Egypt Discovery
From per personOn Request
Nile Cruise 5-Star Luxury Aswan → Luxor

The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise

At a glance

Length
4 days · 3 nights
Embarks
Mon, Fri
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

The short answer

The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

02 Overview

A first look

MS The Oberoi Zahra operates on the Nile on four-day itineraries between Upper Egypt sites. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the cruise, private transfers and Egyptologist-guided excursions.

Background

The facts

The Oberoi Zahra is a luxury Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan on Egypt’s inland river route. The program typically alternates sailing days with shore excursions, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor and Aswan. Scheduled visits commonly include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.

The vessel is sold on a full board basis, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. On board facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and library, and cabin categories are typically Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Higher categories may feature a Nile-view balcony or panoramic window, depending on the cabin type.

Luxor is the main starting point for access to the East Bank monuments, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, while Aswan provides access to Philae Temple and the southern Nile landscape. The cruise route between Luxor and Aswan covers one of Egypt’s most commonly traveled river sections, with guided shore excursions arranged as part of the vessel’s published programme.

Discovery Tours Egypt hand-picks and arranges this cruise for travelers who want a structured Nile itinerary with accommodation, meals, and sightseeing included in one booking.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This cruise suits travelers who want an organized Nile itinerary with fixed sightseeing, onboard dining, and hotel-style accommodation on the river. It is especially suitable for adults, couples, and families who prefer a comfortable, moderately paced journey with guided visits to major Upper Egypt monuments.

What lingers

  • 01 Four-day cruise between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
  • 02 Meals are served onboard; shore excursions embark and disembark at the Luxor and Aswan port piers.
  • 03 Our Egyptologist-led visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank tombs; pyramid interiors and premium tombs excluded.
  • 04 Most shore excursions require an early start (usually before 07:00); expect walking on uneven ancient stone and stairs.
  • 05 We operate private guided excursions from the ship rather than coach-based mass tours; bookings limited per departure.

The route

Aswan and Luxor

  1. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamEmbark
  2. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  3. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  4. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsDisembark

Choose your direction

  • →Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
  • →Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
  • ↻Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Aswan or Luxor

At sea

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.

  1. 1

  2. 2

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
  • Scheduled shore excursions as per the vessel's programme, with English-speaking guide where provided by the cruise line
  • Use of public facilities on board, including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
  • Embarkation and disembarkation assistance and on-board luggage handling

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless stated otherwise
  • Site entrance fees charged at specific monuments, premium tombs or pyramid interiors unless explicitly included
  • Mandatory port taxes or cruise supplement fees when applicable
  • Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists, typically paid locally
  • Single supplement for sole occupancy of a cabin, typically applies

Before you go

What to pack & wear

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 (maximum one child per cabin). Two or more children require their own cabin.

Location

On the map

Aswan and Luxor — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserAswanKom OmboEdfuLuxorCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What is included on the 4-day MS The Oberoi Zahra Nile cruise?
    The cruise fare normally includes full-board accommodation, scheduled shore excursions, and on-board service for the four-day MS The Oberoi Zahra. Standard monument entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise; pyramid interiors, premium tombs, visas and crew gratuities are normally excluded. We operate private or small-group shore excursions rather than large coach parties and can arrange private guides, transfers or upgrades at additional cost.
  2. 02 Where do I embark and disembark the Oberoi Zahra – Luxor or Aswan?
    Embarkation and disembarkation take place in either Luxor or Aswan depending on the specific four-day itinerary; we confirm the port at booking. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers from hotels, the train station or airports and meet you at the jetty. Cruise start times vary and early-morning meeting times are common, so plan onward travel accordingly.
  3. 03 Are shore excursions on the cruise guided by Egyptologists?
    Scheduled shore excursions are led by experienced Egyptologists or specialist guides provided for the cruise. Our Egyptologists give contextual briefings and lead most visits; we can provide private or multilingual guides on request. Expect walking on uneven ancient stone, steps and early starts at some sites – please tell us language and mobility needs when you book.
  4. 04 Does the ship have Wi‑Fi, power sockets and laundry?
    The Oberoi Zahra provides power sockets in cabins and an on-board Wi‑Fi service; laundry is available for a charge. Internet speed can be slow while underway or when multiple guests are online, so download maps and documents in advance. Bring a universal plug adapter and small-denomination local cash for laundry and incidental purchases.
  5. 05 Is the 4-day Nile cruise suitable for someone with limited mobility?
    The cruise has moderate accessibility but involves gangways, cabin steps and site cobbles that limit independent wheelchair access. We can provide porters, assist with embarkation and request a lower-deck cabin where available, but the ship is not fully wheelchair-adapted. Many temples and tombs have uneven stone, steps and no ramps – please send full mobility details before booking so we can advise practicably.
  6. 06 What should I pack for a four-day Nile cruise?
    Pack sun protection, comfortable closed shoes for temple walks, lightweight layers for warm days and cooler evenings, and modest clothing for temples. Also bring a sun hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, a small daypack, a universal adapter and any prescription medication. Temples and mosques require shoulders and knees covered; early starts mean a light jacket is useful for dawn excursions.

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

Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-580069

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