Acamar Nile Cruise

The short answer

Acamar Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Cultural
• Photography

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with Nile-view windows or private balconies depending on category
• 02Sun deck and pool, with shaded seating and panoramic views while sailing on the Nile
• 03Scheduled shore-excursion program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
• 04Full board catering from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with dining room and lounge bar
• 05Embarkation and disembarkation assistance, crew services and port and harbour fees included

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 isn't

Accessibility

Who can join this

The vessel and shore-excursion programme involve uneven terrain, cobblestones, stone steps and narrow tomb passages at sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Onboard public areas are reached by a short gangway and a small number of steps; many cabins have one or two steps at the doorway. Transfers between pier and shore are on foot over quayside surfaces and, at some landings, short boarding ramps. Wheelchair users should expect limited ramp access at many archaeological sites and uneven ground on shore excursions; wheelchair-accessible cabins are not guaranteed. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange limited assistance at embarkation and disembarkation and recommend bringing a travel companion or carer if you need continuous mobility support. Please contact us with specific mobility requirements at booking so we can assess feasibility and make practical arrangements.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange shore excursions using modern, air-conditioned coaches for longer transfers and smaller minibuses where narrow roads require them. Onboard, ships typically use municipal water refilling points and provide large water dispensers to reduce single-use plastic bottles; passengers are encouraged to use refillable bottles. Local staff, guides and crew are hired through our Egyptian suppliers, and shore-excursions employ licensed Egyptologists and licensed local drivers, keeping wages and tipping local. We prioritise suppliers who separate waste on board and follow local waste disposal rules at ports. Where community visits are included, fees go directly to registered cooperatives or community-run projects; ask us for current partner names and details when you book. If you have specific sustainability requirements, tell us at enquiry so we can share supplier practices for your sailing dates.

• Licensed local Egyptologists

  ETAA-credentialed, on payroll

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols

• Carbon-aware itineraries

  Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical

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. 09When is the best time of year to sail the Nile on 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.

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