Nile Cruise Package · Luxor · 5 days · 4 nights
Luxor → Aswan Eclipse Cruise · 5 days · most booked
Reserved sun deck viewing for the 2027 eclipse, Egyptologist-led calls at Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, transfers and meals included.
The short answer
Nefertari Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 days
Best time to go
The best time for a Nile cruise is typically October to April, when daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt are more moderate and sightseeing is more comfortable. Summer months, especially June to August, can be very hot in Luxor and Aswan, with higher midday temperatures and stronger sun exposure. Ramadan and major public holidays can affect opening hours and local traffic, so timed visits may need adjustment.
02 Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile runs a narrow silver ribbon through Luxor's palms, and from the Nefertari's sun deck you will watch the 2027 solar eclipse as light shifts across the river. Expect tea served on deck, a noticeable drop in temperature at totality, and unobstructed sightlines over water rather than a bank crowded with boats.
Our Egyptologists lead the shore visits and we reserve the sun deck exclusively for our group so local traffic and moored boats do not interfere. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we organise transfers and local logistics, and a vehicle and guide meet you at each call point.
Background
The facts
Nefertari Nile Cruise is a Nile river vessel arranged for sailings between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation in Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan on the standard southbound programme. The vessel’s excursion programme typically includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank, and downstream stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
Karnak Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Egypt, developed over many centuries from the Middle Kingdom through the New Kingdom, and located about 3 km north of Luxor Temple. The Valley of the Kings lies on the west bank of Luxor, where New Kingdom rulers were buried in rock-cut tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved Ptolemaic temples in Egypt, while Kom Ombo is known for its unusual double dedication to Sobek and Haroeris.
Philae Temple is associated with the goddess Isis and was relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to protect it from rising waters. The cruise operates as a river sailing experience rather than a land circuit, so guests spend nights aboard while moving between Luxor and Aswan, with Egyptologist-guided shore excursions arranged at the main sites.
For the 2027 solar eclipse, the sun deck is used for reserved viewing when conditions allow, with open sightlines over the Nile. Cabin classes are graded Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, and many cabins have panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adult travellers and older families who want a guided Nile itinerary with site visits at a comfortable pace. It is especially relevant for history-focused visitors, first-time Egypt travellers, and guests who prefer a cabin-based journey rather than repeated hotel changes.
What lingers
- 01 Sun deck reserved viewing for the 2027 solar eclipse, with clear sightlines over the Nile
- 02 Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 03 Shore calls at Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae
- 04 Cabin classes Standard, Deluxe and Suite, many with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies
- 05 Lounge bar and dining room, afternoon tea typically served on five-star vessels
- 06 Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing relaxed shore visits
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board, covering lunch on the day you embark through breakfast on the day you disembark
- Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae, arranged for you
- Use of onboard public areas, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Assistance with embarkation in Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan
- Port and service charges where applicable
Not included
- International flights and arrival/departure visas
- Drinks beyond still water with meals, unless otherwise stated
- Gratuities for ship staff and Egyptologists, unless you choose to include them
- Optional extras such as hot-air balloon flights, premium tomb entries (for example Tutankhamun tomb access if offered), or private shore guides
- Personal travel insurance and personal expenses
Accessibility
Who can join this
The cruise requires boarding via a port gangway and walking on quayside surfaces that can be uneven. Shore excursions include cobbled approaches, steep temple steps, narrow tomb passageways and uneven ancient stone, which limit long-distance wheelchair movement and single-wheeled mobility scooters. The vessel has step-free public areas at main-deck level and some cabins can be reached by ramp where available, but full shipwide wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed. If you need wheelchair assistance, a ramped cabin, or help at embarkation and disembarkation, tell us at booking so we can arrange meet-and-assist at Luxor and Aswan; several shore visits will still require a companion for safe access. Expect some standing on tender launches and short gangway steps when landing for temple visits.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed cruise boarding voucher
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and a wide-brim hat
- Reusable water bottle for refill stations
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Sunglasses and a light scarf for dust and sun
- Basic personal medication and seasickness remedies
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed shoes for temple steps and uneven stone
- A light jacket or jumper for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Sun-protective hat for the sun deck
Children & families
Minimum age for travel on the vessel is 2 years. Child fares are normally charged per person sharing with adults; single-occupancy cabins generally incur a single supplement. Strollers can be used on the quayside but are impractical at many temple approaches and inside narrow tombs; many shore excursions are unsuitable for toddlers without a carrying solution. High chairs are not guaranteed on every vessel, so inform us at booking if you travel with infants or young children and we will confirm provisions and recommend suitable shore-excursion options.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport — Arrivals Hall Map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange this cruise with a carefully selected Nile cruiser that uses conventional diesel engines typical for river vessels and local tenders for shore landings. Onboard water is offered from refillable dispensers where the ship permits, reducing single-use bottles. Shore excursions are led by locally based Egyptologists and licensed guides contracted in Luxor and Aswan, so visitor spend reaches local guides and suppliers directly. The cruise line handles crew employment and pays port charges locally; tips to crew and guides go directly to those individuals when guests choose to give them. Where the vessel permits, recycling of glass and some plastics is practised and food waste is managed onboard in line with the ship’s facilities. We do not run coach-based mass tours, which helps reduce congestion at temple landings.
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Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
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Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
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Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
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Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
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01 What is the duration of the Nefertari Nile Cruise?
The Nefertari Nile Cruise is a five-day itinerary, sailing between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for comprehensive sightseeing at key ancient Egyptian sites along the Nile River. -
02 What is included in the Nefertari Nile Cruise package?
The cruise includes full board dining from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae are also arranged for you, along with use of onboard public areas. -
03 What is not included in the Nefertari Nile Cruise?
International flights, arrival/departure visas, and drinks beyond still water with meals are not included. Gratuities for ship staff and Egyptologists, optional extras like hot-air balloon flights or premium tomb entries, and personal travel insurance are also excluded. -
04 What is the accessibility like on the Nefertari Nile Cruise and its excursions?
The cruise ship generally has ramps for boarding, but shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone and some stairs at temple sites. Travellers with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us to ensure suitable arrangements. -
05 Is the Nefertari Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Nefertari Nile Cruise is suitable for families. Children often enjoy the river journey and the historical sites. We can advise on specific activities and arrangements to make the experience engaging for younger travellers. -
06 What should I wear and bring for the Nefertari Nile Cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For temple visits, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is advisable. A light jacket may be useful for cooler evenings on deck. -
07 What is the best time of year to take the Nefertari Nile Cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally best for a Nile cruise, offering more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. The cruise is specifically arranged for the Solar Eclipse in 2027, which is a unique viewing opportunity. -
08 What is the photography policy at the ancient sites visited?
Photography is generally permitted at most ancient sites, though flash photography is often prohibited inside tombs and temples. Some sites may require a small fee for video cameras. Your Egyptologist guide will provide specific guidance at each location. -
09 How are transfers handled for embarkation and disembarkation?
We arrange assistance for both embarkation in Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan. This includes guidance to and from the cruise vessel, ensuring a smooth start and end to your river journey. -
10 What makes the Nefertari Nile Cruise special for the 2027 Solar Eclipse?
The Nefertari Nile Cruise for 2027 is specifically arranged to offer a unique viewing experience of the solar eclipse from the ship's sun deck. This provides an unobstructed vantage point for this rare celestial event.
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
Last updated 28 May 2026 Product ID: TOU-LUX-202604
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