Shore excursions
Nile cruise excursions: what's included, and what's worth paying extra for
A Luxor to Aswan cruise fare normally includes the classic sites with an Egyptologist guide: Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The extras worth paying for are Abu Simbel (US$95 to US$140 per person shared, US$200 to US$350 private), a sunrise balloon over Luxor (US$80 to US$175), the painted tombs of Seti I or Nefertari, and a boat trip to a Nubian village in Aswan.
In the fare
What a cruise fare usually includes
| Stop | Sites | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor, East Bank | Karnak and Luxor Temple | Almost always included |
| Luxor, West Bank | Valley of the Kings (standard ticket, three tombs), Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon | Almost always included |
| Esna | Temple of Khnum | Some boats only; many just pass the lock |
| Edfu | Temple of Horus | Always included |
| Kom Ombo | Temple of Sobek and Haroeris, Crocodile Museum | Always included |
| Aswan | Philae, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk | Usually included; some boats drop the Obelisk |
“Included” on a full-board Nile cruise means a shared tour with the boat's Egyptologist and transport; on most boats it also means the entry tickets, but on some it does not, so ask. Inside the Valley of the Kings, the standard ticket covers three tombs of your choice from those open that day. Tutankhamun, Seti I and the Valley of the Queens' Nefertari are separate tickets on every boat.
Dahabiyas include the same big temples and add small sites that big ships pass by, such as El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila: see sites only a dahabiya reaches.
Optional
Paid extras, and whether they are worth it
| Extra | All-in price | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel from Aswan | Shared US$95 to US$140, private US$200 to US$350, by air US$450 to US$750 | Yes, if you can spare the day: the single most impressive site south of Luxor |
| Hot air balloon over Luxor | US$80 to US$175 | Yes, on a clear morning; it costs you only an early start |
| Tutankhamun's tomb, Seti I, Nefertari | Separate tickets at the site | Seti I and Nefertari, yes; Tutankhamun for the story more than the painting |
| Nubian village by boat, Aswan | Ask the boat | Yes, for the boat ride past the cataract and an afternoon off temples |
| Felucca sail in Aswan | Ask the boat; often included | Yes, at sunset |
| Dendera and Abydos from Luxor | Ask the boat | For repeat visitors and keen readers of hieroglyphs; a long day |
| Sound and light, Karnak or Philae | Ask the boat | Only if the evening is otherwise free; check the show is running |
Prices are per person for two travellers, with entry tickets, a guide and transport. Booking them with the cruise means they are timed around sailing and meals, which matters on a tight four-night schedule, and the guide already knows your group.
Timing
Which day of the cruise each extra fits
- The balloon flies at dawn over the West Bank, so it fits the morning the boat is moored in Luxor: day two of a four-night cruise from Luxor, or the last morning of a three-night cruise from Aswan. See the balloon from a Nile cruise.
- The extra tombs are bought at the Valley of the Kings during the included West Bank tour. See the Luxor West Bank on a cruise.
- The Nubian village and the felucca fill the free afternoon in Aswan. See Aswan on a Nile cruise.
- Abu Simbel takes most of a day from Aswan: the free day of a seven-night cruise, or the day before or after. See Abu Simbel on a Nile cruise.
Save your energy
What many guests can skip
Shopping stops added to tours (papyrus, alabaster, perfume) are where guests most often feel time was wasted; ask your guide to drop them. On a four-night cruise you will see six temples in four days, so a second sound and light show or an extra temple on the free afternoon is rarely worth the tiredness. A rest by the pool in Aswan is part of the trip. See also what Nile cruise guests complain about.
Choosing a boat
Boats that include more of it
Small boats include more by default, because the guide is with a handful of guests. On the Lazuli Albatros, Loulia and Nora dahabiyas, El Kab, Gebel el-Silsila and the Daraw camel market are part of the route. Among the ships, the Jaz Crown Jubilee lists a felucca ride, the Jaz Nile Monarch includes Abu Simbel on its seven-night trip, and the Jaz Viceroy offers Abu Simbel, Dendera and Abydos as options.
Nile cruises cost about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500, depending on the boat and the season. Tell us which extras matter to you and we will price the cruise with them in. Compare boats on Nile cruises and dahabiyas.
Asked often
Nile cruise excursions, answered
- Are excursions included on a Nile cruise?
- Yes, the main ones: most Luxor to Aswan cruises include Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with an Egyptologist. Some boats leave the entry tickets out, so ask. Abu Simbel, the balloon and special tombs are extra.
- Which Nile cruise excursions are worth paying extra for?
- Abu Simbel (US$95 to US$140 per person shared, US$200 to US$350 private), a sunrise balloon over Luxor (US$80 to US$175), the painted tombs of Seti I or Nefertari, and a boat trip to a Nubian village in Aswan.
- Should I book Nile cruise excursions through the boat?
- Usually yes. Booked with the cruise, each excursion is fitted around sailing times and meals, which is hard to arrange yourself on a four-night schedule, and pickup is from the boat.
