Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with 65 Andalos-style cabins, full-board dining, a sun terrace, pool bar, lounge, and evening entertainment.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This 5-star Nile cruise vessel sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan, with the cruise selected and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
·In summary
This 5-star Nile cruise includes cabin accommodation, full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation, and private Egyptologist-guided shore excursions. Visits cover Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with access to shared facilities such as the pool, gym and sun terrace.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Budget
- Couples·
- Seniors·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruise Vessel
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Philae Temple
- Includes
- Cabin accommodation on the selected sailing · Full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation · Private Egyptologist guide · Guided visits to listed temples and archaeological sites · Use of swimming pool, gym, sun terrace and shared facilities
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travelers seeking guided Nile shore excursions
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Private Egyptologist guide included for the listed shore excursions.
- Standard site entrance fees for listed visits are included unless stated otherwise.
- Pricing is presented per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applying.
- Verified reviews, clear inclusions and current cancellation terms should be checked on the booking page.
What lingers
- 0165 cabins, including junior suites, decorated in an Andalos Islamic style
- 02Full-board sailings between Luxor and Aswan with a private Egyptologist guide
- 03Guided shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple
- 04Swimming pool, pool bar, sun terrace, gym, reading room and grand lounge
- 05Evening entertainment including a folkloric show, galabeyah party and discotheque
- 06Optional Abu Simbel excursion at the end of the Luxor to Aswan sailing
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile is quiet beneath the sun deck, with riverbank palms sliding past as Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise leaves Luxor or Aswan. Inside, Andalos-inspired details, panoramic windows, and the lounge’s soft music create a calm base between shore excursions.
Sailing days give you time to read, swim, or watch villages and fields change along the river, while guided visits bring you to Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. We arrange your cabin, meals, and excursion schedule in advance, with our private Egyptologists on hand for the historic sites.
Background
The facts
This 5-star Nile cruise is arranged for sailings between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either city. The vessel’s shore-excursion program includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on Luxor’s East Bank, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on the West Bank, and the temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
Karnak Temple is a large temple complex developed over many centuries, principally during the New Kingdom from approximately 1550 to 1070 BCE. Luxor Temple, connected historically with Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes, stands on Luxor’s East Bank. The Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from Egypt’s New Kingdom, while Hatshepsut Temple is a terraced monument at Deir el-Bahari dedicated to the female pharaoh Hatshepsut.
Further south, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of Egypt’s best-preserved Ptolemaic temples. Kom Ombo is a distinctive double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder. Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to Isis, was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO-led Nubian campaign after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. An Abu Simbel excursion may be arranged separately at the end of the Luxor-to-Aswan sailing.
The vessel has 65 cabins, including junior suites, with Andalos Islamic-style decoration. Shared facilities include a sun terrace, swimming pool, pool bar, gym, reading room and grand lounge. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water), personal services and gratuities are generally excluded.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Hatshepsut Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island·Abu Simbel·Hatshepsut·Sobek·Isis·UNESCO Nubian campaign
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want guided access to the principal temples and archaeological sites along the Nile. It is appropriate for travelers comfortable with regular shore excursions, uneven historic-site surfaces and boarding a river vessel.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines accommodation and river travel with guided visits to major temples and tombs between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike an independently arranged sailing, the package includes a private Egyptologist guide for the listed shore excursions, while optional Abu Simbel, gratuities, drinks (including water) and personal expenses 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
On property
What's here
- Swimming pool
- Pool bar
- Elevators
- Electronic safety deposit box
- Grand lounge
- Sun terrace
- Restaurant (international & national cuisine)
- Main lounge with music system and dance floor
- Themed events (galabeyah party, belly dancer, folkloric show)
- Nightly discotheque
- Reading room
- Billiard room
- Tennis table
- Gym
- Massage services
- Laundry
- 24-hour room service
- Minibar in cabins
- Satellite TV in cabins
- Internet access
Bundled in
- Full board
- Private Egyptologist
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation in a cabin on the selected sailing
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Private Egyptologist guide for the listed shore excursions
- Guided visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple
- Use of the swimming pool, gym, sun terrace, and shared onboard facilities
Not included
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Pyramid interiors, premium tombs, and other optional attractions not listed
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses, massage services, laundry, and room service charges where applicable
- Single supplement
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in either sailing direction and can help coordinate private Egyptologist-guided shore excursions, airport or hotel arrangements and an optional Abu Simbel visit. Cabin category, single occupancy and additional attractions can be requested, subject to availability and applicable supplements.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves boarding and leaving the vessel by gangway, which may be steep, narrow, or uneven depending on the river port and water level. Shore excursions include walking across uneven ancient stone, sand, cobblestones, steps, and sloping paths at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. The vessel has shared onboard facilities, but wheelchair access, cabin door widths, lifts, and accessible bathrooms are not confirmed for this package. Guests with reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and arrange practical assistance where available.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
River cruising reduces the need for repeated road transfers between Luxor and Aswan, while local Egyptologists, drivers, port staff, and excursion suppliers support employment in the Nile Valley. The vessel uses standard marine fuel, water, electricity, and onboard air-conditioning, so this is not a zero-impact form of travel. We arrange services with Egyptian suppliers and recommend using refillable bottles where safe drinking-water facilities are provided. Please follow the vessel’s instructions for towel and linen changes, avoid single-use plastics, and do not leave litter at temples, riverbanks, or 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 booking documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Small day bag for shore excursions
- Any required prescription medicines
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Comfortable shoes for uneven ancient surfaces
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- A light layer for air-conditioned indoor areas and evening sailing
- Swimwear for the pool, with a cover-up for shared areas
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free, children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%, and children aged 12 or older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers may be difficult to use on gangways, at river ports, and across uneven archaeological ground. High-chair availability should be confirmed before booking.
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 Fridays | October – April: from $785single cabin $1,017triple cabin $785 | May – September: from $648single cabin $785triple cabin $648 | Peak dates: from $960single cabin $1,331triple cabin $960 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $918single cabin $1,227triple cabin $918 | May – September: from $736single cabin $918triple cabin $736 | Peak dates: from $1,152single cabin $1,646triple cabin $1,152 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,315single cabin $1,856triple cabin $1,315 | May – September: from $996single cabin $1,315triple cabin $996 | Peak dates: from $1,724single cabin $2,589triple cabin $1,724 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,336single cabin $1,877triple cabin $1,336 | May – September: from $1,017single cabin $1,336triple cabin $1,017 | Peak dates: from $1,745single cabin $2,610triple cabin $1,745 |
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
- More than 30 days
- 75% refund, or 100% as credit for future travel
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund, or 75% as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% refund, or 50% as credit
- 2–6 days
- No refund; 25% as credit
- Under 48 hours or no-show
- No refund or credit
Notice is counted from your arrival in Egypt. Some vessels have their own terms; if yours does, we tell you before any payment is made.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise typically operates as a 4-day, 3-night sailing between Luxor and Aswan, or a 5-day, 4-night sailing in the reverse direction. This allows for comprehensive visits to key ancient sites along the Nile River. We arrange weekly sailings for your convenience.02What is included in the full board arrangement on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise includes all meals, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the main restaurant. Drinks (including water) are typically extra.03What shore excursions are part of the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise program?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise includes guided shore excursions to major sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These visits are led by a private Egyptologist guide.04Is the optional Abu Simbel excursion included in the cruise price?
No, the optional Abu Simbel excursion is not included in the standard Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise price. This excursion can be arranged separately at the end of the Luxor to Aswan sailing. Your travel advisor can provide details on booking this addition.05What types of cabins are available on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
The Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise features 65 cabins, including junior suites, all designed with Andalos Islamic-style decor. Each cabin offers comfortable accommodation with panoramic windows, allowing you to enjoy views of the Nile. Specific cabin sizes and views vary by category.06What amenities are available on board the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
Onboard amenities include a sun terrace, swimming pool, pool bar, gym, reading room, and a grand lounge. The vessel also features a main lounge with a music system and dance floor, elevators, and electronic safety deposit boxes in each cabin. Themed events are offered in the evenings.07What is the policy for children on the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.08What should I wear for shore excursions during the cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is advisable for visiting temples and religious sites. Light, breathable fabrics are best for the Egyptian climate.09Are gratuities included in the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise package?
No, gratuities are not included in the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise package. It is customary to tip the crew and your Egyptologist guide. Your travel advisor can provide guidance on appropriate amounts for gratuities.10What is the best time of year to take the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise?
The best time to take the Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, though the vessel is air-conditioned.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-078826
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