Stephanie Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser offering Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, full-board meals and shore visits to Karnak Temple, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
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 weekly river-cruise package sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
·In summary
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise includes river accommodation, full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and a shore-excursion programme covering Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available subject to availability, while drinks (including water), single supplements and optional premium entrances are generally excluded.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Deluxe five-star Nile vessel offering Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu · Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings · Nile River
- Includes
- A stay aboard a Nile cruise · Full board, from lunch on the day of embarkation until breakfast on the day of disembarkation · Shore excursion to Karnak Temple · Shore excursion to Luxor Temple · Excursion ashore to Edfu’s Temple of Horus · Excursion ashore to Kom Ombo · Excursion ashore to Philae · Excursion ashore to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Those visiting Egypt for the first time · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families travelling with children · Travellers looking for an itinerary based on the river
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The company is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, ETAA #718.
- Egyptologist-led shore excursions and local coordination can be arranged through the tour operator.
- Verified traveller reviews and on-the-ground support should be checked on the booking page.
What lingers
- 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan
- 02Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- 03Visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo
- 04Visit Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Select a Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin class
- 06Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
02Overview
A first look
By early morning, the Nile is already moving past date palms and low village banks, while the vessel’s engines add a steady hum beneath the sun deck. A panoramic window or Nile-view balcony gives the landscape its own quiet rhythm, with the lounge bar and dining room providing a calm place to sit between shore excursions.
Our Egyptologists bring Karnak Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus and the Valley of the Kings into focus without rushing the river itself. Sailing operates weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we select the sailing, arrange your cabin and coordinate the shore programme before embarkation.
Background
The facts
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise connects Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either port. The vessel’s shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. Sailing days alternate with visits to archaeological sites along the river rather than following a fixed land-based sightseeing format.
Karnak Temple lies on Luxor’s east bank and developed over more than 2,000 years, while Luxor Temple was substantially built during the New Kingdom, particularly under Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. The Valley of the Kings, approximately 7 km from central Luxor, contains royal tombs including that of Tutankhamun; premium tomb access is not included unless specifically requested.
Edfu’s Temple of Horus is a well-preserved Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Kom Ombo is a distinctive double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder. Philae Temple, dedicated principally to Isis, was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO-led Nubian salvage campaign after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
Sailings operate weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, subject to availability. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are generally extra.
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·Amenhotep III·Ramesses II·Isis·Sobek·UNESCO Nubian Campaign
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want to combine river travel with guided access to Egypt’s principal Upper Egyptian monuments. Travellers should be comfortable with heat, steps, uneven archaeological surfaces and early shore excursions
- private arrangements may be preferable for guests requiring a slower pace.
Maybe not, if
- Choose another option if you need step-free access throughout or want a holiday with few early starts and little walking. Families needing more than one child in a cabin should note that children must share with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Sailing links Luxor and Aswan with visits to six major sites.
- Sailing days provide a change of pace from archaeological visits.
Things to Consider
- Early shore excursions can mean short nights or rushed mornings.
- Ancient sites have uneven ground, stairs and limited shade.
- Drinks (including water) are generally extra.
- Popular winter sailings can bring busier visits at major sites.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a fixed sightseeing tour by road, this Nile cruise combines sailing days with organised shore excursions at major archaeological sites. Unlike a cruise-only booking, the arranged package includes the listed excursion programme and full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation; drinks (including water) and optional premium entrances remain separate.
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
- Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Nile Cruise
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day until breakfast on disembarkation day
- Shore-excursion programme including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Single supplement, if applicable
- Optional access to pyramid interiors and premium tombs, plus gratuities, unless requested
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin class and specific cabin are available before confirming; Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are subject to availability.
- 02
Pack shoes with a firm grip for uneven stone surfaces at archaeological sites.
- 03
Bring a hat and high-factor sun protection for open-air visits, particularly in warmer months.
- 04
Keep a light layer handy for the vessel’s deck when river breezes make evenings cooler.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in a private or shared shore-excursion format, subject to the sailing and supplier schedule. Travellers may request cabin upgrades from Standard to Deluxe or Suite, private transfers, additional sightseeing, premium tomb or pyramid interiors and extended pre- or post-cruise stays; supplements may apply.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Stephanie Nile Cruise fits between a Cairo stay and time in Luxor or Aswan, linking the two cities through a shore-excursion programme. Weekly sailings run in both directions, so the route can be arranged around your wider Egypt itinerary.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Shore excursions involve walking over uneven ancient stone, sand and cobbled surfaces, with limited shade at some sites. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can require extended walking and steps. Boarding the vessel uses a gangway, which can be steep or narrow depending on river level and port position. Cabins, the dining room, lounge bar and sun deck may be reached by stairs. Wheelchair access cannot be confirmed without knowing the assigned vessel and its arrangements. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact us before booking so we can check boarding access, onboard routes and the practical demands of the excursions with the cruise line.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The assigned cruise vessel is owned and operated by its cruise-line supplier. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking and the shore-excursion programme with local Egyptian suppliers. Port transfers, where included in the confirmed arrangements, use locally contracted vehicles rather than a fixed company-owned fleet. Shore visits support Egyptian Egyptologists, licensed drivers, Nile boat crews, port workers and businesses in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Waste, water and energy systems vary between vessels, so we do not make blanket environmental claims. Carrying a refillable bottle, reducing single-use plastic and following onboard waste instructions are practical ways to limit personal waste.
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 travel documents
- Secure, comfortable walking shoes
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- Sun cream with SPF 50 or above
- A reusable water bottle
- A small bag for shore excursions
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
What to wear
- Light, loose-fitting clothes for hot days
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples
- Modest attire for religious sites
- Secure walking shoes for uneven surfaces
- Light layer for evenings and air-conditioned spaces
Children & families
Children from 0 to 5.99 years old travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%, while children aged 12 and over are charged the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, and each cabin can accommodate no more than one child. Two or more children need a cabin of their own. Strollers are unsuitable for gangways, narrow spaces onboard and uneven temple surfaces. High chairs depend on the vessel assigned, so please request one 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 £739single cabin £1,021triple cabin £739 | May – September: from £465single cabin £566triple cabin £465 | Peak dates: from £796single cabin £1,142triple cabin £796 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £890single cabin £1,266triple cabin £890 | May – September: from £524single cabin £659triple cabin £524 | Peak dates: from £966single cabin £1,428triple cabin £966 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,342single cabin £2,001triple cabin £1,342 | May – September: from £703single cabin £938triple cabin £703 | Peak dates: from £1,476single cabin £2,283triple cabin £1,476 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £1,357single cabin £2,016triple cabin £1,357 | May – September: from £718single cabin £954triple cabin £718 | Peak dates: from £1,492single cabin £2,299triple 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
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Edfu’s Temple of HorusRight here
- Kom Ombo templesRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Combine Nile sailing with six named ancient-site excursions
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
The listed Stephanie Nile Cruise programme lasts eight days. The vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with visits ashore. The exact sequence of ports and excursion times can vary with the final sailing arrangements, so check your travel documents for the schedule that applies to your departure.02Where does the Stephanie Nile Cruise sail, and how do embarkation arrangements work?
Stephanie sails between Luxor and Aswan, with weekly departures in both directions. Embarkation and disembarkation take place at one of these ports, according to the sailing you book. Transfer arrangements and boarding times depend on your final travel plan; we confirm the details before departure. This is a vessel-based cruise, not a shore tour with a pickup point.03What meals are included on the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are generally extra. The inclusion does not specify afternoon tea, so please check the details for your selected sailing rather than assuming it is provided.04What is not included in the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), any applicable single supplement, optional pyramid interiors, premium tombs and gratuities are excluded unless specifically requested. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise. Khufu or Khafre pyramid interiors and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s require separate arrangements when available.05What is the child cabin policy on the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Confirm the cabin arrangement when booking, as cabin classes are subject to availability.06Is the Stephanie Nile Cruise accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
Accessibility depends on both the vessel and the shore excursions. Ancient sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings can involve uneven ground, sand, steps and substantial walking. Tell us about mobility needs before booking, and we'll confirm whether step-free access or a lift is available and check the specific arrangements.07What should I wear and bring on the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a hat, sunscreen and water for shore excursions in the Egyptian sun. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and mosques. Casual clothing is suitable on board. Temperatures vary by season, so pack an extra layer for cooler evenings, particularly during winter sun months.08Can I take photographs during Stephanie Nile Cruise excursions?
Photography rules vary by site and by the area being visited. Check signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs inside a tomb or museum, as restrictions may apply and camera use may require separate permission. Do not photograph people without their consent. The cruise details do not specify any photography rules on board.09When is the best time to take the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
The cooler months, broadly October to April, are generally more comfortable for visiting sites along the Nile. Summer brings much higher daytime temperatures, especially during outdoor excursions at Luxor and Aswan. Sailings operate weekly in both directions, but check your chosen dates for the confirmed schedule and seasonal conditions.10Which ancient sites are visited on the Stephanie Nile Cruise?
The shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Excursions take place on alternating days between periods of sailing on the Nile. The order and timing of individual visits depend on the sailing schedule and local arrangements.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-579713
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Jaz Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Jaz Crown Jewel is a Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. It sails weekly in both directions, with days alternating between river sailing and shore excursions. The programme can include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically extra. Cabin specifications, onboard amenities and the assigned sailing details are not supplied here, so check the confirmed booking information for these details. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.
Nile7 Nights
Alma Nile Cruise
Alma Nile Cruise is a 5-star river vessel sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, Wi-Fi and a pool on the sun deck are listed among its facilities. The shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Unlike a Nile visit based in one city, this cruise links sites along the river between Luxor and Aswan. Drinks (including water), gratuities and laundry are not included; check the final arrangements for any other charges.
From £796
Nile7 Nights
Concerto Nile Cruise
The Concerto Nile Cruise runs between Luxor and Aswan, offered as 3-night or 4-night full-board itineraries. Itineraries visit Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae. Edfu is reached by horse-drawn chariot, and Kom Ombo receives an extended stop for photography and study of the reliefs. Full-board accommodation onboard, private air-conditioned transfers, entrance fees and an English-speaking Egyptologist are included, with guide groups limited to eight guests. We keep Egyptologist groups to a maximum of eight to reduce walking-group size at busy sites and allow more time with the guide. Optional Abu Simbel excursions can be added from Aswan. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange all transfers and local guides.