Alexander The Great Nile Cruise

The short answer

Alexander The Great Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-Star River Vessel

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Stay in the cabin category you booked · Shared shore excursions as listed in the vessel programme · An English-speaking Egyptologist for shore excursions · Cabin attended to daily · Port and harbour charges, where applicable

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travellers wanting an escorted Nile cruise

Guide languages

English

What lingers

• 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions.
• 02Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories.
• 03Visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings on shared shore excursions.
• 04Explore Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae with an English-speaking Egyptologist on site.
• 05Use the vessel’s restaurant, bar, gym, spa, Wi-Fi and rooftop terrace.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a land-based tour, this cruise combines transport, accommodation and guided sightseeing on one Nile itinerary between Luxor and Aswan. Compared with budget boats, it offers graded cabin categories, a sun deck, a lounge bar and full board dining. Compared with a private day-by-day programme, the shore excursions are shared within the vessel’s scheduled cruise arrangement.

Both directions

Where this ship sails

This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

On property

What's here

• Restaurant
• Gym
• Bar
• Wi-Fi
• Spa
• Concierge
• Business centre
• Parking
• Rooftop terrace

Bundled in

• ·Pool
• ·Wi-Fi
• ·Sun Deck
• ·Restaurant
• ·Spa
• ·Swimming pool (sun deck bar)
• ·Mini bar in cabins
• ·TV in cabins
• ·Soundproofed decks
• ·Lounge bar
• ·Library
• ·Boutique / jeweler shop
• ·Spa center and massage room
• ·Internet corner
• ·Laundry and dry cleaning
• ·Doctor available 24 hours
• ·Gift shop
• ·Ultra violet water treatment
• ·Meeting space
• ·Major credit cards accepted

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Carry small change for toilets and local services at sites; these costs are separate from the stated cruise inclusions.

2. 02

   Bring a light layer for the sun deck after sunset, when river breezes can feel cool even in warm months.

3. 03

   Keep a modest outfit available for any religious site visit, with shoulders and knees covered.

4. 04

   Ask before embarkation which selected cabin categories have balconies, as Nile views and balcony availability vary by cabin.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Travellers can usually choose between private arrangements and shared shore excursions, depending on the sailing and booking structure. Cabin category, from Standard to Suite, may affect whether a Nile-view window or balcony is available, and some departures can be combined with longer Egypt itineraries in Cairo, Abu Simbel or the Red Sea.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This cruise requires passengers to manage gangway steps and narrow doorways when embarking and disembarking; typically 4 to 10 steps are involved between quayside and cabin levels. Shore excursions include uneven temple causeways, stone steps at Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, and soft sand at Philae, with some tombs requiring stooping and low-light walking. Wheelchairs are not practical for many temple approaches or interior tomb visits, and accessible cabins are limited. If you have reduced mobility, please contact us before booking so we can confirm cabin layout, arrange porterage, and discuss whether specific shore visits are feasible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we meet arrivals to coordinate transfers, but we cannot guarantee full accessibility at archaeological sites or on some river quays.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel uses conventional diesel river engines and on-board generators for hotel power, which is typical of Nile cruisers. Shore excursions use air-conditioned coaches supplied by local coach companies that meet Egyptian regulatory requirements; employing these suppliers directs revenue into the local transport sector. Crew, catering and cleaning staff are recruited locally through the vessel's Egyptian crew roster, so wages and tips support community incomes. The vessel provides refill stations to reduce single-use plastic bottles and we encourage guests to use reusable bottles. We do not claim formal environmental certification for the vessel; instead, Discovery Tours Egypt selects suppliers with transparent waste-management practices and clear local employment benefits. Unlike coach-based day trips, this arrangement concentrates spending with riverside communities and temple-site guides.

• Licensed Egyptologist guides

  State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs

• Local teams, real help

  Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

Before you go

What to pack & wear

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday

15–30 days

50% back, or 75% kept as credit

7–14 days

25% back, or 50% kept as credit

2–6 days

Nothing back; 25% kept as credit

Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up

No refund and no credit

Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• The Valley of the KingsRight here
• Edfu’s Temple of HorusRight here
• The Temple of Kom OmboRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   The listed Alexander The Great Nile Cruise duration is eight days. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with the excursion programme including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Check your booking details for the exact embarkation and disembarkation dates.
2. 02What meals and drinks are included on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   Full board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Still water is included with meals; other drinks are usually charged separately unless your final arrangement says otherwise. Afternoon tea is served on most sailings, but confirm whether it is included for your departure.
3. 03Which sites are visited during the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae. Excursions are shared and guided on site by an English-speaking Egyptologist. The exact order and timing can vary with the vessel’s sailing programme.
4. 04What is not included in the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   Drinks beyond still water with meals, flights, visas, travel insurance and gratuities are excluded unless your booking states otherwise. Entry to pyramid interiors, premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s tomb and other optional paid site extras also costs extra. Check the page’s cancellation terms before confirming, as they depend on your booking.
5. 05Can children travel on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   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. Ask us to confirm cabin availability for your family before booking.
6. 06How physically demanding are the shore excursions on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   Shore visits can involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand and steps at sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel may also have stairs between decks. If stairs or uneven ground are difficult for you, tell us before booking so we can discuss what is practical.
7. 07What should I wear and bring on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   Pack light, breathable clothing, comfortable shoes with a firm grip, sun cream, a hat and water for visits to sites such as Philae. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and other religious sites. A light layer can be useful on the sun deck after sunset, especially during winter sun season.
8. 08Can I take photographs during the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise excursions?

   Photography is possible at many outdoor sites, including Philae and Kom Ombo, but site rules can differ. Some tombs and museum spaces restrict photography or require a separate photography ticket. Follow signs and your Egyptologist’s advice, and check the rules at each entrance before taking pictures.
9. 09When is the best time to take the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

   October to April generally brings cooler conditions for visiting Luxor, Aswan and the temples. Summer is much hotter, particularly during midday excursions, so plan for early starts and sun protection. Winter sun is popular with UK travellers, but it can also mean busier sites during Christmas, New Year and school holidays.
10. 10What cabin choices are available on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?

    Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes. Nile-facing windows or balconies are available in some cabins, depending on category and availability; confirm the precise view and cabin features before booking. Prices are based on sharing, and a single supplement may apply if you need a cabin for one.