Tosca Nile Cruise
3 or 4-night luxury cruise, Aswan to Luxor
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Tosca Nile Cruise is an eight-day Nile cruise vessel programme serving Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Tosca sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, a river route of about 200 km. Its shore-excursion programme includes six named sites, from Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings to Philae.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin accommodation aboard Tosca · Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Shore excursions at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Shore excursions at Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings · Standard site entrance fees
- Best for
- Travellers exploring Luxor and Aswan · Couples · Families · Travellers who prefer river travel
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; it does not own or operate the vessel.
- The cruise product identifies Luxor and Aswan as its embarkation and disembarkation ports.
What lingers
- 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction.
- 02Visit major sites through the cruise’s shore-excursion programme, including Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
- 03See the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae as part of the route.
- 04Choose among Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes, subject to availability.
- 05Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Tosca is a Nile cruise vessel associated with an eight-day cruise product in southern Egypt. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line. Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The Nile route between Luxor and Aswan is about 200 km, though the sailing distance and timing vary with the route and stops.
Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings form part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex spans several periods of ancient Egyptian history, with major construction at Karnak and Luxor during the New Kingdom, roughly 1550–1070 BCE. Philae is part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, relocated during the 20th-century rescue of Nubian monuments after the Aswan High Dam was built.
Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite; cabin dimensions and views depend on the selected class. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Site opening hours and access can change by season and local conditions, so check current timings for each excursion. The excursion sequence depends on the sailing direction and port schedule.
Named in this entry
Tosca·Nile·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Edfu·Horus's temple·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes·Abu Simbel
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Tosca suits adults and older teenagers who want to see the Nile Valley from a river cruiser, with shore visits to major temples and archaeological sites. It works for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage uneven ground and a structured sightseeing programme.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access, a quiet schedule with few excursions or confirmed cabin dimensions and facilities before booking. The shore programme includes ancient sites with uneven stone and steps.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Visits Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae along the Nile
Things to Consider
- Ancient sites have uneven stone and steps
- The sightseeing programme involves several early starts
- Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra
- Cabin sharing is required for children travelling with parents
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruise vessels follow a scheduled route between Luxor and Aswan; Tosca sails weekly in both directions. Unlike a single-direction sailing itinerary, its excursion programme is presented for the vessel, with visits depending on sailing direction and port schedule.
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
- Sun Deck
- Rooftop Bar
- Restaurant
- Lounge / Full-service Bar
- Library
- Gym
- Spa (massage room)
- Boutique Gift Shop
- Wi-Fi (available, extra charge)
- 24-hour Doctor on Call
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full-board accommodation aboard Tosca for 3 or 4 nights
- Arrival and departure assistance
- Personal support during your stay
- Transfers by modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Private shore excursions included in the cruise programme
- Admission to sites visited between Luxor and Aswan
- English-speaking Egyptologist, with no more than 8 guests per group
- One bottle of water per guest each day at no extra charge
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- Meals and drinks not specified in the inclusions
- Personal costs, including laundry
- Tips for the Egyptologist, driver and crew
- Optional excursions, such as Abu Simbel
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm which cabin class and view are booked, as Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins may differ in size and outlook.
- 02
Ask which shore excursions fall on sailing days, since the sequence changes with direction and port schedule.
- 03
Check current site opening hours shortly before travel; access timings can change with season and local conditions.
- 04
Allow time to return to the vessel after each excursion, and follow the crew’s stated embarkation time.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Tosca sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so ask us which sailing direction and dates suit your plans. We can check whether extra nights in Luxor or Aswan, additional sightseeing or a cabin upgrade are available for your booking; cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite. Prices are per person sharing, and a single supplement typically applies.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Tosca fits between Cairo and a wider Nile itinerary, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. Its weekly sailings run in both directions, so the order can be matched to your other arrangements.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Mobility requirements vary between the vessel and its shore excursions. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangway and may involve steps or uneven surfaces; assistance can be limited at smaller river ports. On board, stairs connect some public areas, and cabin entrances may have a step. Shore visits can include uneven ancient stone, sandy ground and steep temple steps at sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Most river ports and archaeological sites do not have full ramp access, and lifts are uncommon on Nile cruisers. We can ask about crew assistance and arrange an accessible vehicle where available. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and excursions.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Nile vessels generally use diesel or low-sulphur marine engines, while shore transfers are usually by air-conditioned road vehicle. The exact vessel and vehicle arrangements are confirmed for your booking, so we cannot promise a particular engine standard or vehicle type in advance. We arrange services with locally based cruise providers and contract Egyptologists and guides in Luxor and Aswan. This directs cruise, guide and excursion payments to suppliers working in the region. Food and catering arrangements vary by vessel. At archaeological sites, follow marked paths and avoid touching carved surfaces; these steps help limit wear to ancient remains. Ask us before booking whether any offset option is available for your travel dates.
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 travel documents
- Travel insurance details
- Comfortable walking shoes with a firm grip
- Suncream, a hat and sunglasses
- Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable drinking bottle
- Small torch for uneven paths
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun protection and temple visits
- A light jacket for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques
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. Strollers can be used on board but are often impractical on uneven quays and at archaeological sites. Baby cots may be requested, but availability is limited and must be confirmed at 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
- Temple of Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Tosca Nile Cruise?
The Tosca Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of three or four nights, travelling between Luxor and Aswan. We can arrange these to fit into a longer holiday programme, ensuring a seamless experience on the Nile.02What is included in the Tosca Nile Cruise package?
Your package includes full board accommodation, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. All transfers, private shore excursions with an Egyptologist, entrance fees to sites between Luxor and Aswan, and a daily bottle of water are also covered.03What is not included in the Tosca Nile Cruise price?
The cruise price does not cover extra meals or beverages beyond the full board, personal expenses like laundry, gratuities for your guide, driver, and crew, or optional tours such as the excursion to Abu Simbel.04Is the Tosca Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Tosca Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those aged 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.05What kind of shore excursions are part of the Tosca Nile Cruise?
The vessel's shore excursion programme includes visits to iconic sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These are led by our Egyptologists.06What is the best time of year to take a Tosca Nile Cruise?
The Tosca Nile Cruise operates year-round. For comfortable temperatures and pleasant sightseeing, the winter sun months from November to March are generally considered ideal. Summer months can be very warm, but we organise excursions to work around the heat.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile Cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sun cream. For religious sites, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is appropriate. Evenings on board can be smart casual.08What are the accessibility considerations on the Tosca Nile Cruise?
Access to the vessel involves gangways, and some ancient sites have uneven terrain, steps, or sand. While the vessel itself has lifts, shore excursions require a reasonable level of mobility. Please discuss any specific needs with us during your enquiry.09What are the embarkation and disembarkation arrangements?
We coordinate your embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your chosen sailing direction. Our team provides personal assistance upon your arrival and departure, ensuring smooth transfers to and from the vessel.10Can I arrange an extension to my Tosca Nile Cruise holiday?
Absolutely. Many travellers choose to extend their holiday with pre or post-cruise stays in Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan. We can seamlessly integrate additional hotel nights, private tours, and transfers into your overall itinerary.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-782327
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