
Nile Cruise Package · Luxor · 8 days · 7 nights
Luxor to Aswan Solar Eclipse 2027 Nile Cruise, 8 Days / 7 Nights
Watch the total solar eclipse from a reserved Luxor sun deck, then sail to Aswan with Egyptologist-led visits to ancient temples and tombs.
The short answer
The assigned deluxe Nile cruise vessel is a third-party-operated cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for a weekly-style Luxor-to-Aswan itinerary centered on the 2027 total solar eclipse.
- Small group
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Travel style
- Egyptologist-Guided Nile Cruise Package
- Accommodation
- Deluxe Nile Cruise Cabin; Standard, Deluxe and Suite categories available
- Operated by
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; the vessel is operated by a third-party cruise line.
- Destinations
- Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Aswan Bazaar
- Includes
- Seven nights in an assigned Nile cruise cabin · Full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Egyptologist-guided included shore excursions · Transport for included shore excursions · Reserved sun deck eclipse viewing in Luxor · Embarkation assistance in Luxor · Disembarkation assistance and transfer to Aswan Airport
- Best for
- Solar eclipse travelers · First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers seeking a structured Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The cruise is scheduled around the total solar eclipse in 2027, with reserved sun deck viewing while the vessel is moored in Luxor on Day 3. Egypt’s winter and early-spring travel period generally offers cooler daytime conditions than summer; travelers should confirm the final eclipse date, local weather forecast, Ramadan dates, and public-holiday schedules before departure.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The itinerary is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the cruise vessel is operated by a third-party supplier.
- An Egyptologist guide accompanies the included shore programme.
- Embarkation and disembarkation assistance are included.
- Transfers are provided for included excursions and departure to Aswan Airport.
- A licensed Egyptian tour operator can provide on-the-ground coordination for cruise logistics and sightseeing.
02Overview
A first look
Before the morning heat settles over Luxor, the Nile carries feluccas, birdsong and the muted rhythm of life along its banks. On the third day, daylight changes while your cruiser remains moored, giving you a reserved place on the sun deck to observe the 2027 total solar eclipse without leaving the vessel.
The rest of the journey moves between quiet hours on deck and ancient stone underfoot, from the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Our Egyptologists put the monuments into context, while we arrange embarkation in Luxor, shore transport and your onward transfer from Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator, so one Cairo-based team handles the practical details.
Background
The facts
This 8-day Nile cruise package travels from Luxor to Aswan with seven nights in an assigned deluxe cruise cabin. The itinerary includes embarkation assistance in Luxor, full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, Egyptologist-guided shore excursions, and final transfer assistance to Aswan Airport. The vessel is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise supplier.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·Valley of the Kings·Hatshepsut Temple·Colossi of Memnon·Karnak Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Aswan High Dam·Aswan Bazaar·Dendera Temple Complex·Abu Simbel·Nile River·2027 total solar eclipse
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time Egypt visitors, history enthusiasts, eclipse travelers, and couples or families seeking a structured Nile journey. It is best for travelers comfortable with early sightseeing, walking across uneven temple grounds, and spending seven nights in a cruise cabin.
What lingers
- 01Sun deck viewing for the 2027 solar eclipse on Day 3, moored in Luxor after a morning at Karnak Temple
- 02Egyptologist-guided visits to the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon), Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 03Optional add-on excursions to Dendera and Abu Simbel
- 04Full board dining throughout the 7-night sailing aboard Nefertiti Cruise
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a standard Luxor-to-Aswan cruise, this package keeps the vessel moored in Luxor for reserved sun deck eclipse viewing on Day 3. It combines scheduled Egyptologist-guided sightseeing with leisure days and optional paid excursions to Dendera and Abu Simbel, while monument fees, beverages outside meals, and crew gratuities remain separate.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Seven nights in a cruise cabin with full-board accommodation
- Meals beginning with lunch on embarkation day and ending with breakfast on disembarkation day
- Egyptologist guide for the included shore programme
- Transport during the included shore excursions
- Reserved space on the sun deck to view the 2027 total solar eclipse on Day 3
- Access to the vessel's shared facilities, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Assistance with embarkation in Luxor
- Assistance with disembarkation and transport to Aswan Airport
Not included
- Entrance charges and sightseeing fees for monuments
- Optional Dendera excursion by bus, €120 per person
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion by van, €135 per person
- Beverages beyond those served with meals, including alcoholic drinks
- Cruise crew gratuities, from €18 per person per day
- VAT
- International air travel and visas issued on arrival or departure
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Tailor it
Make it yours
- Travelers can request Standard, Deluxe, or Suite cabin categories, with selected cabins offering panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. Optional paid extensions include a Dendera day trip by bus and an Abu Simbel road excursion by van
- private transfers, additional hotel nights, and adjusted arrival or departure arrangements may also be requested.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise and its shore programme require regular walking over uneven ancient paving, sand, stone surfaces and sloped gangways. The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae include steps, ramps or uneven ground, with limited shade at some sites. Boarding usually involves a gangway, and some vessel decks may only be reached by stairs. Wheelchair access can be restricted on the vessel, at archaeological sites and in excursion vehicles. Please contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin position, vehicle access and possible sightseeing adjustments.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and required travel documents
- Printed or digital booking confirmation
- Certified eclipse-safe solar viewing glasses, if requested by the event safety team
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm
- Refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Hat, sunglasses and personal medication
- Small day bag for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for hot daytime conditions
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and religious sites
- Light layer for air-conditioned areas and evening deck use
Children & families
Children may join this tour, but no minimum age, child fare or family cabin arrangement has been confirmed for this departure. We confirm the price according to the child’s age, cabin arrangement and supplier rules before payment. Strollers are difficult on gangways, narrow corridors, steps, sand and uneven ancient paving. High-chair availability is not confirmed, so please request one before booking.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport, ArrivalsMap
On the ground
Your route
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange transport with local Egyptian drivers and excursion vehicles for the included visits between Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The cruise vessel, navigation, meals and onboard services are supplied by a local Egyptian partner. Our Egyptologists, drivers, boat staff and site-service providers are based in Egypt, so trip spending supports businesses along the Nile. Bring a refillable water bottle where practical and take all rubbish away from archaeological sites. We do not describe this journey as carbon neutral because no verified emissions calculation or offset programme has been supplied.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·In summary
This package includes seven nights in an assigned Nile cruise cabin, full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, transport for included shore excursions, an Egyptologist guide, and reserved sun deck viewing of the 2027 total solar eclipse in Luxor. The itinerary visits the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and Aswan Bazaar; monument fees, drinks outside meals, gratuities, and optional excursions are extra.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of this Nile cruise and solar eclipse viewing package?
This package is 8 days long, featuring seven nights aboard a deluxe Nile cruise vessel sailing from Luxor to Aswan. You will have full-board dining from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, with an Egyptologist guide for shore excursions.02What is included in the shore programme for this cruise?
The included shore programme covers the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the Aswan Bazaar. An Egyptologist guide and transport for these excursions are provided.03When and where will the solar eclipse be viewed during the cruise?
The 2027 total solar eclipse viewing is scheduled for Day 3 of the cruise. The vessel will remain moored in Luxor, and guests will have reserved sun deck viewing access for the event.04Are monument entrance fees included in the package price?
No, monument entrance and sightseeing fees are not included in the package price. These are payable separately, allowing you flexibility in which sites you choose to enter beyond the included shore programme.05What optional excursions are available during the cruise?
Optional excursions include a day trip to Dendera by bus, priced at €120 per person, and a road trip to Abu Simbel by van, priced at €135 per person. These can be arranged onboard.06What is the policy for gratuities for the cruise crew?
Cruise crew gratuities are not included in the package price. A minimum of €18 per person per day is recommended for gratuities, which can be paid at the end of your cruise.07What should I wear for the shore excursions and temple visits?
For temple visits and religious sites, modest dress is recommended, covering shoulders and knees. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring ancient sites, which often involve uneven terrain and sand.08Is this cruise suitable for travellers with mobility concerns?
While the cruise vessel itself offers accessibility, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, stairs, and sometimes sandy paths. Travellers with significant mobility concerns should contact us to discuss specific site accessibility.09Are drinks outside of meals included in the full-board accommodation?
No, drinks outside of meals and alcoholic beverages are not included in the full-board accommodation. These can be purchased separately onboard your Nile cruiser.10What is the disembarkation process in Aswan?
On Day 8, after breakfast, you will disembark from the cruise vessel in Aswan. A transfer to Aswan Airport is included for your final departure, ensuring a smooth end to your trip.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRP-LUX-519204
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