King of Thebes Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with air-conditioned cabins, full-board dining, a swimming pool, sun deck bar and lounge entertainment.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan and is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the vessel is operated by a third-party cruise line.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Deluxe 5-Star Nile Cruiser
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Philae · Aswan High Dam
- Includes
- Full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation · Private English-speaking Egyptologist · Listed shore-excursion entrance fees · Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple visits · Valley of the Kings visit · Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and Aswan High Dam visits · Swimming pool, fitness facility and Wi-Fi · Egyptian folklore show where scheduled
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travellers seeking full-board river accommodation
- Guide languages
- English
- Arranged by a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide for listed shore excursions
- On-the-ground assistance in Egypt
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile carries palm shadows past the cabin window while King of Thebes Nile Cruise eases away from Luxor. The riverbank changes gradually, giving sailing days a quiet rhythm between temple visits and time on the sun deck.
Our Egyptologists make the shore excursions purposeful, from carved reliefs at Karnak Temple to the different scale of Philae and the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Back aboard, air conditioning, full board and the lounge bar keep the pace comfortable, with an Egyptian folklore show scheduled during the sailing. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the cruise booking and on-the-ground support before you travel.
Background
The facts
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise programme sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either city. Sailing options include 3, 4 and 7 nights, subject to the selected cruise schedule and cabin availability. Full board begins with lunch on the embarkation day and ends with breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks beyond water with meals are generally excluded.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Aswan High Dam·Abu Simbel·Nile Valley
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history-focused travellers who want accommodation, river transport and guided sightseeing combined. Shore excursions involve walking across temple and archaeological sites, so a moderate level of mobility is useful, particularly at Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
What lingers
- 013, 4 and 7-night sailing options between Luxor and Aswan
- 02Full-board river cruise from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 03Private English-speaking Egyptologist for visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 04Shore excursions to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Aswan High Dam
- 05Swimming pool, sun deck, fitness facility, hot tub, lounge bar and entertainment lounge
- 06Optional Abu Simbel excursion by coach or domestic flight
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this programme combines river transport, cabin accommodation and full-board meals with scheduled shore excursions. Unlike a fixed single sailing, it offers 3-, 4- and 7-night options in both directions, with Luxor or Aswan available for embarkation and disembarkation. Abu Simbel is an optional addition rather than an included stop.
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
On property
What's here
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Fitness facility
- Wi-fi
- Television
- Phone
- Fridge
- Hot tub
- Wine bar
- Entertainment lounge
- Sun deck bar
- Gift shop
- Elevator
- Safe box
Bundled in
- Full board
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day until breakfast on disembarkation day
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees for the listed shore excursions
- Visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Aswan High Dam
- Use of the on-board swimming pool, fitness facility, Wi-Fi and entertainment facilities
- Egyptian folklore show, when scheduled
Not included
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion by coach or domestic flight
- Drinks other than water with meals, unless specifically stated
- Pyramid interiors, premium tombs and gratuities
- Personal spending, including purchases from the gift shop
- Single-cabin supplement, where applicable
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can choose private English-speaking Egyptologist-led shore excursions and select embarkation or disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan, subject to the sailing schedule. Abu Simbel can be added by coach or domestic flight, while cabin category, single occupancy and additional pre- or post-cruise hotel nights can be arranged separately.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Shore excursions involve uneven ancient stone, sand, steps, ramps and limited shade at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Aswan High Dam. Boarding your Nile cruiser may require a gangway, which can be steep or uneven depending on the river level and berth. Cabins may be reached through narrow corridors or by stairs, and lifts cannot always serve every deck. Shore-excursion vehicles may not fit every wheelchair. The pool, hot tub and sun deck may also involve steps. Guests with limited mobility should request an accessible cabin and assistance before booking. We can confirm the assigned vessel and current port arrangements, but cannot guarantee step-free access.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance details
- Comfortable walking shoes with firm soles
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm
- Reusable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Small day bag for shore excursions
- Required prescription medication
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm weather
- Comfortable clothing and shoes for uneven ancient surfaces
- Swimsuit and light cover-up for the pool
- Light sweater or jacket for air-conditioned interiors and evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and religious sites
- Sun hat and sunglasses for the sun deck
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. Strollers are not practical on gangways, narrow corridors or uneven temple surfaces. Request a high chair before booking, as availability must be confirmed with the assigned vessel.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
River cruising combines accommodation and transport, so it can reduce the number of separate hotel stays and road transfers, although the vessel still uses fuel and produces wastewater. Shore excursions are arranged with local Egyptian drivers, licensed English-speaking Egyptologists and suppliers in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Spending on meals, guiding and services in these towns supports local businesses along the Nile. Engine efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and fuel practices vary by the vessel assigned at booking, so we do not claim standards that have not been confirmed. A refillable water bottle, careful waste disposal and avoiding unnecessary single-use plastic are practical steps during your sailing.
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 deluxe 5-star Nile cruise includes full-board accommodation from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation, an English-speaking Egyptologist and entrance fees for listed shore excursions. The programme visits Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Aswan High Dam; Abu Simbel is optional.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
The King of Thebes Nile Cruise offers various sailing options, including 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, providing flexibility for your holiday plans.02What is included with the full board on the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
Full board on the King of Thebes Nile Cruise covers all meals from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the main dining room.03Are shore excursions and entrance fees included in the cruise fare?
Yes, shore excursions to sites like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Aswan High Dam are included. All associated sightseeing entrance fees are also covered.04What kind of cabins are available on the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
The King of Thebes Nile Cruise features deluxe 5-star cabins, each equipped with air conditioning, a television, and a fridge. Many cabins offer panoramic windows for Nile views, and some may include balconies.05What amenities are available on board the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
Onboard amenities include a swimming pool, a sun deck, a fitness facility, and Wi-Fi access. There is also a lounge bar and an entertainment lounge, where an Egyptian folklore show is typically scheduled.06Is the Abu Simbel excursion included in the King of Thebes Nile Cruise package?
No, the Abu Simbel excursion is not included in the standard cruise package. It is available as an optional add-on, which can be arranged either by coach or domestic flight, depending on your preference.07What is the policy for children on the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.08What should I wear for shore excursions during the cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. When visiting religious sites like temples, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees for both men and women.09What is the best time of year to take the King of Thebes Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summers, from May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.10Are gratuities included in the King of Thebes Nile Cruise price?
No, gratuities for the cruise staff and your Egyptologist guide are not included in the cruise price. It is customary to tip for good service, and we can provide guidance on appropriate amounts.
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 1 August 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-902998
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