The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise

The short answer

The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Luxury

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Four-day voyage between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
• 02 Guided shore excursions led by our Egyptologist, including Valley of the Kings visits and Karnak Temple commentary.
• 03 All meals on board, cabin service and scheduled transfers between Nile ports and your Cairo or Aswan hotel included.
• 04 Late-morning departures ashore maximise cool hours; we avoid midday heat for temple walks where shade is limited.
• 05 We do not cram four-site land itineraries into one afternoon; we schedule proper time at each temple.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 What does the 4-day MS The Oberoi Phiale cruise include?

   The 4-day MS The Oberoi Phiale cruise includes accommodation, meals on board, shore excursions and standard site entrance fees. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange qualified Egyptologists for excursions and local guides where required. Transfers, pre-cruise briefing and most museum/temple entrances are included in the standard package; premium extras such as premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I), pyramid interiors and crew gratuities are excluded unless expressly requested.
2. 02 Are entrance fees and gratuities included?

   Standard archaeological site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs and crew gratuities are not included. We do not bundle pyramid interiors or premium tombs into the standard cruise price; clients generally add those tickets if they wish to enter specific tombs. We can pre-pay optional extras on request and we supply suggested tipping guidelines with your final itinerary.
3. 03 Which temples and sites does the 4-day itinerary visit?

   Typical 4-day Phiale itineraries visit Luxor and Aswan: Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu/Kom Ombo and Philae. The exact order depends on navigation and local conditions; we adapt the programme to reduce driving and to visit cooler sites in the morning. Our Egyptologist briefs you before each visit and licensed local guides handle on-site commentary.
4. 04 What should I pack for a four-day Nile cruise?

   Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temples and a light layer for evenings on deck. Temperatures often exceed 30–35°C between May and September, so a wide-brimmed hat, SPF30+ sunscreen and a refillable water bottle are essential. For temple and mosque visits ensure shoulders and knees are covered; lightweight cotton and a small daypack make moving between sites easier.
5. 05 Is MS The Oberoi Phiale suitable for passengers with limited mobility?

   The ship has gangway steps and some temple sites involve cobbles and uneven stone; full wheelchair access is not guaranteed. We can arrange many adjustments: closer parking, alternative temple routes and a main-deck cabin where available, but access varies by ship and site. Please tell us about mobility needs at enquiry so we can confirm specifics with the ship and local partners before booking.
6. 06 When do excursions typically start on a 4-day Nile cruise?

   Excursions commonly start early, often before 07:00 for West Bank tomb visits and to avoid midday heat. Expect at least one early start and some walking on uneven ground; we schedule cooler visits for Karnak and Philae where possible. If you prefer later starts we can often re-order visits but this may affect which monuments are open that day and could increase short transfers.

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