Al Kahila Nile Cruise
Tell us the number of nights aboard Al Kahila and whether a private Egyptologist, domestic flights or transfers are included and I’ll draft the banner.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Al Kahila Nile Cruise is a 4-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Al Kahila sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at six named archaeological sites. Full board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra.
- Couples·
- Seniors·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabin accommodation aboard the Al Kahila Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Accommodation in the selected cabin class · Full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Shore excursions listed in the vessel's programme · Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan ports · Sun deck access · Lounge bar and dining room access
- Best for
- Couples · Families · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travellers combining Luxor and Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- The product information identifies Luxor and Aswan as the embarkation and disembarkation ports.
What lingers
- 01Choose from cabin classes with Nile views, subject to availability.
- 02Take in the river scenery from the sun deck while sailing.
- 03Use the on-board lounge bar and dining room.
- 04Visit Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings through the vessel’s shore-excursion programme.
- 05See Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae on the Nile route.
- 06Sail between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Al Kahila is a Nile River cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at the ports in those cities. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Its shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae near Aswan. The vessel alternates sailing on the Nile with visits to these sites; it sails weekly in both directions.
The programme links monuments from different periods of Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor Temple formed part of ancient Thebes, whose monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Edfu Temple is dedicated to Horus and dates mainly to the Ptolemaic period. The surviving buildings at Kom Ombo also date chiefly to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Philae’s temple complex was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO-led campaign to save Nubian monuments from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam.
Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, with Nile views. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks (including water), transfers to and from the ports unless specified in the booking, gratuities and optional extras are excluded. Site opening hours vary; we'll confirm current timings before travel. Heat is strongest in summer, while winter is generally cooler.
Named in this entry
Al Kahila·Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple·Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae·Agilkia Island·UNESCO World Heritage List
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Al Kahila suits couples, solo travellers and adults who want a guided Nile route with a cabin to return to between visits. It works well for travellers interested in temples and archaeology who prefer sailing breaks between shore excursions rather than changing hotels on a land-only trip.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday if you need step-free access throughout or want to set your own sightseeing pace. Summer visits can also be uncomfortable for travellers who struggle with high heat.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Visits include the Valley of the Kings and Philae.
- Sailing between visits breaks up the sightseeing schedule.
Things to Consider
- Temple visits involve walking on uneven ancient stone.
- Summer heat can make Luxor sightseeing demanding.
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra.
- Port transfers are not included unless specified in your booking.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most coach-based group tours travel between sites by road; Al Kahila’s programme alternates sailing on the Nile with shore excursions. Unlike a point-to-point transfer, the vessel’s programme includes visits at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
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
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation in your selected cabin class, per person sharing
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Shore excursions included in the vessel’s programme
- Embarkation and disembarkation at the vessel’s Luxor and Aswan ports
- Use of the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room on board
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Premium entry tickets, such as pyramid interiors or special tombs, unless booked separately
- Gratuities for crew, guides and drivers
- Transfers to and from the port, unless included in your booking
- International flights and visa fees
- Optional extras and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Luxor’s east-bank temples, ask locally about evening opening before choosing a visit time; schedules can change seasonally.
- 02
At the Valley of the Kings, check which tombs are open on the day, as access can vary and premium tomb tickets may cost extra.
- 03
For temple photographs, keep the sun’s direction in mind: morning and late-afternoon light often avoids the harshest midday shadows.
- 04
Carry small notes for local purchases and tips; gratuities are not included in the stated cruise arrangements.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose from the available Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin classes, and select a weekly sailing direction between Luxor and Aswan. Premium tomb tickets, optional extras and port transfers may be arranged separately where available; check the booking details for what is offered on your sailing.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Al Kahila fits between a stay in Cairo and time in Luxor or Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions. Pair it with a Cairo visit to the Giza Plateau, or add nights in Luxor to explore the West Bank at a slower pace.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Access to a Nile cruiser is usually by gangway, which may be steep or move with the river level. Steps, narrow corridors and changes of level can make moving around the vessel difficult for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. Shore visits at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings involve uneven ancient surfaces, steps and walking distances; shade and smooth paths are limited in places. Wheelchair access, lifts and cabin dimensions vary by assigned vessel, and these details have not been confirmed for this booking. Tell us about mobility requirements before booking so we can check the vessel and discuss which visits may need to be adapted or missed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line; Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking and shore-excursion programme. The specific vessel, fuel type, waste-handling measures and food-sourcing arrangements are not confirmed in the information for this cruise, so we cannot make claims about its emissions or environmental practices. The cruise uses river transport between Luxor and Aswan, with local transfers for shore visits arranged as needed. At archaeological sites, follow your Egyptologist’s guidance, keep to marked visitor routes and do not touch or remove stones or objects. Buying refreshments or crafts from local businesses can direct some spending to the communities visited, though purchases are optional and are not part of the cruise fare.
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 travel documents for embarkation and clearances
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven temple surfaces
- Hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle
- Light layers for cooler mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for shore visits
- Any personal medication and mobility aids
What to wear
- Lightweight clothing suited to hot daytime temperatures
- A light layer for cooler mornings and evenings on deck
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip for uneven stone
- A hat and sun-protective clothing for exposed sites
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, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be awkward on gangways, narrow corridors and uneven temple paths. High-chair availability is not confirmed and should be checked 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 | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £681single cabin £923triple cabin £681 | May – September: from £606single cabin £811triple cabin £600 | Peak dates: from £828single cabin £1,200triple cabin £825 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £813single cabin £1,136triple cabin £813 | May – September: from £713single cabin £986triple cabin £705 | Peak dates: from £1,009single cabin £1,505triple cabin £1,005 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,207single cabin £1,772triple cabin £1,207 | May – September: from £1,032single cabin £1,510triple cabin £1,019 | Peak dates: from £1,550single cabin £2,418triple cabin £1,544 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £1,223single cabin £1,788triple cabin £1,223 | May – September: from £1,048single cabin £1,525triple cabin £1,034 | Peak dates: from £1,566single cabin £2,433triple cabin £1,559 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. 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
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Karnak Temple4 km
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How many nights is the Al Kahila Nile Cruise and what is the typical itinerary?
The Al Kahila sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan; most rotations are 3 or 4 nights. Typical sailings alternate between sailing days and shore visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation begins at lunchtime; full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Exact night-count and sequence depend on the weekly timetable we confirm at booking.02Where and when does pick-up and embarkation in Luxor happen?
Embarkation is from Luxor quay; your cabin is assigned before arrival. We schedule a pick-up time from your Luxor hotel or the train/airport that aligns with the ship’s embarkation window. Once you confirm flight or train times we send a detailed pick-up time. Late arrivals may need hotel overnight and next-day embarkation.03What is included in the cruise price?
Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day is included. Guided shore excursions at the named sites are led by our Egyptologists; cabin accommodation, use of the sun deck, lounge bar and dining saloon are included. We arrange transfers in Luxor when booked as part of the cruise package.04What is not included in the cruise price?
Pyramid interiors, premium tombs and most gratuities are excluded. Entrance fees for standard listed sites are usually included but premium extras such as the Tutankhamun tomb (if offered by an excursion) and private tipping, airport departure taxes, and optional activities like hot-air balloon rides are not included unless we quote them expressly.05Is the cruise suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
The vessel has stairs and some gangway steps; it is not a fully step-free experience. Shore visits involve walking on uneven ancient stone, temple steps and sometimes sandy riverbanks. Travellers who use a wheelchair independently should contact us in advance so we can advise on specific mobility challenges and possible alternative arrangements.06Can we take children on the Al Kahila cruise and are there child facilities?
Children are welcome; facilities are limited compared with large resort ships. Cabins are family-sized on request but interconnecting cabins are not guaranteed. Excursions may require early starts and uneven walking; younger children and pushchairs are harder to manage ashore. Tell us ages at booking so we can advise cabin allocation and pacing.07What should I pack and wear for the cruise and shoreline visits?
Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing for temples. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, a light scarf for temple visits where shoulders must be covered. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jumper is useful. Temple interiors have low, uneven steps—good shoes matter.08Are photography and filming allowed at the archaeological sites and onboard?
Photography is generally allowed but some sites restrict flash or tripods. Flash is forbidden in many tombs; the Valley of the Kings often bans flash and tripods. Drone use is prohibited without special permits. Your Egyptologist will confirm rules before each stop; always follow site signs and guide instructions to avoid fines or confiscation.09When is the best time of year to cruise the Nile on Al Kahila?
The winter sun period (November–March) is the most comfortable for sightseeing. Daytime temperatures are milder, making walks at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings easier. Summer months can be very hot; we adapt schedules in high heat with earlier starts and more time on deck, but many travellers prefer November–March for comfort.10How long are the shore visits, and what can I expect at the Valley of the Kings and Edfu?
Typical shore visits last one to three hours depending on the site. Valley of the Kings visits include short walks among tomb entrances and uneven stone paths; access to specific tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) may be extra. At Edfu you walk across a cleared approach to the Temple of Horus and climb a few entrance steps; your Egyptologist manages pacing.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-LUX-242580
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