Le Fayan Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser sailing weekly between Luxor and Aswan, with panoramic windows, sun deck, lounge bar and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt operating from Cairo with five regional offices since 1988
- Licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
- Guided shore excursions led by licensed Egyptologists
- Operates five-star Nile vessels with full-board service
02 Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile is a ribbon of pale light, the riverbank reedbeds threaded with laundry and fishing boats, and the sun deck becomes a quiet place to watch village life slide past. On Le Fayan, the teak sun deck, lounge bar and panoramic windows give repeated vantage points for this slow, local rhythm, while cabins open either onto the river or a scenic window view.
We arrange this Le Fayan Nile Cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our Egyptologists are available to brief the vessel’s shore-excursion programme. Unlike rushed day tours, the cruise alternates sailing and visits so temples such as Karnak and Philae are seen with time, not hurry.
Background
The facts
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for scheduled sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise programme follows the standard Upper Egypt river route, with embarkation and disembarkation arranged through those two cities. Onboard facilities typically include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and cabin categories ranging from Standard to Suite, with some cabins offering Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows.
The vessel’s shore-excursion programme usually includes major monuments on both riverbanks. In Luxor, this commonly means Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, while the west bank excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes royal tombs from the New Kingdom period, many associated with the 18th and 19th Dynasties. Southbound or northbound sailings also visit Edfu, where the Temple of Horus dates mainly to the Ptolemaic period, Kom Ombo, and Philae on Agilkia Island near Aswan.
Full board is typically provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra, and many five-star Nile vessels include afternoon tea. Cabins are usually sold per person sharing, with a single supplement for sole occupancy.
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, while the vessel itself is owned and operated by the cruise line. Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with guided shore visits according to the vessel programme.
Named in this entry
Le Fayan Nile Cruise · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Nile River · Discovery Tours Egypt · ETAA
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a comfortable way to combine river travel with Upper Egypt sightseeing. It is especially suitable for first-time visitors, history enthusiasts, and travellers who prefer structured logistics with guided visits and onboard accommodation.
Maybe not, if
- Guests requiring full wheelchair access due to limited facilities
- Very active travelers seeking a fast-paced, adventurous itinerary
- Those wanting longer immersive cruises should choose a week-long option
What lingers
- 01 Five-star vessel with sun deck, lounge bar and shaded seating areas for views of the Nile
- 02 Full Board dining, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 03 Shore-excursion programme visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 04 Cabin classes from Standard to Suite, with Nile-view and panoramic window options available
- 05 Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with alternating sailing days and shore visits
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus 7-night cruises, this 4-day voyage focuses on the core Luxor–Aswan temple cluster without filler days. Versus day tours, it offers evenings onboard, relaxed pacing and comfortable cabins.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Jan to April | May to August |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,460 | $1,050 |
| Single Cabin | $2,050 | $1,375 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Jan to April | May to August |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,780 | $1,220 |
| Single Cabin | $2,580 | $1,675 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- wifi
- non-smoking
- air-conditioning
- gym
- pool
- restaurant
- room-service
- family-rooms
- bar
- spa
- beach-access
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full Board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- All meals listed as Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in the product details
- Shore excursions as organised by the vessel's programme (as described in marketing copy)
Not included
- Drinks beyond still water with meals unless otherwise stated
- International or domestic flights
- Entrance fees to premium tombs or pyramid interiors unless explicitly requested
- Gratuities for onboard staff and Egyptologists unless requested
- Visas and personal travel insurance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Choose a mid-ship cabin to reduce motion and enjoy quieter nights on board.
- 02
Visit early at Karnak and Valley of the Kings to avoid midday heat and crowds.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pounds for tipping local guides, cafés and crew gratuities.
- 04
Bring a light scarf for temple visits; it respects local customs and sun.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Gangways and temple sites include steps and uneven surfaces. Cabins may require stairs and full wheelchair access is limited onboard and ashore; the crew can assist but guests with reduced mobility should contact Discovery Tours Egypt before booking.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport copy and emergency contacts
- Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed sun hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Refillable water bottle and basic medications
- Light layers for cool evenings on deck
What to wear
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Light, breathable layers for hot daytime and cooler nights
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for uneven surfaces and steps
Children & families
Children are welcome; family cabins may be limited and child rates vary. For safety, very young children should be supervised on gangways and at shore sites; contact Discovery Tours Egypt for specific arrangements.
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The operator sources local produce and hires regional guides and crew where possible. Guests are asked to follow site rules, reduce single-use plastics where practical and respect cultural heritage during shore visits.
-
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
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a 4-day, 3-night sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a comfortable five-star vessel. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt (since 1988, licensed by ETAA), the package includes full-board meals and guided excursions to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
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 17 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-LUX-534653
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