Discover ancient Egypt on an 8-day, 7-night Deluxe Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back, combining comfortable 5-star cruising with private sightseeing, a spectacular Luxor hot air balloon experience, Abu Simbel, Nubian culture and the legendary temples of the Nile Valley.
Designed for travelers who want refined comfort, authentic experiences and dependable service, this Egypt tour brings together the essential highlights of Luxor and Aswan in one carefully arranged Nile journey.
Explore Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Rise above Luxor on a hot air balloon flight for an unforgettable view of the Nile, temples and West Bank.
Spend seven nights aboard a Deluxe Nile Cruise with full-board dining and time to enjoy the river at a relaxed pace.
Discover Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae while following one of Egypt’s most historic travel routes.
Visit the monumental temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari during your stay in Aswan.
Enjoy coordinated transfers, experienced Egyptologist-guided sightseeing and 24/7 assistance throughout your journey.
This 8 Day Egypt Tour is designed around one of the most rewarding ways to discover southern Egypt: a 7 Night Nile Cruise from Luxor with the journey continuing to Aswan before returning toward Luxor.
Rather than moving between hotels every night, you unpack once aboard your Nile cruise and travel through the ancient heart of Egypt by river. The route combines Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan with exceptional experiences including the Valley of the Kings, a Luxor hot air balloon flight, Philae Temple, a Nubian Village and the Abu Simbel Temples.
The result is a well-balanced Deluxe Nile Cruise Egypt experience for travelers seeking comfort, culture and a thoughtfully organized Egypt holiday package without sacrificing time to enjoy the journey itself.
Your journey begins in Luxor Egypt, one of the world’s great archaeological destinations. Explore the monumental Karnak Temple and the beautifully illuminated history of Luxor Temple before experiencing the Nile from a traditional felucca.
The following morning, the experience rises above the ordinary with a Luxor Hot Air Balloon flight before exploring the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
As the cruise continues south, discover two of the Nile Valley’s most impressive surviving temple complexes. Edfu is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, while Kom Ombo is unique for its unusual double-temple design.
These ancient sites form part of the classic Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise route and allow you to experience Egypt’s temples while maintaining the relaxed rhythm of life aboard the river.
In Aswan, discover the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the island sanctuary of Philae Temple. The atmosphere changes noticeably here, with granite landscapes, islands and Nubian culture shaping the southern Nile.
A dedicated excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples adds one of the defining highlights of southern Egypt, with the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari standing as masterpieces of ancient Egyptian architecture.
Your Aswan experience also includes a visit to a Nubian Village, offering an opportunity to see a different side of Egyptian culture and life along the southern Nile. Combined with the felucca experience and the sailing days, this creates a journey that goes beyond archaeological sightseeing.
Your 7 Night Nile Cruise is more than transportation between sightseeing stops. It is your accommodation, dining experience and base for discovering southern Egypt throughout the journey.
Comfortable private accommodation throughout the seven-night cruise.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the cruise.
Enjoy the changing landscapes of the Nile between archaeological visits.
Your cruise includes 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners, providing full-board dining during the seven nights aboard the vessel.
Special dietary requirements can be communicated in advance so the cruise team can make the appropriate arrangements whenever possible.
Meet your Monarch representative on arrival in Luxor and begin your journey with an introduction to the ancient city. Visit the monumental Karnak Temple complex before continuing to Luxor Temple.
Later, enjoy a traditional felucca experience on the Nile before boarding your cruise. Settle into your private cabin and begin your seven-night journey along the river.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Start early with a memorable hot air balloon flight over Luxor, offering an exceptional perspective across the Nile and the ancient monuments of the West Bank.
Continue with the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers were carved into the desert cliffs. Visit Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Return to the cruise for the continuation of your Nile journey as the vessel sails south.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continue south along the Nile and discover the beautifully preserved Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, one of ancient Egypt’s most important deities.
Later, continue to Kom Ombo to explore its distinctive double temple overlooking the Nile, associated with Sobek and Horus the Elder.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Arrive in Aswan, where the landscape and character of the Nile change dramatically. Visit the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, an extraordinary insight into ancient Egyptian stone-working.
Continue by boat to Philae Temple, one of Egypt’s most atmospheric temple complexes, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to the extraordinary Abu Simbel Temples, created during the reign of Ramses II. The enormous rock-cut façades and richly decorated interiors make this one of the most remarkable archaeological experiences in Egypt.
After the visit, return to Aswan and continue your cruise experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Discover another dimension of southern Egypt with a visit to a Nubian Village. Experience the colorful character of Nubian communities and see how life along the Nile continues beyond the major archaeological monuments.
Return to your cruise and enjoy the evening aboard the vessel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is dedicated to the pleasure of the Nile itself. Relax aboard the cruise as the vessel sails back toward Luxor, enjoying the river landscapes, changing scenery and time away from the busy sightseeing schedule.
This slower day provides the perfect balance between archaeological exploration and relaxed cruising.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, check out from the cruise. Your Monarch team will arrange your private transfer to your selected Luxor hotel or Luxor Airport, marking the end of your 8-day Nile journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Your accommodation throughout the main journey is aboard a Deluxe 5-star Nile Cruise, providing a comfortable private cabin, onboard dining and the opportunity to experience the Nile as an integral part of your Egypt holiday.
No. This is a round-trip Nile Cruise itinerary: Luxor → Aswan → back toward Luxor, ending with transfer to Luxor on Day 8.
The itinerary includes 7 nights aboard the Deluxe Nile Cruise.
Yes. The Luxor Hot Air Balloon experience is included as part of the itinerary, subject to weather and operational conditions.
Yes. The itinerary includes an excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples during your stay in Aswan.
The cruise includes 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners.
Monarch arranges expert Egyptologist-guided sightseeing and private transfers. Specific cruise-based excursions can be subject to the operating arrangements of the selected vessel.
Yes. Please inform us of your dietary requirements in advance so the appropriate arrangements can be discussed with the cruise.
Children under 6 years old are generally not permitted to participate in the balloon flight.
From the temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings to the Nubian villages of Aswan and the monumental Abu Simbel Temples, this 8-day Deluxe Nile Cruise Egypt tour brings together the essential experiences of the Nile in one carefully arranged journey.
