Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
All-suite Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and the listed shore-excursion sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Jaz Elite Senator sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions alternating with sailing days. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabin aboard Jaz Elite Senator
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin aboard Jaz Elite Senator · Full board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Shore-excursion programme at Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore-excursion programme at Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples · Families
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a Class-A licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, ETAA #718.
What lingers
- 01On-board pool, restaurant, bar, gym and spa facilities
- 02Air-conditioned river-cruise accommodation
- 03Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- 04Visit Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae as part of the cruise programme
- 05Explore the Valley of the Kings from Luxor
02Overview
A first look
Dawn light broadens over the Nile as palm-lined banks slip by. The vessel calls at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
Background
The facts
Jaz Elite Senator is a Nile cruise vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Excursion days alternate with sailing days.
These sites span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor Temple were major religious centres at Thebes, while the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from the New Kingdom. The ancient Thebes sites, including Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, form part of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Philae’s monuments were relocated to Agilkia Island after construction of the Aswan High Dam.
The cruise is sold on a full-board basis, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite. Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately; confirm current cabin dimensions, views and sailing dates before booking.
Named in this entry
Jaz Elite Senator·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·Agilkia Island·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·New Kingdom·Aswan High Dam
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Jaz Elite Senator suits adults and older teenagers interested in ancient Egyptian sites who prefer travelling between Luxor and Aswan by river. It works for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage shore visits on uneven stone.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access throughout or want a beach-focused stay with little sightseeing. Shore visits involve walking in heat and over uneven ground.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Sailing links Luxor and Aswan without repeated hotel changes.
Things to Consider
- Shore visits involve uneven ancient stone and steps.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 35°C at exposed archaeological sites.
- Drinks (including water) are typically extra.
- Cabin prices are per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Nile cruise listings describe a single Luxor-to-Aswan sailing; Jaz Elite Senator sails weekly in both directions. Unlike a sightseeing-only itinerary, its shore-excursion programme is attached to a passenger vessel, with sailing days between visits.
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 round-trip embarkation from Luxor. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
On property
What's here
- Gym
- Wi-Fi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Laundry
- Airport shuttle
- Bar
- Business centre
- Spa
- Rooftop terrace
Bundled in
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
- Library
- Lounge Bar
- Reception
- Boutique & jewellery shop
- Doctor (24-hour)
- Laundry & dry cleaning
- Internet corner
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three or four nights’ full-board accommodation aboard the vessel
- Arrival and departure meet-and-assist service
- Support throughout your stay and on excursions
- All transfers in a private, air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
- Private excursions from the Nile cruise, as outlined in the itinerary
- Admission to the sights visited between Luxor and Aswan
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide, with no more than eight guests
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- Additional meals and drinks
- Personal spending, including laundry
- Gratuities for the guide, driver and other staff
- Optional excursions, such as Abu Simbel
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask for current cabin dimensions and view details before choosing between Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes.
- 02
Keep a light layer handy on the sun deck; river breezes can feel cooler after sunset.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pound notes for toilets and incidental tips during shore excursions.
- 04
Check excursion departure times with the vessel’s staff after embarkation, as site schedules can vary by sailing.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us about arranging private shore excursions, adding sites beyond the vessel's programme or extending your stay in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan. Cabin class and any single supplement can be discussed when requesting a quotation.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Pair the Jaz Elite Senator with time in Cairo before or after your Nile journey. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at major temples and archaeological sites along the river.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves physical demands both on board and during shore excursions. Embarkation and disembarkation may use a gangway with steps, and cabins can have narrow corridors; stairs connect decks, and an elevator is not guaranteed. At Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, expect uneven stone, steps, sand and limited shade. Some shore visits may involve a tender boat from the dock. Wheelchair users can travel with advance notice, but many sites do not offer independent wheelchair access. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can assess which visits are practical and discuss assistance. Crew can help with luggage and boarding, but cannot remove every access barrier.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile vessel typically uses diesel engines, with small tender boats used where shore access requires them. Coaches arranged for transfers to and from the ports are air-conditioned. We arrange services with locally based Egyptologists and cruise crews, supporting employment in Luxor and Aswan. Fresh produce and bakery items may be sourced from local markets when available; sourcing varies by sailing and supplier. Refillable water stations, linen reuse and waste sorting may be offered on board, but facilities differ between vessels and cannot be guaranteed. Shore excursions may include registered craft cooperatives or local businesses when available. Ask us about the assigned vessel and current arrangements before booking if you have specific environmental or community priorities.
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 confirmation
- Walking shoes with a firm grip
- Hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Light daypack for shore excursions
- Refillable water bottle
- Prescription medicines and personal first-aid items
- Type C or F plug adaptor
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Closed shoes with a good grip for uneven stone and steps
- Light jacket or fleece for cooler mornings and evenings
- Smart-casual clothing for evening dining
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 travel free; those aged 6 to 11.99 pay 50% of the adult fare, while children aged 12 and over pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with no more than one child per cabin. Two or more children need a cabin of their own. Strollers may be suitable on board, but can be difficult to manage on docks and at temple entrances with steps. High chairs cannot be guaranteed, so please request one when booking.
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.
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
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare Luxor and Aswan sailings before choosing a direction
02
We arrange the cabin and shore-excursion programme
03
Full-board dates are clear from embarkation to disembarkation
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
The Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise is offered as an eight-day holiday. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at either city. The precise sailing dates and arrangements depend on the departure you select, so check the details shown for your chosen holiday.02Where do I embark and disembark on the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation are in Luxor or Aswan, according to the sailing direction. We arrange the transfers by private, air-conditioned vehicle and provide assistance on arrival and departure. Confirm your port and travel arrangements against the dates on your booking, as the vessel sails in both directions.03What is included in the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
The package includes full board, scheduled shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan, standard entrance fees for the included sights and an English-speaking Egyptologist. Excursion groups are limited to eight guests. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.04What is not included in the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), extra meals, personal expenses and gratuities are not included. Optional excursions, including Abu Simbel, are also extra. The price is per person sharing a cabin, and a single supplement typically applies if you travel alone. Check the cancellation terms displayed on the page before booking.05Is the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
The shore programme includes ancient sites with uneven stone surfaces, steps and exposed areas, so mobility needs can affect what you can visit. The vessel has indoor public areas and a sun deck, but specific access details for cabins and boarding have not been provided. Tell us your requirements before booking so we can check the arrangements.06What is the child policy on the Jaz Elite Senator 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. Ask us to confirm the cabin arrangement for your family before you book.07What should I wear and bring on the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and comfortable shoes with a firm grip. Ancient sites can involve uneven ground and little shade, particularly around midday. Choose modest clothing for temples and mosques, covering shoulders and knees. A light layer is useful for air-conditioned rooms and cooler winter evenings.08Can I take photographs on the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise and at the sites?
Photography is generally possible at outdoor sites, but rules vary by monument and may change. Some tombs and museum areas restrict photography or require a separate permission, and flash can be prohibited. Follow signs and your Egyptologist’s guidance, and ask before photographing people. Check current rules at each site rather than assuming one policy applies throughout.09When is the best time to take the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise?
The cooler months from November to March are generally more comfortable for visiting temples and tombs. Summer brings stronger heat, especially during outdoor excursions, so plan to carry water and sun protection. The vessel sails throughout the year according to its weekly schedule in both directions; seasonal temperatures, rather than a different route, are the main consideration.10Which sites does the Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise visit between Luxor and Aswan?
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailing and visits alternate along the river. Unlike a road-based circuit, this programme links the sites with time aboard the vessel, though the exact sequence depends on sailing direction.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-977801
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