4-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Expert Guide

Day 1 · Luxor – East Bank Wonders

1. 1

   Luxor

   30 min

   Pick-up from your hotel/airport/train station.

2. 2

   The Karnak Temple

   2 hours Admission included

   The Karnak Temple Complex is one of the largest and most remarkable religious sites in the world, located on the East Bank of Luxor. Spanning over 200 acres, it was built and expanded over 1,500 years by successive pharaohs, making it a living testament to ancient Egyptian devotion and architectural brilliance.

   The complex is famous for its Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 massive columns adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and reliefs. Visitors can also explore the Avenue of Sphinxes, sacred temples, obelisks, and statues dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, reflecting the grandeur of Egypt’s New Kingdom.

   Karnak is not just a temple but a historical journey, offering an unparalleled insight into the religious, cultural, and political life of ancient Egypt. Its colossal structures and detailed carvings make it a must-see highlight of Luxor.

3. 3

   Luxor Temple

   2 hours Admission included

   he Luxor Temple, located on the East Bank of Luxor, is one of Egypt’s most stunning and well-preserved ancient monuments. Built primarily by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramses II, this majestic temple was dedicated to the Theban Triad of gods: Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

   Unlike other temples, Luxor Temple is situated in the heart of the modern city, creating a striking contrast between past and present. Highlights include the grand entrance with towering pylons, the colonnaded halls, and the beautifully decorated statues and obelisks. The temple is especially enchanting at sunset, when its stone columns glow in warm light.

Accommodation on 5 Star Nile cruise

Day 2 · Luxor – West Bank

1. 1

   Valley of the Kings

   2 hours Admission included

   The Valley of the Kings is one of the most iconic archaeological sites in Egypt, located on Luxor’s West Bank. This ancient royal burial ground served as the final resting place for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (18th–20th Dynasties), including the famous boy king Tutankhamun.

   Carved deep into the desert hills, the valley contains more than 60 richly decorated tombs, each filled with detailed hieroglyphics, vibrant wall paintings, and symbolic artwork that tell the story of the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife. Visitors typically explore three tombs, each offering a unique glimpse into ancient Egyptian religion, art, and royal history.

2. 2

   Temple of Hatshepsut

   one hour Admission included

   The Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el-Bahari, is one of the most impressive and unique monuments in ancient Egyptian architecture. Located beneath the towering cliffs of Luxor’s West Bank, this terraced mortuary temple was built in honor of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most successful and powerful female pharaohs.

   The temple features three grand terraces, connected by wide ramps, with elegant colonnades and beautifully preserved reliefs. These carvings depict key moments from Hatshepsut’s reign, including her divine birth and her famous expedition to the Land of Punt.

3. 3

   Colossi of Memnon

   30 min Admission included

   The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues that once stood proudly at the entrance of the Mortuary Temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Located on Luxor’s West Bank, these towering figures rise 18 meters (60 feet) high and are among the most iconic landmarks of ancient Thebes.

   Carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone, each statue represents Amenhotep III seated on his throne, with intricate carvings depicting symbols of power and divine protection. Despite thousands of years of weathering, the Colossi remain an awe-inspiring sight and a popular stop for photos.

   In ancient times, one of the statues was known to produce a mysterious “singing” sound at sunrise—a phenomenon that fascinated Greek and Roman travelers and added to the statues' legendary status.

Accommodation on 5 Star Nile cruise

Day 3 · Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

1. 1

   Edfu Temple

   2 hours Admission included

   The Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus—the falcon-headed god of protection and kingship, is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in all of Egypt. Built during the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC, the temple offers a remarkable glimpse into ancient Egyptian religious life, architecture, and mythology.

   As you enter through its towering 36-meter-high pylon, you are greeted by impressive carvings depicting Horus triumphing over evil. Inside, the temple’s vast courtyards, ornate hypostyle halls, and sacred sanctuary reveal stunning hieroglyphs and reliefs that recount the legendary battle between Horus and Seth.

   The temple is exceptionally intact, allowing visitors to walk through chambers and corridors that have remained untouched for over 2,000 years—making it feel like stepping directly into ancient Egypt.

2. 2

   Kom Ombo Temple

   2 hours Admission included

   The Temple of Kom Ombo is one of Egypt’s most unique ancient sanctuaries, famous for its perfectly symmetrical, double design. Unlike any other temple in the country, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two gods at the same time:

   Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and protection

   Horus the Elder (Haroeris), the sky god

   Built during the Ptolemaic period, the temple stands dramatically on a bend of the Nile, offering stunning river views—especially at sunset.

   Visitors can explore beautifully carved columns, detailed wall reliefs, and intriguing medical inscriptions that reveal ancient surgical tools and healing practices. Just beside the temple, the Crocodile Museum displays real mummified crocodiles found in the region, giving a fascinating look into local worship traditions.

Accommodation on 5 Star Nile cruise

Day 4 · Philae Temple and the High Dam

1. 1

   Temple of Hathor - Philae

   1 h 30 min Admission not included

   Seeing the Philae Temple, situated on an island in the Nile, is a truly magnificent temple.

2. 2

   Aswan High Dam

   25 min Admission not included

   Viewing the High Dam along Lake Nasser and seeing how the High Dam was built

3. 3

   Unfinished Obelisk

   30 min Admission not included

   the largest known ancient obelisk is located in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, Egypt.

Day 5 · Departure from Aswan

1. 1

   Aswan

   Passing by

   Breakfast on board.

   Check out after breakfast.

   Transfer to railway station, or your hotel (if included in your booking).

   optional :Transfer Aswan Airport