Farida Nile Cruise

The short answer

Farida Nile Cruise is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and major riverbank sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-star cruise boat offering Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

All meals included, from lunch on boarding to breakfast on leaving · Accommodation in the selected cabin grade, priced per person sharing · Shared shore excursions to the listed Nile sites · Boarding and leaving at the Luxor and Aswan ports · Use of the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Upper Egypt · Couples · Small groups · Travellers wanting a relaxed river-based itinerary

Guide languages

English · French · German · Italian · Others

What lingers

• 01Visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, major temple complexes on Luxor’s east bank.
• 02Explore the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of many New Kingdom pharaohs.
• 03See Edfu’s Temple of Horus and the double temple at Kom Ombo.
• 04Visit Philae, the temple complex on an island in the Nile near Aswan.
• 05Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades, with Nile views available in some cabins.
• 06Spend time on the sun deck, in the lounge bar or in the dining room.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike land-based touring, this cruise concentrates travel time into sailing between Luxor and Aswan while keeping the main sightseeing sites in a single programme. Compared with large coach tours, it reduces repeated packing and hotel changes and uses the river as the main transfer corridor. The experience is less about independent exploration and more about scheduled shore excursions, onboard meals and cabin-based accommodation.

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

Bundled in

• 🍽Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Request a Nile-view balcony when booking, as balconies are available only in some cabin categories.

2. 02

   Check which cabin grade is confirmed in writing; Standard, Deluxe and Suite are separate categories.

3. 03

   Budget separately for drinks (including water), crew and guide gratuities, and premium tomb entrances.

4. 04

   Ask which tombs are included before visiting the Valley of the Kings; premium tomb access is charged locally.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Bookings can usually be arranged as private or shared cruise packages, depending on the departure selected. Travellers may also add extra nights in Luxor or Aswan, upgrade to a higher cabin grade, or combine the cruise with pre- or post-cruise sightseeing such as Abu Simbel, East Bank monuments or the West Bank tombs.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Boarding the Nile cruiser uses a gangway, which may be steep or affected by changes in river level. Inside, expect narrow corridors, stairs between decks and possible steps at cabin entrances; cabin door widths may not suit a standard wheelchair. The sun deck, lounge bar and dining room are reached by stairs. Shore excursions involve uneven ancient stone, loose sand and steps, including at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Some entrances have no handrail. Tell us before booking if you need step-free access, a wheelchair-accessible cabin or help boarding. We can request assistance from port staff and the cruise line, but step-free access at archaeological sites cannot be guaranteed.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel is a conventional Nile cruiser powered by marine diesel engines; fuel type and engine emissions are determined by the cruise line. For transfers beyond short dockside movements we contract small, modern minibuses with licensed local drivers; these vehicles are used only where road transfers are necessary for shore programmes. Fresh produce, bread and many dining ingredients are sourced from suppliers in Luxor and Aswan to reduce road haul distances and support local businesses. Crew, excursion guides and catering staff are locally employed; tips are discretionary and are distributed according to the vessel’s internal policy. We encourage guests to reuse towels and avoid single‑use plastics. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we prioritise partners who employ local residents for shore services and catering and ask guests to respect local communities during visits.

• 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
• Valley of the KingsRight here
• Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Shared visits include Karnak, Edfu and Philae

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Farida Nile Cruise programme?

   The Farida Nile Cruise follows a weekly Luxor–Aswan rotation with days alternating between sailing and shore excursions. Exact day count for a specific sailing varies by departure; contact us for confirmed dates and the precise number of days for the sailing you are booking. We will supply the vessel’s schedule and the embarkation/disembarkation ports (Luxor or Aswan) with your booking documents.
2. 02What are the embarkation and disembarkation procedures and times?

   Embarkation and disembarkation take place at Luxor or Aswan river ports, and times vary by sailing. We send the vessel’s boarding time and final port instructions before travel. Allow time for port formalities; you should arrive at the listed port at the time specified on your boarding pass or in our final documentation.
3. 03What does full board include on the Farida Nile Cruise?

   Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, plus accommodation in your chosen cabin grade. Shared shore excursions listed in the vessel’s programme and use of public areas (sun deck, lounge bar, dining room) are included. Beverages (including water) are typically charged locally unless stated otherwise.
4. 04Are gratuities and premium entrances included in the fare?

   Gratuities for cruise crew and excursion guides are customary and not included in the fare. Optional premium entrances—such as premium tombs in the Valley of the Kings—are also excluded and paid locally. If you prefer, we can advise customary tipping amounts and arrange pre-payment of service charges where the vessel allows it.
5. 05Is the cruise suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   The vessel has cabins and public areas accessed by internal steps; some gangways and shore landings can be steep or uneven. Many Nile ports have quays or boats with steps and no ramps. Tell us your mobility needs before booking so we can liaise with the cruise line about cabin choice and the practicalities at specific landings.
6. 06Can families with children travel on the Farida Nile Cruise?

   Families routinely travel on this vessel, but cabin layouts and bedding vary by class and single-occupancy cabins usually carry a supplement. Excursions involve walking over uneven ancient stone and stairs. Check child-age policies, cot and extra‑bed availability with us at booking so we can confirm suitable cabins and any restrictions for shore visits.
7. 07What should I bring and wear on board and during excursions?

   Bring sun protection (wide‑brim hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes with grip, and a small daypack. For temples and mosques, modest dress is expected—shoulders and knees covered. Pack a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, and a refillable water bottle for use between escorted visits.
8. 08Are photography and flash allowed at the sites the cruise visits?

   Photography rules vary by site: flash is commonly prohibited inside tombs and in some temples, and tripods may be restricted. The Valley of the Kings and many temples permit non‑flash personal photography but not professional shoots without a permit. We will confirm site-specific rules in your excursion briefings each day.
9. 09When is the best time of year to sail for comfortable temperatures and good light?

   October through April offers cooler temperatures and softer daylight; daytime highs in winter months are typically in the low to mid 20s°C. Summer (June–August) can be very hot, especially on exposed sun decks and during midday excursions. We schedule excursions to avoid the hottest hours where possible but recommend early‑morning visits in summer.
10. 10Will I be able to visit premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I on shore excursions?

    Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I are not included in the standard shore-excursion programme and are charged locally if you choose to enter. Availability and opening hours vary and some tombs limit daily entries. Tell us in advance if you wish to include premium tombs so we can check availability and advise on additional local charges.