Day by Day: Luxor–Aswan (4 Nights)
The classic — the most popular route in the most popular direction (upstream):
Day 1: Luxor (Embarkation)
Arrival in Luxor, embarkation in the afternoon. Check-in to the cabin, explore the ship. Evening: Visit the Luxor Temple at night (the lighting is spectacular). Dinner on board. Ship stays in Luxor.
Day 2: Luxor West Bank
Early morning (departure at 6:00 AM): Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el-Bahari), photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship around noon. Lunch on board. Afternoon: Karnak Temple (2–3 hours). Evening: Departure southwards (Esna Lock, often passed at night).
Day 3: Edfu & Kom Ombo
Morning: Arrival in Edfu. By carriage or minibus to the Temple of Horus (1–1.5 hours visit). Continue on the Nile. Afternoon: Arrival in Kom Ombo. Visit the double temple at sunset (particularly atmospheric!). Crocodile museum. Continue to Aswan overnight.
Day 4: Aswan
Morning: Visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk (a 1,168-ton obelisk left in the quarry), and the Philae Temple (boat trip to the island). Afternoon: Free time. Recommendation: Felucca ride on the Nile at sunset, visit a Nubian village, bazaar in Aswan. Evening: Nubian show or gala dinner on board.
Day 5: Disembarkation
Breakfast on board, disembarkation by 9:00 AM. Optional: Day trip to Abu Simbel (by flight 30 min. or convoy 3 hours). Transfer to Aswan airport or onward journey.
💡 Tipp
The direction Luxor → Aswan (upstream) has the advantage that you visit the temples in chronological order and the dramatic highlight (Aswan, Philae, optionally Abu Simbel) comes at the end. Aswan → Luxor is faster (downstream), but the finale (Valley of the Kings) comes at the beginning.