Jamila Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck seating, lounge bar and full-board dining; an on-board shore-excursion programme between Luxor and Aswan.
The short answer
Jamila is a 5-Star Standard Nile cruise ship. Board in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Fares start from £806 per person, two sharing a double cabin, with full board, guided sightseeing and transfers included.
02Overview
A first look
Early-morning light on the Nile makes the river glassy, coffee steam rising on the sun deck while the Jamila slips its moorings in Luxor. The soft thud of the engines and the scent of baked bread from the dining room set the pace for a gently moving holiday.
We hand-pick this vessel and arrange the full-board programme, with shore excursions scheduled so you have actual time ashore at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and fares
Fares are per person in GBP, based on two sharing a double cabin. Each fare includes the full cruise, the guided sightseeing programme on the way, and transfers between the boat and the local airport or railway station at both ends.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from £806double cabinsingle cabin £1,051 | May – September: from £730double cabinsingle cabin £937 | Peak dates: from £954double cabinsingle cabin £1,330 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,001double cabinsingle cabin £1,327 | May – September: from £900double cabinsingle cabin £1,175 | Peak dates: from £1,199double cabinsingle cabin £1,699 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,543double cabinsingle cabin £2,114 | May – September: from £1,367double cabinsingle cabin £1,849 | Peak dates: from £1,890double cabinsingle cabin £2,766 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,558double cabinsingle cabin £2,129 | May – September: from £1,382double cabinsingle cabin £1,864 | Peak dates: from £1,905double cabinsingle cabin £2,781 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Pick your cruise and date in the booking panel to see the exact fare.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Join the vessel in Luxor and have lunch on board, then explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Discover the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, then set sail south in the direction of Edfu.
- 3
See the Temple of Horus in Edfu and Kom Ombo’s double temple before continuing by boat to Aswan.
- 4
Explore the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional trip to Abu Simbel by air or road can be organised.
- 5
Enjoy a restful day in Aswan: take a felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel heads north.
- 6
- 7
Return to Luxor with time to see any West Bank sites still on your list, or unwind on the sun deck while the vessel moors for its last night.
- 8
Disembark in Luxor after breakfast and continue with your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard your Nile cruiser in Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon, explore Karnak Temple, ancient Egypt’s largest religious complex, followed by Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Head across to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then sets sail south towards Edfu.
- 3
Explore the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt’s best-preserved temple, before sailing onwards to Kom Ombo to see its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Sail on to Aswan, where the vessel is moored overnight.
- 4
The vessel remains moored in Aswan. Those heading to Abu Simbel set off before dawn, travelling by road or air to the pair of rock-cut temples that Ramesses II had carved into the cliff, and return on board at around midday. Spend the afternoon at leisure on board.
- 5
Following breakfast, leave the ship in Aswan. Spend the morning exploring the city: see the High Dam, reach the Temple of Isis at Philae by motor launch, and visit the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before continuing with your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard your Nile cruiser in Aswan and have lunch on board. Explore the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Head north by boat to Kom Ombo to see its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, then carry on to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus. Continue sailing towards Luxor.
- 3
Arrive in Luxor and travel across to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast, explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank before disembarking for your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard in Aswan and have lunch on board before visiting the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Spend a leisurely day in Aswan, sailing by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or visiting a Nubian village. An optional trip to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo to see the twin temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu and the Temple of Horus.
- 4
In Luxor, cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank before the vessel turns south on its return voyage.
- 6
- 7
Return to Aswan, where you can unwind on board or join an optional excursion before your last night.
- 8
Disembark in Aswan after breakfast for your onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple as part of the vessel’s shore-excursion programme.
- 02See Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae on shore excursions along the Nile.
- 03Explore the Valley of the Kings during a shore excursion from Luxor.
- 04Choose from graded cabin classes, with Nile-view balconies on higher grades and panoramic windows on lower grades.
- 05Watch the river from the sun deck, which has both seating and shaded areas.
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Full-board meals, starting with lunch on embarkation day and ending with breakfast on disembarkation day
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner served aboard
- Accommodation aboard Jamila
- The vessel’s shore-excursion programme to the listed sites
- Embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew and guides
- Domestic flights and transfers to or from the embarkation or disembarkation ports, except when booked in advance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Karnak, allow time to look closely at the carved columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall, not only the main processional route.
- 02
At Edfu, look for reliefs depicting temple rituals and the myth of Horus and Seth.
- 03
At Kom Ombo, notice the temple's paired sanctuaries, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris.
- 04
Choose a cabin grade by comparing its listed floor area and view; balcony access is described for higher grades.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
After you disembark
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
We can arrange private transfers to or from Luxor or Aswan, and domestic flights can be pre-booked. Ask us about adding sites or extending your Egypt itinerary; cabin class can be selected from Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with a single supplement typically applying.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Jamila suits adults and older children who want a structured Nile sailing with guided visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. It works well for couples, solo travellers and families comfortable with fixed excursion timings, shared cabin arrangements and moderate walking at archaeological sites.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based itinerary if you want independent sightseeing or flexible daily plans. Jamila is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access, or for families travelling with strollers.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Things to Consider
- Walking on uneven stone at archaeological sites
- Boarding involves steps and variable access
- Fixed excursion schedule leaves limited independent time
- May to September heat can make visits demanding
Where it fits
Jamila fits a wider Egypt holiday that pairs time in Cairo with a Nile journey between Luxor and Aswan. It can follow visits to the Giza Plateau or the Egyptian Museum, or sit between stays in Luxor and Aswan.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many coach-led Nile packages use a fixed group format; Jamila is a vessel selected by Discovery Tours Egypt rather than presented as a coach tour. Its excursion programme covers six named sites, with the sequence varying by sailing direction and timing.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest fares. Fares are per person, two sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Tower Prestige Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £806 pp
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
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Five-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Accommodation aboard Jamila · Full board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · On-board shore-excursion programme · Excursions to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Excursions to Edfu and Kom Ombo · Excursion to Philae · Excursion to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Temple and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples · Families sharing a cabin
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and travel documents
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Light layers for cooler evenings on deck
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medicines and basic first-aid items
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for hot weather
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven stone and sandy paths
- A hat and sunglasses for strong sun
- A light layer for evenings on deck
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 or 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 awkward on gangways, stairs and uneven temple paths. High-chair availability is not confirmed, so please ask us before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has standard gangways and cabins on more than one deck; step-free access throughout has not been confirmed. Boarding may involve a sloping or moving gangway, and access between decks may require stairs. The sun deck and public rooms may not be reachable without steps. Shore excursions involve uneven ancient stone, stairs and, at some sites, sandy paths or narrow entrances. Wheelchair access at the temples and tombs is limited, and a wheelchair may not be practical for every visit. If you have reduced mobility or use a wheelchair, contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin position and excursion arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise is provided by a separately owned and operated cruise line, so vessel fuel use, waste handling and crew employment practices depend on the ship assigned to your booking. We do not have verified data to support claims about its emissions or environmental certifications. Shore visits use local Egyptologists and suppliers arranged in Egypt, bringing paid work to the communities along the Nile route. At archaeological sites, follow your guide’s instructions, stay on permitted paths and do not touch or remove stone, pottery or other remains. Ask the cruise line about its current water-refill and waste policies before travel; these have not been confirmed for the assigned vessel.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Jamila Nile Cruise?
The exact cruise dates and remaining arrangements depend on your confirmed booking. Check the itinerary on the page so you can see how the sailing fits within the full holiday.02Where do I embark and disembark on the Jamila Nile Cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation are arranged at Luxor or Aswan. Transfers to and from the ports and domestic flights are not included unless booked in advance, so check your confirmed arrangements before travelling.03What meals are included on the Jamila Nile Cruise?
Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board. Drinks (including water) are usually extra unless your booking states otherwise.04What is not included in the Jamila Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), crew and guide gratuities, optional premium site tickets, domestic flights and port transfers are excluded unless stated or booked separately. Premium extras can include entry inside a pyramid or to selected tombs. Check your booking details for any arrangements added to your holiday.05Is the Jamila Nile Cruise accessible for guests with mobility concerns?
Guests should be prepared for stairs between decks, potentially steep gangways and uneven ground at ancient sites. Gangway angles can change with the Nile’s water level. Staff may be able to assist, but shore excursions require some walking; contact us before booking to discuss your specific needs.06What is the children’s policy on the Jamila Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 travel free, those aged 6 to 11.99 pay 50%, and children aged 12 or over pay the adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children need their own cabin.07What should I wear on the Jamila Nile Cruise and its shore excursions?
Light clothing and comfortable, secure walking shoes are practical for the Nile’s heat and ancient sites. Bring sun protection, including a hat and high-factor sunscreen. For temple visits and other religious sites, cover your shoulders and knees; cabin or dining-room dress expectations may vary.08Can I take photographs on the Jamila Nile Cruise shore excursions?
Photography rules depend on the site and the area being visited. Ask your Egyptologist before photographing inside tombs or any restricted space, and follow signs and staff instructions. Camera or photography fees may apply at some sites, so confirm the current rules during your visit.09When is the best time to take the Jamila Nile Cruise?
October to April is generally cooler for sightseeing in Upper Egypt than May to September. Winter sun suits time ashore at places such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, though daytime sun remains strong. Carry water, a hat and sun protection in every season.10Which places does the Jamila Nile Cruise visit?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailing days alternate with visits ashore, and the exact order depends on the direction of travel and sailing schedule. Cabin grades range from Standard to Suite; higher grades have Nile-view balconies, while lower grades have panoramic windows.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-596281
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Standard
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