Amwaj Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with sun deck, panoramic windows, lounge bar and dining room, full-board catering and scheduled guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the Amwaj Living Stone, a Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan.
·In summary
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, a river route of about 200 km. Its shore-excursion programme includes six named sites, from Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings to Philae. The cabin grades are Standard, Deluxe and Suite.
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabins: Standard, Deluxe or Suite
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin in the selected class · Full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Scheduled shore excursions · Use of the sun deck · Use of the lounge bar and dining room · On-board cruise crew and staff
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Families · Travellers interested in ancient Egyptian sites
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise booking; it does not own or operate the vessel.
- The listed cabin categories are Standard, Deluxe and Suite.
What lingers
- 01Visit Karnak and Luxor Temple as part of the vessel’s shore-excursion programme.
- 02See the Valley of the Kings on a scheduled shore excursion from Luxor.
- 03Call at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae during the sailing between Luxor and Aswan.
- 04Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes, with Nile-view options varying by cabin.
- 05Relax between excursions on the sun deck or in the lounge bar.
- 06Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
02Overview
A first look
Morning on the Nile is a slow change of colour: palm silhouettes sharpen against pale water, calls from riverbank vendors mix with the clink of ropes on the sun deck, and the first cup of Egyptian coffee tastes particularly good while the boat slips from its mooring. On the Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise you will move between shaded sun-deck chairs, a lounge bar conversation after a shore visit, and cabin windows that look onto the river.
We arrange the vessel and its scheduled shore-excursion programme, and one of our Egyptologists accompanies the shore visits. We do not bundle premium site extras such as pyramid interiors, so you decide those on request; the on-board crew manage daily service and cabin assignment at embarkation.
Background
The facts
Amwaj Living Stone is a Nile River cruise vessel offering sailings between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges bookings for the vessel; its cruise-line operator provides the ship and onboard services.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions, embarking and disembarking in Luxor or Aswan. Its excursion programme combines sailing days with visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae. The river route between Luxor and Aswan is about 200 km; sailing time varies with the schedule and river conditions.
Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple formed part of ancient Thebes, a major religious centre during the New Kingdom. The Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs mainly from the New Kingdom. These sites are within the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Edfu’s Temple of Horus and the temple complex at Kom Ombo date mainly to the Ptolemaic period. Philae’s principal temple, dedicated to Isis, was also built in the Ptolemaic era; the relocated monuments are part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available, alongside a sun deck, lounge bar and dining room. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra. Site access follows local opening hours, which can change seasonally.
Named in this entry
Amwaj Living Stone·Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu·Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo·Philae·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Amwaj Living Stone suits couples, solo travellers and families with school-age children who want to visit Upper Egypt’s major temples without changing hotels each night. Choose it if you enjoy archaeology, river travel and scheduled shore excursions rather than planning each stop independently.
Maybe not, if
- It may not suit travellers who need step-free access at ancient sites or prefer a fully flexible sightseeing schedule. Travellers seeking a quiet, uncrowded sailing should also consider that shore excursions visit popular monuments.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins offer a choice of class.
- The sun deck provides open-air views along the Nile.
Things to Consider
- Drinks (including water) are usually an extra cost.
- Transfers to and from the embarkation ports are not included unless booked.
- Ancient sites have uneven ground, steps and narrow walkways.
- Excursion timings follow the vessel’s programme rather than your own schedule.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many travellers book cruise accommodation and shore visits separately; we arrange Amwaj Living Stone with its scheduled excursion programme. The cruise-line operator owns and runs the vessel, while Discovery Tours Egypt handles the booking and 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
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation in the cabin class you select
- Full board, covering lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Shore excursions scheduled in the vessel’s programme
- Access to shared areas, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Services of the local cruise crew and on-board staff
Not included
- Premium site additions, including pyramid interior tickets and premium tombs, unless stated otherwise
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the cruise crew and guides, unless arranged in advance
- Travel between the embarkation and disembarkation points, unless specifically booked
- Visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which side of the cabin has a Nile view before confirming, as views vary by cabin.
- 02
Bring a light layer for the sun deck after sunset, when the river breeze can feel cooler.
- 03
Keep small notes for optional drinks and gratuities, which are not included unless arranged.
- 04
Wear shoes with a firm grip for uneven stone surfaces at archaeological sites.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Transfers to embarkation or disembarkation ports and premium site tickets, such as premium tombs, can be requested separately; pyramid interior tickets are not part of this cruise’s Upper Egypt excursion programme.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Amwaj Living Stone fits between stays in Luxor and Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions. Pair it with extra time in Cairo before or after the Nile journey.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Access varies by vessel and cabin. Boarding uses a gangway, which may be steep or move with the water level, and cabins are reached by internal steps. Fully wheelchair-adapted cabins are limited, and wheelchair access to all public areas cannot be assumed. On shore excursions, expect uneven ancient stone, steps and, at some sites, exposed ground. These conditions can make independent access difficult for guests with limited mobility. Contact us before booking with your access requirements so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin access and excursion arrangements with its operator. Assistance may be possible, but it cannot be guaranteed at every site.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise operates on a river vessel, but the product information available does not detail its fuel, emissions or waste-management systems. As a result, we cannot make statements about its environmental performance. The cruise line supplies the vessel and its on-board crew, with local Egyptian staff assisting with daily service. Shore excursions go to sites in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. According to the information provided, local produce is used where possible, and the cruise operator works with Egyptian suppliers. Crew members receive responsible-tourism training, and guests are given guidance on respecting archaeological sites and local customs. Information about supplier choices and community programmes has not been supplied, so their local economic impact cannot be quantified.
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 copies of travel documents
- Any required visa documents
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Essential medication and a small first-aid kit
- Small Egyptian pound notes for personal purchases and gratuities
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Closed, comfortable shoes for uneven stone
- A sun hat and light long-sleeved layer
- Smart-casual clothing for evenings aboard
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 (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Cabin layouts vary, and family cabins are limited. Strollers can be awkward on gangways, internal steps and uneven archaeological paths. Check availability and child pricing for your sailing before booking; high-chair availability is not confirmed.
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 Mondays | October – April: from £883single cabin £1,266triple cabin £868 | May – September: from £566single cabin £727triple cabin £557 | Peak dates: from £1,128single cabin £1,690triple cabin £1,113 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £1,082single cabin £1,593triple cabin £1,063 | May – September: from £659single cabin £874triple cabin £647 | Peak dates: from £1,408single cabin £2,158triple cabin £1,389 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £1,678single cabin £2,573triple cabin £1,644 | May – September: from £938single cabin £1,315triple cabin £918 | Peak dates: from £2,250single cabin £3,561triple cabin £2,216 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,693single cabin £2,588triple cabin £1,660 | May – September: from £954single cabin £1,330triple cabin £933 | Peak dates: from £2,265single cabin £3,577triple cabin £2,232 |
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
- Valley of the KingsRight here
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Visit six scheduled sites along the Nile
02
Know which premium tomb and pyramid tickets cost extra
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise?
This product page lists an 8-day trip, while the sailing itself is typically 3 or 4 nights, depending on direction. The vessel travels between Luxor and Aswan, and the wider trip length can include other arrangements. Check your confirmed itinerary for embarkation and disembarkation dates.02Are transfers to the Amwaj Living Stone included?
Transfers to embarkation in Luxor or Aswan and from disembarkation are not included unless specifically booked. We can arrange them as part of your wider plans. Confirm the port and timings before travel, as these depend on your sailing and the final arrangements.03What is included in the Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise?
The arrangement includes your selected cabin class, full board and the shore excursions listed in the vessel’s programme. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Guests may use the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room, with service from the vessel’s local crew.04What is not included in the Amwaj Living Stone cruise?
Drinks (including water), crew and guide gratuities, travel insurance, visas and personal expenses are excluded unless your booking states otherwise. Premium tombs and other premium site extras are also excluded unless specified. Transfers to and from the embarkation and disembarkation points need to be booked separately.05Is the Amwaj Living Stone suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
The available information does not confirm step-free access or specific mobility facilities aboard Amwaj Living Stone. Shore excursions involve visits to ancient sites, where surfaces and access can vary. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and planned visits against your requirements.06What is the child policy on the Amwaj Living Stone 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. Fares are based on sharing, and cabin arrangements should be confirmed before booking.07What clothing and items should I take on shore excursions from Amwaj Living Stone?
Bring comfortable shoes for uneven stone, a hat, sunglasses and sun protection, particularly from late spring through early autumn. Choose light clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples and other religious sites. Carry water for visits, and dress in layers for cooler winter mornings on the Nile.08Are photographs permitted on the Amwaj Living Stone shore excursions?
Photography rules depend on the site and the specific area being visited; the available information does not set one policy for the full excursion programme. Check signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, especially inside tombs or restricted spaces. Any photography charges or equipment rules may differ by site.09When is the best time to take the Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise?
The cooler months, broadly October to April, are generally more comfortable for visits to Karnak, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Summer brings stronger heat, especially during open-air sightseeing. The vessel sails year-round, but timing and the pace of excursions can affect how demanding each visit feels.10Which places does the Amwaj Living Stone visit between Luxor and Aswan?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailing days alternate with site visits. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, though the sequence depends on the direction of travel.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-037280
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Concerto II Nile Cruise
Concerto II is a river cruise vessel on the Nile, with sailing and shore excursions forming part of the cruise programme. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Excursions may include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Concerto II is a vessel rather than a single fixed sailing; the exact sailing and programme depend on your booking.
Luxor7 Nights
Nile Serenity Nile Cruise
MS Nile Serenity is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits and included transfers. We operate as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and manage all local logistics on the ground rather than selling a cruise-only package. Typical shore visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank, though exact sites depend on direction and scheduling. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities are excluded unless requested. Note the trade-offs: shortened cruising means some shore stops have limited time ashore and early starts are common.
From £912
Nile7 Nights
Miriam Nile Cruise
Board MS Miriam at the Luxor Corniche pier in mid-afternoon and settle into a compact cabin on the river before your first walk to Karnak. I’ll meet you on the quay as the Egyptologist guiding this journey, then take you directly to the temple avenues, where sandals on sandstone and the scent of date-syrup stalls still shape the day’s pace. We set off early for the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, when the light is soft and visitor numbers are low, to see the panels explaining the painted ceilings at close quarters. Back aboard, watch the Nile change colour as the ship passes through the Esna lock. We moor near Edfu for the night, allowing two hours for the temple visit instead of a hurried stop. On day three, explore Kom Ombo’s twin shrines and see the Nile at dusk. Once in Aswan, I’ll take you to Philae’s hypostyle hall and show you how the High Dam’s concrete scale meets the river. Cabins are compact (around 12 m²)—traditional river-boat proportions rather than an ocean liner. Full board covers three meals each day, with early breakfasts timed to suit excursions. A few practical tips: take a hat for the tombs, wear closed shoes on uneven rock, and be prepared for short walks and steps at most sites. I’ll accompany you throughout, highlight masons’ marks and later graffiti, and keep to the schedule so there’s time for photographs in the right light.
From £926