Amazing 2 Nights Cruise From Aswan to Luxor including Tours and Hot Air Balloon

The Nile turns sightseeing into a moving window. This three-day Aswan to Luxor cruise combines two nights on a five-star boat with Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor’s West Bank, and a sunrise hot-air balloon flight. I especially like the easy hotel, airport, railway station, and port transfers, plus the fact that meals and an English-speaking Egyptologist guide are built in. The main catch is that entrance fees are extra, and the boat’s sailing schedule can change the order of visits.

The price is $698 per person, which is a serious spend, but it covers full-board accommodation, transport, guided visits, and the balloon ride. I also like the small maximum group size of 20, though the short three-day format keeps the pace brisk. You see a lot, but you do not get much spare time in Luxor unless you add the optional East Bank visit.

Key points before you book

• Two nights on the Nile: You cruise from Aswan toward Luxor with full-board meals, onboard entertainment, and time on deck for river views.
• Two major temple stops: Kom Ombo and Edfu give you a good look at different sides of ancient Egyptian temple design.
• A sunrise balloon flight: The 30 to 40-minute ride offers an aerial view of Luxor’s temples, mountains, and fields.
• A practical West Bank tour: You visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, and the Colossi of Memnon in one morning.
• Flexible sailing order: Monday and Friday departures may begin sailing around 5 am on the second day, so your stop order can change.
• Important extra costs: Sightseeing admission, drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, and optional tours are not included in the listed price.

What the $698 price really covers

For $698, you are paying for more than a boat cabin. The package includes pickup in Aswan, air-conditioned transfers, two nights on a five-star cruise, full-board meals from lunch on the first day through breakfast on the final morning, an English-speaking guide, and the hot-air balloon flight.

That makes the price easier to understand. You would otherwise need to arrange transport between several ancient sites, organize a river cruise, find a balloon operator, and coordinate an early morning West Bank transfer. Here, those pieces are joined together.

Still, you need to budget beyond the advertised price. Entrance fees to the temples and tombs are not included. Water, other drinks, and Wi-Fi on the boat are also extra, and tipping the guide, driver, and cruise crew is your responsibility. A local restaurant lunch on the final day is optional, not part of the included meal plan.

The optional add-ons matter too. You can use the first morning for an Aswan highlights tour covering Philae Temple and the High Dam, or book a shared small-group trip to Abu Simbel. Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple can also be added from Luxor. These extras can turn a compact cruise into a fuller Upper Egypt program, but they raise the total cost.

Day one: boarding in Aswan and Kom Ombo

Your guide collects you from an Aswan hotel, railway station, or airport before the noon cruise check-in. That pickup is useful if you are arriving by train or plane, since you do not need to find the boat on your own. You should have your passport ready, along with the hotel name and room number requested by the cruise company.

The first morning is intentionally open for optional Aswan sightseeing. Philae Temple and the High Dam fit the area well, while Abu Simbel is the larger and more demanding choice. Neither option is included in the $698 price, so ask about timing before booking an add-on.

After lunch and check-in, the boat usually begins sailing toward Kom Ombo at about 2 pm. The river itself is part of the appeal here. Instead of moving from one road transfer to another, you watch the Nile scenery pass from the sundeck and let the boat carry you to the next monument.

At Kom Ombo, you visit the unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. The twin layout gives the site a clear visual theme, with separate areas for the two deities. Your guide helps explain what you are seeing, which is useful because the remains can otherwise look like a maze of columns and carved walls.

The stop lasts about 90 minutes. That is enough for an introduction and photographs, but not for a slow, solitary wander. Admission is extra, so keep a payment card available. The tour information says entrance fees must be paid by card, a detail worth knowing before you arrive at the monuments.

After returning to the boat, you have dinner and continue toward Edfu for the night. The mix of temple visit, dinner, and evening sailing makes the first day feel full without being overloaded.

Day two: Edfu, deck time, and the Esna Lock

Edfu Temple is one of the strongest stops on the cruise. Built for Horus, it is described as the most complete and best-preserved of Egypt’s major temples. The scale and condition make it easier to picture how an ancient temple complex once worked.

You reach the temple by horse carriage with your guide. That ride is part of the practical appeal, since the boat cannot dock at the temple entrance itself. The full visit takes about two hours, including the carriage transfer and time at the monument.

After Edfu, the boat sails toward Luxor. This is your best chance to slow down. Sit on the sundeck, watch the river scenery, and take a break from monuments. Lunch is served onboard, followed by afternoon tea on the sundeck.

The boat also passes through the Esna Lock. Lock crossings are a small but interesting part of Nile cruising because the vessel must be raised or lowered to continue along the river. The timing is controlled by river conditions and the boat’s operating schedule, so you should treat it as a possible highlight rather than a guaranteed set-piece at a specific hour.

The cruise reaches Luxor late in the afternoon. Dinner is onboard, followed by a belly dancing show. You spend the night in Luxor, which puts you in position for the very early balloon pickup the next morning.

One practical point deserves attention: sailing times can change. Monday and Friday departures may begin sailing toward Kom Ombo around 5 am on day two, with the stops arranged in a different order. You are still scheduled to see the listed places, but the sequence may not match the clock-by-clock plan.

Day three: a sunrise balloon over Luxor

The morning starts around 5:30 to 6 am with pickup for the hot-air balloon. The flight itself lasts about 30 to 40 minutes. This is not a long aerial excursion, but dawn is the right time for it. You see the sun rise over Luxor’s open-air monuments, the West Bank mountains, and the fields beside the Nile.

The balloon ride gives you a different view of the sites you will visit from the ground. From above, the contrast between cultivated land, dry hills, and ancient monuments becomes especially clear. You should also expect strict operating rules. Children under six cannot fly, pregnant women are not allowed, and a camera is not permitted. You can use a cellphone for pictures.

Weather controls this part of the day. If bad weather cancels the flight, the stated refund is $30 per person. That is not a refund of the whole tour, only the balloon portion. You should also be ready for the possibility that the balloon schedule affects the rest of the morning.

After the flight, you return for breakfast and check out. The group then crosses to the West Bank for the main Luxor visits.

Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple

The Valley of the Kings is the day’s major stop. New Kingdom pharaohs cut their tombs into the hills to protect their burials and treasure. The setting helps explain the choice: the dry mountain valleys offered a natural barrier and a strong contrast to the fertile river plain.

Your admission is not included, and the number of tombs open can vary. Since the tour allows about 90 minutes, you will need to use your time carefully. Your guide can help put the tombs and their wall paintings into context, but you should not expect to inspect every accessible chamber at a leisurely pace.

Next comes the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. Its broad terraces and cliff setting make it one of Luxor’s most recognizable monuments. The visit also introduces the story of Hatshepsut and her relationship with her nephew, a useful reminder that ancient Egypt’s royal succession was not always simple.

The morning ends with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two huge seated statues. You do not get an extended visit here, but the stop is easy to appreciate and makes a good final view of the West Bank’s monumental scale.

Lunch at a local restaurant is optional. Since breakfast is included but this lunch is not, plan your cash or card use accordingly. You can also add a separate East Bank tour for Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. That option is worthwhile if you have not already scheduled those sites elsewhere, but it makes an already early and active day longer.

Finally, the transfer takes you to a Luxor hotel, airport, or railway station. If you need a hotel on Luxor’s West Bank, the stated supplement is $10 per person. Pickup from an Aswan West Bank hotel also costs an extra $10 per person.

Life onboard the five-star cruise

The cruise is the backbone of the experience. You sleep on the boat for two nights, eat most meals onboard, and move between major sites without changing hotels each evening. That saves time and removes some of the usual transport hassle in Upper Egypt.

The boat provides full board, with lunch on the first day, dinner on both nights, breakfast on the second and third mornings, and lunch on the second day. Tea on the sundeck, the belly dancing show, and the river views give you breaks between guided visits.

The strongest practical benefit is the organization. The guide comes to the boat to collect you for excursions, and the included transfers connect the cruise with your arrival and departure points. Direct feedback praises the boat’s cleanliness, equipment, helpful staff, and quick communication from the tour company.

You should not expect every onboard expense to disappear. Drinks, water, and Wi-Fi cost extra. The boat schedule can shift with sailing conditions, and that may affect when you eat, sleep, or visit a temple. I would pack a small day bag with sun protection, a phone charger, and space for a water bottle purchased onboard or before a visit.

Guide, group size, and communication

The tour includes an English-speaking Egyptologist guide. That matters most at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and the West Bank, where the meaning of carvings and royal buildings is easy to miss without explanation.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to keep the guide’s commentary more manageable than a large coach group. The available feedback praises easy communication with the company and guides who met the group at the boat for excursions.

No guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular person. Other languages can be arranged for an extra charge. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with early starts, temple walking, boat transfers, and the physical demands of a balloon morning.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would choose this tour if you want the main Nile cruise experience but have only three days. It gives you the classic route between Aswan and Luxor, two important river temples, and a well-planned introduction to the West Bank.

It also suits you if you prefer having transport and meals arranged. The pickup system is useful for first-time visitors who do not want to negotiate separate taxis between a hotel, boat, monuments, and airport or station.

You may want something slower if your priority is long, quiet visits at each site. The schedule is tight, and the optional Aswan and Luxor additions can make it even more demanding. You should also look elsewhere if you want all admission fees, drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, and lunches included in one final price.

The balloon ride makes this package more distinctive, but it is weather-dependent and subject to age and health restrictions. If it is the main reason you are booking, remember that a cancellation returns $30 per person, not the full tour price.

Should you book this Aswan to Luxor cruise?

Book it if you value easy coordination, a clean five-star boat, and a lot of famous sights in a short time. The strongest parts are the river travel, Edfu Temple, the West Bank morning, and the early balloon flight over Luxor.

Before paying, confirm the sailing date, the exact boat, extra entrance fees, optional tour prices, and the final drop-off point. Allow room in your budget for tips, drinks, Wi-Fi, and admissions. If you accept the early mornings and flexible order, this is a strong three-day introduction to Upper Egypt. If you want a relaxed schedule, book a longer cruise instead.

FAQ

How long is the cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

The experience lasts about three days and includes two nights onboard a five-star Nile cruise.

What meals are included?

The cruise includes full board, starting with lunch on day one and ending with breakfast on day three. Dinner is included on both cruise nights, along with breakfast on day two and lunch on day two.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the temples, tombs, and other listed sights are not included. Payment for sightseeing entrance fees must be made by card.

Is the hot-air balloon flight included?

Yes. A 30 to 40-minute hot-air balloon flight in Luxor is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the balloon ride?

If bad weather cancels the balloon flight, you will be refunded $30 per person.

Can children take the balloon flight?

Children under six are not allowed to take the balloon flight. A child aged five to 11 who is accompanied by one adult is charged as an adult for the tour.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are included from listed Aswan and Luxor hotels, airports, railway stations, and the cruise port. Pickup from an Aswan West Bank hotel costs an additional $10 per person.

Can the visit order change?

Yes. Nile sailing times can change because of river conditions and cruise schedules. Monday and Friday departures may sail toward Kom Ombo around 5 am on day two, with the visits arranged in another order.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.