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Little Golden Program: Nile Mini Cruise 3 Nights Luxor-Aswan
The little golden programme at its most compact: a 3-night Nile mini cruise from Luxor to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo, taking in Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae. 4 days and 3 nights in Egypt for travellers who like a brisk pace, as a long weekend or bolted onto another holiday. An all-inclusive short Egypt cruise with your own private English-speaking guide.
Book early and save · A private English-speaking guide from the Essential package upwards · Pay in 3 instalments at no extra cost · Choose from 3 extension combos
The Little Golden Program: For which Travelers?
The Luxor to Aswan mini Nile circuit over 3 nights is the format our clients ask for most often among our introductory Egypt packages. Semelegantvoyage designed its own version to answer one question we hear again and again: how do you see ancient Egypt with only 4 days to spare? Our answer is Luxor, Edfu and Aswan, the pharaonic essentials in a tight timetable, with no compromise on the guide or the standard of the boat.
Who is the Little Golden Program for?
🗓 Executives & Entrepreneurs
You can spare 4 days off work and want the best of Egypt in between. Out Friday, home Tuesday: an Egypt long weekend at full stretch.
🌊 Red Sea Extension
You are already booked into Hurghada or Marsa Alam. Slot 4 days of culture into the middle of your beach holiday with a short domestic flight from Hurghada to Luxor.
🕌Cairo Short Combo
Your 3 nights in Cairo are already booked. Tack on a 3-night cruise and you have a packed Cairo and Nile combination of 6 to 7 nights.
🧭 First Time in Egypt
You want to try Egypt before committing. The Little Golden Programme is a budget-friendly first time in Egypt that leaves you well placed to return for a longer tour, knowing exactly what you want.
MS Standard 4★
- Standard cabin lower deck, porthole
- Full board 3 nights MS 4★
- Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae
- Valley of the Kings (3 tombs included)
- Hatshepsut Temple + Colossi of Memnon
- Private English-speaking guide included
- Airport + train station transfers Luxor/Aswan
MS Superior 5★
- Upper cabin main deck MS 5★
- All Essential Content
- Tutankhamun's tomb plus the Valley of Kings
- Nefertari's tomb when open, otherwise Ramses VI
- 30 min spa session (hammam or massage)
- Drinks included at the Captain's Dinner
- Formula most chosen by our customers
MS Deluxe 5★ Sup.
- Deluxe cabin private balcony MS 5★ Sup.
- All content Signature
- Private tour Karnak at sunrise
- Philae by felucca from private pier
- Gourmet dinner on board with wine
- Complete spa 90 min
💡 Early-bird saving when you book at least 60 days ahead · 3 instalments, no fees on packages from £380
Your 4 Days and 3 Nights, Day by Day
Day 1: Luxor arrival, boarding, Karnak, Luxor Temple
We meet you at Luxor airport between 10am and 2pm and drive you straight to the quay to board your MS. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon you explore the unmissable Karnak temple, Egypt's largest complex (2 km², 60,000 catalogued statues): the great hall with its 134 papyrus columns, the temple of Khonsu and the sacred lake. As dusk falls, Luxor temple lit up along the avenue of sphinxes. Dinner back on board.
Day 2: West Bank, Hatshepsut, Colossi, Valley of the Kings
After breakfast you set off early for the west bank. Valley of the Kings, the quick version: 3 tombs with the Essential package (Ramses VI, Merenptah or Thutmose III, depending on openings). Signature adds Tutankhamun plus Nefertari or Ramses VI. Then Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, 3 terraces built into the cliff, and the Colossi of Memnon on the drive back. Lunch aboard as the boat sails for Edfu; spa and sun deck all afternoon. Dinner, then a galabeya party in traditional dress.
Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, on to Aswan
An early start: a carriage takes you from the quay to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt's best preserved Ptolemaic temple, with 36 m pylons. Lunch is served as the boat sails on to Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, the twin sanctuary of Sobek and Haroeris, then the crocodile museum next door. The final stretch brings you into Aswan by evening for dinner on board. Optional that night: the Philae sound and light show (£30/pers supplement).
Day 4 - Philae, High Dam, Landing
Breakfast, then a morning outing to the temple of Philae at Aswan, the sanctuary of Isis moved to Agilka Island once the High Dam went up; you reach it by felucca. Then a panorama over the Aswan High Dam. Back aboard to check out at midday, followed by a transfer to Aswan airport or to the station for the train back to Luxor. That closes the programme.
Staying on? Add 2 nights in Aswan (Sofitel Legend Old Cataract or Movenpick Elephantine) with an Abu Simbel excursion the following day; details in the combos below.
Three Ways to Stretch Your Little Golden Programme
This compact 4-day itinerary pairs neatly with a short Egypt extension that broadens the trip without sending you back and forth across the country. These are the 3 formulas we arrange most often:
| Combo | Total duration | Supplement | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| + 2 nights Luxor | 6 days / 5 nights | +£300/person | Sofitel Winter Palace; Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum and Luxor Museum; Seti I's tomb (optional) and a private dinner in a tomb |
| + 2 nights Aswan + Abu Simbel | 6 days / 5 nights | +£380/person | Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel, Abu Simbel excursion (round-trip domestic flight Aswan-Abu Simbel organized and included by SEV), Elephantine in felucca, Nubian village Gharb Seheil, tea at Agatha Christie's terrace |
| + 3 nights Cairo | 7 days / 6 nights | +£450/pers | Four Seasons Nile Plaza; Sphinx and Giza Pyramids; Saqqara; the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM); Khan el-Khalili bazaar; Nile dinner cruise in Cairo |
Every combo covers domestic flights, transfers, 5★ hotels, monument entries, a private English-speaking guide, half board at the hotels and full board aboard. Name the combo you want when asking for a quote.
Choosing Between the Little Golden Programme, a 7-Night Nile Cruise and a Dahabiya
🌅 Small Golden Program (SEV)
- 4 days / 3 nights
- £380 - £760/pers
- Luxor → Aswan in MS
- Essential in express format
- Private English-speaking guide included
- Profile: test, extension, weekend
Nile Cruise 7 Nights MS Classic
- 8 days / 7 nights
- £730 - £1,500/person
- Luxor ↔ Aswan round trip
- In-depth approach to all sites
- Guide and group entertainment
- Profile: Standard Main Trip
Dahabiya Nebyt/Nuun-Nuut
- 6-7 days / 5-6 nights
- £1,380 - £2,450/pers
- Traditional sailboat 6-8 cabins
- Slow travel, exclusive stopovers
- Chef on board, intimate atmosphere
- Profile: true luxury, honeymoon
What SEV Brings to Your Little Golden Programme
Search for a cheap Nile cruise or a budget Nile cruise and you will find plenty at £270-£350 on Booking, Expedia or direct with local operators. Here is what sets Semelegantvoyage apart:
- A private English-speaking guide from £380: most budget deals put you in a group of 20 or more sharing one guide, and sometimes no English-speaking guide at all
- Carefully chosen boats: we turn down low-end MS even when the margin is tempting; only 4★ and 5★ vessels with proper full board
- Entry tickets included, and that means the 3 tombs in the Valley of the Kings too (plenty of cheap deals cover the Valley itself but not the tombs)
- Combos on request: add Luxor+, Aswan with Abu Simbel, or Cairo, with the domestic flights arranged by our team
- WhatsApp support 24/7 throughout your stay
What's Included in Your Little Golden Plan
✅ Included in the Package
- 3 nights on board in chosen formula
- Full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea
- English-speaking reception at Luxor airport
- Private transfers all routes
- Your own English-speaking guide, 1 per couple or small party
- Full tour Karnak + Luxor (day 1)
- 3 Valley of the Kings tombs (Essential); Tutankhamun added with Signature or Prestige
- Hatshepsut Temple + Colossi of Memnon
- Temples: Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae
- Aswan High Dam Panoramic Tour
- Felucca Philae from private pier (Prestige)
- Unlimited mineral waters on board
- Port taxes and river customs fees
- WhatsApp support 24/7
❌ Not Included
- Your flight to Egypt (to be booked according to your preferences)
- Egyptian Visa (US$25 on arrival)
- Drinks (except Captain Signature/Prestige dinner)
- Guide and crew gratuities (recommended -£10/pers/day)
- Philae sound and light show (option £30/pers)
- Abu Simbel option from Aswan (+£170/pers)
- Option Tomb of Seti I / Nefertari (ticket supplement £90/pers)
- Travel-cancellation insurance (recommended 3-5%)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
SEV Customer Testimonials - Little Golden Program
“The ideal long weekend. Out on Friday evening, into Luxor on Saturday morning, home on Tuesday morning. 3 full nights, sensibly paced by SEV. The included English-speaking guide changed everything: no coach party of 30, just the two of us with our Egyptologist. Sunrise over Karnak was unforgettable.”
“We spent 10 days in Hurghada as a family and slotted in 4 days of the Little Golden Programme, flying Hurghada to Luxor. The right mix of beach and culture. Our children, aged 10 and 13, adored the Valley of the Kings. Upgrading to Signature for Tutankhamun was well worth the extra 23.”
“My first trip to Egypt, and I went on my own. 4 days was all I needed to feel at ease, and I have already booked the 7-night cruise with Abu Simbel for December. The SEV team put my mind at rest from the very first WhatsApp message. A patient, knowledgeable English-speaking guide, a spotless boat and an all-inclusive package with nothing hidden. £380 well spent.”
FAQ: Little Golden Program
Is 3 nights enough to discover ancient Egypt?
As a first taste of the essentials, yes. Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae are all covered. What it leaves out is Abu Simbel, El-Kab and Gebel Silsila. With more time to spare, the 7-night cruise or one of the combos serves you better. For a long weekend or a trial run of the destination, it is spot on.
What is the difference between MS 4★ and MS 5★ (Essential vs Signature)?
4★ MS: 14 m² cabin, twin beds, shower, no minibar, respectable buffet. 5★ MS: 18-22 m², queen-size bed, minibar, welcome tray, gourmet buffet, evening entertainment. Over 3 nights you notice every penny of the £150/person gap.
Was the English-speaking guide really private from £380?
Yes. We refuse the “20 to 30 people sharing one guide” model the big package operators such as TUI rely on. Even on Essential, a guide is assigned to you, your partner or your small party for every excursion. On this we do not bend.
Can we add Abu Simbel?
Yes, as an optional extra the day after disembarking in Aswan: +£170/pers, covering the Aswan to Abu Simbel return flight, temple entry and guide. It does mean 1 extra night in Aswan, which is why the "+2 nights Aswan + Abu Simbel" combo at +£380/pers usually makes more sense.
When to leave for the Little Golden Program?
October to April is the sweet spot, 22-28°C. May to September brings 35-42°C heat and lower prices. December to February is busiest, so reserve 3-4 months ahead.
Is the program suitable for children?
Yes, from age 6. Expect plenty of walking at the sites, with steps at Hatshepsut and tombs to climb down into. Reduced rates apply for ages 6-12 and 12-18, and an extra bed fits in a superior or deluxe cabin.
What outfit to bring?
Pack light clothes, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream. In the temples, cover shoulders and knees; beyond that usual modesty rule, nothing extra applies to women. Comfortable trainers for the Valley of the Kings, and a swimsuit for the pool on board.
Can I board in Aswan instead of Luxor?
Yes, the programme simply runs backwards: board in Aswan on day 1, Kom Ombo day 2, Edfu and Luxor's west bank day 3, off the boat in Luxor day 4. Identical prices and formulas. Ideal when your flight lands in Aswan, or when you come down from a Cairo to Aswan extension on a domestic flight we arrange.
Is it possible to combine with Hurghada or Marsa Alam?
Yes. Fly Hurghada to Luxor (around £70/pers), cruise for 3 nights, fly back to Hurghada. A favourite way to pair a 10-14 day beach holiday with 4 days of culture. Give us your resort hotel and dates and we line it all up.
How to book and pay?
WhatsApp us on +20 10 96569859 for a quote inside 24 hours. Pay in 3 instalments at no extra cost from £380, by Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer (SEPA) or PayPal. Flexible cancellation terms, detailed in your quote.
Book Your Little Golden Program
The 3-night format sells fast, so reserve 2-3 months ahead for the December to February peak. A tailored quote reaches you within 24 hours, with no commitment.
📱 WhatsApp - Quote in 24 hours 📧 Combo formContinue Exploring Egypt with SEV
More Semelegantvoyage packages, combos and short stays in Egypt:
- Nile cruise 7 days classic MS (long package)
- The Nile in Dahabeya (6 days / 5 nights)
- Nebyt Dahabiya (5 nights / boutique sailboat)
- Dahabiyas Nuun & Nuut (6 nights / flotilla)
- Cairo + Nile + Hurghada Combo (12 days)
- 12 Days Tour Cairo → Marsa Alam
- Luxor - Karnak, Valley of the Kings
- Aswan - Philae, Abu Simbel
- Cairo - Pyramids, GEM
- Abu Simbel - Temple of Ramses II
Semelegantvoyage, an English-speaking agency in Cairo since 2022. The Little Golden Programme is our entry point, with a PRIVATE English-speaking guide from £380: ideal as a trial, a top-up or an extension.
