Al Kahila Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with Nile-view cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Al Kahila Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Discover the Nile on a 4-day, 3-night deluxe cruise from Luxor to Aswan. This Discovery Tours Egypt voyage includes 5-star cabins, full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and guided shore excursions to major river temples. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt from Cairo with five regional offices and ETAA licensing.
- Couples·
- Seniors·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Deluxe 5-star Nile cruise cabins with en-suite facilities and river views
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Licensed by ETAA
- Five regional offices across Egypt, based in Cairo
- Deluxe 5-star Nile cruise standard with full-board service
What lingers
- 01Cabin classes with Nile views, from standard cabins to suites where available
- 02Sun deck for river views and evening relaxation
- 03On-board lounge bar and dining room serving full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast
- 04Shore-excursion program including Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan ports, enabling both directions weekly
02Overview
A first look
Morning light catches the Nile beyond the cabin windows as Al Kahila Nile Cruise leaves Luxor, with the riverbank sliding past in muted greens and ocher. From the sun deck, you can watch fishermen work the water, then settle into the lounge bar as the landscape changes between shore visits and quiet sailing.
Our Egyptologists bring the temples and tombs into focus during the vessel’s shore-excursion program, while the dining room gives the day an easy rhythm between visits. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and we arrange your cabin, port coordination, and on-the-ground support through Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Background
The facts
Al Kahila is a Nile cruise vessel used for sailing between Luxor and Aswan on Egypt’s main river route. It offers cabin classes with Nile views, along with onboard public spaces such as a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room. Accommodation is sold per person sharing, and a single supplement may apply for solo occupancy.
The vessel’s program includes shore excursions to Karnak Temple Complex on the east bank of Luxor, Luxor Temple in the city center, Edfu Temple dedicated to Horus, Kom Ombo Temple overlooking the river, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. These sites represent major Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Greco-Roman monuments, with the cruise alternating sailing time and guided visits rather than operating as a fixed point-to-point transfer.
Full board applies from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Standard cruise logistics include embarkation and disembarkation at the Luxor and Aswan ports, with the vessel sailing weekly in both directions. Drinks (including water) are typically extra unless otherwise specified in the booking terms.
Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise as part of an Egypt travel plan, while the vessel itself is owned and operated by a third-party cruise line. This makes the product suitable for travelers who want a structured Nile itinerary with guided sightseeing and overnight river travel between the two historic capitals of Upper Egypt.
Named in this entry
Al Kahila Nile Cruise·Discovery Tours Egypt·Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Karnak Temple·Valley of the Kings·Sun Deck·Nile cabin·ETAA·Nile cruise
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a guided Nile itinerary with comfortable cabin accommodation and easy access to major temple sites. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers paying a single supplement, and adults who prefer a paced schedule with time onboard between excursions.
Maybe not, if
- Not ideal for travelers requiring wheelchair-accessible cabins or ramps
- Unsuitable for those wanting long inland exploration or remote trekking
- Pace includes short walks on uneven temple stone and steps
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus longer cruises, this 4-day trip focuses on Luxor–Aswan highlights with fewer sea days. It suits travelers short on time who still want deluxe cabins and guided temple visits.
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
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 3/4/ or 7 nights’ Deluxe accommodation on full board basis
- ✓ All sightseeing tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- ✓ Meet & assist service upon arrival & departure
- ✓ All airport and port transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓ Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- ✓ All service charges & taxes
- ✓ Small group tours (maximum 8 participants)
Not included
- ✘ Any additional meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary.
- ✘ Personal expenses, including laundry, minibar, and spa treatments.
- ✘ Tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise staff (optional but recommended).
- ✘ Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- ✘ Visa fees and international airfare.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book a cabin on the upper deck for quieter nights and better river views.
- 02
Carry small change in Egyptian pounds for tips, stall purchases, and local snacks.
- 03
Schedule early-morning temple visits to avoid midday heat and harsher light conditions.
- 04
Bring a reusable water bottle; crew can refill with chilled drinking water aboard.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Access to the ship is via gangways and some vessels have limited wheelchair access. Shore visits commonly involve steps and uneven surfaces; travelers with significant mobility limitations may need assistance or private arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Discovery Tours Egypt works with local suppliers for fresh produce and trains crew in cultural sensitivity. The cruise follows measures to minimise waste and promotes respectful visiting at archaeological sites.
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 travel documents for embarkation and clearances
- Light layers for cool mornings and hot daytime temperatures
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes for temple stone and uneven surfaces
- Small daypack for camera, water bottle, and personal items
What to wear
- Lightweight, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Layered clothing for cool mornings and warm afternoons on deck
- Closed-toe walking shoes with good grip for uneven stone
Children & families
Children are welcome but cabins may not suit very young children. Child rates and cabin-sharing depend on Discovery Tours Egypt policies; contact us for specific age bands and pricing.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in USD, 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 $921single cabin $1,249triple cabin $921 | May – September: from $820single cabin $1,097triple cabin $812 | Peak dates: from $1,120single cabin $1,623triple cabin $1,116 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,100single cabin $1,536triple cabin $1,100 | May – September: from $964single cabin $1,334triple cabin $954 | Peak dates: from $1,365single cabin $2,036triple cabin $1,360 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,633single cabin $2,398triple cabin $1,633 | May – September: from $1,397single cabin $2,043triple cabin $1,378 | Peak dates: from $2,097single cabin $3,271triple cabin $2,088 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $1,654single cabin $2,419triple cabin $1,654 | May – September: from $1,418single cabin $2,064triple cabin $1,399 | Peak dates: from $2,118single cabin $3,292triple cabin $2,109 |
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.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Luxor Temple
- Philae Temple
Product ID: CRU-LUX-242580
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