Egypt Discovery
Nile Cruise5-Star LuxuryLuxor → Aswan

MayFair Nile Cruise

Sail Luxor to Aswan on a five-star vessel

At a glance

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

The short answer

MayFair Nile Cruise is an 8-day river cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and key Nile Valley sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

MayFair sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with an excursion programme covering six major archaeological sites. Its 8-day format combines river sailing with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
Nile cruise cabin
Destinations
Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Cabin aboard the MayFair · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Shore-excursion programme · Visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Visit to Kom Ombo Temple · Visit to Philae Temple · Visit to the Valley of the Kings
Best for
Couples · Families · History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt
  • Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.

What lingers

  • 01Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
  • 02Shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
  • 03Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo
  • 04Excursion programme also features Philae and the Valley of the Kings
  • 055-star cruise category; the vessel is assigned at booking

02Overview

A first look

The MayFair sails the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Riverside date palms, village houses and sudden temple façades pass as you travel.

Background

The facts

MayFair is a Nile cruise vessel arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. The 8-day product centres on sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at major archaeological sites along the river.

The excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, then Edfu’s Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo, before reaching Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions.

Karnak and Luxor Temple form part of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Philae is included in the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae. Edfu and Kom Ombo preserve major Ptolemaic-period temple complexes, while the Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground during the New Kingdom.

The excursion programme alternates sailing with visits ashore. Site opening hours vary by season and may change; check current hours before visiting. Access at archaeological sites can involve uneven stone paths and steps. Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite.

Named in this entry

MayFair·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·New Kingdom

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • MayFair suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who want to visit major Nile Valley sites while travelling between Luxor and Aswan. Choose it over a land-based circuit if you prefer to return to the same cabin between shore excursions
  • the vessel sails weekly in both directions.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a land-based stay if you want control over each day's schedule or dislike travelling to a shared sailing timetable. The shore excursions may not suit travellers who need step-free access, as access conditions at ancient sites vary.

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes offer a choice of comfort levels.

Things to Consider

  • Shore excursions follow the vessel's sailing schedule rather than your own.
  • Ancient sites can involve uneven ground, stairs and limited shade.
  • Drinks beyond water with meals are typically charged separately.
  • A single supplement typically applies to solo cabin occupancy.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Nile cruise products are described as one fixed sailing direction; MayFair sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike a shore-based sightseeing tour, its excursion programme alternates visits ashore with sailing on the Nile.

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 round-trip embarkation from Luxor. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

Bundled in

  • Sun deck
  • Swimming pool
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Spa center
  • Boutique and jewelry shop
  • Laundry and dry cleaning services
  • WiFi in public areas
  • Library
  • Reception

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • 3, 4 or 7 nights in Ultra Deluxe accommodation, with full board
  • Sightseeing excursions accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Assistance on arrival and departure
  • Transfers between airports, ports and other points in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Admission to every attraction listed
  • One complimentary bottle of water per person each day
  • Service charges and taxes
  • Small-group excursions, with no more than 8 participants

Not included

  • Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
  • Personal costs such as laundry, minibar use and spa treatments
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise staff
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa charges and international flights

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    At Philae, check boat return arrangements before leaving the landing area, as access to the island depends on local boat service.

  2. 02

    For Valley of the Kings visits, choose footwear with a firm grip for uneven paths and steps.

  3. 03

    Bring a light layer for the sun deck: river breezes can feel cooler after sunset.

  4. 04

    Keep small Egyptian pound notes handy for site facilities and optional local services.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Cabin choice can be made across Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, subject to availability. You can ask us about adding visits or extending your stay in Luxor or Aswan; we'll confirm availability and arrangements.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

MayFair is an eight-day Nile cruise vessel that fits between stays in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan. It sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so you can choose the direction that suits your wider Egypt itinerary.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Embarking and disembarking involves using a gangway, and moving between deck levels may require climbing steps. Shore excursions can involve uneven ancient stone, sand, cobbles, steep ramps, narrow passages and long periods on foot, including at the Valley of the Kings and temple sites. Wheelchair access ashore is limited. A folding, self-propelled wheelchair may be carried aboard with advance notice, but this does not make the shore visits wheelchair accessible. We can arrange porterage and ask the vessel’s supplier about assistance at embarkation and disembarkation. Please contact us before booking if you have limited mobility so we can check which excursions may be manageable and discuss alternatives.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The Nile cruiser uses conventional marine diesel propulsion, as is typical for vessels on this route. We arrange the cruise with a local supplier; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line. Supplier practices can vary, so we cannot confirm this vessel’s specific fuel use, environmental equipment or single-use plastic policy without checking. We ask suppliers about waste separation, reusable serviceware and sewage disposal in line with applicable port rules. Egyptian crew and locally based Egyptologists support the cruise and shore excursions, directing work and visitor spending towards local providers. At sites, follow posted rules, keep to marked paths and do not touch antiquities.

  • 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 photocopy
  • Suncream, SPF 30 or higher, and a sunhat
  • Comfortable shoes for walking, with a reliable grip
  • Light layers for cooler evenings on deck
  • Refillable water bottle
  • A compact daypack for excursions ashore
  • Prescription medication in its original packaging

What to wear

  • Light, modest clothing for temples and mosques; keep shoulders and knees covered
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes for uneven archaeological sites
  • A thin jumper or fleece to wear on deck in the evening
  • Wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses
  • Swimwear and a cover-up, if the vessel has a pool

Children & families

Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; 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. Cot availability is limited and must be requested when booking. Strollers can be used on some vessel decks but are often impractical ashore because of uneven surfaces and steps.

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
  • Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
  • Kom Ombo TempleRight here
  • Philae TempleRight here
  • The Valley of the KingsRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Sailing schedule runs weekly in both directions

  2. 02

    Shore visits include Edfu and Kom Ombo

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is the typical duration of a MayFair Nile Cruise?
    The MayFair Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of three, four, or seven nights. These itineraries allow travellers to experience the key sights along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan at a comfortable pace, alternating between sailing and shore excursions.
  2. 02What is included in the MayFair Nile Cruise package?
    Your MayFair Nile Cruise includes ultra deluxe accommodation on a full board basis, covering meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. All listed sightseeing tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist, transfers, and entrance fees are also included.
  3. 03What shore excursions are part of the MayFair Nile Cruise programme?
    The MayFair Nile Cruise programme includes visits to major sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These excursions are led by our expert Egyptologists.
  4. 04What kind of cabins are available on the MayFair Nile Cruise?
    The MayFair Nile Cruise offers various cabin classes, including options with panoramic windows or private Nile-view balconies. All cabins are designed for comfort, providing a relaxing space to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
  5. 05What is the policy for children on the MayFair Nile Cruise?
    Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the 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 separate cabin.
  6. 06What should I wear for shore excursions from the MayFair Nile Cruise?
    For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is advisable for visiting temples and religious sites, respecting local customs.
  7. 07Are drinks included with meals on the MayFair Nile Cruise?
    The MayFair Nile Cruise is on a full board basis, meaning all meals are included. However, beverages beyond complimentary bottled water are typically extra. Afternoon tea is usually served on board as part of the experience.
  8. 08What is the best time of year to take a MayFair Nile Cruise?
    The cooler months from November to March are ideal for a Nile Cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. This period is popular for winter sun holidays, though the cruise operates year-round.
  9. 09What is the embarkation and disembarkation process like for the MayFair Nile Cruise?
    Upon arrival at Luxor or Aswan, our team provides meet and assist services, arranging your transfer to the vessel for embarkation. Similarly, all transfers are organised for your disembarkation at the end of your cruise.
  10. 10Is the MayFair Nile Cruise suitable for travellers with mobility concerns?
    While the MayFair Nile Cruise vessel itself offers comfortable facilities, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and climbing stairs at archaeological sites. Travellers with significant mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-182843

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