Aswan, the gateway to Nubia, is where the Nile slows and widens, palm groves frame amber hills, and ancient quarries birthed obelisks fit for pharaohs. Here, Greco-Roman shrines share the river with Coptic monasteries and colorful Nubian villages, while the legendary Old Cataract Hotel recalls Agatha Christie and Victorian travelers mesmerized by the desert light.

In seven days, you’ll sample the best of Upper Egypt: sunrise boats to Philae Temple, a day trip to the rock-cut colossi at Abu Simbel, and a leisurely Nile cruise that glides past Kom Ombo and Edfu to Luxor’s Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Between monuments, you’ll sip hibiscus tea in the bazaar, browse spice stalls, and drift by felucca at sunset.

Practicalities: winter (Oct–April) brings balmy days and cool nights; summer is very hot. Dress modestly at sacred sites, carry small cash for tips and boats, and confirm opening hours for evening sound-and-light shows. Domestic flights are frequent, and Nile cruises remain a relaxed, classic way to move between Aswan and Luxor.

Aswan

Aswan is Egypt’s most relaxed big town—an oasis of granite, date palms, and shimmering river scenes. Highlights include the island-temple of Isis at Philae, the monumental Aswan High Dam, the atmospheric Nubian Museum, and the botanical gardens on Kitchener Island. Don’t miss a felucca sail at golden hour; the wind, canvas, and pink sky feel timeless.

Eat your way through the region’s Nubian flavors: aromatic stews, fresh river fish, and karkadé (hibiscus) iced tea. For a special night, the vaulted 1902 Restaurant is a candlelit classic; for something earthy and local, ferry to El Dokka on a tiny Nile island for slow-cooked tagines and grilled tilapia.

• Where to stay (Aswan): Browse stays on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com. Look near the Nile Corniche or on Elephantine Island for river views and easy boat access.
• How to get there: Cairo to Aswan flights take ~1h20m and often run $70–150 one-way depending on season. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Sleeper trains exist, but flights save time.

Day 1: Arrival, Nile Breeze, and Island Dinner

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a midday or early afternoon arrival into Aswan International Airport. Arrange a hotel transfer or taxi; the city center is ~25 minutes away.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. Ease into Aswan with a slow wander along the Corniche to watch feluccas tack across the current. For coffee or karkadé with a view, the Terrace at the Old Cataract is a scene—stone balustrades, palms, and late-afternoon light on Elephantine Island.

Evening: Take the shuttle boat to El Dokka (on a small Nile islet) for Nubian dishes: okra stew, stuffed pigeon, or grilled fish with dill rice. If you prefer in-town dining, try Saraya (all-day Mediterranean/Egyptian) at the Old Cataract for mezze, molokhia, and fresh breads.

Day 2: Philae, High Dam, Quarries, and the Bazaar

Morning: Early start to beat the heat at Philae Temple. Hire the official motorboat at the pier for the 10-minute ride; the island’s pylons and reliefs glow at sunrise. Continue to the Aswan High Dam for Lake Nasser views and a quick primer on modern Egypt’s engineering feats. Swing by the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries—its fissure reveals how obelisks were carved from living rock.

Afternoon: Lunch at El Masry Restaurant (grills, koshari, and tahini salads; casual and reliable). Then tour the Nubian Museum, a beautifully curated journey through Nubian culture and the UNESCO rescue of monuments before Lake Nasser was filled.

Evening: Float through the palm-fringed channels by felucca at sunset (about 1 hour; agree the price beforehand). Dine under the soaring 1902 dome at the Old Cataract’s 1902 Restaurant—tasting menus pair Egyptian ingredients with French technique; reservations and smart attire advised.

Day 3: Abu Simbel—Colossi on the Desert’s Edge

Today is a long but unforgettable excursion to Ramses II’s masterpieces at Abu Simbel (about 3.5 hours each way by road; departures often 4–5am to reach for early light). We recommend this private tour for comfort, flexible pacing, and an Egyptologist guide:

Private Abu Simbel Day Tour from Aswan with Guide and Tickets

Inside the Great Temple, colossal statues flank a hypostyle hall leading to sanctuaries aligned with the sun on just two days each year. If time allows, have a late lunch at Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge in Abu Simbel for home-style dishes and lake breezes, then return to Aswan by early evening. Back in town, stroll the spice-scented Aswan Souq and pick up hibiscus, saffron, or handwoven scarves before a simple dinner—grilled kofta and fresh salads—at Al Makka near the Corniche.

Luxor

Luxor is ancient Thebes—the world’s greatest open-air museum. On the East Bank, the vast temple-city of Karnak and stately Luxor Temple line the Avenue of Sphinxes; on the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and artisan tombs crowd desert cliffs. A Nile cruise from Aswan is the most scenic way to arrive.

Luxor rewards early mornings and late afternoons when stone glows amber. Foodwise, seek rooftop spots near the temples for grilled meats and mezze, and don’t skip fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice after touring in the sun.

• Where to stay (if adding a night): Browse VRBO or Hotels.com for river-view rooms on the East Bank or boutique guesthouses on the West Bank near the fields.
• Departing flights: Luxor to Cairo is ~1 hour; to other hubs varies. Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Board Your Nile Cruise (Aswan → Kom Ombo)

Morning: Leisurely start. Coffee and a pastry at your hotel or the Corniche kiosks, then a quick visit to Kitchener Island Botanical Garden if you missed it—quiet paths under mahogany and royal palms.

Afternoon: Check out and board your 3-night cruise before lunch. We recommend this well-paced option (private program with guided stops):

Private 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Tours

Evening: Sail north to Kom Ombo. Disembark at dusk to see the twin temple for Sobek (crocodile) and Horus; the small Crocodile Museum nearby displays mummified reptiles. Dinner on board, then a relaxed “galabeya night” if your ship hosts one—pack or buy a light cotton robe in Aswan’s souq.

Day 5: Edfu’s Falcon Temple and Esna Lock → Luxor by Night

Morning: Arrive Edfu; ride a carriage or minibus to the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries with towering pylons and crisp reliefs. Look for the sacred barque shrine and the black-granite Horus falcon.

Afternoon: Back aboard for lunch as you pass through the Esna Lock—a slow-motion engineering show and prime time to watch river life drift by: fishermen, date harvests, sandbanks with egrets. Try fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice from a vendor when docked.

Evening: Dock in Luxor. If energy allows, visit Luxor Temple after dark—the colonnades are beautifully lit, and statues cast long shadows. Dinner on board or head out to Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop mezze, tagines, and Nile views) for a casual feast.

Day 6: West Bank Wonders—Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut

Morning: Optional dawn hot-air balloon over the West Bank (book via your cruise if available) for sunrise over fields and cliffs. Then tour the Valley of the Kings (choose 3+ tombs; add Tutankhamun as an extra if you wish), the elegant colonnades of Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Afternoon: Rest on board by the pool. If you’re keen, add the artisan tombs at Deir el-Medina (vivid colors) or the noble tombs at Qurna—smaller crowds, intimate scenes of daily life.

Evening: Dinner ashore at Sofra in downtown Luxor, a beloved spot for traditional Egyptian dishes—mahshi (stuffed vegetables), pigeon with freekeh, and silky tahini—served in a vintage townhouse with lantern-lit courtyards.

Day 7: Karnak, Avenue of Sphinxes, and Departure

Morning: Disembark and head to Karnak, a vast complex of sanctuaries and obelisks. Wander the Hypostyle Hall—134 papyrus-bundle columns like a stone forest—then walk a section of the restored Avenue of Sphinxes toward Luxor Temple if time permits.

Afternoon: Early lunch back at Al-Sahaby Lane or quick plates at a local koshari shop, then transfer to Luxor Airport for your afternoon flight. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late flight, consider the Karnak Sound & Light show (check same-day schedules) or a sunset stroll along the Nile promenade before heading out.

Optional Alternative to Cruising: Road Transfer with Temple Stops

If you’d rather not cruise, travel Aswan→Luxor by private car with a guide and stop at both Kom Ombo and Edfu on the way (total driving ~4–5 hours plus visits):

Private Aswan to Luxor Transfer with Custom Temple Stops

This option lets you keep two extra nights in Aswan or Luxor for deeper dives—think Nubian village visits, the Tombs of the Nobles hike above the West Bank, or a relaxed spa day by the river.

Daily Food & Drink Cheat Sheet (Highlights)

• Breakfasts: Saraya (Old Cataract) for polished classics; Basma Hotel Terrace for omelets and views; Kato Dool Nubian House in Gharb Soheil for ful, falafel, and fresh breads.
• Coffee/Tea: Old Cataract Terrace (sunset tea), Corniche kiosks for karkadé, and onboard espresso bars while cruising.
• Lunches: El Masry (Egyptian staples), El Dokka (island Nubian plates), Kom Ombo/Edfu simple grills near docks; in Luxor, Sofra (traditional) or Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop mezze).
• Dinners: 1902 Restaurant for a special night; Saraya or Panorama (hotel rooftops) for river views; onboard buffets often feature Egyptian nights—try fattah, mahshi, and kunafa.

Why this route works: You unpack the essentials in Aswan, make a dedicated Abu Simbel run when you’re fresh, then let the Nile carry you to Luxor while you stop at riverside temples without logistics stress. You finish in Luxor—perfect for an easy afternoon flight.

Included Viator experiences in this plan:

• Private Abu Simbel Day Tour from Aswan with Guide and Tickets
• Private 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Tours
• Private Aswan to Luxor Transfer with Custom Temple Stops (alternative to cruising)

Accommodations quick links: VRBO Aswan, Hotels.com Aswan, VRBO Luxor, Hotels.com Luxor. Flights: Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

In seven days, you’ll trace the Nile from granite quarries to pharaonic capitals, tasting Nubia’s hospitality and Egypt’s deep time. Save this guide for your next trip, too—Upper Egypt rewards repeat visits with new light, new colors, and always another story etched in stone.