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Nile cruise package · Pickup in Aswan

Abu Simbel, then the Nile

A four-day package from Aswan to Luxor: three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise ship, an Egyptologist guide, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, a balloon flight over Luxor, and an Abu Simbel trip on day two. Pick it if you want Abu Simbel inside a full trip down the Nile rather than as a single day out.

4-Day Nile Cruise with Abu Simbel

About this experience

Temple entry fees are not included. The listing is plain about it: tickets to all the temples and sites on the itinerary are paid locally and vary by site. That covers Abu Simbel, at EGP 822 for foreign adults and EGP 445.5 for students up to 24 with ID on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' official ticket site (2026), and also Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple and the West Bank. The Abu Simbel ticket office takes bank cards, not cash. Guests say the guide gives out a clear price list for every visit, so there are no surprises; add the tickets to your budget when you compare cruises.

Day one starts with pickup at Aswan airport, the railway station or your hotel, boarding, then the Aswan High Dam and Philae temple on Agilkia Island. Day two is the Abu Simbel day: departure around 4:30am, both temples with an English-speaking guide, then back to the ship as it sails on to the double temple of Kom Ombo. Day three brings the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Luxor Temple lit in the evening. Day four opens with a balloon flight of about 30 to 45 minutes over Luxor, then the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, with drop-off typically around 3pm to 4pm. The day-by-day plan marks Karnak as optional, so check it with the operator.

Expect early alarms. One guest puts wake-up around 4am every day, and Abu Simbel is the earliest of the lot. Meals outside the itinerary, extra drinks, tips for the guide, crew and drivers, and optional activities cost extra. Pickup from west bank hotels in Aswan is USD 10 extra per person. Children must be 6 or older for the balloon, and if weather cancels it you get USD 25 back per person. Children sharing a room with their parents get special pricing (up to 2 per room), and triple and single rooms can be booked.

  • Abu Simbel on day two with an English-speaking guide
  • Philae, the Aswan High Dam, Kom Ombo and Edfu on the way north
  • A hot air balloon flight over Luxor on the last morning
  • The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
  • Three nights on a 5-star ship with an Egyptologist throughout

How the day runs

  1. Day 1Aswan, the High Dam and Philae

    Pickup at Aswan airport, the railway station or your hotel, boarding, then the High Dam and Philae on Agilkia Island.

  2. Day 2, around 4:30amAbu Simbel

    The early trip south to both temples with an English-speaking guide. The entry ticket is paid locally.

  3. Day 2, laterKom Ombo

    Back on board as the ship sails north to the double temple of Kom Ombo.

  4. Day 3Edfu and Luxor Temple

    The Temple of Horus at Edfu in the morning, cruising to Luxor, and Luxor Temple lit at night.

  5. Day 4, dawnBalloon over Luxor

    About 30 to 45 minutes in the air, for ages 6 and up.

  6. Day 4West Bank and drop-off

    The Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, then drop-off at a Luxor hotel, the airport or the station, typically 3pm to 4pm.

The seated colossi of the Great TemplePhilae temple on its islandStatues along the hypostyle hall of the Great Temple

What's included

Included

  • 3 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise ship
  • Professional Egyptologist guide throughout
  • English-speaking guide for the Abu Simbel trip
  • Meet and assist service from arrival to departure
  • Air-conditioned transfers between Aswan and Luxor
  • Pickup at Aswan airport, station or east bank hotels; drop-off in Luxor
  • Visits to Abu Simbel, the High Dam, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and the Luxor sites
  • Hot air balloon flight over Luxor

Not included

  • Entry tickets to all temples and sites, Abu Simbel included (paid locally)
  • Tips for the guide, crew and drivers
  • Meals not in the itinerary and extra drinks
  • Optional activities
  • Pickup from west bank hotels in Aswan (USD 10 per person)

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want Abu Simbel, Luxor and the temples in between in one booking
  • You do not mind 4am alarms for the cooler hours
  • You are happy to pay the temple tickets as you go
  • You want an Egyptologist with you for all four days

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

Our guide Mohamed Gobran was very knowledgeable and friendly, we had a great experience. Be aware that you have to wake up at around 4 every day, but it is worth it.

Ousmane · Oct 2026
★★★★★

Mohamed Gobran was our guide for the cruise. He was very detailed on what the cruise included - very lengthy explanations especially the night before for pickup time/locations and the activities for all the dates. Very clear and concise price list of all activities so there were no surprises. [...]

On · Oct 2026
★★★★★

Overall a very smooth and enjoyable experience, early mornings can become a bit exhausting but that’s necessary to visit the temples with cooler temperatures and have them fit the schedule. [...]

Anna · Oct 2026
★★★★★

We had an amazing 3-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with our guide, Ahmed Shawky Ali. He explained everything clearly and in an interesting way, spoke very good English, and was always friendly and professional. [...] The ship was clean, and the food was very good. [...]

Charlotte · Oct 2026

Tips before you book

  • Budget the tickets before you go: Abu Simbel alone is EGP 822 per foreign adult (2026), paid by bank card at the gate.
  • Students up to 24 pay EGP 445.5 at Abu Simbel (2026) with a valid ID, so pack it.
  • Sleep early on day one. The Abu Simbel departure is around 4:30am.
  • Carry small Egyptian pounds for tips, which are customary on the ship and not included.
  • Pack a hat, sunscreen and water for Abu Simbel. There is little shade at the temples.

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Frequently asked questions

Are temple tickets included on the 4-day Nile cruise with Abu Simbel?

No. Entry fees to all temples and sites, Abu Simbel included, are paid locally and vary by site. Abu Simbel costs EGP 822 for foreign adults on the Ministry's official ticket site (2026).

When is the Abu Simbel trip on the cruise?

On day two, with a departure around 4:30am and an English-speaking guide. Afterwards you rejoin the ship as it sails on to Kom Ombo.

What is the minimum age for the balloon flight?

Six. If weather cancels the flight, you get USD 25 back per person.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts with pickup at Aswan airport, the railway station or an east bank hotel, and ends in Luxor at a hotel, the airport or the station, typically 3pm to 4pm on day four.

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Book 4-Day Nile Cruise with Abu Simbel

Four days on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor with an Egyptologist and the Abu Simbel trip; temple tickets paid locally.

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Four days on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor with an Egyptologist and the Abu Simbel trip; temple tickets paid locally.

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