6 Days Cruise Aswan to Luxor, Abu Simbel&Sleeper Train Round-trip

The big draw here is the way this six-day Egypt trip links Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor without making you arrange every train, transfer, cruise, and guide yourself. You ride south, board a Nile ship, and see the major temples in a sensible northbound order.

I especially like the three-night full-board cruise, which gives you time to sit on deck and watch village life along the river. I also like the early Abu Simbel run, since it fits one of Egypt’s greatest sights into the cruise schedule. The main caution is cost: at $950 per person, entrance fees, drinks, the Philae motorboat, and tips are extra. Also confirm your train class before paying, since the details describe both a sleeper train and first-class sitting tickets.

Key points to know before booking

• Abu Simbel is an all-day commitment: Leave around 4:30 a.m., drive about three hours each way, and return to the ship around noon.
• The cruise runs Aswan to Luxor: You spend three nights aboard a 5-star Nile ship, with meals from lunch on arrival through breakfast at checkout.
• The Cairo train details need confirmation: The trip description says sleeper train, while the inclusions also mention first-class sitting tickets with a sleeper upgrade available.
• Entrance fees are not included: Budget separately for the listed temples and sites, with most admission payments made by card.
• Philae requires a separate boat ride: The small motorboat to the island temple is an additional cost and must be paid in cash.
• The group is capped at 20 people: Abu Simbel is handled in a shared minibus or bus, while other transfers use air-conditioned vehicles.

Why this route works so well

Egypt can be tiring to organize. Cairo sits far north, Aswan lies close to the southern end of the usual Nile cruise route, and Abu Simbel is another 285 kilometers south of Aswan. This package removes much of the back-and-forth planning by handling the Cairo transfers, trains, cruise, shore visits, and hotel drop-off.

You begin with the long overnight journey to Aswan, then settle into a slower rhythm on the river. That contrast is useful. The train covers a great distance while you sleep, and the cruise gives you a moving base for the next three nights.

The route also packs in the essential southern sights. You see Philae and the High Dam in Aswan, Abu Simbel farther south, the twin-god temple at Kom Ombo, Horus at Edfu, and the major monuments of Luxor. You will not see every attraction in Upper Egypt, but you get the classic Nile sequence in a short time.

This is best for you if you want structure, guided visits, and included transport. It is less suited to you if you prefer long independent visits, late mornings, or plenty of unplanned time.

Cairo to Aswan by overnight train

On the first day, a driver collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel and takes you to the station. The journey to Aswan takes about 12 to 14 hours, and dinner and breakfast are included.

There is an important booking detail here. The main description presents the journey as a Watania sleeping train, while the inclusions refer to round-trip first-class sitting tickets and say a sleeper upgrade is available for an added charge. Do not leave this vague. Ask exactly what class and carriage you are receiving in both directions.

The long train ride is not glamorous, but it is practical. It saves you a separate hotel night and avoids losing a daytime sightseeing period to a domestic transfer. If you sleep well on trains, it is an efficient way to reach the southern Nile. If you need a quiet, comfortable night, confirm the sleeper arrangement and any extra payment before departure.

Your driver meets you at the Aswan railway station. From there, you go to the cruise ship, check in, and have lunch. Standard check-in is listed at noon, but an early arrival can work in your favor. If your train reaches Aswan early, the sightseeing may begin right away instead of leaving you waiting in a lobby.

Aswan High Dam and the island temple of Philae

The first Aswan visit is the High Dam, a huge modern engineering project completed in 1960. Its purpose was to control the Nile floods and generate electricity. It is not an ancient monument, but it helps explain the modern transformation of the river and the reason many older temples had to be moved or protected.

The stop is planned for about 45 minutes. The dam admission fee is not included, so keep some cash available. The tour notes specify that the High Dam payment is one of the exceptions to the general card-payment rule.

Next comes Philae Temple, reached by a small motorboat. The temple complex is dedicated to Isis and contains Greek and Roman period features. Its island setting gives the visit a different feel from the giant stone compounds farther north.

Allow about 90 minutes at the temple itself, plus the boat transfer. The motorboat is an extra cost, and it must be paid in cash. That is easy to overlook when you are comparing package prices, so include it in your day-to-day budget.

You return to the ship for dinner and an evening folkloric show. The cruise entertainment may also include belly dancing, a galabiya party, a Nubian show, or disco-style activities during the sailing. These are optional-feeling social moments rather than serious cultural presentations, but they give the evenings some energy after long sightseeing days.

Abu Simbel: the early start is worth understanding

Day three begins around 4:30 a.m. for the shared trip to Abu Simbel. The drive takes about three hours each way through the Egyptian desert, with roughly eight hours set aside for the full excursion.

This is the most demanding day of the trip, but Abu Simbel is also the visual high point for many people. The rock-cut temples were built for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. The scale, placement, and carved facades make them unlike the river temples you see later in the cruise.

You return to the ship around midday, have lunch, and prepare for afternoon sailing toward Kom Ombo. The schedule is tight. Bring water, expect a very early morning, and do not count on this being a relaxed half-day outing. Water and drinks are not included on the cruise or during the general program, so plan to buy them separately.

The Abu Simbel trip is shared in a bus or minibus, with an English-speaking guide. The maximum overall group size is 20, although the Abu Simbel vehicle arrangement may vary. If bad weather cancels the trip, the stated refund is $30 per person. That refund is modest compared with the overall price, so ask how cancellation decisions are handled if Abu Simbel is a priority for you.

Kom Ombo at sunset and the cruise rhythm

The ship reaches Kom Ombo in the late afternoon. The temple is unusual because it is dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Its divided design makes it easy to understand with a guide, and the timing can give the visit softer light than a midday stop.

The temple visit takes about an hour. Afterward, you return for dinner and continue sailing to Edfu, where the ship spends the night.

This is where the cruise earns its keep. Instead of packing and unpacking for each town, you return to the same cabin after each shore visit. Between stops, you can sit on the deck, watch the Nile Valley pass by, and see ordinary river life rather than only monuments.

Sailing times can change because of river conditions and lock schedules. The order of visits may also shift, but the supplied plan promises that the listed sights will still be covered. Keep a little flexibility in your expectations. The river, not the printed timetable, has the final say.

Edfu’s Temple of Horus and the Esna Lock

After breakfast, you leave the ship for Edfu. A horse-carriage ride takes you to the Temple of Horus, described as one of the best-preserved and most complete Egyptian temples.

The visit lasts about two hours, including the carriage transfer. The temple’s condition helps you picture how a major Egyptian religious complex was laid out, from its large entrance to its interior halls. An Egyptology guide adds useful context, especially when the carved scenes and symbols begin to look alike.

Back on board, you sail toward Luxor. Lunch and afternoon tea are served on the sun deck, and the ship crosses the Esna Lock. This is one of the quieter pleasures of the trip. You get a break from formal sightseeing and can simply watch the river, fields, settlements, and passing boats.

The cruise is full board, beginning with lunch on check-in day and ending with breakfast on checkout day. Food was praised specifically, with one detailed account describing the restaurant service and meals as a strong part of the cruise. Drinks are not included, though, and that can make meals cost more than you expect. WiFi is also listed as an extra.

Luxor Temple after dark

The ship reaches Luxor in the late afternoon. You then visit Luxor Temple on the East Bank, a site with ancient Egyptian, Christian, and Islamic layers.

The planned visit lasts about 90 minutes. Its location and evening timing make it a good introduction to Luxor. After a full day on the river, you are not trying to cover the entire East Bank at once, and the temple’s illuminated stonework can be especially atmospheric.

Dinner is served back on board, followed by a belly dancing show. The program may include several forms of evening entertainment, but the exact event can change. Treat these shows as a light end to the day, not the main reason to choose the cruise.

You spend the night in Luxor before checking out the following morning. That means your final sightseeing day is land-based and packed, so get ready for another early start.

The West Bank: tombs, Hatshepsut, and Memnon

After breakfast, you check out and cross to Luxor’s West Bank. The Valley of the Kings is the first major stop, with about 90 minutes planned.

The valley is where New Kingdom pharaohs cut tombs into the mountains to conceal royal burials and protect treasures and mummies. The package does not specify which individual tombs are included, and entrance fees are separate. Ask your guide or operator what the standard ticket covers on your date, since tomb access can affect how much you see.

Next comes the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. The guide explains how Hatshepsut ruled as a female pharaoh, which adds a strong human story to the stone terraces and broad setting.

The final West Bank stop is a photo opportunity at the Colossi of Memnon, the huge seated statues. A local restaurant lunch is optional, so you can decide based on appetite, timing, and budget. Since this is a full day followed by a night train, do not underestimate the value of a proper meal and a short rest if the schedule allows it.

Karnak and the return train to Cairo

You return to the East Bank for Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex on the route. It grew over roughly 2,000 years and covers about 63 acres, so the 60 to 90 minute visit gives you an introduction rather than a full exploration of every section.

The scale is the point. Huge columns, courtyards, pylons, and sacred spaces make Karnak feel less like a single building and more like an entire religious district. A guide helps you avoid wandering through the site without a sense of how the pieces fit together.

After Karnak, a transfer takes you to Luxor railway station for the overnight return to Cairo. Again, verify whether your ticket is a sleeper or first-class sitting ticket. The following morning, a driver meets you at either Cairo or Giza station and takes you to your hotel.

Hotel information matters here. You need to provide the Cairo or Giza address for the final transfer. Airport and New Administrative Capital pickups or drop-offs are available for extra charges, listed as $10 per person from Cairo airport areas and $15 per person from the New Administrative Capital.

Is $950 a fair price?

At $950 per person, the value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging the pieces. The price covers three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise, full-board meals on the ship, Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo rail travel, private air-conditioned transfers, an English-speaking Egyptology guide, the Abu Simbel shared excursion, and door-to-door hotel transfers.

That is a lot of transport and coordination for six days. You are also paying for the convenience of having someone connect the train station, ship, temples, and final hotel transfer.

The price is not all-inclusive. You must add admission fees, drinks, cruise WiFi, the Philae motorboat, optional lunch, tips, laundry, and any optional tours. The train class may also add to the price if you need the sleeper upgrade. Most entrance fees are paid by card, while the High Dam and Philae boat require cash.

The cruise food and restaurant service are clear strengths, and prompt communication from booking contact Heba Haggag is another practical plus. She is described as attentive and quick to respond, including on holidays. That matters on a complicated trip where train, ship, and road timings must connect.

Who should book this Nile route?

I would choose this for a first Egypt visit when you want the major Upper Egypt sights without managing separate local bookings. It also suits you if you like having a guide explain temples rather than trying to decode every wall and column alone.

It is a good match for couples, families, and small groups. Child pricing applies only when a child shares with two paying adults. A child aged 6 to 11 traveling with one adult is charged as an adult. Three people can share a triple room, while anyone wanting a private room must book as a single person.

I would think twice if you dislike overnight trains, very early departures, shared Abu Simbel transport, or tightly timed sightseeing. The cruise gives you rest between stops, but the overall plan remains busy.

Final verdict: a strong route with costs to check first

Book this tour if you want the classic Nile experience in a compact package and value having the practical details handled. The combination of Abu Simbel, a full-board cruise, Philae, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings gives you a strong introduction to southern Egypt.

Before booking, confirm the train class, ask for the expected entrance-fee total, and budget for drinks, tips, and the Philae boat. If those extras fit your budget, the $950 price offers solid value for a six-day Cairo to Aswan to Luxor journey. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, which gives you some useful flexibility while plans are still changing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six days. It includes two overnight train journeys and three nights on a Nile cruise.

Where does the tour start and end?

Pickup is available from hotels in Cairo or Giza. After the return train arrives at a Cairo or Giza station, a driver transfers you to your hotel.

Is the train a sleeper train?

The tour details describe a Watania overnight sleeping train, but the inclusions also mention first-class sitting tickets and a sleeper upgrade for an additional charge. Confirm the exact train class when booking.

Are meals included?

Meals are included during the cruise, which starts with lunch and ends with breakfast. The train journey includes dinner and breakfast. Drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the listed sightseeing stops are extra. Most entrance fees must be paid by card, while the High Dam fee and the Philae motorboat are paid in cash.

Is Abu Simbel included?

Yes. The Abu Simbel excursion is included and uses shared bus or minibus transport with an English-speaking guide. The trip leaves around 4:30 a.m. and takes about eight hours in total.

What happens if bad weather cancels Abu Simbel?

If the Abu Simbel excursion is canceled because of bad weather, the stated refund is $30 per person.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. A child rate applies when the child shares with two paying adults. Children aged 6 to 11 who travel with one adult are charged as adults.