3 Nights Cruise Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Nubian Village&Air Balloon

A Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor already checks off a major Egypt bucket-list item. Add in a hot air balloon ride over Luxor plus visits like Abu Simbel and a Nubian Village, and you get a trip that feels packed but still relaxed because you sleep on the river.

What I love about this experience is how much it bundles into one smooth flow: you get a small-group Abu Simbel outing and then a proper Egyptologist-led temple day in Luxor. I also like the way the program keeps you moving without turning everything into a sprint, especially with full-board meals on a 5-star cruise and guided stops at the right times.

One consideration: you will deal with early starts, including an early-morning balloon pick-up. It is worth it, but plan for a slower pace once you’re back on the ship, maybe with naps when you can.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel on this cruise

• 30 to 40 minute balloon flight over Luxor with the ticket included
• Small-group Abu Simbel so the temples feel more personal than a giant bus day
• Egyptologist commentary that brings Luxor Temple to life, not just photos and names
• Nubian Village visit on Soheil Island with a welcome drink and time to walk locally
• Horse carriage to Horus Temple at Edfu, a classic, scenic way to start the day
• Max 20 travelers, keeping the group experience far from chaotic

Price and what you get for $750 per person

At $750 per person, this package is priced like a “do it all” Egypt Upper Egypt program. The value is in what’s bundled: 3 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise, full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), A/C transfers, and an English-speaking Egyptology guide, plus the Luxor balloon ride.

Where you can feel the cost shift is that entrance fees are not included, and tips are not included either. You’ll also pay extra for water or beverages during meals and WiFi on the cruise. On top of that, the Philae motorboat is listed as not included, even though you do take a boat ride to get there.

If you’re the type of traveler who would otherwise book a separate balloon, separate day tours, and separate transfers, this is likely to feel like good organization. If you prefer to travel ultra-flexibly and pay on your own for everything, you may find it easier to build a DIY route instead.

Aswan arrival, the High Dam, Philae, and the Soheil Island Nubian Village

Your day starts in Aswan with pickup and assistance by the Egypt Gift Tours licensed tour guide at the airport, railway station, or your hotel. There’s an important time detail to know: cruise check-in is at 12:00, so if you arrive early, the tour may start right away instead of making you wait in the lobby. That’s a smart way to waste less vacation time.

Aswan High Dam: a practical site with big-country impact

You’ll visit the Aswan High Dam for about 45 minutes. Even if you’re not a “big engineering fan,” the dam matters here because it shaped modern Egypt’s relationship with the Nile flood cycle and power generation. It’s the kind of stop that adds context before the temples later in the trip.

Entrance fees are not included here, and the tour notes that you’ll pay certain fees in cash (the High Dam is specifically called out as cash-only).

Philae Temple: a temple experience that starts with the boat ride

Next is Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis. You’ll go by small motorboat to reach the temple. This is one of those “small logistics, big payoff” moments, because the approach makes the whole place feel different than a simple walk from a parking lot.

The motorboat is listed as not included, so budget for it. You’ll likely pay it as instructed (the notes say the boat to Philae is paid in cash).

Soheil Island Nubian Village: the human side of the river

After lunch, you’ll head to the Nile for a slow motorboat ride to the Nubian Village on Soheil Island. This part of the day is less about monuments and more about daily life.

You’ll:

• receive a welcome drink in a local family house
• talk about customs and village life with your guide
• walk around the village at an easy pace for about three hours

This is the kind of stop that can shift a trip from sightseeing into understanding. Still, it’s worth keeping your mindset respectful: you’re being invited into everyday spaces, not just viewing a theme park.

Abu Simbel at dawn hours: why the timing and small group matter

Day two starts with an early pickup. Around 4:30, your guide collects you for the Abu Simbel trip as a shared group tour by bus or minibus. The upside of doing this early is that you’re not starting your temple day with the sun already high.

You’ll visit the rock-cut Abu Simbel Temple Complex, built for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. The famous statues are only part of the story. When you see the temples in proper morning light and hear the Egyptologist guide explain what the design was meant to accomplish, it clicks as a serious piece of ancient planning.

You return to the cruise by noon for lunch and then sailing continues toward Kom Ombo.

A small caution: entrance fees are not included, and Abu Simbel is the one day where you’re most exposed to weather and schedule pressure. If Abu Simbel is canceled due to bad weather, the tour states a $30 per person refund.

Kom Ombo and Edfu: dual temples plus Nile cruising time

After arriving in Kom Ombo, you’ll visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, known for its dual dedication. It centers on Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus (falcon god). If you’ve already been absorbing temple symbolism in Aswan and Abu Simbel, this stop adds another layer, showing how different gods and local beliefs shaped temple architecture along the river.

Back on board, dinner follows. The ship continues sailing to Edfu, where you sleep overnight.

This is also where you’ll feel the core advantage of a cruise format: you don’t have to think about hotel transfers. You eat, you sleep, you move, and the work is handled for you.

Edfu Horus Temple by horse carriage, then Luxor Temple and belly dancing

Day three feels like a great rhythm day, not just a checklist day.

Horus Temple at Edfu: horse carriage for a classic approach

After breakfast, you’ll do a horse carriage ride with your guide to Temple of Horus. Edfu’s Horus Temple is described as one of the best preserved in Egypt. Even if you’ve seen plenty of temple walls before, you’ll likely notice that the condition and layout make it easier to follow the story while you’re standing there.

Then you return to the cruise and continue sailing toward Luxor, crossing the Esna Lock along the way. You’ll have lunch on board and afternoon tea on the sundeck, so the day gives you both early activity and downtime.

Luxor Temple on the East Bank: the perfect late-afternoon pacing

Late in the afternoon you transfer to visit Luxor Temple on the East Bank. This temple sits in the zone where many eras overlap, and you’ll see ancient Egyptian, Christian, and Islamic features during the visit.

Back aboard for dinner, you’ll also enjoy a belly dancing show as part of the evening program.

If you want one practical tip: plan to take it slower after Luxor Temple. This day includes carriage transfer, temple time, sailing, then a night show. It’s wonderful, but it’s also a full day.

Balloon over Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and Karnak

Day four is the big finale, and it starts before sunrise.

The Luxor balloon flight: 5:30 to 6:00 pickup and no camera

You’re picked up around 5:30 to 6:00 for the hot air balloon ride. The flight is 30 to 40 minutes, and the ticket is included.

Important details:

• The tour notes camera is not allowed for the balloon trip.
• You can use your cellphone to take pictures instead.
• The balloon ride is over the west bank of Luxor, with views as the sun lights up the sky over the temple and mountain areas below.

Also, children under 6 years are not allowed for the balloon. If that matters for your family planning, it’s a key constraint to factor in early.

If the balloon is canceled due to bad weather, you get a $30 per person refund.

Valley of the Kings: pharaohs hiding treasure

After breakfast and checkout, you head to the west bank for the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs carved tombs into the mountains. You’ll get about two hours here, enough time to see the main vibe, then decide what tomb areas you want to focus on.

Entrance fees are not included.

Deir el Bahari and Hatshepsut: a queen’s story made stone

Next is Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. This is a standout stop for many first-timers because it’s not just a temple shape, it’s tied to the story of Hatshepsut and how her power was expressed in monumental architecture.

You’ll also have a photo stop in front of the gigantic Colossi of Memnon statues. There’s an optional lunch stop at a local restaurant during this west bank section.

Karnak Temple: the grand scale game, in a good way

The day then shifts back to the East Bank with Karnak Temple, described as built through about 2000 years and covering roughly 63 acres. Plan for pillar-and-obelisk photography time and just stand there for a bit. It is huge, and your brain needs a minute to adjust to the scale.

After Karnak, you’ll transfer to Luxor Hotel or the airport or railway station. The tour notes an evening departure on the last day is recommended, because the program ends around 4:00 pm.

Early mornings, group logistics, and how to stay comfortable

This cruise is not a lie-flat vacation. It’s a guided program with several departures that start early.

A few practical ways to make it easier:

• Pack sleep into the schedule. The program includes early starts for Abu Simbel and the balloon, and you’ll appreciate naps when you can.
• Keep a small day bag for your phone, power bank, and any money for entrance fees.
• Plan for payment realities. Entrance fees are paid by card, but the High Dam and Philae motorboat are called out as payable in cash.
• Bring the right attitude for shared transport. Abu Simbel is done as a shared group bus or minibus. You’ll have fewer choices than a private driver, but the value is better pricing and a consistent schedule.

Also, note that sailing conditions can affect the order of stops. The tour assures you’ll still see what’s on the itinerary, just in a different sequence. This is normal on the Nile.

Guides: the difference between seeing temples and understanding them

The biggest repeating pattern in the guidance is that the trip rises or falls based on the Egyptology guide. In the strongest examples, guides like Ahmed, Mohamed el Khady, Hany Soliman, Sabry, and Mohammed Wafa are named for being attentive, organized, and focused on making the sites make sense.

If you care about learning, I’d treat this as part of your booking decision. Ask your operator if you can request a guide such as Mohamed el Khady or Hany Soliman. Even if you can’t guarantee a match, it signals you value the interpretation, not just the transportation.

Who should book this Aswan to Luxor cruise

This cruise works especially well if you want:

• a first-time Upper Egypt plan that strings together major hits
• the convenience of 3 nights on the river with full-board meals
• a mix of big monuments (Abu Simbel, Karnak) and cultural stops (Nubian Village)
• at least one true “wow” activity you would otherwise have to schedule separately: the Luxor balloon

It’s a good fit for couples and solo travelers who like structure. It’s also worth considering for families that can handle early mornings, as long as the balloon age rule fits your kids.

If you dislike guided groups, early pickups, or paying extra for entrance fees and tips, then a different style of Egypt travel may suit you better.

Should you book this cruise?

If your goal is to experience a serious slice of Egypt without spending weeks planning transport and bookings, I think this is a strong choice. The balloon ride, small-group Abu Simbel timing, and the mix of Luxor Temple plus Karnak plus west bank tomb country is a lot of payoff for one package.

Book it if you can handle early starts and if you’re comfortable budgeting separately for entrance fees, tips, and onboard extras like WiFi and drinks. Skip it if you want total free time, or you prefer a private itinerary where you can control every minute and minimize shared-group elements.

FAQ

What is included in the $750 per person price?

You get 3 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise on a full board basis (breakfasts, lunches, dinners), the 30 to 40 minute hot air balloon ride, A/C transfers, and an English-speaking Egyptology tour guide. Transfers include pickup and drop-off service, and Abu Simbel is done as a sharing group by bus or minibus.

Are entrance fees included for the sights?

No. Entrance fees to all the mentioned sightseeing are not included, and you will need to pay them separately.

Does the tour include the hot air balloon ride?

Yes. The tour includes a 30 to 40 minute hot air balloon ride over Luxor sky, and it is listed as included.

Is a camera allowed during the balloon flight?

No. A camera is not allowed for the balloon trip, but you can use your cellphone to take pictures.

When do you get picked up for Abu Simbel?

The pickup for the Abu Simbel trip is around 4:30.

What if the balloon, Abu Simbel, or the Nubian Village visit is canceled due to bad weather?

If canceled due to bad weather, the tour states a $30 per person refund for the affected activity, including the balloon, Abu Simbel, or the Nubian Village.

What time does the tour end in Luxor?

The tour ends in Luxor around 4:00 pm.

Is passport required?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

Is pickup and drop-off available for different parts of Luxor?

Yes for Luxor east bank hotels and for Luxor airport or railway station. If you need pickup from Aswan west bank hotels or drop-off to Luxor west bank hotels, it is available for an extra $10 USD per person.