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

Ancient Egypt, plus a comfy moving hotel. This Abu Simbel plus Aswan to Luxor cruise is special because it packs big sights into a relaxed 5-star ship rhythm, with full board meals included. The only real drawback is the extra costs: entrance fees and tips are not included, so you’ll want to budget for them.

I also like how this runs like a proper organized tour, with pickup and drop off by A/C vehicle and a licensed Egyptology English speaking guide. Reviews flag the agent support too, with Heba described as quick to answer questions and helpful when plans changed.

One more heads-up: Nile sailing can shift timing, so the order of stops may change in practice. That said, the goal is that you still see all the scheduled highlights, even if the day feels a little less clockwork.

Key points to know before you go

• Abu Simbel is included, with an early start from Aswan and a shared bus or minibus format
• Full board on a 5-star ship, starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 3
• Horse carriage in Edfu plus a proper guided visit to the Temple of Horus
• Crossing the Esna lock and relaxing on the sundeck with afternoon tea
• West Bank day in Luxor, covering the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, with a Memnon photo stop

Why Aswan to Luxor plus Abu Simbel is a smart value

If you are doing a first serious Nile trip, you usually face a choice. Either you go “regular” Aswan to Luxor and skip Abu Simbel, or you add Abu Simbel and risk losing a day or getting stuck in logistics. This itinerary solves the problem by tying the far south crown jewel, Abu Simbel, into the same trip.

I like that your day starts early on day 1, because Abu Simbel temples are the kind of site where light and timing matter. You are also not wasting a second booking round trip. Instead, you get one guided Abu Simbel outing, then you start cruising toward the rest of the temple chain that makes this route famous.

The other big value is the flow: you are not just hopping between buses all day. There is time built in for meals on the ship and for down time on deck while the Nile moves in the background.

Price and what you actually get for $550

This comes in at $550 per person for a 2-night cruise, with an approximate 3-day duration. On paper, that could sound simple. In reality, your cost is bundled around several expensive or time-consuming pieces: hotel-like accommodation on the ship plus guided temple visits plus transfers.

Here is what is included, and why it matters:

• Two nights on a 5-star cruise on full board, starting with lunch and ending with breakfast
• Egyptology English speaking tour guide for the sightseeing parts
• Pickup and drop off by A/C vehicle
• Abu Simbel trip from Aswan, shared in a bus or minibus
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

What is not included, and you should plan for:

• Entrance fees for the sights
• Tipping for guide, driver, and cruise crew
• Water or beverages or Wi-Fi on the cruise
• Optional extras like East Bank visits on day 3

If you are the type who hates surprise costs, the key is this: your biggest “on your own” budget items are entry tickets and tips. Entrance fees are payable by card, which helps if you are not traveling with lots of cash.

Also, the tour caps at 20 travelers, which tends to keep things from feeling like a cattle chute. And yes, day 1 is long, but at least it is long with a plan.

Day 1: Abu Simbel early, then Kom Ombo and cruising toward Edfu

Day 1 starts with a real commitment. You check out from your Aswan hotel around 4:30, then go to Abu Simbel with a licensed Egyptology guide. This part is a sharing setup in a bus or minibus, so you will not have a private ride, but you also will not be managing the hard parts yourself.

The Abu Simbel stop is the rock-cut temple complex built for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. Even if you know the names, seeing the temples in person is still a “how did they do this” moment. The guide angle matters because these sites are not just photos. You want the story explained as you walk.

You head back to Aswan around 1:30 pm to grab luggage, then transfer to the 5-star cruise for check-in and lunch. After that, you start cruising south with the Kom Ombo visit around 2 pm.

Kom Ombo is a dual temple, focused on Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus (falcon god). I like that this stop breaks the “everything is one god, one theme” pattern. It is also the kind of place where the layout helps you understand how the Egyptians organized worship spaces.

You return to the ship for dinner and continue sailing to Edfu for the overnight.

Practical consideration: day 1 includes a lot of moving parts, including admission fees and the long Abu Simbel drive. If you hate early starts, this is the one day you will feel it.

Day 2: Edfu by horse carriage, sundeck time, and sailing to Luxor

After breakfast, you go to Edfu for the Temple of Horus. The itinerary includes a horse carriage ride with your guide. That is not just a novelty. It helps you arrive at the temple area without the “how do I get there” stress.

The Temple of Horus at Edfu is often praised for being one of the most complete and best preserved. What I look for in temples is legibility: do the carvings and structure help you follow what you are seeing. This one tends to deliver on that.

Once you finish the Edfu visit, you get back to the ship. Then it is relax and sail. You will cross the Esna lock, and you should expect the ship to slow and move with the lock’s rhythm.

Afternoon tea on the sundeck is included, and I genuinely like moments like this on the Nile. You get a break from walking and reading, and the river scenery becomes part of the experience.

You arrive in Luxor late in the afternoon and overnight in Luxor, which is convenient because it means day 3 starts with less time wasted transferring.

Day 3: West Bank classics, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, and Memnon statues

This is the big Luxor day on the West Bank. After breakfast and check-out, you drive out for the Valley of the Kings. The plan is to visit 3 tombs from the open options, and your guide will recommend which ones to choose.

That detail matters because tomb choice affects your experience. Some are more impressive visually, some have better decoration, and some are easier to follow. A good guide helps you match tombs to your interests and stamina.

Then you head to the Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari. Hatshepsut is one of Egypt’s standout characters because her story is tied to real power, real design, and real ambition. Even if you only know her name, the setting and architecture do the talking once you are there.

The tour ends on the West Bank with a photo stop in front of the gigantic statues of Memnon. That is a quick beat of spectacle before you wrap up the day.

Lunch in a local restaurant is optional. There is also an optional add-on for the East Bank to visit Karnak temple and the Luxor temple with extra charge. If you are short on time or you want to focus, you can skip it. If you want the full wow-factor of the east, add it.

Finally, you get transferred to your Luxor hotel or Luxor Airport or train station.

Inside the 5-star ship experience: meals, deck time, and pacing

This cruise is organized as a full board package, and that changes how the days feel. You are not chasing lunch or negotiating where to eat while you are tired after a temple day.

Included meals are:

• Lunch and then dinners on the ship during the cruise days
• Breakfast twice
• Lunch on day 2

In practical terms, you can budget less mental energy. After the early Abu Simbel day, the fact that you already have lunch waiting is a relief.

You also get moments to reset on deck. Afternoon tea after Edfu is built into the day, and the sundeck is where the Nile views take over for a bit. It is not just scenery time. It is recovery time, which you’ll appreciate by day 3.

One pacing note: Cairo-style “go-go-go” energy is not required here. Still, you are doing temple time in the heat, so wear your patience like sunscreen.

Guide quality, group size, and support that actually helps

This trip is run with a licensed Egyptology English speaking tour guide for the sightseeing portions. That is important because temples are full of details that are easy to miss if you are just following signage.

The group size cap is 20 travelers, which helps keep your guide interactions from feeling rushed. You will also see that Abu Simbel is sharing a small group in a bus or minibus, so you should expect a mixed experience of guided walking plus shared transport.

A small but meaningful detail from reviews: the booking contact, Heba, is described as answering questions upfront and responding quickly. I pay attention to that because cruises can need small adjustments, and you want someone who handles them smoothly.

When you book, keep an eye on the operational message that your itinerary might shift a bit due to sailing conditions on the Nile. That can sound scary, but the reassurance is that you should still see what is on the plan, just in a different order.

Entrance fees, tips, and the real budget you should plan

The tour includes guided sightseeing and the big pieces like transfers, but it does not include entrance fees. You will pay those by card. That helps with convenience.

Also plan for tipping. The package does not include tips for the guide, driver, or cruise crew. In Egypt, tipping is part of how service staff earn income, so leaving it out of your budget can make the end of the trip feel more stressful than it should.

What about onboard extras? Water or beverages and Wi-Fi are not included. If you rely on internet for messaging or navigation, plan for that. If you just want to disconnect, you will probably be happier.

One more “check your wallet” item: optional West Bank extras like the East Bank visit are extra charge.

Who this cruise is best for

This works best if you want:

• A first-timer friendly Nile route that hits the highlights without you building logistics from scratch
• A combo of major temple stops plus a calmer ship-based structure
• English guidance focused on Egyptology, not just a driver with a loud megaphone

You might prefer a different style if you hate early mornings. Abu Simbel starts around 4:30 departure from Aswan, and day 1 is your longest day.

It also fits well if you like group travel, as long as the group stays on the smaller side. The cap of 20 helps.

Should you book this Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise with Abu Simbel?

I would book it if your priority is value for a short time. For $550, you are getting two nights on a 5-star ship, full board meals, a licensed Egyptology guide, and the Abu Simbel trip that usually needs extra planning.

You should consider budgeting extra for entrance tickets and tipping, because those are the costs that can surprise people at the end of a temple day. Also be ready for an early start and a long first day.

If you want a clean, organized way to see Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut without stitching together multiple bookings yourself, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

What is included in the 2-night Nile cruise package?

The package includes 2 nights accommodation on a 5-star cruise on full board basis, starting with lunch and ending with breakfast. It also includes pickup and drop off by an A/C vehicle, an Egyptology English speaking tour guide, the Abu Simbel trip (sharing a group), and breakfasts, lunches, and dinners listed for the days.

What is not included in the price?

Entrance fees to the sightseeing are not included, and tipping for the guide, driver, and cruise crew is not included. Water or beverages or Wi-Fi on the cruise are also not included, along with any optional tours or personal expenses like laundry.

Is Abu Simbel actually part of this trip?

Yes. Day 1 includes a trip to the Abu Simbel Temple Complex with pickup from Aswan around 4:30 and a licensed Egyptology guide, using a shared bus or minibus format.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is listed as 3 days approximately, with 2 nights on the ship. The itinerary runs over Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 with transfers at the start and end.

Are entrance fees pay-as-you-go or included?

Entrance fees are not included. You will need to pay entrance fees to the sightseeing by card.

What happens if Abu Simbel is cancelled due to bad weather?

If the Abu Simbel trip is cancelled due to bad weather, you will be refunded $30 USD per person.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Passport copies, plus your hotel name and room number, are also required for Abu Simbel government permission.

Can I cancel for free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

Does the tour ever change order of stops?

Yes. Sometimes due to sailing conditions on the River Nile, the Nile cruise itinerary schedule and sailing time may be updated. The promise is that you will see all scheduled items, but in a different order.

How big is the group?

This tour/activity has a maximum of 20 travelers. The Abu Simbel portion is shared in a bus or minibus group.