Acamar Nile Cruise

The short answer

Acamar Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise vessel serving Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Cultural
• Photography

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-Star Nile Cruise

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cabin in the class booked · Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Scheduled shore excursions to listed sites · Use of the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room · Embarkation and disembarkation assistance · Crew services · Charges for ports and harbours

Best for

Travellers who prefer river cruising · Guests seeking scheduled shore excursions · Couples · Families sharing a cabin

What lingers

• 01Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes.
• 02Nile-view windows or private balconies are available depending on cabin category.
• 03Use the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room while aboard.
• 04Scheduled shore excursions include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
• 05Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae on the Nile route.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most coach-led circuits travel between the monuments by road; Acamar’s programme combines sailing on the Nile with scheduled shore excursions. Unlike a private sightseeing itinerary, visits follow the vessel’s scheduled excursion programme.

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.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Check your cabin category before booking: private balconies are available only in some grades.

2. 02

   Carry small notes for personal purchases at excursion stops; gratuities are not included.

3. 03

   Bring sun protection for time on the open deck, even when the river breeze feels cool.

4. 04

   Ask before ordering drinks, as beverages (including water) are extra.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Optional or private excursions may be requested, subject to availability; the listed shore-excursion programme is scheduled. Cabin choice is available across Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, with a single supplement typically applying to solo travellers.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The cruise involves a short gangway or boarding ramp at the quay, and some vessels have steps between public areas or at cabin doorways. Shore excursions can include uneven ground, stone steps and cobbled paths at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Narrow passages in some tombs are not suitable for wheelchairs. Access arrangements differ by vessel and port, and wheelchair-accessible cabins cannot be assumed. We can ask the cruise supplier about specific mobility needs and arrange limited help at embarkation and disembarkation. If you need continuous assistance, please travel with a companion or carer and contact us before booking so we can check what is feasible.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel is operated by its cruise-line supplier, not by Discovery Tours Egypt. Shore excursions generally use air-conditioned coaches for longer journeys and smaller vehicles where road access requires them. Egyptian suppliers provide local crew, guides and drivers, supporting employment in the places visited. Practices vary by supplier and sailing date, so bring a refillable bottle and ask us to check current arrangements. Waste handling is governed by local port rules, and we can confirm whether the assigned vessel separates waste. We do not claim that sailing or excursions are carbon-neutral. Supplier and vessel details are confirmed when the cruise is assigned.

• 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

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

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• The Valley of the KingsRight here
• Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
• Temple of PhilaeRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Visit temples and tombs through the scheduled shore programme

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Acamar Nile Cruise and what itineraries are available?

   The Acamar sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan on 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries. Choose the duration that suits your schedule. Nuance: 3- and 4-night sailings focus on the Luxor–Aswan sector; a 7-night itinerary gives extra time ashore for Edfu, Kom Ombo and longer visits in Luxor and Aswan. Tell us which nights you prefer and we will confirm the exact port calls and timings.
2. 02What time and where is pick-up for embarkation and disembarkation?

   We confirm your exact quay and local pick-up time with your final documents. Nuance: Embarkation typically begins after lunch on embarkation day; our vehicle meets you at the designated quay and transfers are timed to the ship’s schedule. If you arrive by flight we advise landing at least two hours before the scheduled transfer; for early or late flights we can arrange private airport transfers.
3. 03What does 'full board' on the Acamar include?

   Full board on Acamar runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day. Nuance: That covers main meals served aboard (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and standard non-bespoke dining. Drinks, speciality restaurant supplements, and any shore-excursion extras or private transfers are usually charged separately unless we state otherwise in your booking confirmation.
4. 04Which items or services are not included in the cruise price?

   Standard shore-excursion entrance fees on the scheduled programme are usually included; premium extras are not. Nuance: Premium items often excluded are hot-air balloon flights in Luxor, private transfers outside the scheduled times, some premium museum or tomb access (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I), gratuities and international or domestic flights unless your booking says otherwise. We’ll list exclusions clearly on your itinerary.
5. 05Is the Acamar suitable for passengers with limited mobility?

   The Acamar has steps between decks and uneven quay surfaces, so it is not fully step-free. Nuance: Passengers who use a walking stick and can manage a few steps may be fine with assistance; wheelchair users should contact us before booking. Shore landings sometimes require short gangway or transfer by tender and quays can be dusty or cobbled; we can advise which cabins and sailings minimise walking.
6. 06Can I bring young children on the Acamar Nile Cruise?

   Children are welcome but the vessel is a relaxed adult-orientated cruise with limited child-specific facilities. Nuance: There is no supervised kids’ club; family cabins vary by ship and availability of interconnecting cabins is limited. Expect short shore walks and early starts on some excursions. We recommend discussing ages and expectations so we can advise whether a family-friendly cabin and itinerary are appropriate.
7. 07What should I pack and wear for excursions from the Acamar?

   Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing for modest temple dress. Nuance: Lead items: wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, light long-sleeve shirts, and closed or sturdy sandals for uneven ancient stone. Temples and mosques require shoulders and knees covered. Evenings on deck can be breezy, so a light jumper helps. Pack a small day bag and refillable water bottle for shore visits.
8. 08Are photography and tripods allowed on shore excursions?

   Photography is generally allowed at the scheduled shore sites but restrictions apply at some museums and tombs. Nuance: Flash photography is often forbidden inside tombs and certain museum galleries; tripods and monopods may be prohibited at archaeological interiors. Your Egyptologist will tell you site-specific rules before each visit and we can arrange permits in advance where required for professional shoots.
9. 09What time of year is ideal for sailing the Nile aboard Acamar?

   Winter sun (November to March) gives the most comfortable daytime temperatures for shore visits. Nuance: November–March averages are cooler and ideal for morning and afternoon excursions; summers (June–August) are hot, especially inland, so excursions start earlier and finish by midday. Shoulder months can offer quieter quays; tell us your preferred weather and activity level and we will recommend dates.
10. 10Can we visit Abu Simbel from the Acamar and how long is the transfer?

    Yes, Abu Simbel is accessible from Aswan but requires a separate early morning transfer of about 280 km (≈3 hours) each way. Nuance: The cruise docks at Aswan on some itineraries; if you wish to include Abu Simbel we schedule an early start and a private road transfer. The visit is a long day and often omitted on shorter 3-night sailings; we can add it as an extra and advise the timing for your specific sailing.