Amazing 2 Nights Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Tours and Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is the star here. You leave Aswan before sunrise, ride south to the huge rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, then return in time to board your Nile ship. I like that this trip combines Egypt’s most famous southern temple with the classic cruise route to Luxor, and that hotel, airport, or train-station transfers are built in.

I also like the efficient route: Kom Ombo and Edfu break up the sailing, while the final day covers the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple. The main drawback is cost control. Entrance fees, drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, and optional Luxor visits are extra, so the $550 price is not the final figure.

Key points to know before booking

• Abu Simbel starts around 4:30 a.m. and takes about nine hours by shared bus or minibus from Aswan.
• The cruise includes two nights and full-board meals, beginning with lunch on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 3.
• Kom Ombo and Edfu are visited during the sailing route, with Edfu reached by horse carriage from the ship.
• The final morning covers three Valley of the Kings tombs, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• The group can reach a maximum of 20 people, which keeps the sightseeing more manageable than a large coach tour.
• Heba is the main contact for questions and arrangements, and prompt help matters if cruise schedules change.

Why this Aswan to Luxor cruise works

This is a compact way to see a large slice of ancient Egypt without arranging every transfer yourself. In three days, you connect Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, and Luxor, with your room and meals moving along the Nile.

I especially like the balance between guided sightseeing and time on board. The temples give you focused visits, while the sailing hours let you watch the riverbanks from the sundeck. That rhythm is more pleasant than spending every hour in a vehicle.

The route also makes practical sense. Abu Simbel is far south of Aswan, so visiting it first avoids a separate return trip later. After that, the ship carries you north toward Luxor, where the final morning ends with a transfer to your hotel, airport, or train station.

The experience is sold at $550 per person. That price covers two nights on a 5-star cruise, meals, transportation, an English-speaking Egyptology guide, and the Abu Simbel excursion. It can be good value if you want a ready-made package with several major sights.

Still, do your sums before you book. Admission charges to the temples are not included, and you must pay those sightseeing fees by card. Drinks, bottled water, Wi-Fi, laundry, tips, and optional tours also cost extra. The included restaurant lunch on the final day is optional, so budget for that separately if you want it.

The 4:30 a.m. road to Abu Simbel

Day 1 begins early, with pickup from your Aswan hotel around 4:30 a.m. A licensed Egyptology guide accompanies the shared Abu Simbel trip, which uses a bus or minibus. The drive and visit take about nine hours in total, with a return to Aswan around 1:30 p.m.

That early departure is not a small detail. You need to be ready before dawn, and the day remains long even after you return. The payoff is one of Egypt’s most memorable ancient sites, so I would treat Abu Simbel as the reason to accept the early start rather than as an added extra.

The two temples were cut into the rock for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. Their large facades and unusual setting make them different from the temple stops on the cruise route. You get time to walk around, take photographs, and see the scale of the site before returning to Aswan.

Admission is not included, so keep your payment card ready. You also need a current passport on the day of the trip. Passport copies, your hotel name, and room number are required for the government permission connected with the Abu Simbel visit.

If bad weather cancels the Abu Simbel trip, the stated refund is $30 per person. That is worth noting because the rest of the cruise can still be possible even if this road trip is not.

Boarding the ship in Aswan

After returning to Aswan, you collect your luggage and transfer to the cruise ship. Check-in is followed by lunch, giving you a chance to settle in before the afternoon visit to Kom Ombo.

The ship is described as 5-star and includes a full-board plan. You receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the cruise, with the package covering two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners. You also get afternoon tea on the sundeck during Day 2.

Do not assume that full board means everything on the ship is free. Water, other drinks, Wi-Fi, and personal services such as laundry are excluded. Ask about the ship’s current onboard charges at check-in, particularly if you rely on internet access.

The sailing itself is part of the attraction. The Nile is not simply transport between monuments. From the deck, you can watch the river scenery pass at a slower pace, which gives the trip a welcome change from the early road departure and guided walks.

Kom Ombo and the crocodile god

Around 2 p.m., the ship sails toward Kom Ombo. The visit takes about an hour and a half, including time to walk through the temple complex dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god.

This paired dedication is what makes Kom Ombo special. You are not seeing one simple temple plan devoted to one divine figure. The site reflects two religious traditions sharing one complex, and your guide can give the structure meaning beyond its columns and carved walls.

The visit is also well timed within the cruise. You arrive after lunch, walk through the temple, then return for dinner before sailing onward to Edfu for the night. There is no need to arrange another vehicle or pack up your room.

Admission is extra here as well. Since all sightseeing entry fees must be paid by card, carry a working card and do not rely only on cash. Tips for the guide, driver, and cruise crew are also separate.

Edfu by horse carriage

Day 2 begins with breakfast, followed by a horse carriage ride to the Temple of Horus. Your guide goes with you, and the visit takes about two hours.

Edfu is valued for its preservation. It is described as the most complete and best-preserved of the Egyptian temples included on this route, so you can get a strong sense of the original layout and decoration. The visit is different from Abu Simbel’s monumental setting and Kom Ombo’s paired design.

The horse carriage is a practical part of the transfer, not merely a sightseeing flourish. It takes you from the cruise area to the temple and back, allowing the ship to remain your base. As with the other major stops, the entrance fee is not included.

After returning to the ship, the day slows down. You have lunch on board, watch the Nile from the deck, cross the Esna lock, and enjoy afternoon tea. This is one of the better parts of the schedule for anyone who wants time to rest rather than rush from one monument to another.

Sailing north toward Luxor

The sailing from Edfu to Luxor gives the itinerary its easygoing middle section. You are not constantly getting on and off a coach. Instead, the ship becomes your hotel, dining room, and viewing platform while the river carries you north.

You arrive in Luxor late in the afternoon and spend the second night there. The schedule may change because of sailing conditions and the operation of the Nile cruise. The operator says the stops will still be covered, but the order or sailing times can change.

That flexibility is normal for a river trip, but it matters if you have a train, flight, or separate hotel booking after the cruise. Leave some breathing room on the final day, especially if you plan to continue by air.

Valley of the Kings on the final morning

After breakfast, you check out and drive to Luxor’s West Bank. The first major stop is the Valley of the Kings, where rulers of the New Kingdom carved tombs into the hills to protect their burials and treasures.

Your ticket allows visits to three open tombs, with the guide recommending which three to enter. That arrangement is useful because tomb openings can vary, and not every available tomb offers the same experience. The admission cost remains separate from the tour price.

Expect a visit that is more about enclosed burial chambers than grand open courtyards. The tombs can feel very different from the temples, with painted decoration and narrow passages replacing broad avenues and towering facades.

The Valley visit is scheduled for about an hour and a half. Wear practical footwear and be prepared for walking, since the stop involves moving between areas rather than viewing everything from the vehicle.

Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon

Next comes the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. The guide explains Hatshepsut’s story and her relationship with her nephew, a useful context for understanding why this queen remains such a compelling figure in ancient Egyptian history.

The temple’s setting against the cliffs gives it a distinctive appearance. After the Valley of the Kings, the open terraces and broad structure provide a clear change of pace. The visit takes about an hour and a half.

The West Bank portion ends with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two huge statues that have become one of Luxor’s familiar sights. It is a short stop, but it breaks up the morning and gives you a chance to photograph the scale of the statues without adding a long visit.

An optional local restaurant lunch is available. You should confirm the price before choosing it, since it is not part of the stated included services.

The optional East Bank extension

Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are not part of the base schedule. You can add an East Bank visit for an extra charge.

This option may suit you if Luxor is your final destination and you want to use the same guide and vehicle for another major sight. It may be less appealing if you have a train or flight to catch, or if the West Bank morning has already filled your day.

The included program finishes with transfer to your Luxor hotel, airport, or train station. Drop-off at a West Bank hotel costs an additional $10 per person. Pickup from an Aswan West Bank hotel also costs $10 per person.

Guides, group size, and service

The tour uses a licensed English-speaking Egyptology guide. The supplied information does not name the sightseeing guide, but Heba is identified as the main contact for trip questions and arrangements.

That contact role can be useful on a cruise route because ships and sailing schedules can change. The service has also handled replacement cruise arrangements when low demand caused another ship to be canceled, which suggests that prompt communication is one of the stronger parts of the booking process.

The group maximum is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is a manageable size for major sites where you need to hear the guide and keep track of the group. Abu Simbel is specifically a shared trip, so expect to ride with other people for that portion.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the schedule includes early transfers, temple walks, carriage transport, and a full West Bank morning. If you prefer a slower private itinerary, this package may feel busy.

What the $550 price really covers

The price is easiest to judge as a package rather than as a cruise-only fare. You receive:

• Two nights on a 5-star Nile cruise
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to the stated meal plan
• Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle
• An English-speaking Egyptology guide
• Shared transport to Abu Simbel
• Visits to the listed temples and tombs

The exclusions can change the final bill. Entrance fees are extra, along with drinks, water, Wi-Fi, tips, optional tours, and personal expenses. The East Bank visit and the final lunch are also optional additions.

For a first Nile trip, I see value in having the main route organized from Aswan to Luxor. You avoid arranging separate transport to Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and the West Bank. If you already have a cruise, guide, or transport booked, the package may be less attractive.

The price is not valid during Christmas, New Year, and Easter holiday periods, when a different rate may apply.

Who should book this Nile cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, structured introduction to the Nile and do not want to coordinate several hotels, drivers, and temple visits yourself. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide, included meals, and a fixed route.

It is also a good fit if Abu Simbel is high on your list. Many shorter Nile trips skip it because of the distance. Here, the road trip is built into the first day, even though the early start is demanding.

You should think twice if you dislike pre-dawn departures, shared transport, or a schedule that may shift with river conditions. You also need room in your budget for admission fees and onboard extras.

The free-cancellation rule is simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Less than 24 hours normally means no refund, while weather or minimum-participant cancellations allow a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts about three days and includes two nights on a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins in Aswan. Pickup is available from your hotel, airport, or train station.

Where does the tour end?

The final transfer can take you to a hotel in Luxor, Luxor Airport, or Luxor train station.

Is Abu Simbel included?

The shared Abu Simbel trip and transportation are included, but the entrance fee to the temple complex is not included.

What time does the Abu Simbel trip start?

Pickup for Abu Simbel is scheduled around 4:30 a.m. on the first day.

Which meals are included?

The cruise includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners. The package begins with lunch on Day 1 and ends with breakfast on Day 3.

Are drinks and Wi-Fi included?

No. Water, beverages, and Wi-Fi on the cruise are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. The Abu Simbel visit uses shared bus or minibus transportation.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the listed sights are paid separately, and the required payment is by card.

Can I visit Karnak and Luxor temples?

Yes, but the East Bank visit to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple is optional and costs extra.

Is a passport required?

Yes. You need a current valid passport on the day of the experience. Passport copies, your hotel name, and room number are also required for the Abu Simbel government permission.

Can children join?

A child aged 5 to 11 who is accompanied by one adult is charged as an adult and pays the full price.

What happens if the cruise schedule changes?

Sailing times and the order of visits can change because of river conditions. The operator states that the listed sights will still be covered, possibly in a different order.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may also result in a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Abu Simbel plus the classic Aswan to Luxor temples in one organized trip. The route is efficient, the meals and transfers reduce planning work, and the two nights on the Nile give you a welcome break between temple visits.

Before paying, confirm the ship name, the current sailing schedule, and the likely entrance-fee total. If you accept the early Abu Simbel departure and budget for the extras, this is a strong short Nile itinerary.