Overview
Across Luxor and Aswan, this five-day Nile cruise carries you deep into southern Egypt, where ancient temples line the riverbanks and the same waters that fed the pharaohs still drift past your cabin window. Your journey begins with a private transfer from your Cairo hotel and a short domestic flight to Luxor, where a 5-star cruise ship becomes your floating base. With a private Egyptologist at your side, you’ll trace the columns of Karnak Temple and the illuminated avenue of Luxor Temple, then cross to the West Bank for the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the terraced grandeur of the Temple of Hatshepsut. As the ship sails south, the days unfold at a comfortable pace: the falcon god’s stronghold at the Temple of Edfu, the riverside double sanctuary of Kom Ombo, and long stretches of deck time as palm groves and desert cliffs slide past. In Aswan, you’ll take in the High Dam and reach the island setting of Philae Temple by motorboat, with a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. An optional dawn excursion to the colossal monuments of Abu Simbel rounds out the route before your return flight to Cairo. With your guide, meals, transfers, and stays all handled, you focus only on the temples and the slow rhythm of the river.
Trip Highlights
- Wander Karnak Temple's forest of towering columns
- Stand before Luxor Temple's illuminated procession avenue
- Descend into the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings
- Marvel at the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut beneath limestone cliffs
- Step into the well-preserved Temple of Edfu, shrine of Horus
- Visit the riverside double Temple of Kom Ombo
- Reach island-set Philae Temple by motorboat
- Take in sweeping views from the Aswan High Dam
- Cruise the Nile past palm groves and desert cliffs
- Add a dawn visit to the colossal monuments of Abu Simbel
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Around 4:30 AM, you will be collected from your hotel in Cairo for a private transfer to Cairo Airport, where you board your early morning domestic flight to Luxor, timed to match your cruise embarkation. On arrival, a local representative welcomes you and transfers you directly to your 5-star Nile cruise ship for check-in. Around 1:00 PM, settle in with lunch on board as the crew introduces the ship’s facilities and the days ahead.
In the afternoon, meet your private Egyptologist guide for a visit to Luxor’s East Bank. Explore the vast religious complex of Karnak Temple, dedicated mainly to Amun-Ra, with its monumental pylons, open courtyards, sacred chapels, and the celebrated Hypostyle Hall and its forest of towering columns. Continue to Luxor Temple, aligned along the ancient processional route and especially atmospheric as the light softens in the late afternoon.
You return to the cruise by approximately 5:30 PM, with time to relax before dinner is served on board. Spend the rest of the evening at your own pace on deck under the Nile sky. Overnight in Luxor aboard the Nile cruise.
After breakfast on board, meet your private guide for a morning on Luxor’s West Bank, the great necropolis of ancient Thebes. Begin in the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were laid to rest in elaborately decorated rock-cut tombs hidden beneath the desert hills. Your Egyptologist explains the vivid wall paintings and hieroglyphs that still hold their color after thousands of years.
Continue to the striking Temple of Hatshepsut, rising in terraces against a dramatic limestone cliff and dedicated to one of Egypt’s most powerful female rulers. On the way back, stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon, two seated stone giants that have guarded the plain for over three millennia.
Around 1:00 PM, return to the ship for lunch as it begins to sail south along the Nile toward Edfu. Spend the afternoon watching palm groves, riverbank villages, and farmland drift past from the sun deck. Dinner is served on board, and the evening is free to relax as the cruise continues. Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.
Enjoy breakfast on board before going ashore in Edfu to visit the remarkable Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. As one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, its massive walls, grand pylon, and detailed reliefs offer a clear picture of temple life in the Ptolemaic era. Your private guide brings the carved scenes and inscriptions to life.
Return to the ship for lunch as it sails on toward Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, visit the unusual double Temple of Kom Ombo, set right on the riverbank and dedicated jointly to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The symmetrical layout and the nearby collection of mummified crocodiles make this one of the most memorable stops along the river.
As the ship continues south to Aswan, settle onto the deck to enjoy the changing scenery and the calm pace of life on the Nile. Dinner is served on board, with a relaxed evening to follow. Overnight aboard the Nile cruise in Aswan.
After breakfast on board, meet your private guide for a relaxed day exploring the highlights of Aswan, the gateway to ancient Nubia and one of the most scenic stretches of the Nile. Begin at the Aswan High Dam, an engineering achievement that created Lake Nasser and reshaped the region, with sweeping views over the water from its crest.
Continue to the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and reached by a short motorboat ride to its island setting. The temple was carefully relocated stone by stone to save it from rising waters, and its elegant columns and reliefs reflect on the surrounding lake. Your guide shares the stories behind this enduring place of worship.
Return to the ship around 1:00 PM for lunch on board. The afternoon is at leisure, with the option to take a traditional felucca sailboat ride around the islands of Aswan as the sun lowers over the river. Dinner is served on board, followed by a quiet final evening on the Nile. Overnight aboard the cruise in Aswan.
For those who wish to add one final highlight, an optional early morning excursion to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel can be arranged at additional cost, featuring the colossal rock-cut monuments of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari near the shores of Lake Nasser.
After breakfast on board, check out from your cruise ship and meet your representative for a private transfer to Aswan Airport. Board your domestic flight back to Cairo, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
This brings your Nile journey from Luxor to Aswan to a close, after several days tracing the ancient temples and timeless landscapes of southern Egypt at a comfortable, private pace. End of tour services.
Inclusions:
- 4 nights aboard a 5-star standard Nile cruise (full board)
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners on board
- Domestic flights: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- Private transfer from your Cairo hotel to Cairo Airport
- Meet and assist at Luxor Airport on arrival (Day 1)
- Private transfer to Aswan Airport on departure (Day 5)
- Transfer to your hotel in Cairo on arrival from Aswan
- All Nile cruise excursions as per the itinerary
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide for all tours
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and excursions
- All service charges and taxes
Exclusions:
- International airfare to and from Cairo
- Egypt entry visa
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion
- Optional felucca ride in Aswan
- Personal spending money and souvenirs
- Tipping for guide, driver, and cruise staff
- Travel insurance
- Drinks during meals (except water)
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Important Information
- Domestic flight times are set according to cruise embarkation and disembarkation, which can mean very early morning pickups from Cairo.
- The optional Abu Simbel excursion must be pre-booked and starts very early; please request it in advance as it carries an additional cost.
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as temple sites such as Karnak, Edfu, and the Valley of the Kings involve uneven ground and steps.
- Daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt can be very high, especially in summer; bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light breathable clothing.
- Modest dress is recommended at temples and religious sites; covering shoulders and knees is appreciated.
- Domestic flights in Egypt allow limited checked luggage; soft-sided bags are easier to handle on transfers and at the cruise dock.
- Cruise itineraries and sailing times may shift slightly due to Nile navigation, river traffic, or operational requirements.
- Egypt uses Type C and F electrical outlets at 220V; travelers from the US/UK should bring a suitable adapter.
- Carry small cash for tipping cruise staff, guides, and drivers, which is customary in Egypt.
- We recommend arriving in Cairo at least one day before the tour begins to allow for rest and any flight delays.
Join Our Fixed Trip Starting Date
- Guaranteed Group Discount Available Available PackagesThursdayJune 18, 2026MondayJune 22, 2026$1,199Available
- Guaranteed Group Discount Available Available PackagesSaturdayJune 20, 2026WednesdayJune 24, 2026$1,199Available
FAQs
You can book directly through the One Nation Travel website or by contacting our team. A deposit is typically required to confirm your booking and cruise space, with the balance due before the tour start date. Once confirmed, we send you a detailed itinerary and all relevant information.
This tour is strictly non-refundable and non-changeable once the booking is confirmed. No refunds, date changes, credits, or amendments are permitted for any reason, including flight delays, illness, personal circumstances, or changes in travel plans.
If you cancel, fail to join the tour, or request a date change after confirmation, 100% of the total amount paid will be forfeited.
Yes. You travel with a private Egyptologist guide and private transfers throughout the excursions, so the pace and focus are tailored to your interests. Accommodation is aboard a shared 5-star Nile cruise ship, while your guided tours and transfers remain private.
Yes. The package includes both domestic flights: Cairo to Luxor at the start and Aswan to Cairo at the end. These are scheduled to fit your cruise embarkation and disembarkation times.
You spend four nights aboard a 5-star standard Nile cruise on a full-board basis, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served on board each day. The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan as part of the itinerary.
The cruise operates on full board, including four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners on board. Drinks other than bottled water during tours are not included and can be purchased separately.
No. The Abu Simbel excursion is not included in the tour price. It is an optional shared group activity and costs USD 150 per person.
Please note that this is not a private tour. Guests are usually picked up from the cruise ship at around 3:30 AM and travel to Abu Simbel by shared bus/coach with other travelers. The early departure is required due to the long driving distance from Aswan to the Abu Simbel Temples near Lake Nasser.
This excursion must be pre-booked in advance and is subject to availability.
Most travelers require an entry visa for Egypt, which is not included in this package. Many nationalities can obtain an e-Visa online or a visa on arrival, but you should confirm the current requirements for your passport before traveling.
The most comfortable months are from October to April, when temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are milder. Summer cruises are available but can be very hot, so early morning excursions and sun protection are recommended.
Each site involves a moderate amount of walking on uneven ground, steps, and open desert terrain, particularly at the Valley of the Kings and Karnak. A reasonable level of mobility and comfortable shoes will make the visits more enjoyable.
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