Radamis ll Nile cruis 5 days 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan

This Nile cruise is interesting because the big sites are packed into a smooth river rhythm: you sleep on the boat, then wake up and hit temples with a guide. You cover Luxor Temple and Karnak, the West Bank at Thebes, Edfu and Kom Ombo, then land in Aswan for Philae on Agilkia. The best part is how much you get done without doing constant hotel-hopping.

I love that the tour includes a live guide throughout and uses prepaid entrance access for major sights, so you spend less time stuck in ticket lines. I also like that all meals are included, which makes budgeting easier in Egypt when you’d otherwise be guessing day by day. The optional airport or hotel transfer at the end is a nice stress-saver.

One consideration: the MS Concerto experience can be mixed when it comes to ship condition and comfort. Some people report dated rooms and maintenance issues, so if cabin details matter a lot to you, plan to manage expectations and keep your priorities on the temples and the river sailing.

Key things worth knowing before you book

• Guided “template” of highlights: Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, plus Abu Simbel
• Skip-the-line style access with prepaid entrance fees at major stops
• Meals are handled (breakfast four times, lunch five times, dinner four times), plus bottle water
• Felucca time in Aswan around Kitchener’s Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum
• Private, A/C vehicle transfers for your group between stops
• Mixed ship reviews mean the boat is functional for many people, but cabin upgrades are not guaranteed

Luxor to Aswan by Nile, and why this route works

This is the classic Luxor-to-Aswan storyline, and it works because each day feels like a chapter. Day 1 is all about Thebes at full power: Luxor Temple right after pickup, then Karnak with the Avenue of Sphinxes and the huge Hypostyle Hall. Day 2 and Day 3 take you west and then east again, from the Valley of the Kings to Edfu and Kom Ombo. Day 4 slows down in Aswan, where Philae on Agilkia and a felucca ride add a different mood than the temple marathons earlier.

Sailing between sites is also the hidden value. Even when you are only in motion for part of a day, you are not spending hours checking in and out of hotels. You also get that “floating hotel” feeling, with meals on board and a predictable schedule driven by the river and tour timing.

One more practical point: you are doing a lot of walking and waiting outdoors. The itinerary is temple-heavy, so bring comfortable shoes and a hat, and plan your energy like you would for a museum plus a stroll, not like a beach day.

The MS Concerto reality: ship comfort, rooms, and onboard pace

This cruise focuses on sights first. The ship, MS Concerto, is part of the experience, but it’s not the main event. The boat is used as your base for four nights, and that structure makes the days easier, because you wake up where the next leg begins.

Still, cabin comfort seems to vary more than you might expect at this price point. Some people describe rooms as clean and well maintained, while others point out dated interiors and maintenance problems like non-working in-room items. You can also run into the kind of practical annoyances that are common on older river boats: limited power outlets, small safes, and general “needs an upgrade” vibes in certain rooms.

On the positive side, staff attention is a theme. Many passengers mention friendly, helpful crew who handle language barriers and keep things running. You may even have a standout helper, with names like Bakar showing up in the kind of service stories you actually want on a trip like this.

If you are the type who cares most about the view, remember that when the boat is docked you might not get a dramatic panorama from your berth or balcony area, because other boats often line up in the same port space. Plan to enjoy views primarily while sailing, not while parked.

Day 1: Luxor Temple, Karnak’s hypostyle hall, and boarding before lunch

Day 1 starts with hotel or airport pickup in Luxor, then you transfer to the Nile Cruise and board before lunch. That “board before lunch” detail matters more than it sounds. You’re not stuck in a half-day limbo after pickup. Lunch is on board, and then you jump straight into the Luxor essentials.

You’ll visit Luxor Temple first, including the courtyard area and granite statues associated with Ramses the Great. After that you go to Karnak by carriage or bus. Karnak is where the scale hits you. The Avenue of Sphinxes sets the scene, then you see the Unfinished Propylon, the Hypostyle Hall with 134 gigantic columns, and the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. Karnak also has decorative themes that show up across the complex, including lotus and papyrus motifs connected to Amon.

The day is long, but it’s logically arranged: classic East Bank power sights first, then you sail and settle in. If you want the most satisfying photos, do not treat Karnak like one quick loop. Go slowly enough to appreciate the column density and the way the temple shapes your viewpoint.

Day 2: The West Bank, Valley of the Kings, and sailing to Edfu

After breakfast on board, you head to the West Bank. The big three are the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari. This is the day where the story of ancient Egypt gets less “cardboard postcard” and more human. You’re standing in the landscape built for tombs and rituals, not just watching decorative walls.

The itinerary also includes a proper Valley of the Kings visit, with stops at tombs from different dynasties. You then return and pause at the Colossi of Memnon, those two giant seated statues facing the Nile. Finally, Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at El Deir El Bahari ties the day together with its striking design and cliffside setting.

Lunch is on board, then you sail to Esna. In the afternoon you get tea, plus a disco party, and you overnight on board in Edfu. The disco and party items are optional-feeling in the sense that they are not essential to the value of the trip, but they can add a light, social break after a heavy sightseeing day.

Practical tip: West Bank days can feel dusty and bright. Keep water handy, and go easy on the timing of big purchases, so you do not lose energy right before the key tomb and temple moments.

Day 3: Temple of Horus in Edfu, then Kom Ombo’s dual-god temple

Day 3 keeps the momentum on the temple theme. After breakfast on board, you visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Horus is one of those names you see everywhere in Egyptian iconography, and this visit helps you connect the symbol to real stone carvings and layout, not just a word on a sign.

Then you sail to Kom Ombo and visit the shared temple built for two gods: Sobek and Haroeris. That “two gods” detail is useful because it signals the temple’s split focus. You’re not just seeing another stop, you’re seeing a temple designed around a specific religious pairing.

Lunch is on board, followed by afternoon tea, dinner, and a galabeya party in the evening. Then you overnight in Kom Ombo.

If you like structure, this day is clean: one major temple visit in the morning, then the second big site after sailing. If you dislike crowds, go slow on the more popular portions of the temple and focus on the carvings that are less “selfie-friendly,” because those are often more rewarding.

Day 4: Aswan’s High Dam, Philae on Agilkia, and a felucca ride

This is the day that changes the atmosphere. After breakfast you sail to Aswan and arrive to visit the High Dam and the Granite Quarries, then you head to the Temple of Philae on Agilkia island. Philae is tied to the Temple of Isis, and the location on Agilkia helps make the experience feel like a living story, not just a ground-level museum stop.

Lunch is on board, then you get a felucca ride around Kitchener’s Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. That felucca element is one of the most enjoyable “change of pace” moments on the entire itinerary. You get movement, fresh air, and calmer water views compared with the temple walking days.

The rest of the day includes afternoon tea, dinner, and an overnight in Aswan. This day is a good example of why river cruises are satisfying. You still do a lot, but you also get at least one moment where you can look out and just let the river do its thing.

Pack light for the felucca. You’ll appreciate having fewer items to manage when you’re on a boat that is not set up like a taxi with storage everywhere.

Day 5: Abu Simbel, the colossal Ramses II finale

The last day is built around Abu Simbel. The temples here are massive, and the itinerary frames why: the colossal Temple of Abu Simbel was built by Ramses II, and it was later saved from the inundation of Nile waters. The temples are carved from a sandstone rock cliff, with deities carved on the huge façade.

You also visit the nearby small Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. That pairing is important because it makes Abu Simbel more than just one big main temple. You get the contrast between the royal scale and the dedicated smaller temple nearby.

The schedule says the Abu Simbel visit is included and lists an admission ticket as free. You then return back to Aswan. The day is short on paper, but Abu Simbel is the kind of stop that feels like a full experience. Go in expecting big scale and plan your photos and rest breaks accordingly.

If you are choosing only a few Egypt highlights to fit into one trip, Abu Simbel is one of the strongest candidates. It’s also a good “end note” because it gives your cruise a memorable climax instead of ending on a standard temple.

Price and value: what you get for about $1,490 per person

At $1,490 per person for a 5-day, 4-night package, you’re paying for the rhythm: transportation, guide support, accommodation on the boat, and a lot of included meals and major entrances.

Here’s what makes it feel like value when it’s working:

• Your guide is with you throughout the journey.
• Entrance fees for major sights are prepaid.
• Pickup and drop-off are included, plus transfers by private A/C vehicle.
• All meals are included, with four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.
• The itinerary adds a felucca ride in Aswan.

What can reduce value for some people is the ship experience itself. If you booked expecting a modern cabin with everything working flawlessly, you might be disappointed. Some passengers note outdated rooms and maintenance issues like broken or non-working in-room items. Since tipping is not included, you also need to decide your own approach to gratuities for guides and crew, which affects the true trip cost.

Also, drinks can be a surprise cost if you assume they are included. The only explicitly included drink item is bottle water. So budget for other drinks unless your specific package says otherwise.

Who should book this Nile cruise, and who should not

This cruise is a strong fit if your priority is the temples and you like a guided plan that gets you from site to site without chaotic logistics. You’ll probably enjoy it most if you are comfortable with walking through large temple complexes and you like learning as you go with a guide.

It’s also a good choice if you value meal inclusion. Four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners removes a lot of daily decision-making. And if you want at least one relaxed moment, the Aswan felucca ride gives you that break from temple intensity.

You might want to think twice if:

• You are very picky about cabin condition and in-room comfort.
• You expect a “premium modern ship” feel at this price.
• You care a lot about views while the boat is docked, since other boats can limit balcony scenery.

In other words, book it when you want the big ancient Egypt checklist done in a smooth, guided format, not when you want a spa-level boat stay.

Should you book Radamis II Nile cruise, MS Concerto Luxor to Aswan?

If you want an organized route that hits Karnak, the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and Abu Simbel, this cruise format makes sense. The included meals, prepaid major entrances, and constant guide support remove a lot of friction.

My call: book it if you’re temple-focused and okay with the idea that the ship is part of the transportation and lodging, not the crown jewel. Skip it, or at least manage expectations carefully, if your definition of a great cruise depends on sleek, newly maintained cabins and flawless onboard features.

FAQ

What cities are included on this Nile cruise?

The cruise runs from Luxor to Aswan. The itinerary includes major stops along the way and ends back at the meeting point in Luxor.

How long is the tour, and how many nights do you cruise?

It’s approximately 5 days, with four nights cruising aboard the river boat.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 9:00 am.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast is included four times, lunch is included five times, and dinner is included four times.

Does the tour include a guide?

Yes. A tour guide is included with you throughout the journey.

Is entrance access to major sites included?

Yes. The tour includes prepaid entrance fees and skip-the-line access for major sites.

What sights do you visit in Luxor and the West Bank?

You visit Karnak and Luxor Temple on Day 1. On Day 2, you visit the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

What sites do you see around Edfu and Kom Ombo?

On Day 3, you visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the temple at Kom Ombo shared by Sobek and Haroeris.

Is Philae Temple included, and is there a boat ride in Aswan?

Yes. Day 4 includes Philae Temple on Agilkia Island and the Temple of Isis. It also includes a felucca ride around Kitchener’s Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum.

Is Abu Simbel included on the final day?

Yes. Day 5 includes a visit to the Abu Simbel temples, and the admission ticket is listed as free.

How does cancellation work?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. Cancellation within 2 days of the start time is not refunded, based on the local time cutoff.