5 Days Nile Cruise From Luxor To Aswan Including Hot Air Balloon & Abu Simbel

If you want Egypt with good pacing and minimal hassle, this Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise is built for you. You get the big temple hits, plus a hot air balloon over Luxor West, and then one very early morning trip to Abu Simbel.

I especially like the way the day is structured. You pack the sights in the first half, then you have real downtime on the ship. Another win is the guiding, with names like Jimmy (Gimbel) and Muhammad showing up in reviews for friendly, capable explanations and solid organization.

One thing to consider: entrance fees and tips are not included, and Abu Simbel means a very early start. It is still worth it for many people, but it helps to plan the extras before you go.

Key points to know before you book

• Hot air balloon over Luxor West on Day 2, with a ride time listed as about 40 to 55 minutes
• Small group feel, with a maximum of 15 travelers, plus Abu Simbel handled as a shared small group trip
• Full-board on a 5-star cruise for 4 nights, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included each day you are onboard
• Big temple sequence through Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, and Kom Ombo, led by an Egyptologist guide
• Plenty of ship time for sun deck views, afternoon tea, and relaxing between stops

A well-paced Luxor-to-Aswan cruise, not just sightseeing marathons

This trip works because it follows a simple rhythm: morning sightseeing, midday structure, and then you reclaim your energy on the ship. That matters on the Nile. You do not want every day to be a sprint in the heat.

You start in Luxor, where the tour team meets you and gets you moving right away. After that, the cruise does what cruises do best: you watch the river change scenery while you are still taken care of, and you sleep in the same floating base as you move toward Aswan. Several review highlights point to organization and punctual timing, which is a big deal when you are trying to see Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and then still show up for balloon pickup.

The value also comes from how many major sites you can hit in five days without constantly switching plans. You do East Bank temples in Luxor first, then go West for the balloon and the ancient royal tomb area, then continue on to Edfu and Kom Ombo before Aswan day tours and Abu Simbel.

Day 1 in Luxor, Karnak and Luxor Temple with a smooth first landing

Day 1 is built around Luxor’s two classic temple zones: Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.

First, you get picked up from your hotel, the Luxor airport, or Luxor railway station. Then you transfer to the cruise and board before lunch. That small detail helps you avoid wasting time in the lobby, especially if your arrival is early. After lunch onboard, you visit Karnak, which is not one single temple. It is a whole complex of sanctuaries, pylons, obelisks, and processional spaces dedicated to Theban gods and the glory of Pharaohs.

Then you visit Luxor Temple, tied to New Kingdom rulers. The itinerary notes key royal building and finishing connections, including Amenhotep III, Tutankhamon, and Ramses II, plus scenes tied to Ramses II’s military story. You finish the day with dinner onboard, a folkloric show, and overnight on the cruise in Luxor.

Practical tip: this is your best first-day chance to get your bearings fast. By the time you come back later for West Bank sites, everything starts to connect.

Day 2 sunrise hot air balloon, then Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings

Day 2 is the signature day, starting with the hot air balloon over Luxor West Bank. Pickup is early morning, and the ride time listed is about 40 to 55 minutes. You fly over the West Bank ruins and landmarks, with city views and the temple and mountain areas below. You also get a breakfast box for the balloon morning, which is helpful since early mornings do not always pair well with long meals.

After the balloon, you stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon. These are huge twin statues connected to Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and the itinerary even mentions how the name “Colossi of Memnon” comes from a phenomenon after an earthquake. It is a quick stop, but it is one of those moments that makes you feel the scale of ancient Luxor.

Next, you go to Deir el Bahari for the Temple of Hatshepsut. Expect terraces rising out of the desert plain, with dramatic cliff backdrops described in the tour plan. Hatshepsut’s story is part of the visit, and it is a great way to break up the day between the balloon and the tomb area.

Then comes the Valley of the Kings. The itinerary frames it as the place where kings once had stone sarcophagi prepared for immortality. You get the big picture sweep of the complex and tombs associated with well-known rulers. Even when you are not going into every tomb, the Valley itself is the point. It looks like a careful plan hiding in plain sight.

You then return to the cruise. Afternoon sailing kicks in, including heading toward Edfu through Esna Lock. Lunch is onboard, and you get afternoon tea on the sun deck as you watch the Nile move. Dinner follows, and you sleep in the Edfu area.

One consideration: balloons are weather dependent. The tour notes that if the balloon ride is cancelled due to bad weather, you receive a refund of 25 USD per person. Also, children under 6 cannot participate in the Luxor balloon ride, so plan the family logistics early.

Day 3 Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo, two temple styles on one river day

Day 3 starts easy: breakfast onboard, then you head to Edfu Temple, described as the most preserved temple in Egypt. This is the temple of the hawk god Horus, built by the Ptolemaic rulers on an earlier site. The itinerary also mentions wall descriptions tied to the myth of Horus and Seth, which gives you a story lens as you walk the sacred spaces.

After Edfu, you return to the cruise and sail for hours toward Kom Ombo. This is a great day to use the ship time. Lunch is onboard, and you get afternoon tea again on the sun deck. You are not just “between tours,” you are actually on the Nile the way it is meant to be enjoyed.

Kom Ombo is next. The itinerary notes that the temple sits on the river bank between Edfu and Aswan, which makes it a natural stop for cruises. The temple is dedicated to Sobek Ra, the crocodile god, and Horus the elder. You get an included guided visit here as well, and then you sail onward to Aswan. Dinner onboard is paired with a galabiya party in the schedule, followed by an overnight in Aswan city.

Practical tip: Edfu and Kom Ombo together are a smart pairing. You see Ptolemaic-era temple grandeur at Edfu, then a different religious blend and riverfront placement at Kom Ombo.

Day 4 Aswan High Dam and Philae, with a real island temple visit

Aswan day tours focus on two different kinds of awe: modern engineering and ancient sacred architecture.

First up is the Aswan High Dam. The itinerary describes it as a major project from 1960 meant to control flooding and generate electricity. You will hear details like length, thickness at the base, and height, plus how Lake Nasser behind it provides irrigation and power. This stop is not only impressive. It also gives context for why Philae is where it is today.

Then you go to Philae Temple. This is the one with the postcard factor. The tour includes a small motorboat ride to Aglika Island, where Philae sits. The itinerary notes that the temple was moved due to the High Dam threat, and it highlights Philae’s role tied to the goddess Isis. You also get the story that ancient religion survived here longer than in many places, with a closing timeframe mentioned in the tour plan.

After that, your day is done. You will be set up for the big early morning trip the next day.

Day 5 Abu Simbel at 4:30 AM, a long day worth doing once

Abu Simbel is the reason this itinerary feels like a true Egypt highlights package.

You check out around 4:30 AM, then get picked up for a shared small group visit. The schedule lists the Abu Simbel trip as about 9 hours, so you are committing to a long day. You see the rock-cut temples built for Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, with two temple façades and a design that the itinerary calls masterpieces of ancient Egypt. The tour plan also notes that the temples were saved from flooding through UNESCO and Egyptian cooperation, which adds weight to why these structures exist in modern time.

Because it is an early drive and a shared schedule, it is less about wandering and more about arriving, seeing, and soaking it in with a guide’s context. This is the kind of day where the trip’s organization matters. If you want to sleep in, this is not the itinerary for you.

Price and logistics, what you are really paying for at $695

The listed price is $695 per person, and that sounds “mid-range” for what you get. Here is what your money buys, based on the included items:

• Accommodation for 4 nights on a 5-star cruise with full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner each day onboard)
• Nile cruise excursions as listed in the schedule
• An Egyptologist speaking guide for your excursions
• Hot air balloon over Luxor West
• Shared small group Abu Simbel with an English guide
• Transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water during outings outside the cruise ship
• Some services covered like taxes and service charges

What is not included is equally important for value planning:

• Entrance fees to the sights are not included
• Drinks during meals and WiFi on the cruise are not included
• Tipping for guides, drivers, and the cruise crew is not included

So the real decision is how you feel about planning extra spending for entrances and tips, versus the convenience of having a guided, full-day schedule with your transport handled.

One more practical point: the group size max is 15 travelers. Smaller groups tend to feel less chaotic at temples, and that matches the strong review pattern around organization and care.

What stood out in reviews, the service side of the story

The high rating and recommendation rate come from the details you feel daily.

The strongest repeated themes in reviews are:

• The trip is well organized and punctual
• Guides can explain clearly, including named guides like Jimmy (Gimbel ) and Muhammad
• The cruise experience itself feels comfortable, with clean, comfortable rooms and good food
• Staff are friendly and the whole thing feels well managed

There is also one cautionary note from a review about theft of toiletries while someone was away from their cabin. I cannot predict how your trip will go, but it is a reminder to treat cabin spaces like any shared travel setup: keep valuables zipped and plan to lock up what you can.

Who this Nile cruise fits best

This is a good match if you want:

• Big ancient sites with a guide’s narrative, not a self-guided scramble
• A hot air balloon day plus temples without switching hotels
• A cruise routine where afternoon downtime is real, not just a break between bus rides
• A small-group feel, since the maximum is 15 travelers

You might want a different style of trip if you:

• Hate early mornings (Abu Simbel starts around 4:30 AM)
• Have very young kids who need the Luxor balloon option, since children under 6 cannot participate in the balloon ride
• Want WiFi and drinks included in the price, since those are not listed as included

Should you book this Luxor to Aswan cruise?

I would book it if your priority is a guided, structured Egypt highlights route with smooth logistics. The combo of Karnak and Luxor Temple, a West Bank balloon ride, Edfu and Kom Ombo, plus Philae, then finishing with Abu Simbel is a lot to fit. The price looks fair when you consider the cruise nights, guide coverage, balloon, and the number of sites in the schedule.

I would pause if you know entrance fees and tips will feel like a stressor, or if early pickup times break your travel style. If you are okay planning those extras and embracing an early alarm, this itinerary gives you a lot of Egypt per day without feeling like you are constantly running.

FAQ

What is included in the cruise package?

You get meet and greet services, assistance from staff during excursions, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, 4 nights on a 5-star cruise on full board, Egyptologist-led excursions as listed, bottled water during outings outside the cruise, a hot air balloon ride over Luxor West Bank, and a shared small group trip to Abu Simbel with an English tour guide.

Are entrance fees included for the temples and sights?

No. Entrance fees for the mentioned sightseeing are not included.

How long is the hot air balloon ride, and when does it happen?

The balloon ride is scheduled for the early morning on Day 2 over Luxor’s West Bank, with a ride time listed as about 40 to 55 minutes.

What happens if the hot air balloon is canceled due to weather?

If the balloon ride is cancelled due to bad weather, you will be refunded 25 USD per person.

Can children join the hot air balloon?

Children under 6 years old cannot participate in the hot air balloon in Luxor.

How is Abu Simbel handled on the last day?

You check out around 4:30 AM and are picked up for a shared small group Abu Simbel trip, listed as about 9 hours, with an English tour guide. Entrance fees are not included.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you advise during booking.

What about drinks during meals and WiFi on the cruise?

Water or drinks during meals and WiFi on the Nile cruise are not included.

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is listed as 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the experience start time is not refundable.