Magic II Nile Cruise
Enjoy five-star river cruising in Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, with a sun deck, lounge bar and dining room; some cabins offer balconies overlooking the Nile.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Magic II is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and major temples along the river, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Magic II Nile Cruise includes accommodation in a chosen Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin, full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation, and scheduled shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel also provides a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, port taxes and standard onboard service charges where applicable; drinks (including water), gratuities, visas and optional premium-site fees are excluded.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors·
- Solo traveller
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Five-Star Nile Cruise with Standard, Deluxe and Suite Cabins
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu · Temple of Horus at Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings · Nile River
- Includes
- A chosen Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin · Full-board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Excursions ashore as scheduled · Use of the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room · Port taxes and usual onboard service charges, where applicable
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families sharing cabins · Travellers seeking a structured Nile experience
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- Cruise booking and arrangements handled by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Egyptologist-guided sightseeing can be arranged
- On-the-ground travel support is available for connected Egypt services
What lingers
- 01Four-day voyage aboard MS Magic II between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Esna.
- 02Two guided temple visits: Edfu Temple (two hours), Kom Ombo Temple (90 minutes); our Egyptologist leads both.
- 03Morning in Luxor: Karnak Temple visit and Luxor West Bank tombs including Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut.
- 04Sail through Esna lock en route; overnight cruising between archaeological sites reduces daytime transit.
- 05Unlike packaged 4-night cruises, we schedule full visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than rushed stopovers.
02Overview
A first look
The Nile slips past the sun deck in broad, quiet bands, while the riverbank changes from Luxor’s pale temples to fields and low desert. Between sailing days, Magic II brings you ashore for Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with time to watch the landscape from a lounge chair or panoramic window.
Cabin choice ranges from Standard to Deluxe and Suite, with Nile-view balconies available in selected categories. We arrange the embarkation or disembarkation at Luxor or Aswan, confirm your cabin and shore-excursion programme, and provide an Egyptologist for the scheduled visits. Weekly sailings run in both directions, giving us some flexibility when fitting the cruise into a wider Egypt holiday.
Background
The facts
Magic II Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river cruise package arranged between Luxor and Aswan, with sailings available in both directions. Embarkation and disembarkation are arranged at either Luxor or Aswan according to the selected sailing. The assigned vessel offers Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, with some cabins providing Nile-view balconies.
The cruise includes full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Meals are served in the onboard dining room, while public facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar and other shared areas. Drinks (including water), gratuities and personal expenses are additional unless specifically listed.
The scheduled shore-excursion programme covers 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. Karnak and Luxor temples are within approximately 3 km of each other, while the Valley of the Kings is roughly 7 km from central Luxor across the Nile and desert plateau. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with planned shore excursions.
Karnak developed over more than 2,000 years and includes the Great Hypostyle Hall associated with Seti I and Ramesses II. The Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground mainly during Egypt’s New Kingdom, approximately 1550–1070 BCE. Philae’s temple complex was relocated to Agilkia Island following the construction of the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·Agilkia Island·Aswan High Dam·Ramesses II·Seti I
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt, couples and independent travellers who want a structured Nile experience with scheduled historical visits. It is particularly appropriate for travellers interested in ancient Egyptian temples and who can manage steps, uneven surfaces, heat and boarding arrangements.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different option if you need step-free access or want flexible, unscheduled sightseeing. Summer excursions can also be demanding for travellers who struggle with high heat.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Links Luxor and Aswan with visits to major ancient sites
Things to Consider
- Scheduled excursions leave less room for independent sightseeing
- Temple and tomb surfaces are uneven, with steps in places
- Daytime excursions can be very hot from May through September
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities are extra
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines accommodation, river sailing and scheduled temple excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike an independently booked cruise, Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise booking and can coordinate related Egypt travel services, while the assigned third-party cruise line operates the vessel.
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 aboard Magic II in the selected cabin
- Full board, covering lunch on the day you embark through to breakfast on the day you disembark
- Cruise-line programme shore trips to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Access to shared facilities, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Port taxes and the cruise line’s usual onboard service charges, where applicable
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists, unless stated otherwise
- Egypt entry visa and international flights
- Admission to optional premium sites, including the interiors of Khufu and Khafre and premium tombs, unless specifically listed
- Personal spending and optional activities not included in the cruise line’s programme
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Choose a cabin class before booking; Nile-view balconies are available only in some cabins.
- 02
Ask whether your preferred cabin category is available for the direction and week you plan to travel.
- 03
Budget separately for drinks (including water), crew and guide gratuities and any optional premium-site tickets.
- 04
Confirm current site opening hours before travel, as access arrangements can change.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise privately or as part of a wider Egypt itinerary, subject to availability and the assigned vessel. Travellers may request cabin upgrades from Standard to Deluxe or Suite, Nile-view balcony options where available, additional sightseeing, private Egyptologist guiding and pre- or post-cruise hotel arrangements.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Magic II fits between a Luxor stay and time in Aswan, linking the temples and tombs of Upper Egypt along the Nile.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Boarding involves a gangway, which can be steep or uneven depending on river level and the vessel’s position at the dock. Cabins and public areas may be connected by stairs, and lift access cannot be confirmed for every deck. Shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can involve uneven ancient paving, steps, sand and limited shade. Wheelchair access cannot be assumed. If you have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin location, gangway access and excursion arrangements. A companion may be needed for boarding and visits ashore.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
River travel combines accommodation, dining and transport on one vessel, reducing separate road journeys between Luxor and Aswan. Shore transfers use locally contracted Egyptian transport providers, while excursions are arranged with licensed Egyptologists by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. The cruise line controls fuel use, waste handling, water consumption and laundry on the assigned vessel, so practices vary. You can help by reusing towels, limiting water use, avoiding single-use plastic and keeping waste until crew provide disposal facilities. Excursions support local guides, drivers, site staff and businesses around the Nile’s visitor sites.
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 or higher
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- A water bottle you can refill
- Small bag for shore excursions
- Insect repellent
- Prescription medicines and personal toiletries
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothing
- Breathable layers for cooler evenings
- Secure, comfortable shoes for uneven paving and sand
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Swimwear and a sun-deck cover-up
- A sun hat and sunglasses
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; from age 12, children pay the adult price. Children must share their parents’ cabin, with no more than one child per cabin. Two or more children need a cabin of their own. Strollers may be hard to manoeuvre on gangways, stairs and shore excursions. Confirm high-chair availability before booking.
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 £623single cabin £825triple cabin £623 | May – September: from £566single cabin £724triple cabin £566 | Peak dates: from £796single cabin £1,128triple cabin £796 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £736single cabin £1,005triple cabin £736 | May – September: from £659single cabin £870triple cabin £659 | Peak dates: from £966single cabin £1,408triple cabin £966 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,073single cabin £1,544triple cabin £1,073 | May – September: from £938single cabin £1,308triple cabin £938 | Peak dates: from £1,476single cabin £2,250triple cabin £1,476 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £1,088single cabin £1,559triple cabin £1,088 | May – September: from £954single cabin £1,324triple cabin £954 | Peak dates: from £1,492single cabin £2,265triple cabin £1,492 |
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
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Karnak Temple3 km
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Edfu’s Temple of HorusRight here
- Temple of Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare cabin classes before choosing your Nile stay
02
We arrange access to named temples and royal tombs
03
Choose a weekly sailing in either direction
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long does a typical Magic II Nile Cruise last?
A typical Magic II Nile Cruise runs for 3 or 4 nights, with itineraries linking Luxor and Aswan. Sailings bring together picturesque river journeys and planned shore visits to important ancient sites along the Nile.02What does full board cover on the Magic II Nile Cruise?
On the Magic II Nile Cruise, full board covers every meal from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day. Meals are served in the onboard dining room.03What shore excursions are part of the Magic II Nile Cruise programme?
Planned shore visits on the Magic II Nile Cruise take in major sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The cruise line arranges these visits.04Which cabin types can you choose on the Magic II Nile Cruise?
Cabin options on the Magic II Nile Cruise include Standard, Deluxe and Suites. Some come with balconies overlooking the Nile, offering scenic views while sailing along the river.05Which facilities can guests use aboard the Magic II Nile Cruise?
Guests aboard the Magic II Nile Cruise can make use of a sun deck, lounge bar and dining room. These shared spaces offer places to unwind and enjoy the journey along the Nile.06What arrangements apply to children on the Magic II Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 travel at no charge, and those aged 6–11.99 are charged 50% of the adult price. From age 12, children pay the full adult rate. Only one child may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a separate cabin.07What clothing is recommended for shore trips during the cruise?
We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for shore trips. At temples and religious sites, wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.08Does the Magic II Nile Cruise price include gratuities?
Unless specifically stated, gratuities for crew and guides are usually excluded from the Magic II Nile Cruise price. Tipping for good service is customary in Egypt.09When is the ideal season for a Magic II Nile Cruise?
October to April is generally the ideal period for a Magic II Nile Cruise, as the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. From May to September, summer temperatures can be very high.10Are beverages (including water) included on the Magic II Nile Cruise?
The full-board arrangement on the Magic II Nile Cruise does not include drinks (including water). You can buy extra beverages in the lounge bar or dining room.
Last updated 25 November 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-800567
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