Magic I Nile Cruise
Three cabin classes, a panoramic sun deck, swimming pool and lounge bar accompany full-board dining and a shore-excursion programme.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise is a river sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
·In summary
Magic I sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, with a shore-excursion programme spanning six named archaeological sites. Most royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings date to Egypt’s New Kingdom, approximately 1550–1070 BCE.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Selected 5-Star Nile Cruiser
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · The Nile · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Booked cabin accommodation · Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Daily cabin housekeeping · Sun deck access · Lounge bar and dining room access · Swimming pool where available · Listed shore-excursion programme
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · Couples · History enthusiasts · Families sharing cabins · Travellers combining Luxor and Aswan
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Egyptologist-guided sightseeing and on-the-ground travel support can be arranged as part of the wider tour programme.
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
What lingers
- 01A four-day, three-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu for scheduled shore visits.
- 02Guided visits to Philae in Aswan and Luxor East Bank sites are led by one of our Egyptologists.
- 03Operated by us, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; all scheduled shore visits are escorted by our Egyptologist team.
- 04Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded and charged separately.
- 05Unlike large coach timetables, we run single-group shore visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu to reduce queues.
- 06Early starts for Luxor West Bank visits; expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beyond Magic I’s sun deck, with farmland on one bank and desert on the other. Inside, the lounge bar and air-conditioned public areas offer a quieter pause before the next shore excursion, while the dining room serves full-board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast.
Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the vessel’s programme brings you to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Weekly departures operate in both directions, giving you more choice when planning. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we select and arrange the cabin, sailing details and Egyptologists supporting your visits on land.
Background
The facts
This deluxe Nile cruise is arranged aboard a selected 5-star river vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Embarkation and disembarkation are available at either Luxor or Aswan, and weekly sailings operate in both directions. The cruise is a river journey rather than an ocean voyage, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions and time on board.
The shore-excursion programme covers major monuments in Upper Egypt, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic temple complex at Kom Ombo, Philae Temple near Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. Karnak is approximately 3 km from Luxor Temple, while the Valley of the Kings lies around 7 km from central Luxor across the Nile and desert hills.
Accommodation is offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes, with panoramic Nile-view windows or Nile-view balconies where specified. On-board facilities include a sun deck with shaded and sunny seating, lounge bar, dining room, air-conditioned public areas, daily cabin housekeeping and a swimming pool where available. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are generally extra.
Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise, while the vessel is owned and operated by a third-party cruise line. Prices are normally calculated per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applying. Standard site entrance fees are included only where expressly stated, and premium tombs, gratuities, international flights, visas and travel insurance are excluded unless separately arranged.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·River Nile·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·Upper Egypt·Ancient Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want to combine Luxor and Aswan without changing hotels between destinations. It is appropriate for travellers with moderate mobility, although temple precincts, riverbanks and the Valley of the Kings involve walking over uneven or sun-exposed surfaces.
Maybe not, if
- Choose another style of holiday if you need step-free access or cannot manage stairs, ramps and uneven paths. Summer sightseeing can also be demanding for travellers sensitive to heat.
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 cabin class.
- Weekly sailings in both directions give more planning flexibility than one-way options.
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions involve substantial walking on uneven archaeological paths.
- Open-air sites have limited shade during the hottest hours.
- Drinks (including water) cost extra.
- Suite supplements and gratuities are not included unless requested.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a fixed one-way sailing, this cruise package operates weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, giving travellers more flexibility when connecting it with a wider Egypt itinerary. Unlike a land-only tour, it combines accommodation, full-board dining and scheduled shore excursions while travelling along the Nile.
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
- Parking
- Gym
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Wi-Fi
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation on board in the cabin category booked
- Full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Access to the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Access to the listed on-board facilities, including the swimming pool when available
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Crew and local guide gratuities, unless specifically requested
- Supplements for premium cabin upgrades and suites
- Admission to sites and tombs not specifically listed as included
- International flights, visas and travel insurance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Visit the Valley of the Kings early in the day to avoid the strongest midday heat.
- 02
Bring a hat and high-factor sun cream for exposed temple courtyards and riverbank visits.
- 03
Keep small Egyptian pound notes available for local purchases and gratuities, which are not included unless requested.
- 04
Wear light clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can request Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, subject to availability, with a premium for upgrades and a single supplement for sole occupancy. Private transfers, additional sightseeing in Luxor or Aswan, premium tomb visits and extended Egypt itineraries can be arranged separately; cruise drinks beyond the stated meal inclusion and gratuities can also be added where requested.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Magic I fits between stays in Cairo and time in Luxor or Aswan, connecting the two Nile cities through its shore-excursion programme. Weekly sailings run in both directions, giving more flexibility than a fixed one-way sailing when planning the wider trip.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Boarding requires stepping between the quay and vessel, often by a gangway that may be narrow or steep. Quays can have uneven paving and level changes. On board, cabin thresholds, corridors, stairs and shared deck areas may restrict wheelchair movement; the sun deck may only be reached by stairs. Shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings involve uneven stone, sand, steps and limited shade. Wheelchair access may be possible in selected public areas, but cabin access and excursion arrangements need checking before booking. If you have reduced mobility, please travel with an accompanying adult and ask us to review your requirements before confirming.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses river transport between Luxor and Aswan, linking the main Nile Valley sites without separate road journeys between each city. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and shore services through local Egyptian suppliers. The programme supports local Egyptologists, drivers, site staff and port services in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Fuel consumption, waste handling and energy performance vary by the assigned vessel, so we do not assume figures that have not been supplied. Please use water and electricity thoughtfully, avoid single-use plastic where practical and follow crew instructions for waste disposal.
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
- Walking shoes with secure soles
- Sunscreen, SPF 50+
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- A water bottle you can refill
- Insect repellent and prescription medicines
- A small bag for shore trips
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothes
- Breathable layers for cooler Nile evenings
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples
- Modest clothing for mosques and other religious sites
- Walking shoes with closed toes
- Poolside swimwear and a cover-up
Children & families
Children from 0 to 5.99 years of age travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 pay half, while travellers aged 12 or above pay the full adult price. Children need to share a cabin with a parent, and each cabin can accommodate no more than one child. Any additional children must have a cabin of their own. Gangways, steps, uneven quays and ancient site surfaces can make strollers awkward to use, so a compact model or carrier is more practical. Please check high-chair availability before you book.
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 Wednesdays | October – April: from £566single cabin £727triple cabin £566 | May – September: from £508single cabin £638triple cabin £508 | Peak dates: from £739single cabin £1,027triple cabin £739 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £659single cabin £874triple cabin £659 | May – September: from £582single cabin £755triple cabin £582 | Peak dates: from £890single cabin £1,274triple cabin £890 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £938single cabin £1,315triple cabin £938 | May – September: from £804single cabin £1,106triple cabin £804 | Peak dates: from £1,342single cabin £2,014triple cabin £1,342 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £954single cabin £1,330triple cabin £954 | May – September: from £819single cabin £1,122triple cabin £819 | Peak dates: from £1,357single cabin £2,030triple cabin £1,357 |
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
- Edfu Temple of HorusRight here
- Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Arrange shore visits to six named Nile Valley sites
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long does a typical Magic I Nile Cruise last?
The Magic I Nile Cruise generally runs an 8-day programme, departing each week in either direction between Luxor and Aswan. This gives you time to discover the Nile’s historic sites in depth while enjoying a leisurely pace on board.02What meals are covered by full-board dining on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
Full-board meals on the Magic I Nile Cruise cover breakfast, lunch and dinner, beginning with lunch on the day you embark and ending with breakfast on your day of disembarkation. Drinks (including water) are charged separately.03What shore excursions are part of the Magic I Nile Cruise programme?
The Magic I Nile Cruise includes a comprehensive shore excursion programme. You will visit key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings.04Which cabin categories can I choose from on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
A choice of cabin categories is available on the Magic I Nile Cruise, from Standard and Deluxe to Suites. Cabins have windows overlooking the Nile, while some of the higher categories include private balconies for better river views.05Which facilities are available to guests on board during a Magic I Nile Cruise?
There are several facilities for guests to enjoy aboard the Magic I Nile Cruise, including a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and swimming pool. The public areas are air-conditioned for your comfort during the voyage.06Is the Magic I Nile Cruise a good choice for children and families?
Families are welcome on the Magic I Nile Cruise. Children aged 0–5.99 travel free, those aged 6–11.99 pay 50%, and children aged 12 or over pay the full adult fare. A maximum of one child may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a cabin of their own.07What clothing and belongings should I take on a Nile Cruise?
For excursions ashore, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Modest dress is advised when visiting temples. Casual wear is fine on board, though you may prefer something a little smarter for dinner.08What rules apply to photography at the sites visited during the cruise?
In most places, photography is allowed, although it may be banned in certain tombs or areas, or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist will explain the rules that apply at each site.09When is the ideal time of year for a Magic I Nile Cruise?
October to April is generally the ideal period for a Nile Cruise, with cooler, more comfortable weather for sightseeing. From May to September, it is hotter, but visitor numbers are lower.10Are tips for the crew and guides covered by the cruise fare?
Crew and local guide gratuities are not part of the standard cruise fare unless they have been requested and arranged in advance. Tipping the crew and your Egyptologist at the end of the cruise is customary.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-041229
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