The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise

The short answer

The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise is a Nile river 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 meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Cabin accommodation in Standard, Deluxe or Suite class · Daily cabin housekeeping · Sun deck access · Lounge bar access · Restaurant access · Shore-excursion programme between Luxor and Aswan

Best for

Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Families · Travellers seeking full board · Guests preferring a choice of cabin classes

What lingers

• 01Four-day voyage between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
• 02Guided shore excursions led by our Egyptologist, including Valley of the Kings visits and Karnak Temple commentary.
• 03All meals on board, cabin service and scheduled transfers between Nile ports and your Cairo or Aswan hotel included.
• 04Late-morning departures ashore maximise cool hours; we avoid midday heat for temple walks where shade is limited.
• 05We do not cram four-site land itineraries into one afternoon; we schedule proper time at each temple.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most independent sightseeing requires travellers to arrange transport and site visits separately. The Oberoi Philae combines river sailing with an organised shore-excursion programme at named sites along the Luxor to Aswan route. Unlike a shore-based hotel stay, the vessel moves between Luxor and Aswan; cabin category and view depend on the selected grade.

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 Luxor4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Check your confirmed cabin grade for whether it has a Nile-view window or a private balcony.

2. 02

   Budget separately for drinks (including water) and for crew and Egyptologist gratuities.

3. 03

   Ask which shore excursions are scheduled on each sailing date before making independent plans in Luxor or Aswan.

4. 04

   Compare the single-occupancy supplement before booking if you will not be sharing a cabin.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes; ask us to confirm availability and any price difference. Private visits, additional sites or extra nights on land before or after the cruise can be requested, subject to availability and separate arrangements.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The vessel has steps between decks, narrow gangways and, on some assignments, staircases between cabins and public areas. Elevators are not guaranteed. Shore excursions can involve uneven stone, cobbles, sand and steps, including at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Kom Ombo and tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Wheelchair access at these sites is limited and may depend on the landing conditions. We can request assistance at embarkation and discuss reduced-walking options with the local Egyptologist, but cannot promise that a wheelchair or electric mobility aid can be used throughout the vessel and excursions. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and access arrangements.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The cruise is supplied by a locally operating cruise partner; Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the booking but does not own or operate the vessel. Nile cruisers of this class generally use twin-diesel engines, and low-sulphur fuel may be requested where available. Transfers to the embarkation point are generally by air-conditioned road vehicle, while locally owned boats may be used for shore landings. Local Egyptologists and vessel crew are engaged through suppliers based in Egypt, supporting employment in the places visited. Fresh produce may be sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan when available. Linen reuse and onboard waste sorting depend on the assigned vessel. Ask us before booking for the current supplier practices for your sailing.

• 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 TempleRight here
• Karnak Temple4 km
• Valley of the Kings7 km

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01What does the 4-day MS The Oberoi Phiale cruise include?

   The 4-day MS The Oberoi Phiale cruise includes accommodation, meals on board, shore excursions and standard site entrance fees. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange qualified Egyptologists for excursions and local guides where required. Transfers, pre-cruise briefing and most museum/temple entrances are included in the standard package; premium extras such as premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I), pyramid interiors and crew gratuities are excluded unless expressly requested.
2. 02Are entrance fees and gratuities included?

   Standard archaeological site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs and crew gratuities are not included. We do not bundle pyramid interiors or premium tombs into the standard cruise price; clients generally add those tickets if they wish to enter specific tombs. We can pre-pay optional extras on request and we supply suggested tipping guidelines with your final itinerary.
3. 03Which temples and sites does the 4-day itinerary visit?

   Typical 4-day Phiale itineraries visit Luxor and Aswan: Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu/Kom Ombo and Philae. The exact order depends on navigation and local conditions; we adapt the programme to reduce driving and to visit cooler sites in the morning. Our Egyptologist briefs you before each visit and licensed local guides handle on-site commentary.
4. 04What should I pack for a four-day Nile cruise?

   Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temples and a light layer for evenings on deck. Temperatures often exceed 30–35°C between May and September, so a wide-brimmed hat, SPF30+ sunscreen and a refillable water bottle are essential. For temple and mosque visits ensure shoulders and knees are covered; lightweight cotton and a small daypack make moving between sites easier.
5. 05Is MS The Oberoi Phiale suitable for passengers with limited mobility?

   The ship has gangway steps and some temple sites involve cobbles and uneven stone; full wheelchair access is not guaranteed. We can arrange many adjustments: closer parking, alternative temple routes and a main-deck cabin where available, but access varies by ship and site. Please tell us about mobility needs at enquiry so we can confirm specifics with the ship and local partners before booking.
6. 06When do excursions typically start on a 4-day Nile cruise?

   Excursions commonly start early, often before 07:00 for West Bank tomb visits and to avoid midday heat. Expect at least one early start and some walking on uneven ground; we schedule cooler visits for Karnak and Philae where possible. If you prefer later starts we can often re-order visits but this may affect which monuments are open that day and could increase short transfers.