Moondance Nile Cruise

The short answer

Moondance Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-star Nile Cruise

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Accommodation in the booked cabin class · Use of the sun deck · Use of the lounge bar and indoor saloon · Use of the dining room · Standard shore excursions arranged through the vessel or local partners

Best for

Couples · Families · First-time Nile cruisers · Travellers who want a choice of cabin classes

What lingers

• 01Four-day cruise aboard MS Moondance between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo.
• 02Guided site visits included; standard Egyptian site entrance fees are covered, pyramid interiors and gratuities excluded.
• 03Our Egyptologist leads visits to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings; private transfers from ship to sites arranged.
• 04Early starts for West Bank tombs (practical drawback); expect uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
• 05Unlike large scheduled river services, our cruises prioritise flexible shore times and Egyptologist-led visits.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise programmes present shore visits as a fixed coach-led schedule. Moondance’s excursions are arranged through the vessel or local partners, with private or small-group options available rather than coach-only visits. Unlike a land-based Luxor stay, the vessel links Upper Egyptian sites while sailing between Luxor and 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.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

On property

What's here

• Gym
• Spa
• Concierge
• Swimming pool
• Bar

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Ask which cabin categories have Nile-view balconies before choosing, as balconies are available only in some classes.

2. 02

   For Luxor’s west-bank visits, ask your Egyptologist about the order of tomb visits and current access conditions.

3. 03

   At Philae, allow time for the boat transfer between the mainland and Agilkia Island.

4. 04

   Carry small Egyptian pound notes for local purchases and tips; gratuities are not included unless pre-booked.

Tailor it

Make it yours

We can arrange private or small-group shore excursions, and optional premium visits such as pyramid interiors or premium tombs can be added where available. The vessel's weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so the embarkation and disembarkation ports can be selected to suit your plans.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Boarding involves a gangway and steps, and quaysides can be uneven. On board, public areas and many cabins may only be reached by stairs; a lift or wheelchair-adapted cabin is not confirmed. Shore excursions involve paved temple forecourts, uneven ancient stone and, at some river landings, short sandy approaches. Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can each include steps or surfaces that are difficult for wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking. We can check what assistance is available and advise which visits may be practical, but cannot guarantee step-free access. Service animals require advance notice and relevant documentation.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The Nile cruiser is diesel-powered; the specific vessel and its engine details are not confirmed before booking. Airport transfers, when arranged, are usually by air-conditioned sedan or minibus. We arrange services with local catering, Egyptologists, port providers and small boat operators, including at Philae, to keep more of the trip's spending with Egyptian suppliers. These arrangements do not remove the environmental impact of diesel sailing or road travel. Some vessels may reduce single-use plastics or offer linen reuse on request, but practices vary by vessel. Ask before travel whether water refill options are available on your assigned cruiser. We can also enquire about a vetted local community visit, but this depends on availability and is not part of the standard programme.

• 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

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

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Luxor Temple10 min walk
• Karnak Temple4 km
• The Valley of the Kings7 km
• Temple of Horus at Edfu90 km
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01What is included on a 4-day Nile cruise on MS Moondance?

   Standard archaeological site entrance fees, meals on board, cabin accommodation and scheduled shore excursions are included unless we state otherwise. Flights, premium tomb tickets (for example Tutankhamun) and gratuities are normally excluded; we confirm exact inclusions at booking. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange transfers and on-the-ground logistics for MS Moondance. Unlike many packaged coach departures, we aim to reduce handovers by coordinating door-to-boat transfers where possible.
2. 02Which sites will we see on a four-day Nile cruise?

   Most four-day Nile cruises include Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings), Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The actual sequence depends on the sailing direction (Luxor→Aswan or vice versa) and the ship's schedule; we provide the confirmed day-by-day plan before travel. Interior visits such as the Khufu pyramid or access to premium tombs are separate tickets and may not be part of the standard itinerary.
3. 03What facilities and cabin types does MS Moondance have?

   MS Moondance has en-suite passenger cabins, a dining saloon and a sun deck; we confirm the exact cabin layout and facilities at booking. Cabins on Nile cruise vessels are generally more compact than hotel rooms and have limited storage; expect narrow corridors and stairs between decks. Upper-deck cabins offer better views but more direct sun; lower cabins are slightly cooler but may have smaller windows. We can request specific cabin locations subject to availability.
4. 04Is MS Moondance suitable for someone with limited mobility?

   MS Moondance and Nile sites have physical constraints: gangways, ship stairs and uneven temple terrain limit full accessibility. Wheelchair users will usually need transfer assistance and may be unable to enter some tombs or temples because of steps, cobbles and narrow passages. We can arrange supplemental porter assistance and select lower-impact shore options where possible, but please tell us exact mobility needs when you enquire so we can advise realistically.
5. 05What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise?

   Bring high-SPF sun protection, lightweight breathable clothing, sturdy walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat; modest dress is required for temples and mosques. Also carry a small daypack, insect repellent, daily medications and a refillable water bottle. Evenings can be cooler so a light jumper is useful. Electrical sockets vary on Nile boats; bring a universal adapter and a small torch for dawn or dusk walks around uneven archaeological sites.
6. 06When is the best time of year to cruise the Nile on MS Moondance?

   The temperate months October to April offer milder daytime temperatures and more comfortable sightseeing. Peak season (December–February) is busier and prices are higher; summer months (May–September) commonly exceed 40°C with intense sun exposure at outdoor sites. We schedule outdoor visits for early morning or late afternoon where possible to avoid the hottest hours; tell us your date-range and we will advise on likely conditions.