Mayflower Nile Cruise
The Mayflower features cabins, a sun deck, a lounge bar and dining room, plus shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
The short answer
Mayflower is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and riverside archaeological sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Mayflower sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan along a Nile route of about 200 km by river. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin aboard the Mayflower · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Visit to Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the Mayflower cruise.
What lingers
- 01Sail between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions.
- 02Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple as part of the shore-excursion programme.
- 03The programme can include Edfu's Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo.
- 04Explore Philae and the Valley of the Kings on scheduled shore excursions.
- 05Full Board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Mayflower is a Nile cruise vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The eight-day product is arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line, not by Discovery Tours Egypt.
The cruise programme alternates sailing with shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Luxor and Aswan are the embarkation and disembarkation ports. The Nile route between the cities is about 200 km by river. Mayflower sails weekly in both directions.
Karnak and Luxor Temple formed part of ancient Thebes, the capital of Egypt during much of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). Thebes and its Necropolis are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Philae’s temples were relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO-led international campaign to save Nubian monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra. Shore access involves walking through archaeological sites, often on uneven ancient surfaces, and opening times vary by site and season.
Named in this entry
Mayflower·Nile·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·Agilkia Island·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes·Lake Nasser
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Mayflower suits adults and older teenagers who want to see Luxor and Aswan without changing hotels, and who enjoy history, river scenery and guided shore excursions. It also works for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage ancient sites and shared-cabin arrangements.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday instead if you need step-free access throughout or prefer to set your own daily schedule. The shore excursions involve walking over uneven ancient surfaces, and the vessel's weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan limit date flexibility.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Combines river sailing with visits to major ancient sites
Things to Consider
- Uneven stone surfaces at several ancient sites
- Weekly sailing schedule can limit departure-date choice
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra
- Single travellers typically pay a cabin supplement
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Nile cruise products are sold as a single fixed sailing; Mayflower is the vessel, with weekly departures in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise, while the cruise line owns and 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 round-trip embarkation from Luxor. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Sun deck
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Spa centre
- Restaurant
- Main lounge
- Boutique and jewellery shop
- Laundry and dry cleaning
- Internet corner / WiFi in public areas
- Library
- Reception
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Standard site entrance fees are typically included.
Not included
- Entry to the interiors of the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre is typically excluded.
- Entry to premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, is typically excluded.
- Gratuities are typically excluded.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin class and view are confirmed before paying; cabin sizes and views were not supplied here.
- 02
Bring shoes with a firm sole for uneven stone paths at Edfu and the Valley of the Kings.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pound notes for toilets and incidental purchases at archaeological sites.
- 04
Plan shade and water for exposed site visits, especially during the hotter months.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us to check cabin class availability and whether private guiding or additional sightseeing can be arranged around the vessel's programme. A Cairo stay or extra nights in Luxor or Aswan may be added to the wider holiday, subject to dates and availability.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Mayflower Nile Cruise works well as the river section of a wider Egypt holiday, paired with time in Cairo before or after sailing. Its excursion programme links Luxor and Aswan, with stops at major sites along the Nile.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and its shore excursions involve uneven stone, cobbled paths, sandy banks and steps, so some mobility is needed. Temple ramps can be narrow, and steps at sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings may lack handrails. Cabins may be reached by stairs, and a passenger lift is not guaranteed on the vessel assigned. Wheelchair assistance may be possible with advance notice, but independent wheelchair access cannot be assured at every quay or historic site. Tell us about mobility aids or other access needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and landing arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers to and from the embarkation port are arranged with Egyptian-owned transport companies and use air-conditioned coaches. The cruise vessel uses its standard diesel engines and employs its own local crew; Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking but does not own or operate the vessel. We contract local Egyptologists, guides and small service providers in Luxor and Aswan, paying per-tour fees to local professionals. Refillable water arrangements depend on the vessel, so we will confirm whether refill stations are available before travel. Shore excursions may use local guides and small craft operators. At archaeological sites, follow site rules and avoid touching carved stone.
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 booking confirmation
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Light daypack or crossbody bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication and basic first-aid items
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm days
- A hat and light layer for sun protection
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques and religious sites
- Comfortable closed shoes for stone paths and steps
- A light jumper for cooler evenings on the Nile
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Cots and extra bedding depend on the vessel assigned. Strollers can be used on board but may be difficult on quays and temple forecourts. Send us each child’s age so we can check cabin availability and bedding.
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
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Temple of Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The Mayflower Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3 or 4 nights, travelling between Luxor and Aswan. These can be combined for an 8-day round trip, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's ancient sites.02What is included in the Mayflower Nile Cruise fare?
Your cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. It also includes the organised shore excursions with our Egyptologists, as detailed in the vessel's programme.03What shore excursions are offered on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The Mayflower Nile Cruise includes guided shore excursions to key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. These are led by our qualified Egyptologists.04What is the policy for children on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.05What should I wear on a Nile cruise and for shore excursions?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes are essential, along with light, breathable clothing. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is required, meaning shoulders and knees should be covered. A hat and sunglasses are advisable for sun protection.06Are drinks included with meals on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
Other beverages, such as soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and speciality coffees, are generally available for an additional charge. Afternoon tea is typically included on 5-star vessels.07What is the best time of year to take a Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best time for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for shore excursions. The period from November to March is particularly popular for winter sun travellers.08What cabin types are available on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The Mayflower Nile Cruise offers various cabin categories, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. These typically feature panoramic windows, and some higher categories may offer private Nile-view balconies. All cabins are designed for comfort during your sailing.09Is the Mayflower Nile Cruise suitable for travellers with mobility concerns?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and climbing steps at archaeological sites. Travellers with significant mobility concerns should discuss their specific needs with us before booking.10What is the embarkation and disembarkation process for the cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation typically occur in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your chosen sailing direction. Specific timings and port details will be confirmed in your travel documents before your departure.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-824139
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