4-Day Nile Cruise from Hurghada: trip overview
A Nile cruise is the classic Egyptian journey, and it is easy to add to a Hurghada holiday. You drive to Luxor, board a 5-star river ship and spend the next days sailing south past palm-lined banks, stopping at temples along the way.
Visits include Karnak and Luxor Temple, the West Bank's royal tombs, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the riverside temple of Kom Ombo and, in Aswan, the Philae Temple and the High Dam. On the final day you drive from Aswan back to your hotel in Hurghada.
Highlights
- 3 nights on a 5-star Nile ship with full board
- Guided visits in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan
- Philae Temple and the High Dam
- Felucca sail in Aswan
- Transfers from and back to Hurghada
Your day, as it feels
There's a rhythm to a Nile cruise that no road trip can match. Mornings are for temples, afternoons are for the sun deck as the river slides past palm groves, villages and fishermen in wooden boats.
You'll visit Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, ride a horse carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, watch the sun set over Kom Ombo and sail a felucca around Aswan's islands. Everything is organised, meals are included, and you return to Hurghada with the feeling of having truly travelled.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
Full board on a 5-star ship
Meals included, cabins with river views.
All visits included
Listed sightseeing and tickets are in the price.
Transfers from Hurghada
No need to organise travel to Luxor or back.
Beautiful pace
Sightseeing balanced with relaxation.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- Day 1
Hurghada → Luxor
Drive to Luxor, board the ship, visit Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- Day 2
West Bank & sailing
Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, then sail to Edfu.
- Day 3
Edfu & Kom Ombo
Temple of Horus by horse carriage, then Kom Ombo, sailing to Aswan.
- Day 4
Aswan → Hurghada
Philae Temple, High Dam, felucca, then drive back to Hurghada.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
Places you'll visit
What you will see on this trip, in a few words. The exact order can change on the day.
Karnak Temple
Karnak is the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, built and extended by pharaohs over about 2,000 years and dedicated mainly to the god Amun. The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 giant columns, many still carrying their original colour high up. Avenues of ram-headed sphinxes, obelisks and the sacred lake complete the visit. It is a big site, so your guide follows a clear route that covers the essentials without wasting your energy. Full guide & map →
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple stands in the centre of modern Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile. Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, it was linked to Karnak by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes. The entrance is guarded by statues of Ramses II and a single obelisk; its twin stands in Paris. The temple is especially beautiful in the late afternoon and after dark, when it is lit up, and it is compact enough to visit in about an hour.
Valley of the Kings
On the west bank of Luxor, kings of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs cut deep into a desert valley, hidden from robbers. The standard ticket includes three tombs, and the painted walls and ceilings are often in astonishing condition. Some tombs, such as Tutankhamun's, need an extra ticket. Photography rules and open tombs change from time to time, so your guide chooses the best tombs open on the day and explains what the scenes mean. Full guide & map →
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in three wide terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. She was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and her temple tells the story of her reign, including a famous trading expedition to the land of Punt. The architecture looks surprisingly modern. The site is exposed to the sun, so it is usually visited earlier in the day, with hats and water ready. Full guide & map →
Temple of Horus at Edfu
Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and built in the Ptolemaic period. Its huge entrance pylon, roofed halls and dark sanctuary give you a clear idea of how a complete temple looked. Nile cruises stop here between Luxor and Aswan, and the short ride from the riverbank is usually by horse-drawn carriage. Full guide & map →
Temple of Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo stands right on a bend of the Nile and is unusual because it is a double temple, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. Everything is built twice, side by side. A small museum next to the temple displays mummified crocodiles. Cruise boats often stop here in the late afternoon, when the light on the columns is at its best. Full guide & map →
What's included
- Transfers from Hurghada and back
- 3 nights full board on the cruise
- Egyptologist guide
- Sightseeing and entrance tickets listed
Not included
- Abu Simbel excursion (optional)
- Drinks on board
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Abu Simbel excursion | optional |
| Drinks on board | pay on the ship |
Your safety on this trip
- 5-star rated ships
- Egyptologist guide throughout
- Experienced drivers for the Hurghada transfers
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- Couples and families
- Travellers with 4 free days
- First-time visitors to Egypt
Maybe not for you if…
- Guests with only one or two days available
Insider tips from our team
- Bring smart-casual wear for dinners on board.
- Add Abu Simbel only if you don't mind a very early start.
- Keep small notes for tips on board.
What to bring
- Passport
- Smart-casual evening wear
- Comfortable walking shoes
Good to know
- Departure days follow the ship's schedule; ask for current dates.
- The drive back from Aswan takes about 6–7 hours.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Guest reviews
Reviews on this page come only from guests who booked this trip with us; we publish positive and critical ones alike. After your trip we send you a short review link.
4-Day Nile Cruise from Hurghada: questions & answers
Can we add Abu Simbel?
Yes, an early-morning excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel can be added on day 4, which makes the return later.
Is the ship 5-star?
We use 5-star rated ships; the exact vessel is confirmed with your booking.
How are children's tickets priced?
Children aged 0–4 travel free on standard per-person trips; ages 5–10 pay 50% of the adult trip fare; ages 11 and over pay the full fare. Enter every child’s age on the trip date when booking. Pickup supplements and minimum booking prices are shown separately. Private boats, jeeps and quads are priced per vehicle. Activity age restrictions still apply.
Which ship will we use?
A 5-star rated ship confirmed with your booking.
Are drinks included?
Meals are included; drinks are paid on board.
