Nile Story - Nile Cruise
Cabins span three grades, many with Nile views, alongside a pool-topped sun deck, full-board dining, spa, gym and lounge bar.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Nile Story Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Nile Story Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt between Luxor and Aswan. The booking includes full board, scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, and use of onboard facilities such as the pool, spa and gym.
- Cultural
- Budget
- Archaeology & history
- Solo traveller·
- Groups·
- Couples·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cabin Cruise: Standard, Deluxe & Suite
- Destinations
- Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu (Temple of Horus) · Kom Ombo · Philae · Aswan
- Includes
- Stay in your chosen cabin category · Full board, from lunch on embarkation day through to breakfast on disembarkation day · Planned shore trips and guided tours · Use of the pool, spa, gym and lounge areas · Port and boarding taxes, where applicable
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Couples · First-time visitors · Families travelling with older children · Those looking for a comfortable river cruise
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Cruise bookings are arranged with the vessel’s third-party operator rather than owned by DTE
- Scheduled shore excursions are included with guided visits
- On-the-ground support is available for cruise logistics and transfers
- Cabin grades and inclusions are stated clearly before booking
What lingers
- 01Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple as part of the shore-excursion programme
- 02See the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 03Explore the Valley of the Kings on a scheduled shore excursion
- 04Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades, most with a Nile-view window or balcony
- 05Spend time on the sun deck, which has a pool, or use the spa and gym
02Overview
A first look
By early morning the Nile is a muted ribbon of light, the sun deck empty except for the boat’s wake and the silhouette of Luxor’s temple roofs on the horizon. The lounge fills with the smell of strong coffee while crew prepare the dining room, and you step out to a panoramic view of the riverbanks and palm-lined farmland.
We arrange this five-star vessel and its shore-excursion programme as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and unlike larger group boats the vessel allows unhurried temple visits and longer stretches on the river; it sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. One of our Egyptologists joins the guided visits, and our team provides private meet-and-assist at embarkation.
Background
The facts
Nile Story Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. It is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt as part of a cruise booking, while the vessel itself is owned and operated by the cruise line. Weekly sailings run in both directions, with embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor or Aswan depending on the direction booked.
The vessel’s shore-excursion programme typically includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. These sites cover Pharaonic, Ptolemaic and Greco-Roman periods: Karnak developed over many centuries and is one of the largest temple complexes in Egypt, while the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from the New Kingdom, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, with most featuring Nile-view windows or balconies. On board, travellers have access to a sun deck with pool, restaurant, lounge bar, spa, small gym, Wi-Fi and room service. The cruise is based on full board, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day included in the booking.
Luxor lies about 220 km north of Aswan by river route, so cruising between the two cities combines overnights on the Nile with guided land visits at scheduled stops. Standard site entrance fees are normally included unless stated otherwise, but premium extras such as pyramid interiors or special tombs remain excluded unless explicitly booked.
Named in this entry
Nile Story·Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·The Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple·Horus·Kom Ombo·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island·Aswan High Dam·Thebes
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a comfortable, mid-paced way to see Upper Egypt without changing hotels every night. It is a strong fit for history-focused adults, couples and small groups who value guided temple and tomb visits, riverside scenery and time to relax on board.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access or want to explore sites at your own pace: ancient ground, steps and narrow paths can limit mobility. The structured excursion programme and hot conditions from May to September may also suit independent travellers or young children poorly.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Things to Consider
- Uneven ground, steps and narrow paths at archaeological sites
- Strollers are limited at many ancient sites
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals usually cost extra
- May to September brings intense heat during shore excursions
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a hotel-based itinerary, this cruise combines accommodation and transport, reducing the need to repack between Luxor and Aswan. Compared with larger group boats, it focuses on a more relaxed shore-excursion programme and more time on the Nile itself. It is also different from a day tour because the experience includes overnight sailing, full-board dining and onboard facilities.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Spa
- Gym
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Laundry
- Swimming pool
- Wi-Fi
- Beach access
- Bar
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
Bundled in
- Swimming pool
- Barbecue deck
- Sundeck (panoramic views)
- Bar & lounge with entertainment
- Spa services and massage
- Gift shop
- 24/7 medical assistance
- Onboard restaurant / dining
- Daily housekeeping
- Laundry service
- WiFi (subject to availability)
- Mini-bar
- Private bathroom with full-size bathtub
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on board in the chosen cabin grade
- Full board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled shore excursions and guided visits included in the vessel's programme
- Access to on-board facilities, including the pool, spa, gym and lounge areas
- Port and embarkation taxes, where applicable
Not included
- Drinks other than bottled water served with meals, unless your booking states otherwise
- Gratuities for on-board staff and Egyptologists
- Overseas and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
- Entry fees for optional premium sites, such as pyramid interiors or premium tombs, unless included in your booking
- Personal items
- Laundry charged separately beyond the standard service
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin grades have balconies when comparing views; most, but not all, cabins have a Nile-facing window or balcony.
- 02
Keep a light layer handy on the sun deck, as breezes can feel cooler while the vessel is moving.
- 03
Carry small notes for onboard gratuities, which are not included in the cruise arrangements.
- 04
Check the current opening hours for each monument close to travel, as site schedules can change seasonally.
Tailor it
Make it yours
This cruise can be booked in different cabin grades, and travellers may usually choose between Standard, Deluxe and Suite categories depending on preference and budget. It can also be paired with additional nights in Luxor or Aswan, or extended into a longer Egypt itinerary with private guiding and extra sightseeing. Meal or room upgrades, where offered by the vessel, are arranged at booking stage rather than on arrival.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Nile Story fits between time in Cairo and stays in Luxor or Aswan, with shore excursions linking major sites along the river.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has multiple passenger decks connected by fixed stairways and short gangways with handrails. Embarkation uses a ship gangway onto local quays that can be uneven; some quays have concrete ramps while others have stone or sand approaches, so luggage transfer may require extra care. Shore excursions include walking on uneven ancient stone, temple steps, and short stretches of loose sand; many archaeological sites have staircases and no elevators. Most cabins and public areas are not fully wheelchair-accessible and transferring from a wheelchair to a berth may be required. We can arrange assistance from port staff and the cruise crew where feasible, and we ask guests with reduced mobility to contact us before booking so we can discuss specific needs, confirm what the cruise line can provide, and plan the smoothest embarkation and shore visits possible.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses diesel propulsion, the standard fuel type for Nile river cruisers, with fuel sourced locally through the cruise line. On-board waste is segregated where the vessel provides facilities and then transferred to licensed local disposal services at port, in line with Egyptian port regulations. We contract licensed Egyptologists who live in Luxor and Aswan for guided shore excursions, and we use local cafés, markets and craftspeople for provisioning where practical, which keeps tourist spend in the local economy. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we ask guests to minimise single-use plastics, to use on-board water-refill points when available, and to follow crew instructions for waste and recycling. If you want details about supplier practices or options to support a local community project, contact us before booking and we will share current possibilities.
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 plus photocopy for embarkation
- Comfortable walking shoes with a firm grip
- High-SPF sunscreen (SPF30 or higher) and a brimmed hat
- Lightweight layers for warm days and cooler evenings on deck
- Small daypack with refillable water bottle
- Any regular medications and a small personal first-aid kit
- Power adapter for Egyptian 220V outlets (type C/F)
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light jumper or wrap for cooler evenings on the deck
- Sandals with a good grip or trainers for the sun deck and pool
- Smart-casual clothing for evening dining, if preferred
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 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 a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Cabins are compact, so strollers may be impractical indoors. Request a cot or berth when booking; availability must be confirmed with the cruise line. High chairs cannot be guaranteed.
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 |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,611 |
| Double cabin | £1,073 |
| Triple cabin | £1,073 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,043 |
| Double cabin | £736 |
| Triple cabin | £736 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £854 |
| Double cabin | £623 |
| Triple cabin | £623 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,626 |
| Double cabin | £1,088 |
| Triple cabin | £1,088 |
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.
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
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Edfu's Temple of HorusRight here
- The temple at Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins before booking
02
Visit temples and tombs through the vessel's scheduled shore programme
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Nile Story Nile Cruise?
The listed Nile Story Nile Cruise lasts 8 days, sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, so the embarkation port depends on the departure you select. Check your booking details for the confirmed sailing dates and port.02How can I reach the Nile Story Nile Cruise to board?
Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor or Aswan, according to your selected sailing. Flights and transfers are not included in the cruise fare unless your booking states otherwise. We can confirm the port and help arrange transport separately; there is no pickup service included with the cruise itself.03Which items are covered by the Nile Story Nile Cruise fare?
The fare includes a cabin in your selected grade, full-board meals and scheduled shore excursions with guided visits. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Use of the pool, spa, gym and lounge areas is included, as are port and embarkation taxes where applicable.04Which items are excluded from the Nile Story Nile Cruise fare?
Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, gratuities, flights, visas and travel insurance are not included unless your booking says otherwise. Personal purchases and laundry charged separately are also extra. Optional premium-site fees, such as entry to premium tombs, are excluded unless they are specifically listed in your booking.05Is the Nile Story Nile Cruise accessible for guests with limited mobility?
Accessibility may be challenging for guests with limited mobility, as the vessel and shore sites can involve stairs and uneven surfaces. Visits to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and other archaeological sites require walking. Contact us before booking with your specific needs so we can check what assistance can be confirmed.06What is the child policy on the Nile Story Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 years 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.07What should I wear and bring on the Nile Story Nile Cruise?
Bring light, breathable clothing, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream; Egypt can be hot, particularly at exposed sites. Choose modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for visits to temples and mosques. A light layer is useful on board after sunset, when the river breeze can feel cooler.08Can I take photographs during the Nile Story Nile Cruise and shore excursions?
Photography rules vary by site, and some tombs or indoor areas may restrict cameras or require a separate photography ticket. Ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, particularly inside the Valley of the Kings. The cruise information provided does not specify a general on-board camera policy, so check with the vessel's staff.09When is the best time to take the Nile Story Nile Cruise?
November to March is Egypt's winter-sun season and generally brings cooler conditions for visiting Luxor and Aswan. Summer can be very hot, especially during exposed visits at Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Departure dates and sailing direction vary, so check the conditions forecast for your chosen dates.10Which sites are visited on the Nile Story Nile Cruise?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae. The vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with visits. The order and timing of excursions depend on the sailing schedule.
Last updated 28 September 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-343537
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