3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours

4.38

(8 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Stepping off the train in Aswan, I felt the heat wrap around me—dry and a bit dusty, but not uncomfortable. Our guide was waiting right at the platform, holding a small sign and grinning like he’d been doing this for years. We hopped into an air-conditioned van (thank goodness), and before I knew it, we were boarding our floating hotel on the Nile. The cabins are simple but spotless, with big windows that let you watch the river drift by. Lunch was already being served—spiced chicken and rice, nothing fancy but honestly tasty after the trip.

The first afternoon kicked off with a visit to Aswan’s High Dam—our guide explained how it changed everything for local farmers. The unfinished obelisk site was next; you can still see ancient tool marks in the granite. Philae Temple came just as the sun started to dip, painting everything gold. There’s this faint scent of incense near the entrance—someone must’ve lit some for good luck. Back on board, dinner was lively and then we wandered through Aswan’s market. It’s noisy, packed with vendors selling hibiscus tea and little wooden camels—don’t be shy about haggling.

The next day we set sail early. By late afternoon, we reached Kom Ombo Temple just as the sky turned pink over the water—a moment I won’t forget. Our Egyptologist pointed out carvings of crocodiles and explained why locals once worshipped them here. The boat rocked gently while we listened; you could hear kids laughing somewhere along the shore.

Day three is mostly about relaxing—watching palm trees slide by and fishermen casting nets from tiny boats. Some folks napped on deck chairs or read paperbacks they’d picked up at Cairo airport.

On our last morning, after breakfast (try the ful medames if you’re curious), we crossed to Luxor’s west bank for a deep dive into ancient history: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple rising out of sheer rock, and those massive statues of Memnon standing guard over empty fields. Our guide shared stories about tomb robbers and pharaohs that made it all feel real—not just old stones but lives lived long ago. Afterward, they dropped us right at Luxor station for our onward journey.