Nile Cruise Review: Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel by Plane from Cairo

A Genuine Look at the 4-Night Nile Cruise: Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel by Plane from Cairo

First Steps: Flying from Cairo to a Different World in Luxor

So, the trip really started at the Cairo airport, you know, super early in the morning. Frankly, the whole idea of swapping the city’s noise for the calm of the Nile felt a bit unreal. This specific package, which takes you from Cairo by plane, is actually a great way to skip a very, very long road or train trip. You pretty much get to the heart of the action right away. Our pickup was, like, right on time, and the transfer to the airport was actually smooth. I mean, they handled all the luggage and tickets, which, to be honest, was a big relief. You sort of just had to show up. A quick flight, and just like that, you are in Luxor, and the air just feels different—it’s sort of drier, and everything seems to move a little slower. A representative was, of course, waiting for us there.

Actually, from the Luxor airport, you go straight to the dock where the cruise ships are all lined up. It’s a pretty amazing sight, with these long, beautiful boats ready to go. Basically, checking in was really simple. The staff takes your bags to your room, and you are offered a welcome drink, usually a cold hibiscus tea which is just what you need. Honestly, the first thing I did was find my cabin. These cabins are often bigger than you might think, with a large window that slides open. It’s almost like having a personal, moving balcony right on the water. I spent a little time just unpacking and taking it all in before lunch was announced. If you want to know about what to expect on the flight to Luxor, it’s generally a short and simple domestic hop.

You know, the first meal on the boat sets the tone for the rest of the trip. Lunch was a big buffet with lots of different choices, from local Egyptian dishes to more familiar international food. So, there was something for literally everyone. It’s a nice way to, like, gently introduce you to the local flavors without being too overwhelming. As you eat, the boat is still docked, giving you a chance to watch the activity on the shore. In a way, it’s the calm before the storm of temple-viewing that’s about to begin. To be honest, this first part of the day is all about settling in and sort of resetting your clock to what they call “Nile time”. You really feel that the adventure is about to begin as you finish your meal, which you can read about in this guide to cruise ship check-ins.

Day 1 Afternoon: The Grandeur of Karnak and Luxor Temples

Alright, so after settling in, the very first stop is Karnak Temple. Frankly, you just can’t be prepared for the scale of this place. Our guide, a very knowledgeable local Egyptologist, started explaining things as soon as we got on the bus. At Karnak, you first walk through this avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, and it’s almost like they are guarding the entrance. Inside, you find the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is just this massive area filled with 134 gigantic columns. I mean, you feel so, so small standing next to them. The guide pointed out hieroglyphs that told stories of pharaohs and gods, and it’s a bit hard to absorb it all at once. For some practical information, you might want to look at a detailed visitor guide for Karnak before you go.

You sort of have to stop and just look up, way up, to really appreciate the work that went into building these columns thousands of years ago. Honestly, it’s one of those moments that makes you feel connected to a very, very old history.

Basically, after Karnak, you get a little break back on the boat before heading out again in the evening. This next visit is to Luxor Temple, and you see it after the sun has gone down. They light it up at night, and frankly, it’s a totally different and almost magical experience. The shadows and warm lights make the statues and columns look very dramatic. You know, you walk through the courts and halls, and you can see the mix of different eras—there’s a mosque inside the temple and Roman additions here and there. It really shows how this site was continuously used for thousands of years. It’s much more of an intimate feeling than the vastness of Karnak. It is worth checking some tips for visiting Luxor Temple at night, as it is a really special experience.

Finally, you get back to the ship for dinner. Everyone is usually buzzing with excitement from the day’s sights. The dinner is another big buffet, and people are sharing pictures and stories. Sometimes, there’s a bit of light entertainment, like a belly dancer or a Nubian folk show, on the top deck. So, you can just sit with a drink, watch the show, and see the lights of Luxor on the riverbank. It’s a pretty much perfect way to end a very, very full first day. As a matter of fact, the first day is so packed that you fall asleep almost immediately, ready for the next day’s adventures on the West Bank. Honestly, these evening activities on the Nile cruise add a lot to the overall trip.

Day 2 Morning: Crossing to the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings

Okay, so Day 2 typically starts really early. You wake up, have a quick breakfast, and then you’re off to cross the Nile to the West Bank. This area was, like, the land of the dead for the ancient Egyptians, so it’s where they built all their tombs and memorial temples. The main event of the morning is, of course, the Valley of the Kings. It’s a pretty desolate, rocky valley, but underneath the ground is where the treasure is, so to speak. Your ticket usually lets you into three different tombs, and your guide will often recommend which ones are the best to see at that time, as they open and close them for conservation. More or less, every choice is a good one, as you can see with these recommendations for tombs to visit.

Actually, walking down the ramp into a tomb is an incredible feeling. You’re leaving the bright, hot sun behind and entering a cool, quiet, and amazingly decorated space. The colors on the walls are just unbelievable. I mean, you’re looking at paint that is literally thousands of years old, and it’s still so bright. The hieroglyphs tell the story of the pharaoh’s passage into the afterlife. It’s kind of like reading an ancient comic book, you know? Each tomb has its own personality. Some are very long and deep, while others are a bit simpler. Frankly, you’re not allowed to take photos in most of the tombs to protect the colors, which actually helps you just be in the moment and really look at the art around you. There are some optional tombs, like Tutankhamun’s, that you can pay extra to enter, and many find the extra ticket for Tutankhamun’s tomb is completely worth the price.

After you’ve had your mind blown in the Valley of the Kings, the tour continues to the Temple of Hatshepsut. So, this place looks completely different from Karnak or Luxor. It’s a more modern-looking temple, in a way, built right into the side of a cliff. It has these amazing large terraces that you walk up. Hatshepsut was one of the very few female pharaohs, and her temple tells the story of her life and reign. The reliefs here are so detailed; one famous series shows her expedition to the Land of Punt. It’s a seriously impressive piece of ancient architecture. Just be prepared for the sun here; it’s very open, so a hat and water are absolutely your best friends. This unique building often prompts travelers to learn more about the fascinating history of its female pharaoh.

Right, so the last stop on the West Bank is usually the Colossi of Memnon. These are two enormous stone statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. They are pretty much all that’s left of what was once a massive temple. They just sit there in the middle of a field, and they are so, so big. It’s a quick photo stop, but it’s definitely a powerful sight. After that, it’s back to the cruise ship for lunch. And here is where the ‘cruise’ part really starts. The ship will usually set sail from Luxor in the afternoon, and you begin your slow, peaceful float down the Nile towards your next stop. It is really an amazing feeling watching the shore go by, which you can read about in people’s descriptions of the feeling of sailing on the Nile.

Day 3: Sailing and Temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo

So, you basically wake up on Day 3 floating down the Nile. It’s incredibly peaceful. The first stop of the day is Edfu, and to get to the temple, you often take a horse-drawn carriage. Frankly, this is a bit of an adventure in itself, with all the carriage drivers calling out and moving through the town’s streets. The Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. It was buried in sand for centuries, which is why it’s in such amazing condition. You can really get a sense of what an ancient temple looked like in its prime. This kind of experience is so special; there’s a lot of talk about the horse carriage ride to the temple and what it’s like.

You know, the entrance to the Edfu temple has this huge pylon—a massive gateway—with carvings of the falcon-headed god Horus. Inside, the walls are covered with incredible reliefs that tell the story of the epic battle between Horus and his uncle, Seth. The lighting inside is very dark and atmospheric, which really adds to the feeling. Our guide pointed out a special section that acted like a library, with a list of all the books and scrolls that were kept there. It’s just so cool to think about. After spending some time exploring, you take the carriage back to the boat, which sets sail again. Many find that seeing such a complete structure provides a great context for some of the other ruins, making it a favorite stop for people looking for Egypt’s most well-kept ancient sites.

The afternoon is usually spent sailing. This is your chance to really, really relax. You can sit on the sundeck, take a dip in the small pool, read a book, or just watch the world go by. It’s fascinating to see the riverbanks. You see farmers working in their fields with donkeys, kids waving from the shore, and fishermen in small boats. It’s like watching a movie of daily life in Egypt. The ship has to pass through a lock at Esna, which is also a very interesting process to watch. Vendors in small rowboats will actually come right up to the cruise ship and toss things up for you to buy, like galabeyas and tablecloths. It’s quite a scene and something that people who are curious about the Esna lock should know about.

As evening approaches, the ship docks at Kom Ombo. This temple is literally right on the bank of the Nile, and like Luxor Temple, it’s often visited at night when it’s all lit up. What makes Kom Ombo so different is that it’s a double temple, dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. So, everything is duplicated—it has two entrances, two halls, and two sanctuaries. Your guide will point out some really interesting reliefs, including one that some people say is a calendar, and another showing ancient surgical instruments. Right next to the temple is a small museum with mummified crocodiles, which is both a little creepy and really, really cool. Exploring this dual-purpose site is fascinating, and you can find out more about the unique crocodile museum before you visit.

Day 4: The Abu Simbel Convoy and Aswan’s Charms

Alright, this is a big day, and it starts incredibly early. I mean, we’re talking about a 3 or 4 AM wake-up call. The reason is that Abu Simbel is about a three-hour drive south of Aswan, and tours go in a protected convoy through the desert. So, the boat staff gives you a little breakfast box, and you hop on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. To be honest, most people just sleep on the way there. But then you see the sun rise over the desert, which is a really beautiful and almost spiritual experience. It’s just you and the vast emptiness. There is a lot of discussion about whether the early morning trip to Abu Simbel is worth it, and I think it is.

And then you arrive. Frankly, no picture can prepare you for seeing Abu Simbel for the first time. The two temples are carved directly into a mountainside. The main one, for Ramses II, has four gigantic statues of him sitting on his throne. It’s all about showing his power and importance. You walk inside, and the entire temple is just cut out of the rock. The smaller temple, for his wife Nefertari, is next to it and is also beautiful. But the most amazing part of the story is that in the 1960s, the entire temple complex was moved. They cut it into huge blocks and reassembled it on higher ground to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the Aswan High Dam was built. It was a massive international effort, and honestly, you can’t even tell it was moved. It’s a huge point of interest for many who read up on the incredible engineering story of moving Abu Simbel.

After the long drive back, you arrive in Aswan for lunch on the cruise ship. Aswan has a very different feeling from Luxor. It’s more relaxed and has a bit of an African feel to it. In the afternoon, the sightseeing continues with a visit to the Aswan High Dam. It’s a modern engineering marvel, and you can stand on top of it and see Lake Nasser on one side and the Nile River on the other. It’s a very interesting contrast to all the ancient sites you’ve been seeing. Next, you usually visit the Unfinished Obelisk. It’s a huge obelisk that cracked while they were carving it out of the rock quarry, so they just left it there. It gives you an amazing insight into how they made these giant things. This spot is a must-see for anyone wanting to see how obelisks were actually created.

So, the last activity of the day, and often of the entire tour, is a peaceful ride on a felucca. A felucca is a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat. There’s no motor, so it’s completely quiet. You just glide along the water around Elephantine Island and get a beautiful view of the Tombs of the Nobles on the west bank. It’s the perfect, calming way to finish a very, very busy day of travel and sightseeing. You sail back to the cruise ship for your last dinner. This is your final night on the Nile, and it’s a great time to just relax and appreciate the amazing things you have seen. That felucca ride is often cited by travelers as a top highlight, something you can see in many reviews of the Aswan felucca experience.