Day 1 – Welcome to Luxor: Explore the East Bank

Your 5-day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan begins in the historic city of Luxor, where you'll board the cruise before lunch. After a warm welcome from the crew, settle into your cabin and enjoy your first moments aboard your Nile cruise before setting out to explore Luxor's famous East Bank.

Your afternoon sightseeing tour begins at the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious sites in ancient Egypt, covering more than 100 hectares. Walk along the impressive Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes toward the imposing First Pylon, then enter the legendary Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 towering columns are covered with detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Continue through the complex to discover its sacred lakes, magnificent obelisks, and the Precinct of Amun-Re. Together, these monuments reveal more than 1,500 years of ancient Egyptian religious and architectural history.

Your Luxor sightseeing tour continues at the remarkable Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated by the afternoon sun. Once associated with divine rejuvenation and royal renewal, the temple features colossal statues of Ramses II, the remains of the Abu Haggag Mosque incorporated into the ancient structure, and part of the famous Avenue of Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor Temple with Karnak.

After exploring the East Bank, return to your Nile cruise in Luxor for afternoon tea and time to relax on the sun deck while watching the Nile scenery pass by. Enjoy dinner onboard before spending your first night in Luxor.

Meals Included:

• Lunch
• Dinner 

Day 2 – Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings & Sailing to Esna

After breakfast, continue your Nile Cruise Egypt itinerary with a morning visit to the legendary Luxor West Bank, home to some of the most important monuments of ancient Thebes.

Begin at the famous Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of ancient Egypt carved their royal tombs deep into the Theban cliffs. Visit three royal tombs decorated with colorful scenes representing the ancient Egyptian journey into the afterlife. Travelers wishing to explore additional royal tombs can choose the optional entrance to Tutankhamun's Tomb or Seti I's Tomb at an extra cost.

Next, visit the spectacular Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Built directly against the limestone cliffs, this multi-terraced temple is one of Luxor's most distinctive monuments. Its elegant colonnades and detailed reliefs honor Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female pharaoh, while the elevated terraces provide panoramic views over the Theban Necropolis.

Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that once stood before a magnificent mortuary temple. Discover the fascinating local legends surrounding the famous "singing statues" before returning to the cruise.

After lunch onboard, your Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan continues south toward Esna. Enjoy views of traditional villages and lush green riverbanks as the ship moves along the Nile, then experience the passage through the historic Esna Lock. Dinner and overnight are onboard as the cruise continues toward Edfu.

Optional Luxor Hot Air Balloon Ride
Enhance your Luxor experience with an optional Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor. Rise above the Nile as the sun comes up and float peacefully over the Valley of the Kings, ancient temples, and fertile farmlands. From the sky, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of ancient Thebes illuminated by the golden morning light. This peaceful flight offers a memorable new perspective of Luxor and the Nile Valley.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner 

Day 3 – Edfu & Kom Ombo: Temples of Horus and Sobek

Your third day aboard the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes you to the ancient temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.

After arriving in Edfu, travel to the archaeological site by traditional horse-drawn carriage, an experience that recalls the charm of 19th-century travel.

Explore the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu, considered the most completely preserved temple of the ancient world. Built during the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship and protection.

Enter through its monumental pylon and discover spacious courtyards, sacred chambers, and beautifully preserved reliefs depicting the legendary battle between Horus and Seth. Continue into the temple's sacred interior and the Holy of Holies, where ancient rituals were once performed.

Return to the cruise for lunch as you sail along the Nile toward Kom Ombo. Relax onboard and enjoy the changing scenery of Upper Egypt before beginning your afternoon sightseeing tour.

At Kom Ombo Temple, discover one of the most unusual temples in Egypt. Its symmetrical design is dedicated to two deities: one half honors Sobek, the crocodile god and protector of the Nile, while the other is dedicated to Horus the Elder, god of kingship and the sky.

Explore the temple's detailed stone carvings, including representations of ancient medical instruments, an ancient calendar, and scenes connected with healing and religious beliefs. Continue to the Crocodile Mummification Museum, where you'll see evidence of the sacred role crocodiles played in ancient Egyptian religion.

Return to your Nile cruise for dinner and relax as the ship continues sailing toward Aswan.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner 

Day 4 – Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam & Nubian Culture

Your Nile cruise reaches Aswan, where ancient Egyptian history meets modern engineering and the rich cultural heritage of southern Egypt.

Begin your morning tour with the impressive High Dam, one of modern Egypt's most significant engineering achievements. Built to control the mighty Nile and provide electricity and irrigation to millions, the dam also offers panoramic views over the enormous waters of Lake Nasser.

From there, travel by boat to the enchanting Philae Temple, located on Agilkia Island and accessible only by water. Dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love and magic, the temple was carefully relocated stone by stone during the UNESCO rescue project.

Admire its elegant columns, sacred sanctuaries, and peaceful lakeside setting as you explore one of the most beautiful ancient sites in Aswan. The combination of ancient architecture and its island surroundings makes Philae a highlight of any Nile Cruise Egypt itinerary.

Continue to the ancient granite quarries to visit the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest obelisk ever attempted. Still lying in situ, this enormous monument provides a fascinating insight into the advanced stone-working techniques used by the ancient Egyptians.

Return to the cruise for lunch onboard. Spend the afternoon at leisure or choose an optional Felucca Sailing in Aswan, enjoying the traditional sailing experience and beautiful views along the Nile.

Optional Nubian Village Visit
For a deeper cultural experience, choose an optional visit to a traditional Nubian Village in Aswan. Reach the village by boat and discover colorful mud-brick homes painted in vibrant colors. Meet friendly local residents and learn about Nubian customs, music, and lifestyle while experiencing the distinctive culture of southern Egypt.

Return to the cruise for dinner and spend your final night onboard in Aswan.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner 

Day 5 – Farewell to Aswan & Optional Abu Simbel

After breakfast, disembark from your Nile Cruise in Aswan, bringing your 5-day journey from Luxor to Aswan to an end.

For travelers looking to experience one of southern Egypt's greatest archaeological treasures, an optional early morning Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan is available by car or flight at an additional cost.

Travel to the spectacular Abu Simbel Temples, carved directly into a sandstone cliff overlooking Lake Nasser. The monumental temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari face the rising sun and stand among the most impressive monuments of ancient Egypt.

The temples were relocated through a remarkable UNESCO rescue effort following the construction of the High Dam, preserving these extraordinary monuments for future generations. Explore the magnificent temples and discover an enduring tribute to ancient Egyptian engineering, religious devotion, and architectural achievement.

Whether you conclude your journey after disembarkation in Aswan or add the optional Abu Simbel excursion, your 5-day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan offers an unforgettable journey through the temples, landscapes, and history of Upper Egypt.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast