The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck, small pool, lounge bar and full-board dining, weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise is an eight-day Nile cruise vessel visiting sites between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Oberoi Zahra’s excursion programme links six major Nile sites, from Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings to Philae. Its Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins include Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows in some higher grades.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Scheduled shore excursions in the vessel's programme · English-speaking guide where provided by the cruise line · Use of the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room · Embarkation and disembarkation assistance · On-board luggage handling
- Best for
- Couples · Families · Nile cruise travellers · Travellers seeking full-board accommodation
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The cruise is booked on a full-board basis, with the meal period specified from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast.
- Scheduled shore excursions follow the vessel’s programme, with an English-speaking guide where provided by the cruise line.
- Cabin classes and the possible balcony or panoramic-window features are stated by category without assuming every cabin has these features.
What lingers
- 01Four-day cruise between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
- 02Meals are served onboard; shore excursions embark and disembark at the Luxor and Aswan port piers.
- 03Our Egyptologist-led visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank tombs; pyramid interiors and premium tombs excluded.
- 04Most shore excursions require an early start (usually before 07:00); expect walking on uneven ancient stone and stairs.
- 05We operate private guided excursions from the ship rather than coach-based mass tours; bookings limited per departure.
02Overview
A first look
MS The Oberoi Zahra operates on the Nile on four-day itineraries between Upper Egypt sites. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the cruise, private transfers and Egyptologist-guided excursions.
Background
The facts
The Oberoi Zahra is a Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and books the vessel on a full-board basis, with meals running from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions, alternating sailing days with shore excursions. The programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae in Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. Luxor and Aswan are the embarkation and disembarkation ports.
The Valley of the Kings is part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Philae is part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, also inscribed in 1979. Karnak and Luxor temples reflect major phases of ancient Egyptian religious and royal history, including construction under multiple dynasties.
On board facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and library. Cabins are classed as Standard, Deluxe or Suite; some higher-grade cabins have a Nile-view balcony or panoramic window. Site opening hours and access conditions vary by monument and season, so check current schedules before travel.
Named in this entry
The Oberoi Zahra·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Oberoi Zahra suits adults, couples and families with school-age children who want a planned Nile journey with guided visits and full-board dining. It works well for travellers who prefer hotel-style cabin accommodation and a steady mix of sailing and sightseeing over arranging each stop independently.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based itinerary instead if you need step-free access or want to set your own daily sightseeing schedule. Summer heat, uneven ground at archaeological sites and the vessel’s fixed excursion programme are worth considering.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- The sun deck, lounge bar and library offer space between excursions
Things to Consider
- Excursion days involve uneven ancient stone and periods on foot
- Cabin single occupancy usually carries a supplement
- Premium drinks, gratuities and some site charges are extra
- The vessel’s excursion programme leaves limited room for spontaneous changes
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many cruise listings present cabin-only or bed-and-breakfast options. We arrange The Oberoi Zahra on a full-board basis, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
The route
Aswan and Luxor
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Aswan or Luxor
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 from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled shore excursions on the vessel’s programme, with an English-speaking guide where provided by the cruise line
- Use of on-board public facilities, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Assistance with embarkation and disembarkation, plus on-board luggage handling
Not included
- Flights within Egypt and internationally
- Premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, unless stated otherwise
- Entrance fees at specific monuments, premium tombs and pyramid interiors, unless explicitly included
- Mandatory port taxes or cruise supplement fees, when applicable
- Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists, typically paid locally
- The single supplement for sole occupancy of a cabin, which typically applies
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Compare cabin descriptions before booking: Nile-view balconies and panoramic windows are listed only for some higher-grade cabins.
- 02
Allow room in your budget for drinks (including water), site fees, port charges where applicable and crew gratuities.
- 03
Premium tombs, including special-access tombs, may require separate fees; check which sites and charges are included before departure.
- 04
Ask for the current excursion schedule before choosing travel dates, since sailing and excursion days alternate.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Cabin grade can be selected from Standard, Deluxe and Suite, subject to availability. Ask us about adding visits beyond the vessel’s scheduled programme or extending your time in Luxor or Aswan; these arrangements depend on dates and availability.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Oberoi Zahra fits between a Cairo visit and time in Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor and Aswan respectively. Its shore-excursion programme links the main Nile sites between the two cities.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has several short flights of fixed stairs between the gangway, main deck and upper sun deck; there is not guaranteed step-free access to all public spaces or to all cabin grades. Boarding requires stepping up from the quay onto a gangway and crossing a narrow bridge, so guests should expect uneven stone quays and a moving surface while boarding. Wheelchair users can usually be assisted on board with portable ramps and crew help, but cabins with full wheelchair turning circles are not guaranteed. Shore excursions typically involve walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and steps at temple entrances, including at Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If you use a mobility aid, require step-free accommodation, or need a specific cabin grade, contact us before booking so we can confirm assistance, suitable cabins and whether the cruise line can meet your needs on specific sailing dates.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel is powered by marine diesel engines; where available the cruise line uses low-sulphur fuel in Egyptian waters. Fresh produce, meat and fish are commonly sourced from local markets in Luxor and Aswan, providing regular business to small traders and market vendors. Crew and hospitality staff are typically recruited from the Nile region, creating seasonal employment on embarkation and disembarkation days. On board, common measures include a linen-reuse option and segregated waste bins in crew and service areas. We ask guests to use refillable bottles, return towels for reuse and follow crew guidance on waste separation. If a specific sustainability practice is critical to your booking, ask us for the vessel's current environmental protocol and recent supplier details before you confirm.
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 emergency contact details
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for temple sites
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, SPF30+ sunscreen
- Small daypack for camera, water and personal items during excursions
- Any prescribed medication plus a basic personal first-aid kit
- Reusable water bottle for refills on board
- Lightweight waterproof or windproof jacket for early-morning hours on deck
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes or sturdy sandals with good grip
- Light jumper or thin jacket for evenings on the Nile
- Modest swimwear for the pool, with a cover-up when in public areas
Children & families
Cabins are normally available to children, however the cruise line applies age limits and different transfer or excursion conditions depending on the sailing. Pricing is per person sharing and a single supplement typically applies to solo travellers. Some shore excursions are unsuitable for very young children because of uneven ground and long walks; strollers are practical on board but difficult on quays and at archaeological sites. High chairs are subject to availability and should be requested at the time of booking. Please tell us the ages of children when you enquire so we can confirm whether the scheduled shore excursions on your chosen sailing are appropriate.
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 Mondays and Saturdays | October – April: from £2,896single cabin £4,885 | May – September: from £1,787single cabin £2,666 | Peak dates: from £3,812single cabin £6,716 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Fridays and Saturdays | October – April: from £3,848single cabin £6,500 | May – September: from £2,368single cabin £3,540 | Peak dates: from £5,068single cabin £8,940 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Fridays and Saturdays | October – April: from £6,694single cabin £11,335 | May – September: from £4,104single cabin £6,156 | Peak dates: from £8,829single cabin £15,606 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays and Saturdays | October – April: from £6,709single cabin £11,350 | May – September: from £4,120single cabin £6,171 | Peak dates: from £8,845single cabin £15,621 |
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
- Luxor Temple7 min walk
- Karnak Temple3 km
- The Valley of the Kings8 km
- Temple of Horus at Edfu100 km
- Philae Temple215 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Hand-picked vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins
02
Full-board basis, not bed-and-breakfast
03
Shore excursions include Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included on the 4-day MS The Oberoi Zahra Nile cruise?
The cruise fare normally includes full-board accommodation, scheduled shore excursions, and on-board service for the four-day MS The Oberoi Zahra. Standard monument entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise; pyramid interiors, premium tombs, visas and crew gratuities are normally excluded. We operate private or small-group shore excursions rather than large coach parties and can arrange private guides, transfers or upgrades at additional cost.02Where do I embark and disembark the Oberoi Zahra – Luxor or Aswan?
Embarkation and disembarkation take place in either Luxor or Aswan depending on the specific four-day itinerary; we confirm the port at booking. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers from hotels, the train station or airports and meet you at the jetty. Cruise start times vary and early-morning meeting times are common, so plan onward travel accordingly.03Are shore excursions on the cruise guided by Egyptologists?
Scheduled shore excursions are led by experienced Egyptologists or specialist guides provided for the cruise. Our Egyptologists give contextual briefings and lead most visits; we can provide private or multilingual guides on request. Expect walking on uneven ancient stone, steps and early starts at some sites – please tell us language and mobility needs when you book.04Does the ship have Wi‑Fi, power sockets and laundry?
The Oberoi Zahra provides power sockets in cabins and an on-board Wi‑Fi service; laundry is available for a charge. Internet speed can be slow while underway or when multiple guests are online, so download maps and documents in advance. Bring a universal plug adapter and small-denomination local cash for laundry and incidental purchases.05Is the 4-day Nile cruise suitable for someone with limited mobility?
The cruise has moderate accessibility but involves gangways, cabin steps and site cobbles that limit independent wheelchair access. We can provide porters, assist with embarkation and request a lower-deck cabin where available, but the ship is not fully wheelchair-adapted. Many temples and tombs have uneven stone, steps and no ramps – please send full mobility details before booking so we can advise practicably.06What should I pack for a four-day Nile cruise?
Pack sun protection, comfortable closed shoes for temple walks, lightweight layers for warm days and cooler evenings, and modest clothing for temples. Also bring a sun hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, a small daypack, a universal adapter and any prescription medication. Temples and mosques require shoulders and knees covered; early starts mean a light jacket is useful for dawn excursions.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-580069
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