Self-Launched Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel, Nubian Nile & Sunrise Balloon
4 days · Egypt (Aswan & Luxor, Nile Valley)
Egypt Gift Tours charges £690
No-markup version: ~£325 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, independent version of Egypt Gift Tours' 4-day/3-night Aswan–Luxor cruise — same headline sights (Abu Simbel, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak, plus a sunrise hot-air balloon), but done on your own terms. Instead of a 5-star deluxe cruise cabin and a fully guided group, you'll sleep in a Nubian guesthouse in Aswan, hop on a shared minibus to Abu Simbel, ride local trains and shared taxis through the Nile Valley, and finish in a Luxor hostel with an uber-cheap balloon flight booked direct or via GetYourGuide. Crucially, the headline operator price does NOT include entrance fees (~4,900 EGP / ~£75pp in cash or card on arrival) — we've built those into our budget so the comparison is fair. All figures are approximate backpacker rates in GBP and will shift with the pound/EGP rate and season.
Day-by-day
Aswan: High Dam, Philae Temple & Nubian guesthouse
Aswan
Arrive in Aswan by train or flight. Drop bags at a Nubian guesthouse on Elephantine Island or in the Nubian village (West Bank). In the afternoon take a shared minibus or local taxi to the Aswan High Dam, then continue to Philae Temple — the motorboat across to the island is best shared with other travellers to split the ~600 EGP boat fee. Aim for late afternoon light; sunset at Philae is stunning. Evening: walk Aswan corniche, eat koshari or grilled fish at a local spot, and browse the Nubian market. Book your Abu Simbel shared minibus for tomorrow morning (most guesthouses and hotels arrange it for ~£10-15 return; departures are typically 3:30-4:30am to beat the heat).
🚌Local taxi / shared minibus to High Dam and Philae (roughly £5-8 for the afternoon); motorboat to Philae shared among the group
🛏Nubian guesthouse on Elephantine Island or West Bank (private room, ~£15-20/night)
- →Aswan High Dam (200 EGP entry)
- →Philae Temple by shared motorboat (550 EGP + shared boat fee)
- →Aswan corniche sunset walk & Nubian market
Abu Simbel at dawn, then sail/fly to Kom Ombo & Edfu
Abu Simbel → Kom Ombo → Edfu
Pre-dawn shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel (3-hour drive each way across the desert) — well worth it for the sunrise light on the Great Temple of Ramses II and Nefertari's temple. Entry ~822 EGP. Return to Aswan by early afternoon. From Aswan, take a second-class train (or a shared minibus) north to Kom Ombo and stop for the dual temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder (450 EGP) on the riverbank. Continue by train or shared taxi to Edfu. Alternatively, if you'd prefer river time, budget travellers can book a felucca or a shared local Nile cruise leg — but the train is far cheaper and equally scenic in parts.
🚌Shared minibus to Abu Simbel (~£10-15 return); Aswan–Kom Ombo second-class train ~£2-4; Kom Ombo–Edfu train or shared taxi ~£2-4
🛏Simple hotel or guesthouse in Edfu near the temple (~£12-15/night)
- →Abu Simbel temples at sunrise (822 EGP)
- →Kom Ombo dual temple (450 EGP)
- →Nile-side sunset walk in Edfu
Edfu Temple by horse carriage, then Luxor Temple after dark
Edfu → Luxor
Early morning horse-carriage ride from town to the Temple of Horus at Edfu (the best-preserved temple in Egypt, ~550 EGP entry) — negotiate the carriage price up front, expect ~£2-3. Then take a train north to Luxor (2nd class ~£2-4, about 1-1.5 hours). Check into a hostel or budget hotel on the East Bank near Luxor Temple. Afternoon free to wander the corniche or rest. Late afternoon and into the blue hour, visit Luxor Temple (500 EGP) — it's beautifully lit after dark. If you arrive early enough, add Karnak (600 EGP) the same day, but it's much better saved for tomorrow morning.
🚌Horse carriage to Edfu Temple ~£2-3; Edfu–Luxor second-class train ~£2-4; local taxis/walking in Luxor
🛏East Bank hostel or budget hotel in Luxor, walkable to Luxor Temple (~£10-18/night)
- →Horse carriage to Edfu Temple of Horus
- →Edfu Temple entry (550 EGP)
- →Luxor Temple at night (500 EGP)
Sunrise hot-air balloon over the West Bank, Valley of the Kings & Karnak
Luxor
Book your hot-air balloon flight direct with a Luxor operator or via GetYourGuide/Klook (roughly £55-70 for a 30-40 minute flight including hotel pickup — cheaper than many 'luxury cruise' add-ons). Pre-dawn pickup, flight over the West Bank at sunrise, back by ~7:30am. Then take the local ferry across the Nile and rent a bicycle (~£2-3) or share a taxi to the West Bank sites: Valley of the Kings (750 EGP + 20 EGP mini-train), Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple (440 EGP + 20 EGP mini-train) and a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon (free). On the way back, cross to the East Bank and finish at Karnak (600 EGP) — allow 2 hours. Late lunch at a local restaurant, then depart from Luxor airport, train station or continue onward.
🚌Balloon operator hotel pickup (included in flight price); local Nile ferry ~£0.30; bicycle rental or shared taxi on West Bank ~£3-5; no intercity transport included on final day
🛏Not included — depart or book an extra night in Luxor (~£10-18)
- →Sunrise hot-air balloon flight (30-40 min, ~£55-70)
- →Valley of the Kings (750 EGP + mini-train)
- →Hatshepsut Temple (440 EGP + mini-train)
- →Colossi of Memnon photo stop (free)
- →Karnak Temple (600 EGP)
Self-launched vs. Egypt Gift Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Egypt Gift Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£325 | £690 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £365 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Egypt Gift Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£325
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel, Nubian Nile & Sunrise Balloon cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £325 per person for 4 days in Egypt (Aswan & Luxor, Nile Valley). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Egypt Gift Tours?+
Yes — Egypt Gift Tours charges around £690 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £325 — a saving of roughly £365 (53%) per person.
How long is the Egypt (Aswan & Luxor, Nile Valley) trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 day-by-day stops through Egypt (Aswan & Luxor, Nile Valley).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Egypt (Aswan & Luxor, Nile Valley), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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