A Sarah Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with a pool, sun deck, restaurant, lounge bar and Wi-Fi, subject to availability.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This 5-star Nile cruiser sails between Luxor and Aswan with a guided shore-excursion programme and is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground during Egypt’s New Kingdom, approximately 1550–1070 BCE. A Sara’s shore-excursion programme also includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
- New
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Adventure
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabin aboard a 5-Star Nile Cruiser
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Temple of Horus at Edfu · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Cabin accommodation · Full-board meals, starting with lunch on embarkation and ending with breakfast on disembarkation · Excursions ashore to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · An excursion ashore to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · An excursion ashore to Kom Ombo · Philae excursion · An excursion to the Valley of the Kings · Use of pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, lounge and Wi-Fi, subject to vessel availability
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travellers seeking a full-board Nile experience
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The company is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, ETAA #718.
- Egyptologist-led shore excursions and on-the-ground travel support can be arranged according to the confirmed programme.
What lingers
- 01Explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the Luxor shore-excursion programme
- 02Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the temple complex at Kom Ombo
- 03See Philae in the Aswan area
- 04Visit the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank
- 05Access to the swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, lounge and Wi-Fi, depending on vessel availability
- 06Sail between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile slips past the panoramic windows in bands of green fields, palm trees and pale desert. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan gives the river its own rhythm: coffee on the sun deck, lunch in the dining room and changing views from your cabin between shore excursions.
Our Egyptologists bring Karnak Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Valley of the Kings into focus, while the lounge bar and pool offer an easy pause afterwards. We arrange your cabin, full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast and the shore-excursion programme. A Sarah sails weekly in both directions, with embarkation details confirmed before departure.
Background
The facts
This 5-star Nile cruise vessel is arranged for sailings between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either city. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic temple complex at Kom Ombo, Philae in the Aswan area and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. Sailings operate weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
Accommodation is provided in a cabin on a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Vessel facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar, sun deck, swimming pool and Wi-Fi, subject to vessel availability; drinks (including water), personal expenses and gratuities are excluded unless specifically requested.
Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are located on Luxor’s east bank, while the Valley of the Kings is on the west bank, approximately 6–8 kilometres from central Luxor depending on the route used. Edfu lies roughly 105 kilometres south of Luxor by road, Kom Ombo approximately 170 kilometres south of Luxor, and Philae is on an island near Aswan’s Old Dam. The monuments span several historical periods, including the New Kingdom, Ptolemaic period and Roman period.
Named in this entry
A Sara·Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·The Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Amenhotep III·Ramesses II·Isis·New Kingdom
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt, history enthusiasts and travellers who prefer to combine guided ancient-site visits with accommodation on the Nile. It is appropriate for adults and families who can manage heat, steps, uneven temple surfaces and occasional early starts.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access or want to avoid heat, uneven surfaces and extended walking during archaeological visits. Travellers seeking an unstructured sailing with few scheduled excursions may prefer another option.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions involve heat, uneven ground and extended walking.
- May to September daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C.
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities are extra.
- Children must share a cabin with a parent, one child maximum.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines cabin accommodation and full board with shore excursions at the principal temples and tombs along the Nile. Unlike a fixed sightseeing transfer, the vessel is arranged in either direction between Luxor and Aswan, with the cruise line operating the ship and Discovery Tours Egypt managing the booking and travel arrangements.
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
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
- Wi-Fi
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Cabin accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile cruiser
- Full board, with lunch on embarkation day and breakfast on disembarkation day
- A shore-excursion itinerary featuring Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Use of the swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, lounge and Wi-Fi, where available on the vessel
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Admission to the interiors of the Khufu or Khafre pyramids
- Access to premium tombs, including those of Tutankhamun or Seti I, unless requested specifically
- Gratuities, unless requested specifically
- Personal expenses and services not specified in the inclusions
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Carry sun protection for time on the open sun deck, especially during the hotter part of the day.
- 02
Keep a light layer to hand; shade and river breezes can make the deck feel cooler after sunset.
- 03
Ask before sailing which vessel facilities are available, as pool, Wi-Fi and other amenities are subject to availability.
- 04
Allow for uneven ancient stone underfoot at archaeological sites and choose shoes with a secure grip.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in either sailing direction and can discuss private guiding, additional sightseeing in Luxor or Aswan, premium tomb access and other services on request. Cabins are generally priced per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applying; any requested upgrades or additional services should be confirmed before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
A Sara fits into a wider Egypt holiday that combines Cairo’s Giza Plateau with the Nile corridor between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme covers major temples and the Valley of the Kings; weekly sailings run in both directions.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves gangways, steps between decks, narrow corridors and possible vessel movement during embarkation and disembarkation. Shore excursions include uneven stone, sand, cobbles and exposed archaeological paths at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Wheelchair access varies by the assigned cruiser and may not extend to cabins, the pool or upper sun deck. Strollers can be difficult to use. Please request an accessibility review before booking. We can advise on practical arrangements, but full wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise combines river transport with shore excursions arranged through Egyptian suppliers. Transfers between airports, embarkation points and archaeological sites generally use private cars, vans or coaches selected according to group size and port timings. Meals and cabin accommodation are provided by the assigned cruise operator, while Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, coordinates the booking and local services. River travel can reduce repeated road journeys between Luxor and Aswan, although the vessel uses fuel and produces onboard waste. Reusing towels, carrying a refillable bottle and following temple and tomb rules can reduce personal impact. We use local guides, drivers and service providers where available, helping tourism income remain within Egypt.
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
- Passport and booking paperwork, valid for travel
- SPF 50 sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
- Walking shoes that are comfortable and have good grip
- A water bottle that can be refilled
- Light jacket for air-conditioned spaces and cooler evenings
- Insect repellent
- Required medication and a small personal first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm days
- Secure, comfortable shoes for uneven stone and sand
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool and sun deck
- Light jumper or jacket for evenings and air-conditioned interiors
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 or over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with no more than one child in each cabin. Two or more children need a cabin of their own. Strollers may be hard to handle on gangways, stairs and uneven paths at sites. Cots, high chairs and connecting cabins depend on the vessel assigned and should be requested before booking.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price 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.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £652single cabin £883triple cabin £652 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £774single cabin £1,082triple cabin £774 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,140single cabin £1,678triple cabin £1,140 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,155single cabin £1,693triple cabin £1,155 |
Choose your sailing and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
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.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- The Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Kom Ombo temple complexRight here
- PhilaeRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Shore programme reaches six major ancient sites
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the A Sara Nile Cruise?
The A Sara Nile Cruise is an eight-day programme between Luxor and Aswan. Sailings run weekly in both directions. Your embarkation and disembarkation port depends on the direction booked, and we confirm the arrangements before departure. The shore-excursion programme includes sites on both sides of the river.02Where do I embark for the A Sara Nile Cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor or Aswan, according to the sailing direction. We confirm the port and arrangements for your dates before departure. This is a cruise booking, not a shore excursion with a vehicle pick-up service; ask us about transport to the embarkation point when arranging your trip.03What is included in the A Sara Nile Cruise?
The booking includes a cabin, full board and the listed shore-excursion programme. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Excursions cover Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings; standard entrance fees are included.04What is not included in the A Sara Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), gratuities and personal expenses are not included. Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids is also excluded, as are premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s and Seti I’s unless requested. Check the page’s cancellation terms for the conditions that apply to your booking.05When is the ideal time of year to take the A Sara Nile Cruise?
October to April is generally more comfortable for visiting Luxor, Aswan and the Nile’s archaeological sites. Summer temperatures can be very high, particularly during outdoor visits. The vessel has a swimming pool and sun deck, subject to availability, but plan sightseeing around the heat whatever month you travel.06What should I wear and bring on the A Sara Nile Cruise?
Bring comfortable shoes for uneven stone paths, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen. Lightweight clothing helps in the heat. Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples and other religious sites. A refillable water bottle is useful during excursions; drinks (including water) are extra.07Are children allowed on the A Sara 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. Confirm cabin arrangements when booking, as space and occupancy affect the options available.08How accessible is the A Sara Nile Cruise for guests with limited mobility?
The cruise involves boarding by gangway and visiting archaeological sites with uneven stone surfaces, steps and distances on foot. These conditions may make some excursions difficult for guests with limited mobility. Tell us about access needs before booking so we can check the arrangements for your sailing and discuss which visits may be manageable.09Can I take photographs during the A Sara Nile Cruise excursions?
Photography rules vary between sites and individual tombs on the A Sara Nile Cruise programme. Follow signs and instructions from site staff, and check before photographing inside a tomb, where restrictions may apply. Bring a camera or phone for outdoor views, but do not assume flash or photography is permitted in every area.10Which archaeological sites does the A Sara Nile Cruise visit?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Excursion days alternate with sailing days along the Nile. Entry to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s is extra unless specifically requested.
Last updated 13 May 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-473862
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