Golden Nile Cruise
A Nile cruiser with panoramic cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar, full-board dining, and guided shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan.
The short answer
Golden is a 5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Rates are on request: send us your dates for a live price.
02Overview
A first look
At dawn, the Nile carries a soft current past the sun deck, with palm shadows moving across the water as Golden Nile Cruise leaves the riverbank. Inside, the lounge bar and dining room offer a quieter rhythm, while panoramic windows keep the changing banks in view.
Sailing days alternate with shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. Our Egyptologists explain what you are seeing ashore, and we coordinate your cabin, cruise booking, and on-the-ground arrangements as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
We don't have current published rates for this ship. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a live price for the cabin you want.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Board at Luxor and enjoy lunch on board before visiting Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then begin sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, then sail on to Aswan.
- 4
Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional flight or drive to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 5
A relaxed day at Aswan: sail by felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel turns north.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Luxor with time for any West Bank sites not yet seen, or relax on the sun deck as you moor for the final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Luxor for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then begins sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, then sail on to Kom Ombo and its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing to Aswan, where the ship moors for the night.
- 4
The ship lies moored at Aswan. Guests visiting Abu Simbel leave before dawn, by road or by air, for the two rock temples Ramesses II cut into the cliff, returning aboard around midday. The afternoon is at leisure on board.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan. The morning then covers Aswan itself: the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae reached by motor launch, and the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board. Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Sail north to Kom Ombo for its double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus. Sail on towards Luxor.
- 3
Reach Luxor and cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then disembark for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board, then visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
A relaxed day at Aswan by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or a Nubian village visit. An optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then Edfu for the Temple of Horus.
- 4
At Luxor, cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then the vessel begins its return sailing south.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Aswan with time to relax on board or take an optional excursion before your final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan for your onward transfer.
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.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh
3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Sun Times Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
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From $1,015 per person
- Stephanie Nile Cruise
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Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
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- Nile Treasure Nile Cruise
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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
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed cruise voucher
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and wide-brim hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
- Lightweight daypack or crossbody bag with water bottle
- Copies of medication prescriptions and basic first-aid items
- Plug adapter (European two-pin is common) and phone charger
- Small amount of Egyptian pounds for tips and small purchases
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Layers for cooler evenings on deck
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- Sun hat and UV-protective sunglasses
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and older 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. Strollers are practical on the vessel top deck but are difficult on shore excursions because of steps and uneven surfaces; high chairs and child-specific equipment are provided by some partner hotels and restaurants on request, but availability varies and should be requested at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions require moderate mobility, with frequent short walks on uneven ancient stone, narrow temple steps and cobbled quays. Embarkation and disembarkation include a gangway and two or three steps; some ports require stepping up from a tender. Cabins have standard doorways and low thresholds, but most are not wheelchair-adapted; accessible cabins are limited and must be requested at booking. Onshore sites such as Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings have rough surfaces and stairs, with limited continuous ramps. We can arrange assistance in airports and at the dock, and our local partners can provide a collapsible wheelchair or porter service subject to advance notice and availability. Please tell us about mobility needs at enquiry so we can advise realistically about which excursions will be manageable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange the vessel with operators who use diesel-powered river engines common on the Nile; many vessels are modern two-engine designs that meet local emissions norms but are not subject to international ocean shipping standards. Shore excursions are conducted by locally licensed Egyptologists and small-footprint transfer boats where required, which keeps passenger movement concentrated and reduces multiple vehicle trips. We prioritize suppliers who employ local crews, source fresh produce and laundry services from nearby markets, and pay standard Egyptian wages; our bookings help sustain guides, boat crews and market vendors in Luxor and Aswan. Guests are asked to minimize single-use plastics, use towels for multiple days when comfortable, and respect site rules on waste disposal. If you wish, we can arrange community visits or craft-center stops that provide direct income to local artisans, subject to seasonal openings.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-803341
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
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