Magic I Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with a shaded sun deck, full-board dining, panoramic views, a lounge bar, swimming pool and guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, with the cruise selected, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Selected 5-Star Nile Vessel
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · The Nile · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Cabin in the booked Standard, Deluxe or Suite class · Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Sun deck, lounge bar and dining room access · Daily cabin housekeeping · Swimming pool where available · Shore excursions to listed Nile Valley sites where included in the booking
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travelers seeking flexible Luxor–Aswan sailing options
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The company is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
- Standard site entrance fees are included only where explicitly stated in the booking inclusions; premium tombs and other unlisted entrances are excluded.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beyond Magic I’s sun deck, with farmland on one bank and desert on the other. Inside, the lounge bar and air-conditioned public areas offer a quieter pause before the next shore excursion, while the dining room serves full-board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast.
Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the vessel’s programme brings you to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Weekly departures operate in both directions, giving you more choice when planning. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we select and arrange the cabin, sailing details and Egyptologists supporting your visits on land.
Background
The facts
This deluxe Nile cruise connects Luxor and Aswan aboard a selected 5-star river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt. Embarkation and disembarkation are available at Luxor and Aswan, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions. The cruise package is a route and vessel assignment rather than a single named ship; the operating cruise line is confirmed at booking.
The shore-excursion programme covers major monuments along the Nile, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic temple complex at Kom Ombo, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. Karnak developed over more than 2,000 years, Luxor Temple was substantially built during the New Kingdom, and the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs dating mainly from Egypt’s New Kingdom period, approximately 1550–1070 BCE.
Accommodation is provided in Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, with Nile-view windows or balconies where specified. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation; drinks other than still water served with meals are generally extra. Listed facilities include a sun deck with shaded and sunny seating, lounge bar, dining room, air-conditioned public areas, daily cabin housekeeping and a swimming pool where available.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·The Nile·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·New Kingdom of Egypt·Ptolemaic Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want to combine guided sightseeing with a slower river-based travel style. Travelers should be comfortable boarding a vessel, walking through archaeological sites on uneven ground and managing stairs or ramps between the ship and shore.
What lingers
- 01Three-night, four-day cruise between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu with scheduled shore visits.
- 02Guided visits to Philae in Aswan and Luxor East Bank sites are led by one of our Egyptologists.
- 03Operated by us, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; all scheduled shore visits are escorted by our Egyptologist team.
- 04Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded and charged separately.
- 05Unlike large coach timetables, we run single-group shore visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu to reduce queues.
- 06Early starts for Luxor West Bank visits; expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a fixed one-way sailing, this cruise is available weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing greater flexibility when connecting it with hotels, flights or a wider Egypt itinerary. Unlike a room-only river package, it includes full-board dining from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast and a scheduled shore-excursion programme.
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
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.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
7 nights / 8 days · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,090 | £1,326 | £1,998 |
| Double cabin | £788 | £922 | £1,326 |
| Triple cabin | £788 | £922 | £1,326 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £736 | £871 | £1,255 |
| Double cabin | £563 | £640 | £871 |
| Triple cabin | £563 | £640 | £871 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £619 | £720 | £1,008 |
| Double cabin | £490 | £547 | £720 |
| Triple cabin | £490 | £547 | £720 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,097 | £1,332 | £2,005 |
| Double cabin | £794 | £928 | £1,332 |
| Triple cabin | £794 | £928 | £1,332 |
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.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- parking
- gym
- non-smoking
- air-conditioning
- restaurant
- room-service
- wifi
- pool
- bar
- garden
- rooftop-terrace
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Magic I in the booked cabin class
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Access to the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Daily housekeeping of your cabin
- Access to the listed onboard facilities, including the swimming pool where available
Not included
- Drinks served with meals other than still water
- Crew and local Egyptologist gratuities, unless specifically requested
- Premium cabin upgrades and suite supplements
- Entrance fees for sites and tombs not expressly listed as included
- International flights, visas and travel insurance
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travelers can request Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, subject to availability, with premium upgrades and suite supplements priced separately. Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in either sailing direction and may coordinate additional sightseeing, private guiding, transfers or hotel stays before and after the sailing.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise requires independent boarding via a gangway and movement through corridors, cabin thresholds, stairs and shared deck areas. River quays may have uneven paving, narrow ramps and changing levels between the quay and vessel. On board, access to the sun deck, dining room and lounge bar may involve stairs, and cabin suitability depends on the assigned vessel. Shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings include uneven ancient stone, sand, steps and limited shade. Wheelchair access may be possible in selected areas, but must be confirmed before booking. Guests with reduced mobility should travel with an accompanying adult and request an accessibility review.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Comfortable walking shoes with secure soles
- Sunscreen SPF50+
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Required prescription medicines
- Small day bag for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for cooler Nile evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples
- Conservative clothing for religious sites
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Swimsuit and pool cover-up
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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be difficult on gangways, stairs, uneven quays and ancient site surfaces, so a compact stroller or carrier is more practical. High-chair availability should be confirmed before booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses river transport between Luxor and Aswan, linking the main Nile Valley sites without separate road journeys between each city. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and shore services through local Egyptian suppliers. The programme supports local Egyptologists, drivers, site staff and port services in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Fuel consumption, waste handling and energy performance vary by the assigned vessel, so we do not assume figures that have not been supplied. Please use water and electricity thoughtfully, avoid single-use plastic where practical and follow crew instructions for waste disposal.
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 Nile cruise includes accommodation in a selected 5-star river vessel, full-board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, cabin housekeeping and use of listed facilities such as the sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and swimming pool where available. Its shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Magic I Nile Cruise?
The Magic I Nile Cruise typically offers an 8-day itinerary, sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's historical sites and a relaxed pace on board.02What is included in the full-board dining on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
Full-board dining on the Magic I Nile Cruise includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. Still water is served with meals, but other drinks are extra.03What shore excursions are part of the Magic I Nile Cruise programme?
The Magic I Nile Cruise includes a comprehensive shore excursion programme. You will visit key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings.04What cabin classes are available on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
The Magic I Nile Cruise offers various cabin classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite options. Cabins feature Nile-view windows, with some higher classes offering private balconies for enhanced views of the river.05What on-board facilities can I use during my Magic I Nile Cruise?
Guests on the Magic I Nile Cruise can enjoy a range of on-board facilities. These include a sun deck, a lounge bar, a dining room, a swimming pool, and air-conditioned public areas for your comfort while sailing.06Is the Magic I Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Magic I Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children 0–5.99 years travel free, 6–11.99 years pay 50%, and 12+ pay the full adult price. One child maximum per cabin, sharing with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile Cruise?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. Modest clothing is recommended for temple visits. On board, casual attire is suitable, with slightly dressier options for dinner if desired.08What is the photography policy for sites visited on the cruise?
Photography is generally permitted at most sites, but some tombs or specific areas may prohibit it or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist will advise you on specific rules at each location.09What is the best time of year to take a Magic I Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile Cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, are hotter but offer fewer crowds.10Are gratuities for the crew and guides included in the cruise price?
No, crew and local guide gratuities are not included in the standard cruise price unless specifically requested and arranged beforehand. It is customary to tip the crew and your Egyptologist at the end of the cruise.
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
Product ID: CRU-NIL-041229
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