxor, the Valley of the Queens, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, with a sunset felucca ride on the river.
The short answer
5-Day Marsa Alam to Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise Tour is a 5-day, 4-night trip to Luxor, Aswan and Marsa Alam: 4 nights on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. It includes an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $1,457 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Marsa Alam sits on the southern Red Sea coast, and the Nile valley is a long drive inland. This five-day tour does that drive for you. On day 1 a private driver takes you from Marsa Alam to Luxor, you see Karnak and Luxor Temple, and you join your Nile cruise ship for four nights on full board.
Day 2 adds the Valley of the Queens to Luxor's West Bank. Then come Edfu and Kom Ombo, and finally Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan, followed by a sunset felucca ride. On day 5 a private driver takes you back to the coast. You choose the standard of ship when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the vessel for your dates.
What lingers
- 01Private road transfers from Marsa Alam to Luxor on day 1 and from Aswan back on day 5
- 02Karnak with its Sacred Lake, and Luxor Temple, before you join the ship
- 03The Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 04Edfu and Kom Ombo temples on the river
- 05Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan
- 06A sunset felucca ride around Elephantine Island on day 4
- 07Four nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, 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 $1,457well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsNephtis · Magic I | $1,457May–Sep: from $1,301 | |
| Comfortfrom $1,6395★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsRoyal Princess Amira · Tower Prestige | $1,639May–Sep: from $1,405 | |
| Classicfrom $1,8215★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsGrand Sun · Stephanie | $1,821May–Sep: from $1,405 | |
| Prestigefrom $2,1595★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | $2,159May–Sep: from $1,769 | |
| Luxuryfrom $3,2775★ luxury Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | $3,277May–Sep: from $2,029 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom $4,421Iconic heritage vessels | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsHistoria | $4,421May–Sep: from $3,069 |
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
5 Days / 4 Nights · Marsa Alam · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- 1
Your private driver collects you in Marsa Alam and drives you inland to Luxor. This is the day you change city, so the sightseeing is fitted around your arrival time. On the East Bank you walk through Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, past its Sacred Lake, and visit Luxor Temple by the river. Then you join your Nile cruise ship.
Your English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included. Lunch and dinner are served, and you sleep on board.
- 2
Today belongs to the West Bank. With your Egyptologist guide you see the Colossi of Memnon, go into three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and climb to Queen Hatshepsut's terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari. The Valley of the Queens is added as a half-day trip with its own private vehicle, a private licensed Egyptologist guide and the entrance ticket. It is a full day of walking in the sun.
Guide, entrance fees and transport are included, and all three meals are served on board.
- 3
The ship moves upriver and you step ashore at two temples, with your Egyptologist guide. Edfu holds the Temple of Horus, one of the best preserved in Egypt. At Kom Ombo, a double temple stands on the bank, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Entrance fees and transport are included, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on the ship.
- 4
In Aswan you spend the day with your Egyptologist guide. Philae Temple, the temple of Isis, was moved to its island when the High Dam was built, and you see the dam as well. The Unfinished Obelisk still lies in its granite quarry.
Late in the day you board a felucca at the cruise pier for the sunset sail of about three hours, around Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island, past the Aga Khan views. Entrance fees and transport are included, including the transfer to the dock and back. You spend the last night on the ship.
- 5
After breakfast you say goodbye to the ship, and a private driver takes you from Aswan to Marsa Alam. No sightseeing is planned today. The itinerary gives no journey time, so ask us for the pickup time and the expected arrival before you book flights or onward plans.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Four nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board
- Private road transfer from Marsa Alam to Luxor on day 1
- Private road transfer from Aswan back to Marsa Alam on day 5
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport at every site in the cruise sightseeing, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Valley of the Queens half-day on day 2 with a private vehicle, a private licensed Egyptologist guide and the entrance ticket
- Sunset felucca ride in Aswan on day 4, with transfer to the dock and return and entrance fees
- Meals as stated: lunch and dinner on day 1, all meals on days 2 to 4, breakfast on day 5
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Hotel nights in Marsa Alam before or after the tour
- Tips for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Karnak Temple, the earliest entry usually has the fewest coach groups and the softest light.
- 02
The west side of the Valley of the Kings is hotter; carry water and expect uneven stone steps.
- 03
At Philae Temple, afternoon light is often better for photos on the water approach.
- 04
For temple visits, wear closed shoes with grip, especially around worn limestone and sandstone.
- 05
In Aswan, ask your guide about the north side viewpoints at the High Dam for clearer sightlines.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your ship standard when you book. Ask us about adding Abu Simbel or extra nights in Luxor or Aswan.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Visitors on the southern Red Sea coast who want the Nile and its temples. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with long drives at each end.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who dislike long drives.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Karnak, both Valleys on the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae in five days
- No flights: private road transfers from and back to Marsa Alam
- Four nights on one ship, so no repacking
- A sunset felucca ride in Aswan on day 4
Things to Consider
- Two long road transfers
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good way to add the Nile to a stay on the southern Red Sea coast. Abu Simbel is not included.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruises begin at the Luxor or Aswan airports. This one begins and ends in Marsa Alam by road, so it suits Red Sea guests who prefer not to fly. The ship standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- 4 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Private road transfer from Marsa Alam to Luxor · Private road transfer from Aswan back to Marsa Alam · Valley of the Queens half-day with a private guide · Sunset felucca ride in Aswan · Entrance to the sites in the itinerary
- Best for
- Guests staying in Marsa Alam · First-time visitors to the Nile · Travelers who prefer not to fly
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Marsa Alam pickup pointMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Small day bag
- Light layer for the ship
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for evenings on the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Cabin prices depend on the child's age and the cabin used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves walking around large archaeological sites, on uneven stone and sand, with steps and some narrow tomb passages. The Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and Karnak have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship, the boat to Philae and the felucca involve steps and a gangway. Both private road transfers between Marsa Alam and the Nile are long. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned where required, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us your needs when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The tour uses a Nile cruise ship, a sailing felucca ride and two long private road transfers, and vehicle types vary, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Sightseeing is arranged through local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and not to touch the painted walls in tombs.
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 early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Where does the tour start and finish?
In Marsa Alam. A private driver takes you to Luxor on day 1, and a private transfer brings you from Aswan back to Marsa Alam on day 5.02How long are the road transfers?
Each is a long road journey. The itinerary does not state a time, so we confirm the pickup time and expected arrival with you when you book.03Which ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ship for your dates. The route and the sightseeing are the same at every standard.04Where does the ship go?
You join it at Luxor on day 1 and spend four nights on the Nile. You see Karnak and Luxor Temple, the West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo, then Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan.05What is the Valley of the Queens half-day?
It is a trip on day 2 to the Valley of the Queens, on Luxor's West Bank, with a private vehicle, a private licensed Egyptologist guide and the entrance ticket. It comes on top of the West Bank sightseeing.06What is the sunset felucca ride?
On day 4 a felucca, the traditional Nile sailing boat, takes you for about three hours around Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island, past the Aga Khan views, as the sun goes down. The transfer to the dock and back and the entrance fees are included.07Are meals included?
Yes, full board on the ship: lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on days 2 to 4, and breakfast on day 5.08Is a hotel in Marsa Alam included?
No. The tour begins and ends with a road transfer, and the only nights included are the four on the ship. Your Marsa Alam hotel is booked separately.09Is Abu Simbel included?
No. This itinerary does not include Abu Simbel. Ask us if you would like it added.10Will I make my international flight home?
The road journey back from Aswan to Marsa Alam is long and is a separate booking from your international flight, so a delay could cost you the connection. We prefer one more night on the coast before you fly. If you must fly the same day, choose a late-evening or night flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-MRS-652579
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat or Sun
- Route
- Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Marsa Alam
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers