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From per person£600
Nile Cruise5-Star Ultra DeluxeLuxor → Aswan

Acamar Nile Cruise

Weekly sailings Luxor–Aswan, full board (lunch to breakfast), onboard Egyptologist and scheduled shore excursions; small numbers, organised by a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

At a glance

Embarks
Mon, Fri
Class
5-star

The short answer

Acamar Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Best for

02Overview

A first look

You step aboard to the Nile’s dry, citrus-scented air and the soft creak of a felucca’s sail against wood; late-afternoon light pools across the sun deck and the river’s breeze carries dust and river-plant scents. Expect gentle, short walks to shaded quays, quiet cups of tea on deck as we pass small islands, and evenings when the riverbank lights slide by as the cruiser navigates between ports.

We do not run large coach groups; our sailings keep numbers small so you can move freely between deck and shore. Our Egyptologists brief the day each morning, your vehicle meets you at the quay, and as a licensed Egyptian tour operator we handle the local arrangements on board.

Background

The facts

Acamar Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation arranged at those two Upper Egypt ports. The cruise programme typically alternates sailing time with scheduled shore excursions to major monuments along the river corridor. On this route, the best-known sites commonly included are Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.

The vessel offers accommodation in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin categories, with Nile-view windows or private balconies depending on the cabin grade. Public areas include a sun deck, pool, lounge bar, and dining room, creating a river-cruise format rather than a coach-based sightseeing circuit. Full board applies from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, while drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.

The Nile between Luxor and Aswan is the classic cruising corridor in southern Egypt, linking the ancient religious and funerary sites of the New Kingdom and Greco-Roman periods. Karnak and Luxor Temple are in Luxor; Edfu lies between Luxor and Aswan on the west bank corridor; Kom Ombo is north of Aswan; and Philae is on Agilkia Island near Aswan. The Valley of the Kings, on the west bank of Luxor, contains royal tombs from the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This cruise is suitable for travellers who prefer a structured river-based itinerary with hotel-style accommodation on the Nile. It fits history-focused adults, couples, and small groups who want Egyptologist-led sightseeing with moderate walking at temple and tomb sites.

What lingers

  • 01Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with Nile-view windows or private balconies depending on category
  • 02Sun deck and pool, with shaded seating and panoramic views while sailing on the Nile
  • 03Scheduled shore-excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
  • 04Full board catering from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with dining room and lounge bar
  • 05Embarkation and disembarkation assistance, crew services and port and harbour fees included

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

At sea

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.

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Cabin pricing

Pricing & seasonal rates

Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.

8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor to Luxor

CabinLowHighPeak
Double Cabin$1,280$1,762$2,374
Single Cabin$3,017$4,654$6,736

5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan

CabinLowHighPeak
Double Cabin$894$1,169$1,519
Single Cabin$1,887$2,822$4,012

4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor

CabinLowHighPeak
Double Cabin$765$971$1,234
Single Cabin$1,509$2,211$3,103

8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan

CabinLowHighPeak
Double Cabin$1,293$1,775$2,387
Single Cabin$3,030$4,666$6,749

Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).

Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Accommodation on board in the cabin class booked
  • Full board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
  • Scheduled shore-excursion programme to listed sites
  • Use of public areas: sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room
  • Embarkation and disembarkation assistance and crew services
  • Port and harbour fees

Not included

  • Drinks beyond water with meals and premium beverages
  • Premium site entrance fees such as pyramid interiors or premium tombs unless requested
  • Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists unless requested
  • International flights, visas and travel insurance
  • Optional or private excursions not listed in the scheduled programme
  • Single-supplement where applicable

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin). Two or more children require their own cabin.

Location

On the map

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Acamar Nile Cruise and what itineraries are available?
    The Acamar sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan on 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries. Choose the duration that suits your schedule. Nuance: 3- and 4-night sailings focus on the Luxor–Aswan sector; a 7-night itinerary gives extra time ashore for Edfu, Kom Ombo and longer visits in Luxor and Aswan. Tell us which nights you prefer and we will confirm the exact port calls and timings.
  2. 02What time and where is pick-up for embarkation and disembarkation?
    We confirm your exact quay and local pick-up time with your final documents. Nuance: Embarkation typically begins after lunch on embarkation day; our vehicle meets you at the designated quay and transfers are timed to the ship’s schedule. If you arrive by flight we advise landing at least two hours before the scheduled transfer; for early or late flights we can arrange private airport transfers.
  3. 03What does 'full board' on the Acamar include?
    Full board on Acamar runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day. Nuance: That covers main meals served aboard (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and standard non-bespoke dining. Drinks, speciality restaurant supplements, and any shore-excursion extras or private transfers are usually charged separately unless we state otherwise in your booking confirmation.
  4. 04Which items or services are not included in the cruise price?
    Standard shore-excursion entrance fees on the scheduled programme are usually included; premium extras are not. Nuance: Premium items often excluded are hot-air balloon flights in Luxor, private transfers outside the scheduled times, some premium museum or tomb access (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I), gratuities and international or domestic flights unless your booking says otherwise. We’ll list exclusions clearly on your itinerary.
  5. 05Is the Acamar suitable for passengers with limited mobility?
    The Acamar has steps between decks and uneven quay surfaces, so it is not fully step-free. Nuance: Passengers who use a walking stick and can manage a few steps may be fine with assistance; wheelchair users should contact us before booking. Shore landings sometimes require short gangway or transfer by tender and quays can be dusty or cobbled; we can advise which cabins and sailings minimise walking.
  6. 06Can I bring young children on the Acamar Nile Cruise?
    Children are welcome but the vessel is a relaxed adult-orientated cruise with limited child-specific facilities. Nuance: There is no supervised kids’ club; family cabins vary by ship and availability of interconnecting cabins is limited. Expect short shore walks and early starts on some excursions. We recommend discussing ages and expectations so we can advise whether a family-friendly cabin and itinerary are appropriate.
  7. 07What should I pack and wear for excursions from the Acamar?
    Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing for modest temple dress. Nuance: Lead items: wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, light long-sleeve shirts, and closed or sturdy sandals for uneven ancient stone. Temples and mosques require shoulders and knees covered. Evenings on deck can be breezy, so a light jumper helps. Pack a small day bag and refillable water bottle for shore visits.
  8. 08Are photography and tripods allowed on shore excursions?
    Photography is generally allowed at the scheduled shore sites but restrictions apply at some museums and tombs. Nuance: Flash photography is often forbidden inside tombs and certain museum galleries; tripods and monopods may be prohibited at archaeological interiors. Your Egyptologist will tell you site-specific rules before each visit and we can arrange permits in advance where required for professional shoots.
  9. 09When is the best time of year to sail the Nile on Acamar?
    Winter sun (November to March) gives the most comfortable daytime temperatures for shore visits. Nuance: November–March averages are cooler and ideal for morning and afternoon excursions; summers (June–August) are hot, especially inland, so excursions start earlier and finish by midday. Shoulder months can offer quieter quays; tell us your preferred weather and activity level and we will recommend dates.
  10. 10Can we visit Abu Simbel from the Acamar and how long is the transfer?
    Yes, Abu Simbel is accessible from Aswan but requires a separate early morning transfer of about 280 km (≈3 hours) each way. Nuance: The cruise docks at Aswan on some itineraries; if you wish to include Abu Simbel we schedule an early start and a private road transfer. The visit is a long day and often omitted on shorter 3-night sailings; we can add it as an extra and advise the timing for your specific sailing.

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 25 July 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-407962