Nile Premium Nile Cruise
A five-star river cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, a sun deck, small pool, lounge bar and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Nile Premium Nile Cruise is a four-day Nile cruise vessel visiting Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Nile Premium sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, a river journey of roughly 200 kilometres. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Five-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Stay on board the Nile Premium vessel · Full-board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Scheduled shore excursions · Visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Visit to Edfu Temple of Horus · Visit to Kom Ombo · Visit to Philae · Visit to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Couples · Families · Cultural travellers · First-time visitors to Egypt
- The excursion programme names Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae sites.
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities are excluded.
What lingers
- 01Embark in Luxor, disembark in Aswan – four days sailing with scheduled visits at Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- 02Two guided mornings ashore: West Bank Luxor – Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
- 03Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo; we allow 90 minutes at Edfu Temple after the morning boats leave.
- 04Aswan programme includes Philae Island and a Nilometer option; Philae visits scheduled to avoid midday boat crowding.
- 05Our Egyptologist accompanies all shore visits; they brief on tomb conservation and practical photography rules.
- 06Unlike cruise-ship shore schedules, we keep Karnak visits until late afternoon light for longer, less-rushed exploration.
02Overview
A first look
This four-day Nile cruise visits principal Nile temples between Luxor and Aswan, including scheduled calls at Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Exact embarkation port and daily timings are confirmed at booking.
Background
The facts
Nile Premium is a five-star Nile river cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Its accommodation is arranged in Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins; many have Nile-view windows or balconies. Public areas include a sun deck, small pool, lounge bar and dining room.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The river route is roughly 200 kilometres, with shore excursions at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae near Aswan, as well as the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. The programme alternates sailing with visits ashore.
Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple form part of ancient Thebes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979. The Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground during the New Kingdom. The Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple were built in the Ptolemaic period. Philae’s monuments were relocated during the UNESCO-led Nubian Monuments campaign.
Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra, and afternoon tea is usually included. Site opening hours vary by season and religious holidays, so check current timings before travel. Standard entrance fees and premium tomb tickets are excluded unless stated otherwise. The cruise is booked and arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Named in this entry
Nile Premium·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Edfu Temple of Horus·Temple of Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes·Nile River·New Kingdom
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Nile Premium suits couples, friends and first-time visitors roughly aged 25–70 who want to see Upper Egypt’s major temples while staying aboard a Nile vessel. It suits travellers comfortable with a set shore-excursion programme, repeated visits to ancient sites and shared cabin pricing.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a more flexible holiday if you need step-free sightseeing, frequent unscheduled breaks or a programme built around very young children. Summer heat and uneven ancient surfaces can also make the excursions demanding.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- The programme visits Edfu and Kom Ombo during the Nile sailing
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades offer a choice of comfort
- Sun deck, small pool and lounge bar provide space between excursions
Things to Consider
- Excursions follow the vessel’s schedule, limiting independent sightseeing time
- Ancient sites have uneven surfaces, steps and little shade
- Drinks (including water) are extra
- Single travellers may pay a cabin supplement
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most short packaged Nile cruises allow limited time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo. This vessel’s excursion programme is described as allowing proper time at both sites.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Stay on board the Nile Premium vessel
- Scheduled shore excursions in line with the vessel’s programme
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Optional single supplement, where applicable
- Tips for the crew and local guides
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites and premium tombs, unless stated otherwise
- Flights to and from Egypt, visas and travel insurance
- Personal expenses and optional excursions not included in the vessel’s programme
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin categories have a Nile-view window or balcony before confirming your cabin preference.
- 02
Budget separately for drinks (including water), on-board staff gratuities and local guide gratuities.
- 03
Check whether afternoon tea is included for your specific sailing, as it is usually included on five-star vessels.
- 04
Confirm current opening hours and any premium tomb ticket costs before visiting the Valley of the Kings.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, with many offering Nile views or a balcony; single travellers should check the supplement. Optional excursions not listed in the vessel’s programme may be available, subject to confirmation. The scheduled shore programme is less flexible than arranging each visit independently.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Nile Premium sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so it can sit between a Luxor stay and time in Aswan. Add Cairo before or after the Nile section if you want to include the Giza Plateau and the Egyptian Museum.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and its shore excursions involve physical access limits. On board, steps connect decks and some cabins are reached only by stairs; lifts and ramps are not guaranteed. At Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, expect uneven ancient stone, raised thresholds, short stair climbs and sections of packed sand. Transfers between a launch and the riverbank may also involve steps. Wheelchair access at these sites is limited, so a fully step-free visit cannot be guaranteed. We can ask about a cabin location and simpler excursion arrangements, subject to availability. Please tell us about mobility needs, oxygen or specialist equipment before booking so we can check what the cruise operator can accommodate.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruise uses a conventional diesel-powered river vessel, and local tender launches may be used for some landings. Transfers between Luxor and Aswan use air-conditioned minibuses or coaches sized to the group, according to the arrangements supplied for this cruise. We work with local providers for guiding, catering and housekeeping where these services are available, supporting jobs in Luxor and Aswan. Some shore visits include craft markets where travellers can buy directly from local sellers. The information supplied for this product does not verify fuel-efficiency figures, emissions reductions, plastic-reduction measures or charitable donations, so we do not make claims about those. Ask us before booking if you have a specific transport or supplier preference.
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 any required visa
- SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Walking shoes with grip for uneven temple surfaces
- Refillable water bottle and small day bag
- Light torch for dimly lit areas
- Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies
- Cruise booking and flight details, printed or saved offline
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes with grip
- A light jumper or jacket for cooler evenings on deck
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with two adults; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare, and those aged 12 or over pay the full adult price. Children must share their parents' cabin, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children need a separate cabin. Strollers can be used on board but are awkward on uneven temple paths and at raised thresholds. High chairs are not guaranteed; request one when booking so we can check availability.
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 Fridays | October – April: from £854single cabin £1,171triple cabin £848 | May – September: from £854single cabin £1,171triple cabin £848 | Peak dates: from £1,084single cabin £1,546triple cabin £1,079 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,043single cabin £1,466triple cabin £1,036 | May – September: from £1,043single cabin £1,466triple cabin £1,036 | Peak dates: from £1,351single cabin £1,966triple cabin £1,343 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,611single cabin £2,351triple cabin £1,597 | May – September: from £1,611single cabin £2,351triple cabin £1,597 | Peak dates: from £2,149single cabin £3,225triple cabin £2,135 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,626single cabin £2,366triple cabin £1,613 | May – September: from £1,626single cabin £2,366triple cabin £1,613 | Peak dates: from £2,164single cabin £3,241triple cabin £2,151 |
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
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Temple of Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin options
02
Arrange sailing in either direction between Luxor and Aswan
03
Clarify which shore excursions and site fees are included
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the MS Nile Premiums cruise?
The MS Nile Premiums is a 4-day cruise on the Nile. Embarkation and disembarkation times vary by sailing; your confirmation shows the exact times and the embarkation port. Expect daily guided excursions ashore as scheduled in your itinerary.02What does the price include for MS Nile Premiums?
Standard site entrance fees are included unless your booking states otherwise. Our quotes typically include the cabin, the guided excursions listed on your itinerary, meals on board and port handling–check your confirmation for specifics. Excluded unless requested: pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate the ground arrangements for the cruise.03Which sites does the 4-day cruise visit?
Routes vary; check your booking for the exact itinerary. Common 4-day Nile routes call at Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan's Philae Temple, but not every sailing visits all sites. The order of calls depends on river conditions and the vessel's programme.04Are airport transfers included with MS Nile Premiums?
We can arrange airport and station transfers; whether transfers are included depends on your quote. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we coordinate meet-and-greet services, private cars and launch/tender transfers when port size requires them–please supply flight numbers. If transfers are not included we can add them to your booking at cost.05Is the cruise suitable for children or less mobile travellers?
Many families and older travellers take 4-day Nile cruises, but the cruise does have mobility demands. Most vessels have stairs between decks and gangways ashore; archaeological sites involve uneven stone, steep steps and sand. Tell us about mobility needs in advance so we can recommend cabin placement, private transfers or alternative shore plans; full wheelchair access may be limited.06What should I take with me on a 4-day Nile cruise?
Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temple visits and any personal medication. Also pack a broad‑brimmed hat, high‑SPF sunscreen, light layers for evenings, a universal plug adapter and small notes of Egyptian pounds for tips and purchases. Soft‑sided luggage makes embarkation easier where space is limited; carry photocopies of passports and travel insurance.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-606211
You Might Also Like
Luxor3 Nights
Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
Steigenberger Legacy is a five-star Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with a shore-excursion programme that includes major temples and ancient sites. The vessel sails weekly in both directions. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades; some have Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. On board, facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar, gym, WiFi, concierge service, a sun deck pool and rooftop terrace. Full board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, this cruise combines sailing on the Nile with scheduled shore visits. We arrange the booking; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
From £1,113
Luxor3 Nights
Royal Lily Nile Cruise
The Mövenpick Royal Lily is a five-star Nile cruise vessel with air-conditioned cabins, Nile-view picture windows and a rooftop sun deck. On board, full-board meals are served in the restaurant, and the panoramic lounge bar offers a place to sit while the river scenery changes. An Egyptian folkloric show is listed among the onboard entertainment. The shore-excursion programme may include Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae, depending on the itinerary. We arrange the cruise with the vessel’s operator; the vessel is not operated by Discovery Tours Egypt. Site entrance fees, gratuities and drinks (including water) are not included.
From £1,084
Luxor3 Nights
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
The Steigenberger Regency is a five-star Nile cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, pool and rooftop terrace. Many cabins have panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. Its shore-excursion programme includes sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra unless stated otherwise. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and embarkation formalities. Shore excursions and their fees should be checked against the booking details.
From £1,113