Egypt Discovery
Nile Cruise5-Star DeluxeLuxor → Aswan

Hambra Nile Cruise

Aswan to Luxor, 4- or 5-day Nile sail

At a glance

Length
5 days · 4 nights
Embarks
Mon, Thu
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

The short answer

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

·In summary

The Luxor to Aswan river route is roughly 200 kilometres, with shore excursions at major sites including Karnak Temple, Edfu and Philae. Hambra sails weekly in both directions, although excursion order and sailing times can vary by departure.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
Nile cruise cabin, class varies
Destinations
Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Cabin accommodation aboard Hambra · Full board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Sailing between Luxor and Aswan · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Shore excursions at Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings · Standard admission fees for sites
Best for
Nile cruise travellers · Travellers visiting Luxor and Aswan · Couples sharing a cabin · Families sharing a cabin
  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • Discovery Tours Egypt coordinates on-the-ground arrangements, including transfers and Egyptologists.
  • Standard site entrance fees are included unless the trip details state otherwise; premium tomb entry is excluded unless requested.

What lingers

  • 01Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
  • 02Visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo on the Nile route.
  • 03The excursion programme includes Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
  • 04Weekly sailings connect Luxor and Aswan in both directions.
  • 05Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.

02Overview

A first look

The Hambra sails the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu. Days combine guided archaeology visits with lengthy river sailing and quiet afternoons on deck.

Background

The facts

Hambra is a Nile cruise vessel booked and arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt. Its excursion programme links sites in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, with sailing on the Nile between shore visits. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.

The river route between Luxor and Aswan is roughly 200 kilometres. Excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple in Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. Exact sailing times and visit order can vary by departure.

Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple formed part of ancient Thebes, whose monuments, including sites on the West Bank, are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage property Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Philae’s temple complex was relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam, through a UNESCO-led international campaign in the 1970s.

Shore access involves walking over ancient stone and, at some sites, uneven ground; shade can be limited. Opening hours and seasonal access vary by site and date, so check current arrangements before travel. Drinks beyond water served with meals are generally extra; the cruise’s stated board basis and cabin details should be confirmed for the selected departure.

Named in this entry

Hambra·Nile·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island·Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Aswan High Dam·UNESCO

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Hambra suits adults and older teenagers who want to see the Nile Valley at a measured pace, with time aboard between visits to major sites. It works well for couples, friends and solo travellers comfortable sharing a cabin or paying a single supplement, and for travellers interested in ancient Egyptian history.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another holiday if you need step-free access or find uneven ancient stone and boarding steps difficult. The shore excursions also involve early starts and exposure to heat.

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Sailing between Luxor and Aswan offers a slower travel pace

Things to Consider

  • Shore visits can involve uneven stone and steps
  • Excursion schedules may mean early starts
  • Limited shade at major sites during midday visits
  • Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Nile cruise programmes follow a set sequence of temple visits; Hambra’s excursions alternate with sailing and may vary in order by departure. Unlike a shore-only holiday, this cruise combines time aboard the vessel with visits at Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.

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

Choose your direction

  • →Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
  • →Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
  • ↻Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan

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.

On board

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

Bundled in

  • Pool
  • Wi-Fi
  • Sun Deck
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Gym
  • Bar

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full board, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
  • English-speaking guide specialising in Egyptology
  • All shore excursions listed
  • Standard entrance fees to sites
  • Transfers between hotels in Luxor and Aswan

Not included

  • International flights
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
  • Tickets for premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I
  • Entry to pyramid interiors
  • Personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    At Karnak, allow time to look up through the Great Hypostyle Hall’s columns, not only along the main processional route.

  2. 02

    At Luxor Temple, the avenue of sphinxes is a useful point of orientation between the temple and the Nile-side entrance.

  3. 03

    At Edfu, agree a return time with your Egyptologist before exploring the temple courts independently.

  4. 04

    At Philae, ask which parts of the island route involve steps before setting out, particularly in hot weather.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so ask us which sailing direction and departure date fit your plans. We can discuss adding time in Cairo or extending your stay in Luxor or Aswan, subject to availability. Cabin class options are Standard, Deluxe and Suite; ask us for current cabin sizes, views and any meal options beyond Full Board.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

The Hambra Nile Cruise fits between Cairo and a stay in Luxor or Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions. It can also anchor a longer Egypt itinerary that adds Abu Simbel from Aswan.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This Nile cruise and its shore excursions require moderate mobility. On board, expect stairs between decks, and some gangplanks are uneven or steep; step-free access cannot be assumed. At Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, surfaces may include uneven ancient stone, cobbles or loose sand. Temple complexes have steps, often with limited handrails, and some tombs are not accessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchair users may be able to travel on the vessel, but access at smaller landing stages and to some sites is restricted. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check practical access and discuss assistance. Some uneven surfaces may still need to be crossed independently.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The cruise uses a diesel powered river vessel with Egyptian crew. We arrange the sailing with the cruise line and use local transport providers for any transfers included in a booking; the vehicle type depends on the arrangements confirmed for your trip. We cannot verify the vessel’s fuel use, emissions data or waste practices, so we do not make claims about them. Where available, the ship may offer refillable water containers and locally sourced food, but these facilities are not confirmed for every sailing. Shore excursions involve Egyptian guides and local port services. Port charges and payments for local services support activity at the places visited, though we cannot quantify the benefit to individual businesses.

  • 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

What to bring

  • Valid passport and a separate photocopy
  • Sunhat and UV protection sunglasses
  • Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
  • Refillable water bottle, where refilling is available
  • Comfortable walking footwear with good grip
  • Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
  • Regular medicines and a small first aid kit
  • Plug adapter for Egyptian type C or F sockets, 220V

What to wear

  • Light, breathable clothes for hot days
  • Long sleeves or a light scarf for sun protection
  • Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques and temple areas
  • An extra layer for cool early mornings and evenings on deck
  • Closed toe shoes for temple steps and uneven ground

Children & families

Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be useful on board but are difficult at some landing stages and archaeological sites with steps. High chairs are not guaranteed, so request one when booking.

Cabin pricing

Rates on request

There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin you have in mind.

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

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.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Karnak TempleRight here
  • Luxor TempleRight here
  • Valley of the KingsRight here
  • Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
  • Philae TempleRight here
  • Abu Simbel templesRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Shore excursions cover temples from Karnak to Philae

  2. 02

    Choose Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin classes

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Hambra Nile Cruise and what is included?
    The Hambra Nile Cruise typically offers an 8-day programme, sailing weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Your booking includes full-board dining, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, all listed shore excursions, standard site entrance fees, and hotel transfers in Luxor and Aswan.
  2. 02What is the embarkation and disembarkation process like for the Hambra Nile Cruise?
    Embarkation and disembarkation points are in Luxor and Aswan. We arrange your transfers to and from the vessel. You will typically board in the afternoon on the first day, with lunch included, and disembark after breakfast on the final day.
  3. 03What shore excursions are part of the Hambra Nile Cruise programme?
    The Hambra Nile Cruise programme includes visits to iconic sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These excursions are guided by our Egyptologists.
  4. 04What type of dining is offered on the Hambra Nile Cruise?
    The Hambra Nile Cruise operates on a full-board basis. This means all your meals, from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day, are included. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.
  5. 05What are the cabin options on the Hambra Nile Cruise?
    Cabins on the Hambra Nile Cruise are available in various classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. Most cabins feature panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, providing views of the river as you sail.
  6. 06Is the Hambra Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
    Yes, the Hambra Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.
  7. 07What should I wear and bring for a Nile cruise in Egypt?
    For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes are essential, along with modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially for religious sites. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen are highly recommended due to the strong Egyptian sun.
  8. 08What is the best time of year to take the Hambra Nile Cruise?
    The cooler months from November to March are ideal for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. The summer months, from June to August, can be very hot, though the vessel is air-conditioned.
  9. 09What is the photography policy at the sites visited during the cruise?
    Photography is generally permitted at most sites, though some tombs or specific areas may prohibit it or require an additional fee for cameras. Your Egyptologist will advise you on the specific rules at each location.
  10. 10Are there any additional costs not covered by the Hambra Nile Cruise booking?
    Yes, international flights, tips for your guide and driver, and tickets for premium tombs like Tutankhamun's or Seti I's are excluded. Entrance to pyramid interiors and personal expenses, such as drinks beyond water with meals, are also not included.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-862378

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