5 Day Nile Cruise Tour from Luxor to Aswan with Hot Air Balloon

Day 1: Luxor East Bank, Embarkation & Nile Cruise

1. Luxor
   1h
   Begin your private 5-day Nile River cruise from Luxor with convenient pickup from your Luxor hotel, airport, train station, or Nile cruise location. Meet your private Egyptologist guide and start your journey through the heart of ancient Thebes.
2. The Karnak Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Karnak Temple, one of the largest and most impressive ancient religious complexes in Egypt. Explore its monumental columns, sacred courtyards, temples, obelisks, and beautifully preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions while your Egyptologist explains the history and mythology of ancient Egyptian civilization.
3. Luxor Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Luxor Temple, located on the East Bank of the Nile. Discover its magnificent entrance, colossal statues, courtyards, and ancient avenues that once connected Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple.
4. Luxor
   Pass by
   After sightseeing, board your comfortable Nile cruise ship and settle into your cabin. Enjoy lunch onboard while the cruise begins its journey along the legendary Nile River. Relax on the deck, enjoy the scenery of the Nile Valley, and watch traditional villages, farmland, and palm-lined riverbanks pass by.

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon + Luxor West Bank, Valley of the Kings, Esna Lock & Sailing to Edfu

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Wake early for one of the highlights of your Luxor experience: an included Luxor Hot Air Balloon Ride. Travel to the launch area before sunrise and soar above the West Bank of Luxor as the sun rises over the Nile Valley. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of the ancient temples, green agricultural fields, desert landscapes, and historic monuments.
2. Valley of The Kings
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After the balloon ride, continue your private guided tour of the Luxor West Bank. Visit the famous Valley of the Kings, the ancient royal necropolis where numerous pharaohs were buried. Explore selected royal tombs and learn about the beliefs, rituals, and burial traditions of ancient Egypt.
3. Temple of Hatshepsut
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Hatshepsut Temple, the spectacular mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Your Egyptologist guide will explain the story of one of Egypt's most famous female rulers.
4. Colossi of Memnon
   30m
   Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous stone statues that have stood on Luxor's West Bank for thousands of years.
5. Esna Lock
   Pass by
   Return to the cruise ship for lunch and begin sailing south toward Esna. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the cruise deck and watching villages, farmland, palm trees, and traditional Egyptian life pass along the banks of the Nile. Enjoy afternoon tea and cake onboard while taking in the peaceful scenery.
   
   The cruise will pass through the historic Esna Lock, an important part of the Nile navigation system. Watch as the ship enters the lock and is gradually raised or lowered to continue its journey downstream.
6. Edfu
   Pass by
   Continue sailing toward Edfu. Enjoy dinner onboard and spend a relaxing evening on the ship.

Day 3: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo & Nile Sailing

1. Edfu
   1h
   Enjoy breakfast onboard before continuing your private guided Nile cruise experience.
2. Edfu Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the magnificent Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, the temple features monumental pylons, impressive reliefs, massive columns, and beautifully preserved inscriptions. Your private Egyptologist guide will bring the history of Edfu Temple to life and explain its importance in ancient Egyptian religion.
3. Kom Ombo
   Pass by
   Return to the cruise ship and continue sailing along the Nile toward Kom Ombo. Enjoy lunch onboard while relaxing on the sun deck or from the comfortable common areas of the ship.
4. Kom Ombo Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Later, visit the unique Kom Ombo Temple, dramatically located beside the Nile. This unusual double temple was dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Explore the temple's halls, columns, reliefs, and ancient inscriptions while learning about the religious traditions associated with both deities.
5. Aswan
   Pass by
   After the visit, return to the cruise ship and continue sailing toward Aswan. Enjoy dinner onboard as the ship approaches one of southern Egypt’s most beautiful Nile destinations.
   
   In the evening, experience a traditional Galabeya Party onboard. Enjoy Egyptian music, cultural entertainment, traditional clothing, and a lively atmosphere with fellow travelers.

Day 4: Aswan, High Dam & Philae Temple

1. Aswan
   1h
   Enjoy breakfast onboard as you arrive in beautiful Aswan, a city famous for its islands, granite quarries, Nubian culture, and spectacular Nile scenery.
2. Aswan
   Pass by
   The morning is available for relaxation or optional activities. Depending on the cruise schedule, additional visits and experiences may be available at an extra cost. You can use this time to enjoy the ship’s facilities, relax on the sun deck, or admire the peaceful scenery of the Nile.
3. Aswan High Dam
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, begin your Aswan sightseeing tour. Visit the impressive Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s most important modern engineering projects. Learn about its construction, its role in controlling the annual Nile floods, and its importance to Egypt’s electricity and water management.
4. Temple of Philae
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue by motorboat across the Nile to Philae Temple, one of the most beautiful ancient Egyptian temple complexes. Located on an island, Philae is surrounded by water and offers spectacular views during the boat journey.
   
   Explore the temple complex and admire its beautifully preserved columns, courtyards, reliefs, and sanctuaries. Dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis, Philae was an important religious center in ancient Egypt and remained significant for centuries.
5. Aswan
   Pass by
   After your visit, return by motorboat to the cruise ship. Spend the evening relaxing onboard, enjoying dinner, and taking in the peaceful atmosphere of Aswan.

Day 5: Final Breakfast, Disembarkation & Departure

1. Aswan
   1h
   Enjoy your final breakfast onboard while taking in the beautiful views of the Nile. After breakfast, complete the check-out procedures and prepare your luggage for departure.
   
   Place your luggage in the designated area outside your cabin as instructed by the cruise staff. Once disembarkation procedures are completed, leave the cruise ship and begin your onward journey from Aswan.
   
   The journey combines ancient Egyptian history, comfortable Nile cruising, traditional entertainment, scenic landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences. From the monuments of ancient Thebes to the temples of southern Egypt, this cruise provides an excellent way to discover the timeless heritage of the Nile Valley.

Pickup details

Pickup is available from all Luxor hotels, Nile cruise ships, airport, and train station. Pickup time is arranged according to your itinerary and confirmed after booking.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels