A Nile cruise is something on many people’s bucket list – more than just a beautiful leisurely sail, though it’s definitely that, too. This experience is where ancient history and myths come to life, with an intimate, front-row viewing to some of the planet’s most incredible historical sites.
There’s simply no words to describe gliding past the temple of Philae at sunrise, with expert guides there to share their knowledge with you and your group.
There are an incredible amount of tour options out there, though I’ve made it easy for you and narrowed it down to the 5 top Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan that you can take! Let’s get started!
Best Nile Cruises From Aswan To Luxor
4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon | 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Balloon Ride | 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor With Balloon and Abu Simbel | |
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Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
Start: | Between 7:00 AM & 11:30 AM | Between 7:00 AM & 11:30 AM | Between 7:00 AM & 11:00 AM |
Duration: | 4 days | 4 days | 4 days |
Includes: | 3 nights’ accommodation on board 5-star Nile cruise, Meet and assist by English-speaking staff, Egyptology English-speaking tour guide, All transfers by A-C vehicles with qualified driver (s), All local taxes and services, Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor Sky, sharing a small group to Abu Simbel | 3 nights accommodation in 5-star Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxur, Egyptology guide, meals as per itinerary, hot air balloon ride after sunrise, transport by air-conditioned minivan, Abu Simbel with group | 3 nights accommodation on 5 stars Nile Cruise, Pick up & drop off by A/C vehicles., Professional English-speaking Egyptology Tour guide., Sharing a small group to Abu Simbel with English Speaking tour guide, 35 to 45 minutes Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Nile Cruises From Aswan To Luxor Tours For 2025
- 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
- 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Balloon Ride
- 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor With Balloon and Abu Simbel
- 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon
- 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
Nile Cruises from Aswan to Luxor Tour Reviews
1. 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: Between 7:00 AM & 11:30 AM
- Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation on board 5-star Nile cruise, Meet and assist by English-speaking staff, Egyptology English-speaking tour guide, All transfers by A-C vehicles with qualified driver (s), All local taxes and services, Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor Sky, sharing a small group to Abu Simbel with English-speaking tour guide
The first time I visited Egypt, I actually had no idea that a river cruise like this existed! I figured there were only shorter tours of perhaps a couple of hours available, but I was lucky enough to have a friend recommend this incredible 4-day experience that was a dream come true.
The 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon excursion is a full-fledged Egyptian adventure that you’d be remiss to skip out on!
Your tour start time depends on what works best for your schedule, and your guide will come right to your hotel to pick you and the rest of your party up from the lobby in their comfortable, air-conditioned transportation.
You’ll typically board the ship in time for lunch, where you’ll enjoy a delicious traditional meal with plenty of drink and food options before starting the tour by visiting the 1960 High Dam.
After fueling up, we were ready to visit the Temple of Philae by motorboat, learning about how it was dedicated to the goddess, Isis, before heading back to our cruise just in time for dinner, a folkloric show, and rest!
You’ll want to get plenty of sleep because you’ll be picked up before dawn to head out on a shared group to the Abu Simbel Temple Complex – one of the most remarkable feats of engineering.
Carved directly into the cliffs along the Nile, I can’t explain the feeling of seeing just how massive the temples are, with 4 colossal statues of Ramses guarding the entrance to the stunning main temple.
Our guides really showed off their in-depth knowledge here, offering plenty of interesting historical and cultural information, like how it was actually completely relocated in the 90s to prevent water damage from the river!
After another delicious dinner onboard our ship, the next morning we enjoyed breakfast and then went on a horse carriage ride to the temple of Horus, which is the most complete and well-preserved Egyptian temple.
After venturing around it, we had a relaxing evening of watching the landscapes on the way to Luxor while having lunch on board, followed by a nice tea on the sundeck. Then see the Luxor temple before dinner, and prepare for the breathtaking hot air balloon adventure you’ll be partaking in the next morning!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Balloon Ride
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: 3 nights accommodation in 5-star Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxur, Egyptology guide, meals as per itinerary, hot air balloon ride after sunrise, transport by air-conditioned minivan, Abu Simbel with group
There are countless ways to experience Egypt’s rich history, and this one balances luxury and cultural immersion quite nicely.
The 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Balloon Ride experience is simply unforgettable, letting you experience these ancient wonders while enjoying the tranquility of this legendary river.
If you’re sick of the tourist traps and want something more authentic without the stress of feeling haggled, look no further than this one!
If you’re limited in time here in Egypt and would like to experience the opulence of a nice hotel while still getting out there and seeing all the wonders this country has to offer, you’re in luck.
Travel between 2 of its most iconic cities, making stops at monumental sites like the Temple of Kom Ombo and Edfu Temple, filled with well-preserved tombs, statues, and intricate carvings.
Imagine waking up to the sound of the Nile lapping against the ship, sipping tea and cocktails as the sun sets over the river, and enjoying tranquil views from the deck – you get all that and more with this option.
Once you arrive at your ship, you’ll enjoy a visit to Aswan High Dam and the Philae temple with an Egyptologist guide to share cultural and historical commentary, which already set the tone for a great time.
We then came back and enjoyed dinner followed by some dancing in the disco, though you can opt to check out the swimming pool and sundeck, too. Day 2 starts off early with a visit to the lakeside Abu Simbel Temples before the heat sets in, before lunch and a sail to the double temples at Kom Ombo.
What I really loved about this tour was the perfect pacing between sites, as well as the mix between breaks for meals and rest onboard and visits to historical attractions.
It’s a great way to avoid getting exhausted and burnt out, which is easy to do when exploring such a notoriously hot place! Not to mention, the rooms were beautiful, super clean, and comfortable, with helpful and friendly staff there to make sure you’re taken care of.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor With Balloon and Abu Simbel
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: Between 7:00 AM & 11:00 AM
- Includes: 3 nights accommodation on 5 stars Nile Cruise, Pick up & drop off by A/C vehicles., Professional English-speaking Egyptology Tour guide., Sharing a small group to Abu Simbel with English Speaking tour guide, 35 to 45 minutes Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor
Honestly, I would’ve gone on this tour even if it were simply the Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. However, once you throw in a visit to the majestic Abu Simbel and a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings, it’s converted into an unmissable adventure everyone should have at least once.
The 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Balloon and Abu Simbel tour takes you to some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, diving deep into the ancient history while offering modern luxuries.
The comprehensive itinerary will cover a whopping millennia of local history with professional Egyptologists there to lead the way throughout your excursions. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn from those who know this history best, sharing plenty of anecdotes and background that you wouldn’t get from a simple history book.
Trying to see all of the sites on your own will undoubtedly cost more time and money – not to mention the hassle of organizing all the logistics surrounding it!
Something I feel like I really need to emphasize about this tour was just how safe and taken care of we felt throughout the entire time.
We never felt at-risk or even had anyone come up to try and sell us other tours and activities that I notice had happened to me when I wasn’t with a local guide like we had. Everything is impeccably organized, receiving the schedule for the next day every night, so we had time to get ready and wear clothing that suited the itinerary.
The buffets for breakfast and lunch had a great variety, and I am confident that even pickier eaters will find something they enjoy here.
If you want to really enjoy the scenery and let all of your stress melt away, don’t miss taking some time out on the sundeck! Needless to say, we had an amazing time over these short 4 days, with memories that will last a lifetime!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: Between 7:00 AM & 11:30 AM
- Includes: 3 nights accommodation in 5-star Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxur, Egyptology guide, trip to Abu Simbel with English-speaking tour guide, all transfers by A-C vehicles with qualified driver, all local taxes and services, horse and carriage, hot air balloon ride over Luxor sky, meals
For a fantastically authentic, laidback experience on the world’s most famous river, check out the 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon adventure.
For history buffs, architecture aficionados, or those who just want to be able to experience ancient, majestic sites that most don’t get to, this is the right choice.
Check out some of the most majestic engineering feats, complete with certified Egyptologists to share their millennia-old stories, further enriching your connection to Egypt’s ancient past.
I’m a history nerd and what really stood out to me about this tour was the comprehensive history lessons our Egyptologist provided us with. It can sometimes be difficult to fully grasp the history of a place when you’re just picking landmarks out here and there.
Thanks to a full itinerary spanning a few days, they knew exactly how to tie in the different sites and regions while regaling us with easy-to-understand lessons and anecdotes.
All of the staff was truly exceptional with a genuine desire to help provide anything we needed, and our guide was phenomenal, communicating with us through WhatsApp to ensure all questions were answered and everyone was prepared.
We were always on time to each excursion with meticulous, smooth planning, ensuring our safety and comfort throughout the entire time. We saw all of the sites we did on the other tours, though the customer service and attention to detail was what really made this stick out to me.
The hot air balloon ride is something everyone should do, as I can’t think of a more jaw-dropping way to see the infamous Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs carved tombs into the mountains.
With a luxurious pool onboard, a sundeck, delicious food, and comfortable rooms, get ready to relax and revel in the thousands of years of unique history.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: Between 7:00 AM & 11:30 AM
- Includes: Accommodation for 3 nights on 5-star Nile cruise on full board basis, cabin with all facilities, Egyptologist speaking tour guide during excursions, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, hot air balloon ride over Luxor West Bank, shared group tour to Abu Simbel temple
Going far beyond the cookie-cutter tours that simply check off landmarks on a list, you’ll learn all about the local culture, history, and arts, in quite possibly the most luxurious, relaxing format yet.
With spacious cabins, panoramic windows, and impeccable service, you don’t have to worried about being taken around the hot desert in a coach packed with crowds of people or queuing in long lines.
This voyage has thought of literally every detail, curating an experience filled with stand-out visits to legendary landmarks serving as testaments to ancient Egyptian engineering that many people to this day still can’t figure out.
With all transportation already figured out for you, there’s no need to fret about anything aside from bringing your sense of adventure.
I was really craving an authentic Egyptian experience on my trip, far beyond the packs of tourists and the countless tour salesman, and this gave me all that I was looking for, and more.
I loved the way they balanced relaxation on board with plenty of opportunities for eating great food and sipping on tasty beverages, with our historical excursions. That’s not to say they don’t offer a ton of historical trips – you’re going to see and learn a TON!
The rooms were very comfortable with great views, and the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners were all fantastic, followed up by some type of entertainment in the evening. If you’re hesitating to visit at all, I can guarantee you’ll be in great, safe hands on this tour.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon is our Editors Choice for the best Nile cruise