5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Visit the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple during a guided Nile cruise.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Departs
- Daily
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This 5-day Nile cruise package is a guided Egypt itinerary arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt with hotel nights in Luxor, three nights aboard a Nile cruise, transfers, and sightseeing.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Travel style
- Private Guided Cruise Package
- Accommodation
- Hotel Nights in Luxor + Nile Cruise Cabin
- Operated by
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Luxor · Valley of the Kings (Luxor West Bank) · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple (Agilkia Island) · Aswan · Nile
- Includes
- Hotel accommodation in Luxor · Three nights aboard a Nile cruise cabin · Transfers between airports, hotels, and embarkation/disembarkation points · Meals as stated in the itinerary · Entrance fees to listed sites and museums · Qualified Egyptologist guide
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with school-age children
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are generally lower and site visits are easier in the morning. From May to September, temperatures can be very hot, especially on the West Bank and open temple courtyards. During Ramadan and major Egyptian holidays, some services and site timings may be adjusted, so advance planning is useful.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator arranging the itinerary, transfers, hotels, and cruise cabin bookings through local suppliers.
- Sightseeing is conducted with a qualified Egyptologist guide during the included visits.
- The program includes pre-arranged ground logistics and on-the-ground coordination for hotel check-in, cruise embarkation, and site transfers.
- Standard entrance fees to the listed sites are included unless the itinerary states otherwise.
- Verified traveler reviews and local operating experience help support service consistency across the route.
- Assistance is available throughout the trip for timing changes, transfers, and excursion coordination.
02Overview
A first look
Four nights on the Nile means you unpack once and the scenery changes around you. You board in Luxor on day one, walk through Karnak and Luxor Temple, and the next morning cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple.
From there the ship heads south to Edfu and Kom Ombo, and finishes in Aswan with Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Your Egyptologist leads every visit, and we handle the transfers, the cabin and site entry through trusted local partners. Ships range from simple to five-star, so you can match the cruise to your budget.
Background
The facts
This 5-day Nile cruise package combines hotel nights in Luxor with three nights aboard a Nile cruise vessel while traveling downstream to Aswan. The itinerary includes scheduled sightseeing at major Upper Egypt monuments, with transfers between airport, hotels, embarkation points, and disembarkation points arranged in advance. Entrance fees to the listed archaeological sites and museums are included unless a specific exception is stated in the itinerary.
In Luxor, the West Bank visit centers on the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground used during the New Kingdom, where many decorated tombs date to the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Karnak Temple on the East Bank developed over more than 1,500 years and includes the Great Hypostyle Hall, which contains 134 papyrus-shaped columns, and the avenue of sphinxes linking temple precincts. These site visits are typically scheduled in the cooler morning hours, which helps manage heat and crowd levels.
During the cruise portion, the vessel calls at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and was built in the Ptolemaic period, beginning in 237 BCE. Kom Ombo is a double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, notable for its symmetrical design and river-facing position. On arrival in Aswan, Philae Temple is reached by short boat transfer to Agilkia Island, where the temple complex was relocated after the construction of the High Dam to preserve it from rising waters.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Valley of the Kings·West Bank of Luxor·Karnak Temple·Great Hypostyle Hall·Avenue of Sphinxes·Edfu Temple·Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Temple of Sobek and Haroeris·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island·Aswan·Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits travelers who want a structured Upper Egypt program with a mix of hotel stays and river cruising. It is a strong fit for history-focused adults, couples, and families with school-age children who are comfortable with several site visits and moderate walking.
What lingers
- 01Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank, with entry to three tombs
- 02Karnak Temples and Luxor Temple on your first day
- 03Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, visited on the way to Aswan
- 04Philae Temple by boat, plus the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
- 05Four nights on board your Nile cruise ship with full board
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a single-day coach itinerary, this package spaces the major temples and tombs across several days, which reduces the rush between sites and allows more time at each stop. Compared with a cruise-only program, it also includes hotel nights in Luxor before and/or around the cruise segment, which can make arrival logistics simpler. It is best understood as a combined land-and-river itinerary rather than a pure cruise product.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor · Valley of the Kings (Luxor West Bank) · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple (Agilkia Island)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation.
| Comfort level | Where you stay | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Nile Cruise Nephtis · Magic I | October – April: from $948 | May – September: from $792 |
| Comfort | Nile Cruise Royal Princess Amira · Tower Prestige | October – April: from $1,130 | May – September: from $896 |
| Classic | Nile Cruise Grand Sun · Stephanie | October – April: from $1,312 | May – September: from $896 |
| Prestige | Nile Cruise Sonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | October – April: from $1,650 | May – September: from $1,260 |
| Luxury | Nile Cruise Sonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | October – April: from $2,768 | May – September: from $1,520 |
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.
Bundled in
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Wi-Fi (in public areas)
- Restaurant (gourmet restaurant)
- Gymnasium
- Lounge Bar
- 24-hour reception
- Doctor on call
- Laundry service
- LCD TV
- Mini-bar
- Safe box in each cabin
- Airport transfer
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation throughout: hotel nights in Luxor and cruise cabin nights on the Nile
- Transfers between airport, hotels and cruise embarkation and disembarkation points
- Meals as stated in the full itinerary (hotel meals and full board on cruise where specified)
- Entrance fees to scheduled archaeological sites and museums as listed in the itinerary
- Services of a qualified Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa fees and personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for crew, drivers and guides (recommended but not included)
- Entrance to premium tombs and pyramid interiors (for example Tutankhamun or Khufu) unless specifically booked
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Any optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be adjusted to suit private travel preferences, including faster pacing, extra time in Luxor or Aswan, or additional sightseeing where logistics allow. Depending on the booking, meal arrangements can be upgraded or extended, and optional visits may be added if they are not already included in the program.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand at temple approaches, cobbled surfaces at Luxor West Bank, and steps at many sites. Temple entrances and tombs often require descending steep, narrow stairs; the Valley of the Kings has several tombs with uneven floors and low passages. The cruise segment has gangways and steps to board and disembark, plus cabin door thresholds. Transfers use standard minibuses with a step up to enter. Wheelchair users should note that most tombs and Philae Temple island approaches are not wheelchair accessible without substantial assistance. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange a meet-and-assist service at Luxor International Airport and vehicle modifications where feasible; please contact us at booking with mobility details at least 14 days before travel so we can advise what is possible and which sites to adapt.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a printed booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a sun hat
- Reusable water bottle (refillable on the cruise and at hotels)
- Small daypack for camera, water and personal items
- Lightweight rain jacket (winter months) and personal medications
- Copies of any mobility or dietary requirements
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light fleece or long-sleeve layer for cool early mornings and evenings
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven stone and tomb interiors
- Sunglasses and a brimmed hat
Children & families
Minimum age is 5 years for this itinerary due to stairs, tomb descents and walking on uneven surfaces. Child fares apply for ages 5 to 11 when sharing a room with two adults; children aged 12 and over are charged the adult rate. Strollers are practical at hotels and flat promenades but not inside most tombs or on the Nile cruise gangways; a lightweight carrier is often more useful. We can request a cot or extra bed at hotels where available; please state child ages at booking so we can confirm availability and pricing.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport — ArrivalsMap
On the ground
Your route
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers between sites use air-conditioned minibuses with seating for up to 16 passengers rather than large coaches, reducing per-person fuel use on this small-group itinerary. Local Egyptologists and boat crews are contracted directly by us for each sailing season, and we pay standard daily rates and use local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan to support the communities who rely on Nile tourism. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles, and cruise moorings avoid fragile riverbank sites by using established overnight anchorages. Site visits follow local site-management rules, including designated walkways at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, to limit wear on archaeological surfaces.
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
·In summary
This tour includes hotel stays in Luxor, three nights in a Nile cruise cabin, transfers, meals as stated in the itinerary, entrance fees to listed sites, and a qualified Egyptologist guide. It visits the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple on Agilkia Island.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the 5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
It runs five days and four nights. You board the ship on day one in Luxor and sleep on board every night until you disembark in Aswan on day five. There are no hotel nights.02How do airport transfers work on this Nile cruise?
A driver meets you at Luxor Airport and takes you to the ship on day one. On day five you are taken from the ship in Aswan to Aswan Airport. Share your flight details when you book so we can time both transfers. International flights are not included.03What is included in the 5-day Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise?
Four nights in a cabin on your Nile cruise ship, full board on board, both airport transfers, entrance fees to the listed sites (three tombs in the Valley of the Kings) and an Egyptologist guide are included. Ships from simple to five-star are available.04What is not included in the 5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
International and domestic flights, visa fees, travel insurance, gratuities, drinks and personal expenses are not included. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and the interiors of the pyramids are also extra, as are optional excursions.05How physically demanding is the Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise?
Sightseeing involves walking over uneven ancient stone, some steps and heat, and the ship has stairs between decks. Pace is moderate. If you have limited mobility, tell us before booking so we can check what is workable.06Is the 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan suitable for children?
Yes, families travel on it often. Children usually enjoy life on board, but long temple days in the heat can tire younger ones. Cabin and entrance arrangements depend on their ages, so tell us how old they are when you request a booking.07What should I wear and bring on a Nile cruise?
Pack comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Cover shoulders and knees at temples. Evenings on deck can be cool in winter, so bring a light layer.08Can I take photos at the sites on this Nile cruise?
Photography is allowed at most outdoor sites. Some tombs and museums ban flash or sell a separate camera ticket, and some interiors forbid photos altogether. Your Egyptologist will tell you the rules at each stop.09When is the best time to take a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
October through April is the most comfortable season for sightseeing. Summer in Upper Egypt is very hot, especially at midday, although the ships are air-conditioned.10Which sites do I visit between Luxor and Aswan?
Day 1: Karnak Temples and Luxor Temple. Day 2: Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings (three tombs) and Hatshepsut's temple. Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo. Day 4: Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Product ID: TOU-NIL-463129
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