Le Fayan Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with air-conditioned cabins, a pool, restaurant, lounge bar and gym between visits ashore.
The short answer
Le Fayan is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Board in Aswan on a Monday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Thursday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Fares start from £1,080 per person, two sharing a double cabin, with full board, guided sightseeing and transfers included.
02Overview
A first look
At the river’s edge, the noise of Luxor gives way to water against the hull and the steady movement of the Nile. From an air-conditioned cabin or the sun deck, palm-lined banks and village life pass at an unhurried pace; ashore, the vessel’s programme brings you among temples and ancient stone. The contrast is the point: unlike a hotel stay, the view changes as Le Fayan sails between Luxor and Aswan.
Between excursions, there is room to swim, read on deck or settle in the lounge bar. Full board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, but drinks are extra, even with meals. We arrange the booking and shore excursions, and remain your point of contact before travel.
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 | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,080double cabinsingle cabin £1,512 | Peak dates: from £1,282double cabinsingle cabin £1,830 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £1,366double cabinsingle cabin £1,942 | Peak dates: from £1,635double cabinsingle cabin £2,365 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £2,218double cabinsingle cabin £3,227 | Peak dates: from £2,689double cabinsingle cabin £3,966 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £2,233double cabinsingle cabin £3,242 | Peak dates: from £2,704double cabinsingle cabin £3,982 |
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 and Luxor Temple as part of the vessel’s shore-excursion programme.
- 02See Edfu, including the Temple of Horus, and Kom Ombo during shore visits.
- 03The programme also includes Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
- 04Onboard facilities include a pool, sun deck, lounge bar and fitness area.
- 05Air-conditioned cabins are offered in the class booked, with daily cabin cleaning.
On property
What's here
- Wi-Fi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Family rooms
- Bar
- Spa
- Beach access
Bundled in
- Full board
- Airport transfer
- Hotel pickup
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Full Board: lunch on embarkation day and breakfast on disembarkation day, with meals in between
- Shore excursions in the vessel’s programme, including Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Stay in the cabin class booked, with daily cabin cleaning and selected onboard services
- Access to the onboard sun deck, pool, lounge bar and fitness area, subject to availability on the vessel
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- International and domestic flights
- Gratuities for onboard staff and Egyptologists, unless requested
- Visas and personal travel insurance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin categories have a Nile-view balcony and which have panoramic windows before confirming your booking.
- 02
Check the single supplement if you are travelling alone, as pricing is per person sharing.
- 03
Keep some flexibility around shore visits: sailing periods alternate with excursions on the vessel’s programme.
- 04
Budget separately for drinks (including water), gratuities and any premium tomb entrance you request.
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
Travellers can usually choose between different cabin categories, including Standard, Nile-view and suite-level options, subject to availability. The cruise can also be paired with pre- or post-cruise arrangements in Luxor or Aswan, or extended with additional sightseeing on either end of the itinerary. Private arrangements may be possible for transfers or add-on touring, while meal, cabin and excursion preferences can sometimes be adjusted at booking. Premium tomb entrances, drinks upgrades and optional extras are normally handled separately unless specifically included.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a comfortable, guided way to see Upper Egypt’s major monuments without changing hotels between stops. It is a good fit for couples, small groups and independent travellers aged roughly 30+ who prefer organised logistics and a moderate pace.
- It also suits first-time visitors who want a structured route with Egyptologist-guided excursions, as well as repeat visitors who want to focus on temples and royal tombs rather than transport planning.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday instead if you need step-free access at every site or prefer to plan each day independently. The programme includes early starts, stairs and uneven ancient stone.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins suit different budgets
- Sun deck, pool and lounge bar provide space between excursions
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions follow the vessel's organised programme
- Uneven stone and stairs make some sites tiring
- Drinks (including water) usually cost extra
- Premium tomb entrances and staff gratuities are not included
Where it fits
Le Fayan fits between a stay in Cairo and time in Aswan or Luxor, linking major Nile Valley sites with a river journey.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a one-way transfer, this cruise combines accommodation, dining and guided sightseeing while sailing on the Nile. Compared with hotel-based touring, it reduces the need to repack between Luxor and Aswan and keeps the monument visits linked to the river route. Compared with large coach tours, it offers a more compact travel environment and a set excursion programme centred on major Upper Egypt sites. The trade-off is that some extras, such as premium tomb entrances and drinks (including water), are normally charged separately.
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.
- Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £1,123 pp
- Royal Lily Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £1,123 pp
- Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £1,022 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 sailing
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak · Luxor Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Full Board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Shore excursions to key temples and tomb sites · Accommodation in booked cabin class · Daily cabin cleaning · Use of sun deck, pool and lounge bar
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Couples · First-time visitors · Families travelling with older youngsters
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others · English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- Walking shoes with a firm grip
- Lightweight day bag for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle
- Prescription medicines and personal essentials
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothes for hot days
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven archaeological paths
- A light extra layer for cooler Nile evenings
Children & families
Children from 0 to 5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with two paying adults. Children aged 6 to 11.99 pay 50% of the adult price, and those aged 12 or older 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 may be used on board but are often impractical at landing stages and archaeological sites. High chairs are not standard, so request one when booking and we will check availability.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions require moderate mobility. Expect uneven stone surfaces, cobblestones and short flights of steps at archaeological sites such as Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Boarding and disembarkation use a gangway with steps; cabins sit on multiple decks and some have a small step between corridor and cabin threshold. Public areas include staircases and the sun deck is reached by steps; there is usually no lift between all decks on Nile cruisers. Transfers between airport and berth involve vehicle steps. Wheelchair users who can transfer independently and walk several metres may be able to travel, but manual wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can confirm ramp availability and the suitability of shore excursions on your chosen sailing date. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will advise on accessibility constraints for particular cabins and sailing dates, and we will liaise with the cruise line to confirm any reasonable adjustments where possible.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses diesel river engines for propulsion and local tenders for short transfers to landing stages. Onboard waste is segregated where practical and transferred to licensed reception facilities in Luxor and Aswan rather than being discharged into the river. Food, longshore services and most guides are supplied by locally owned companies, which keeps income in the communities visited. Shore excursions are scheduled to reduce duplicate vehicle journeys between sites and most excursions use small, air-conditioned coaches supplied by local transport companies. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we monitor our suppliers annually and ask partners to follow local labour and environmental regulations.
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 Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
The itinerary information also refers to a ninth day, so please check the confirmed embarkation and disembarkation dates before booking.02Where do I embark, and are transfers to the vessel included?
The itinerary provided starts with embarkation in Luxor, while Le Fayan also sails between Luxor and Aswan in the opposite direction. Transfers to the port are not listed among the inclusions, so ask us to confirm any transfer arrangements for your chosen departure. We arrange the booking and shore excursions, while the cruise line operates the vessel.03What is included in the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Your booked cabin, daily cabin cleaning, selected onboard services and use of facilities such as the sun deck, pool and lounge bar are also listed. The shore-excursion programme includes sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.04What costs extra on the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), flights, visas, travel insurance and gratuities are not included unless your booking states otherwise. Premium tomb entrances, including Tutankhamun’s tomb when offered, may also cost extra. Check the final booking details for the precise inclusions, as selected extras can depend on the arrangement.05Is the Le Fayan Nile Cruise accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
The information provided does not confirm step-free access or mobility equipment on Le Fayan. Shore visits involve walking at archaeological sites, where surfaces can be uneven and tombs may have steps. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and excursion arrangements; access can vary by site.06Can children travel on the Le Fayan 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 and the applicable child fare for your departure.07What should I wear and bring for the shore excursions?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses and sun protection for visits in Luxor, Aswan and along the Nile. Light, breathable clothing helps in the heat. For temple visits, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is advisable; carry water for time ashore, particularly during warmer months.08Can I take photographs during the cruise and at the temples?
Photography rules differ between Le Fayan’s public areas and the archaeological sites on its excursion programme. Ask the Egyptologist or site staff before photographing inside tombs, where restrictions may apply; some areas may require a separate photography permit. Keep cameras secure while ashore and follow any signs or instructions at each site.09What’s the ideal time of year for a Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
October to April is generally more comfortable for sightseeing than Egypt’s hotter summer months. Winter sun from November to March suits many UK travellers, although midday visits can still feel warm. Temperatures vary, so pack sun protection in every season and check conditions for Luxor and Aswan close to departure.10Which places does the Le Fayan shore-excursion programme visit?
The programme lists Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae. Visits alternate with sailing on the Nile, rather than following a fixed daily schedule on every departure. Ask us to confirm the stops and excursion sequence for your selected sailing.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-LUX-534653
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Thu in Luxor · Mon in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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