Royal Esadora Nile Cruise
Aswan to Luxor, visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal Esadora is an 8-day Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Royal Esadora sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at six named sites including Karnak Temple and Philae. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Nile cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Full board, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Shore excursions at Karnak Temple · Shore excursions at Luxor Temple · Shore excursion at Edfu Temple of Horus · Shore excursion at Kom Ombo · Shore excursion at Philae · Shore excursion to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Temple and archaeology enthusiasts · Travellers visiting Luxor and Aswan · Couples sharing a cabin
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The stated shore-excursion programme names six sites between Luxor and Aswan.
What lingers
- 01Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions
- 02Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- 03Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo
- 04Excursion programme includes Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Royal Esadora is a Nile cruise vessel offered for sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan. The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions. The order and timing of visits can vary with the sailing schedule.
The excursion sites represent several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor Temple developed over centuries, particularly during the New Kingdom, from about 1550 to 1070 BCE. Philae is associated with the Ptolemaic period, beginning in 305 BCE. The Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, including sites in Luxor, is a UNESCO World Heritage property; Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae is also UNESCO-listed.
Cruise pricing is per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Opening hours at archaeological sites vary by location and season, so check current access times before travel. Details such as cabin dimensions, views and on-board facilities should be confirmed for the selected sailing.
Named in this entry
Royal Esadora·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Royal Esadora suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who want to see Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan without changing hotels between stops. It is a good fit for travellers interested in ancient Egyptian sites and comfortable with shared ship facilities and scheduled shore excursions.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday if you need step-free access throughout or want to set your own schedule at every site. Summer visitors should also be prepared for intense heat during shore excursions.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- The route also visits Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes offer a choice of comfort levels.
Things to Consider
- Ancient sites have uneven stone, steps and limited step-free access.
- Shore excursions can mean walking outdoors in strong sun.
- Drinks beyond water with meals are typically charged separately.
- Scheduled excursions offer less freedom than travelling independently.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruises follow scheduled shore-excursion programmes between Luxor and Aswan. Royal Esadora's stated programme includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings; the cruise line operates the vessel, while Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Pool
- Wi-Fi (when docked, intermittent & chargeable)
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant (main buffet restaurant)
- Spa (massage room)
- Bar & lounge with dance floor
- Fitness equipment
- Laundry service
- Boutique / Beauty & Gift shop
- Doctor available 24 hours
- Satellite TV (when docked)
- Safe deposit box
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- 03, 04 or 07 nights’ accommodation on a full-board basis
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Support from onboard staff throughout your stay and excursions
- English-speaking Egyptologist-led excursions, with no more than 8 guests
- Transfers in a private, air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
- Admission to all sights and attractions listed
- One complimentary bottle of water per person each day
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids
- Entry to premium tombs, including those of Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Gratuities
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm cabin class before booking: Standard, Deluxe and Suite are the stated categories.
- 02
Check whether drinks beyond water with meals are charged separately for your sailing.
- 03
Review the cancellation terms shown on the page before confirming your booking.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us whether private shore touring, additional sites or extra nights in Luxor or Aswan can be arranged for your dates. Cabin class choices include Standard, Deluxe and Suite, subject to availability; drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Royal Esadora fits between time in Cairo and a stay in Luxor or Aswan, with shore excursions at major Nile sites along the route.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Nile cruiser has staircases between decks, and cabins may have steps or narrow corridors; level, wheelchair-accessible cabins are not confirmed. Gangways can be steep and may move with the river during embarkation and disembarkation. Shore excursions can involve uneven ancient stone, steps at temples and soft sand near riverbanks, including at sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and excursion arrangements. Assistance and accessible vehicles may be available, but cannot be guaranteed. Declare any service dog in advance.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser uses diesel-powered engines, so sailing involves fuel use and emissions. The cruise line owns and operates the vessel; we arrange the cruise and can request further details about its fuel, waste and water practices before you travel. Transfers between airports and embarkation ports are generally arranged in air-conditioned coaches or minibuses that meet local road-safety requirements. The cruise and shore-excursion programme uses local crew and excursion staff, supporting employment in the communities along the route. Food and services may be sourced locally, but the supplier's exact purchasing practices are not confirmed. On board, you can reduce single-use plastic by refilling a reusable bottle where refill facilities are available, and limit laundry water use by reusing towels and linens.
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 booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone and sand
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher, and a wide-brimmed hat
- Reusable water bottle for onboard refills where available
- Small day bag for shore excursions
- Torch for dimly lit tombs
- Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies
What to wear
- Light, airy clothes for the heat during the day
- Long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt for temple visits
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at religious sites
- Light jumper or jacket for cooler evenings on the river
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 their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be awkward in narrow corridors and cabin doorways. Cribs and high chairs are not guaranteed on the vessel, so ask us about availability before booking.
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
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
01
Cabin bookings arranged with the cruise line
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise?
The listed Royal Esadora programme lasts eight days, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan according to the sailing direction. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between these cities. Your booking documents confirm the precise dates and ports, as well as the cabin class arranged for you.02What is included on the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise?
The package includes full board, guided shore excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist, transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle and entrance fees for listed sights. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. One bottle of water per person per day, onboard staff assistance, service charges and taxes are also included.03What is not included in the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise package?
Drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities and optional visits such as Abu Simbel are not included unless your booking says otherwise. WiFi, where available, is chargeable. Check the inclusions and cancellation terms shown on your page before confirming, as optional arrangements and their costs can depend on your final booking.04How do embarkation and disembarkation work on the Royal Esadora?
Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor or Aswan, depending on the sailing direction. We arrange the relevant transfers and arrival assistance for your booking. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between the two cities, but your confirmed travel dates determine which port you use and when you board.05Is the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
Accessibility depends on the cabin, vessel layout and shore excursion, and these details should be checked before booking. Ancient sites such as Karnak and the Valley of the Kings have uneven stone surfaces and steps, which can make visits difficult for anyone with limited mobility. Tell us what support you need so we can check the arrangements.06What is the child policy on the Royal Esadora 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. Child pricing applies to the cruise booking, so confirm the cabin arrangement when enquiring.07What should I pack for the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise?
Bring light clothing, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream, as shore visits can involve strong sun and limited shade. Comfortable closed-toe shoes help on uneven temple paths and stone steps. Pack modest clothing for religious sites, plus a light layer for cooler evenings in winter. A refillable water bottle is useful between included servings.08Can I take photographs during Royal Esadora shore excursions?
Photography rules vary by site and by the area being visited, so follow signs and your Egyptologist’s instructions. Some tombs and museum spaces restrict photography or require a separate permit, and flash may be prohibited. Check the current rules at each entrance before taking photographs, especially inside the Valley of the Kings tombs.09What’s the ideal season for a Royal Esadora Nile Cruise?
November to March usually brings cooler conditions for visiting Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Summer temperatures can be very high, particularly during outdoor excursions, so plan for early starts and sun protection. The vessel sails weekly in both directions throughout its schedule; availability depends on your chosen dates.10Which sites are visited during the Royal Esadora Nile Cruise?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailing and visits alternate during the route between Luxor and Aswan. Abu Simbel is an optional visit and can be arranged for an additional fee, by road or by flight.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-800374
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