Egypt Discovery
Nile Cruise5-Star DeluxeLuxor → Aswan

Golden Nile Cruise

Golden has panoramic cabins, a sun deck and lounge bar, with full-board meals and guided shore excursions along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

At a glance

Length
5 days · 4 nights
Embarks
Mon, Fri
Board
Full Board

The short answer

Golden Nile Cruise is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Golden sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, whose city centres are about 220 km apart in a straight line. Its shore-excursion programme includes the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin aboard the Golden
Destinations
Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Cabin accommodation aboard the Golden · Sailing between Luxor and Aswan · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak Temple · Shore-excursion programme at Luxor Temple · Shore excursions at Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings
Best for
Couples · First-time visitors to Egypt · History enthusiasts · Nile cruise travellers
  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise and coordinates on-the-ground travel services.
  • The stated shore-excursion programme names Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan sites.

What lingers

  • 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
  • 02Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor.
  • 03See the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the temple complex at Kom Ombo.
  • 04Visit Philae, an island temple complex in Aswan.
  • 05Explore the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank.

02Overview

A first look

Golden is a classic Nile cruiser sailing between Luxor and Aswan on the standard three, four and seven-night itineraries, with full-board dining and an Egyptologist-guided excursion programme at the riverside temples. Cabin rates and departures for this vessel are confirmed on request — let us know your dates and we will check availability and pricing directly with the operator.

Background

The facts

Golden is a Nile cruise vessel arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt. Its shore-excursion programme links embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor and Aswan with visits to major sites along the river; the cruise is offered as an eight-day product.

The route includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae in Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. Luxor and Aswan are about 220 km apart in a straight line; river sailing follows the Nile’s course. Golden sails weekly in both directions between the two cities.

The monuments span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor Temple were developed chiefly during the New Kingdom, while the Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground in the New Kingdom. The Temple of Horus at Edfu dates mainly to the Ptolemaic period. The Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae are a UNESCO World Heritage property.

Opening hours and access arrangements differ by site and season, and can change during Ramadan or public holidays. Shore visits involve walking on uneven ancient surfaces; shade is limited at some sites. Confirm current site hours and any excursion timings before travel.

Named in this entry

Golden·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Edfu·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Nile·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·New Kingdom·Ptolemaic period

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Golden suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who want to see major Nile Valley sites without changing hotels each night. Choose it if you value a river-based pace and organised shore excursions
  • the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, unlike products tied to a single sailing direction.

Maybe not, if

  • It is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access or who want a flexible, land-based holiday with little time aboard. Ancient sites involve uneven stone, stairs and exposed areas.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • The programme also visits Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
  • Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
  • Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes offer different price points.

Things to Consider

  • Excursion days involve uneven ancient stone and some stairs.
  • The schedule follows the vessel's sailing and excursion programme.
  • Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately.
  • Cabin prices are per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise listings focus on a single Luxor-to-Aswan sailing; Golden is a vessel with weekly sailings in both directions. Unlike a point-to-point land itinerary, its shore-excursion programme combines river sailing with visits at several ports.

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

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 round-trip embarkation from Luxor. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Standard entrance fees at sightseeing sites

Not included

  • Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids
  • Entry to premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I
  • Gratuities
  • Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    At the Valley of the Kings, ask which tombs are open on your visit; access to individual tombs can change.

  2. 02

    Carry water for site visits, especially where shade is limited and the walking surface is uneven.

  3. 03

    For temple visits, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees as a respectful choice.

  4. 04

    Keep small Egyptian pound notes for toilets and tips; gratuities are not included unless stated.

Tailor it

Make it yours

You can request a Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin, subject to availability. Ask us about arranging extra nights in Luxor or Aswan before or after the cruise, or whether a particular shore excursion can be adjusted for your dates.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

Golden sails between Luxor and Aswan, so it fits between time in either city and a Cairo stay before or after.

Accessibility

Who can join this

A Nile cruise and its shore excursions require moderate mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation involve a gangway and usually two or three steps; some ports may require stepping between a tender and the quay. Cabins generally have standard-width doorways and low thresholds, but most are not wheelchair-adapted and accessible cabins are limited. At Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, expect uneven stone, steps and limited continuous ramps. We can request airport or dock assistance, a collapsible wheelchair or porter service, subject to advance notice and availability. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss which excursions may be manageable.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The cruise vessel uses diesel-powered river engines, a common arrangement on the Nile. Some vessels have two engines and meet local emissions requirements, but they are not governed by international ocean-shipping standards. Shore excursions use locally licensed Egyptologists and, where needed, small transfer boats. Cruise operators and local suppliers provide work for crews, guides and service businesses in Luxor and Aswan; fresh produce and laundry may also be sourced locally, depending on supplier arrangements. These practices do not remove the vessel’s fuel use or the impact of travel. You can help limit waste by carrying a refillable water bottle where practical, avoiding unnecessary single-use plastic and following site waste rules.

  • 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

  • Valid passport and cruise voucher
  • Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
  • Reusable water bottle and a light day bag
  • Prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions
  • European two-pin plug adapter and phone charger
  • Egyptian pounds for tips and small purchases

What to wear

  • Light, loose-fitting clothes for daytime heat
  • A light layer for cooler evenings on deck
  • Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
  • A sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection

Children & families

Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare, and children aged 12 years or older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are easier to use on board than at sites, where steps and uneven ground can make them impractical. High chairs and child-specific equipment may be available from partner hotels and restaurants on request; availability varies.

Cabin pricing

Rates on request

There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin 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.

How an extension is arranged

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

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Karnak TempleRight here
  • Luxor TempleRight here
  • The 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

    Shore excursions span temples and tombs from Luxor to Aswan

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is the typical duration of a Golden Nile Cruise?
    The Golden Nile Cruise typically offers an 8-day itinerary, sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's ancient sites and a relaxed pace on board.
  2. 02What is included in the Golden Nile Cruise fare?
    Your Golden Nile Cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. It also includes the shore excursion programme to key sites like Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, accompanied by one of our Egyptologists.
  3. 03What is not included in the Golden Nile Cruise fare?
    The cruise fare generally excludes drinks (including water), gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists, and any personal expenses. Entrance fees to premium tombs or sites not part of the standard excursion programme are also typically extra.
  4. 04What are the cabin options on the Golden Nile Cruise?
    The Golden Nile Cruise offers various cabin classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. Each cabin features panoramic windows, with some offering Nile-view balconies, providing comfortable accommodation and views of the river scenery.
  5. 05What shore excursions are part of the Golden Nile Cruise programme?
    The cruise programme includes guided shore excursions to major ancient sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are led by our expert Egyptologists.
  6. 06Is the Golden Nile Cruise suitable for children?
    Yes, the Golden Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and over pay the full adult fare. One child maximum per cabin, sharing with parents.
  7. 07What should I wear on the Golden Nile Cruise and during excursions?
    For excursions, comfortable walking shoes and light, breathable clothing are recommended, especially during warmer months. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is advisable when visiting religious sites like temples and mosques. Casual wear is suitable on board.
  8. 08What is the best time of year to take a Golden Nile Cruise?
    The cooler months from November to March are ideal for a Nile Cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for exploring the sites. This period is popular for winter sun holidays, though the cruise operates year-round.
  9. 09What is the accessibility like on the Golden Nile Cruise?
    While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and stairs at archaeological sites. Travellers with mobility concerns should discuss specific requirements with us before booking.
  10. 10Can I embark or disembark the Golden Nile Cruise at any port?
    The Golden Nile Cruise has fixed embarkation and disembarkation points in Luxor and Aswan. As the vessel sails weekly in both directions, we can arrange your cruise to align with your overall Egypt holiday plans.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 5 October 2026

Last updated 5 October 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-803341

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