Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
The vessel pairs 65 cabins in Andalos-style interiors with full-board dining, a pool, sun terrace, gym and evening entertainment.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Al Nabilatan is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and riverside archaeological sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
This 5-star Nile cruise includes cabin accommodation, full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation, and private Egyptologist-guided visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. Shared facilities include a swimming pool, sun terrace, gym, reading room and grand lounge; Abu Simbel is optional.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Budget
- Couples·
- Seniors·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruise Cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Philae Temple
- Includes
- Accommodation in a cabin on your chosen sailing · Full-board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Private Egyptologist for listed shore excursions · Guided visits to the listed temples and archaeological sites · Use of the swimming pool, gym and sun terrace · Access to shared onboard facilities
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travellers seeking a structured Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- DTE is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- DTE is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, ETAA #718.
- Cruise and tour arrangements can be supported by an on-the-ground Egyptian travel team.
What lingers
- 01Cabins include junior suites with Andalos Islamic-style decor
- 02Swimming pool, pool bar and sun terrace aboard
- 03Restaurant serving international and national cuisine
- 04A private Egyptologist guide for the shore excursions listed
- 05Visits include Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Philae Temple
- 06Evening entertainment may include a folkloric show, a galabeyah party and a discotheque
02Overview
A first look
By early morning, palms and cultivated fields slide past the sun deck as Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise leaves Luxor or Aswan. The river gives sailing days an unhurried rhythm: coffee by the pool, a shaded corner in the reading room, then the changing light on the banks through a panoramic window.
Ashore, our Egyptologists bring context to Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Valley of the Kings, while the lounge and evening events add a livelier note after dinner. Unlike a hotel-based sightseeing holiday, your cabin stays with you between ports. Sailings run weekly in both directions, and we arrange your cabin, full-board meals and shore-excursion schedule with the cruise line before embarkation.
Background
The facts
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise is arranged between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either port. The vessel has 65 cabins, including junior suites, decorated in an Andalos Islamic style, with shared facilities including a sun terrace, swimming pool, pool bar, gym, reading room and grand lounge. Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are generally excluded.
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on the west bank, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo and Philae Temple near Aswan. These visits are provided with a private Egyptologist guide. The Valley of the Kings lies on Luxor’s west bank, while Edfu and Kom Ombo are visited as the vessel sails south or north along the Nile.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. An optional Abu Simbel excursion may be arranged at the end of the Luxor-to-Aswan sailing; it is not included in the standard cruise inclusions. Evening entertainment may include a folkloric show, galabeyah party, belly dancer and discotheque, subject to the sailing programme and onboard arrangements.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Hatshepsut Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Abu Simbel·Ancient Egypt·Ptolemaic period
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want a structured Nile journey with guided visits to major ancient Egyptian sites. Travellers should be comfortable with boarding procedures, uneven temple surfaces, steps and moderate walking during shore excursions.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access throughout or want a quiet sailing without evening entertainment. Summer heat and repeated site visits may also be difficult for travellers with limited stamina.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Private Egyptologist guidance at seven named archaeological sites
- Optional Abu Simbel visit available after the southbound sailing
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions involve heat, steps and uneven historic surfaces
- Drinks (including water) cost extra
- Evening shows and a discotheque may not suit light sleepers
- A single supplement applies to solo cabin occupancy
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines cabin accommodation and river travel with a planned programme of guided temple and tomb visits. Unlike an independently booked cruise, Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the vessel, private Egyptologist guide and associated tour services, while the cruise line operates the ship.
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
- Swimming pool
- Pool bar
- Elevators
- Electronic safety deposit box
- Grand lounge
- Sun terrace
- Restaurant (international & national cuisine)
- Main lounge with music system and dance floor
- Themed events (galabeyah party, belly dancer, folkloric show)
- Nightly discotheque
- Reading room
- Billiard room
- Tennis table
- Gym
- Massage services
- Laundry
- 24-hour room service
- Minibar in cabins
- Satellite TV in cabins
- Internet access
Bundled in
- Full board
- Private Egyptologist
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Cabin accommodation for the sailing you select
- Full board, beginning with lunch on embarkation day and ending with breakfast on disembarkation day
- A private Egyptologist for the shore excursions listed
- Explore Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple with an Egyptologist
- Enjoy access to the swimming pool, gym, sun terrace and shared facilities on board
Not included
- The optional Abu Simbel excursion
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Entry to pyramid interiors, premium tombs and other optional attractions not listed
- Gratuities
- Personal spending, massage treatments, laundry and room service charges where applicable
- The single supplement
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Visit Luxor’s West Bank early to limit exposure to heat at the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
- 02
Carry cash for small purchases at riverside stops; prices and payment options can vary between vendors.
- 03
Choose light, breathable clothing and secure footwear for uneven stone paths at archaeological sites.
- 04
Ask before photographing people at local markets, and agree any purchase price before accepting a service.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in either direction, subject to the weekly sailing schedule, and can organise the optional Abu Simbel excursion after a Luxor-to-Aswan sailing. Private guiding, transfers before embarkation or after disembarkation, additional hotel nights and other Egypt itinerary arrangements can be discussed; single travellers should allow for a single supplement.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
This Nile sailing fits between time in Cairo and a stay in Luxor or Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions. Add Abu Simbel after the Luxor-to-Aswan sailing if you want to extend the southern end of the trip.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Boarding and leaving the Nile cruiser involves a gangway, which can be steep, narrow or uneven depending on the port and river level. Shore excursions include walking over uneven stone, sand, steps and sloping paths at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. Wheelchair access, cabin door widths, lifts and accessible bathrooms are not confirmed for the vessel assigned to your booking. Shared onboard facilities include a sun terrace and swimming pool, but access to them may involve steps. Please contact us before booking if you have reduced mobility so we can check the assigned vessel and discuss practical assistance where available.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
River cruising limits the need for repeated road journeys between Luxor and Aswan, although the vessel still uses marine fuel, water, electricity and onboard air-conditioning. The sailing programme supports Egyptian Egyptologists, drivers, port staff, catering teams and local excursion suppliers in the Nile Valley. We arrange these services with Egyptian partners, but we do not describe the cruise as zero impact. Where safe drinking water is available, use a refillable bottle. Please follow the vessel’s guidance on towel and linen changes, avoid single-use plastics and take all litter away from temples, riverbanks and archaeological sites.
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 documents
- Well-gripping, comfortable footwear for walks
- A sun hat and shades
- SPF 30+ sun cream
- Refillable water bottle, where safe drinking water is available
- Insect repellent
- A compact daypack for trips ashore
- Prescription medicines you need during the sailing
What to wear
- Light, relaxed-fit clothes for hot days
- Sturdy, comfortable footwear for uneven historic ground
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- A light layer for air-conditioned spaces and cooler evenings
- Pool swimwear and a cover-up for communal spaces
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 manage on gangways, at river ports and across uneven archaeological ground. Please check high-chair availability 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 Fridays | October – April: from £580single cabin £752triple cabin £580 | May – September: from £479single cabin £580triple cabin £479 | Peak dates: from £710single cabin £984triple cabin £710 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £678single cabin £907triple cabin £678 | May – September: from £544single cabin £678triple cabin £544 | Peak dates: from £851single cabin £1,216triple cabin £851 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £972single cabin £1,372triple cabin £972 | May – September: from £736single cabin £972triple cabin £736 | Peak dates: from £1,274single cabin £1,913triple cabin £1,274 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £987single cabin £1,387triple cabin £987 | May – September: from £752single cabin £987triple cabin £752 | Peak dates: from £1,290single cabin £1,929triple cabin £1,290 |
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
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Edfu's Temple of HorusRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- Abu SimbelRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare cabin classes before choosing your sailing
02
Arrange a private Egyptologist for the listed shore visits
03
Choose Luxor to Aswan or the reverse direction
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long does the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise usually last?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 4 days and 3 nights or 5 days and 4 nights, travelling between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for a thorough exploration of the ancient sites along the Nile River. We arrange weekly departures for this vessel.02What does the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise's full-board arrangement cover?
Full board on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise covers all your meals, beginning with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the main restaurant. Drinks (including water) are typically an additional cost.03What shore excursions are part of the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise programme?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise programme includes guided shore excursions to significant sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These visits are led by one of our private Egyptologist guides.04Does the cruise fare include the optional Abu Simbel excursion?
No, the optional Abu Simbel excursion is not part of the standard Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise price. This can be arranged as an add-on at the end of the Luxor to Aswan sailing. Your travel advisor can provide further details and assist with booking this extra.05Which cabin types can you choose from on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise features 65 cabins, including junior suites, all decorated in an Andalos Islamic style. Each cabin provides comfortable accommodation with panoramic windows, allowing you to enjoy the changing Nile scenery. Specific cabin layouts and views vary by category.06Which facilities can guests use aboard the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
Facilities aboard include a sun deck, swimming pool, poolside bar, gym, reading room and spacious lounge. The vessel also has a main lounge with music and a dance floor, lifts, and electronic safety deposit boxes in every cabin. Themed evenings are available too.07What arrangements apply to children on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 travel at no charge, and those aged 6–11.99 pay half the adult price. Those aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Only one child may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a cabin of their own.08What clothing is suitable for shore trips during the cruise?
For excursions ashore, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. When visiting temples and religious sites, modest clothes covering the shoulders and knees are advised. Light, breathable fabrics are ideal for Egypt’s climate.09Are tips covered by the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise package?
No, gratuities aren’t part of the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise package. Tipping the crew and your Egyptologist guide is customary. Your travel adviser can recommend suitable gratuity amounts for your holiday.10When is the ideal time of year to go on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
The best time for an Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. The summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, although the vessel is fully air-conditioned for comfort.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-078826
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