5-Day Cruise Tour from Luxor with Balloon Ride and Abu Simbel

Day 1 · Temple of Karnak, Luxor Temple

1. 1

   Luxor

   one hour

   Upon arrival in Luxor, whether at your hotel, the Luxor airport, or the railway station, a representative will greet you and transfer you to your 5-star Nile cruise ship. If you arrive early (recommended), we'll begin the tour immediately to make the most of your time and avoid waiting in the lobby for the 12:00 PM check-in. This also helps us avoid the midday heat.

2. 2

   The Karnak Temple

   2 hours Admission not included

   Witness the grandeur of Karnak, an awe-inspiring testament to ancient achievement. Spanning 247 acres, this colossal temple complex reveals the architectural prowess of bygone builders and pharaohs.

3. 3

   Luxor Temple

   1 h 30 min Admission not included

   Built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, Luxor Temple provides a backdrop for rituals blending the human aspect of rulers with divine reverence, a captivating journey through ancient history.

4. 4

   Luxor

   one hour

   After your tour, you will return to the cruise ship for dinner on board. You will spend the night aboard the cruise ship in Luxor, enjoying a comfortable and restful stay.

5* Nile Cruise

Day 2 · Balloon, West Bank

1. 1

   Luxor

   one hour

   Early in the morning, we will pick you up for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor. You'll enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the cityscape and famous landmarks during this 40 to 60-minute ride.

2. 2

   Temple of Hatshepsut

   1 h 30 min Admission not included

   Admire one of Ancient Egypt's most beautiful and best-preserved temples. Built on three levels with wide ramps, it stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of its time.

3. 3

   Colossi of Memnon

   30 min

   Behold the colossal stone statues of King Amenhotep III, remnants of a complete mortuary temple. Crafted from quartzite sandstone, these statues are awe-inspiring examples of ancient craftsmanship.

4. 4

   Valley of the Kings

   3 hours Admission not included

   This majestic valley, now called the Valley of the Kings, was the final resting place of the Pharaohs, who were laid to rest in grand stone sarcophagi, awaiting immortality. You'll have the opportunity to explore the complex and see the tombs and resting places of notable Egyptian kings such as Merneptah, Ramesses III, and Ramesses VI.

5. 5

   Esna Lock

   Passing by

   After the morning excursions, we will return to the cruise ship. By afternoon, the cruise will set sail towards Edfu City through the Esna Lock. Enjoy lunch onboard and relax on the sundeck, taking in the unique landscapes and the beautiful scenery of the Nile River. Savor your afternoon tea on the sundeck as you cross the Esna Lock. Dinner will be served on board, and you'll spend the night docked in Edfu City.

5* Nile Cruise

Day 3 · Temple of Horus, Temple of Kom Ombo

1. 1

   Edfu Temple

   2 hours Admission not included

   After breakfast on board, we'll visit the Edfu Temple, renowned as the most well-preserved temple in Egypt. Dedicated to the hawk-god Horus, this Ptolemaic temple was constructed on the site of an earlier temple and dates back to the period between the reigns of Ptolemy III (237 B.C.). The temple's walls feature descriptions of the myth of the contention between Horus and Seth, likely performed annually as a religious drama.

2. 2

   Kom Ombo Temple

   2 hours Admission not included

   Following the temple visit, we'll return to the cruise ship. While sailing to Kom Ombo City, you can relax on the sundeck, soaking in the unique landscapes and the beauty of the Nile River. Lunch will be served on board, along with afternoon tea on the sundeck. Upon arrival in Kom Ombo City, we'll visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. This temple, located 45 kilometers north of Aswan, was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the god Horus the Elder. Built in 180 B.C. by the Ptolemaic dynasty during the Roman invasion, the temple's unique location on the riverbank between Edfu and Aswan makes it an ideal stop for Nile cruises.

3. 3

   Aswan

   one hour

   After the temple visit, we'll sail towards Aswan. Dinner will be served on board, followed by a Galabyia party for a fun-filled evening. You'll spend the night in Aswan City.

5* Nile Cruise

Day 4 · High Dam, Temple of Philae

1. 1

   Aswan High Dam

   1 h 30 min Admission not included

   After breakfast on board, your day will begin with a visit to the High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in 1960 to control the flooding of the Nile and to generate electricity. The scale of the Aswan High Dam is truly awe-inspiring, stretching 3600 meters in length, 980 meters in thickness at the base, and rising to a height of 111 meters at its highest point. Behind the dam lies Lake Nasser, the largest man-made lake in the world, providing irrigation water and electricity for the entire country of Egypt. Situated 13 kilometers south of Aswan, the High Dam is a testament to human ingenuity and achievement.

2. 2

   Temple of Philae

   3 hours Admission not included

   Following the visit to the High Dam, we'll proceed to Philae Temple. This Greco-Roman temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is accessed via a short motorboat ride. Situated on Aglika Island just south of the old Aswan Dam, Philae Temple is renowned for its picturesque setting. The temple complex was relocated to its current location after the construction of the High Dam threatened to submerge it permanently. Philae Temple flourished during the Ptolemaic Dynasty as the center of the cult of Isis. It remained one of the last bastions of ancient Egyptian religion after the advent of Christianity in Egypt, officially closing only in 551 AD. Subsequently, the main temple on the island was repurposed as a Christian church by early Christians.

3. 3

   Aswan

   Passing by

   After exploring Philae Temple, we'll return to your Nile cruise ship. Lunch and dinner will be served on board, followed by a folkloric show in the evening. Optionally, you can join a tour to visit the Nubian Village. You'll spend the night docked in Aswan.

5* Nile Cruise

Day 5 · Abu Simbel Temple - Departure

1. 1

   Abu Simbel Temple

   9 hours Admission not included

   Around 4:30 AM, you will check out from your Nile cruise ship. We will then pick you up to embark on a visit to the Abu Simbel Temple as part of a shared small group tour. Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive and iconic sites in Egypt, featuring rock-cut temples commissioned by King Ramesses II and his beloved Queen Nefertari. These temples are renowned for their unique design and are considered masterpieces of ancient Egyptian architecture, reflecting the grandeur of the New Kingdom era. The temples of Abu Simbel, with their unparalleled style, showcase the glory and grandeur of ancient Egypt. To preserve these remarkable structures from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser, the Egyptian government and UNESCO collaborated on a project to relocate them. The Temple of Ramesses II, known as the Sun Temple, was dedicated to the universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramesses II himself.

2. 2

   Aswan

   Passing by

   Following the awe-inspiring visit to Abu Simbel, we will return to Aswan. From there, we will arrange your transfer to the Aswan Airport, railway station, or your hotel in Aswan. Lunch will not be included, but you will be provided with a breakfast box for your journey.