Kleos Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck, lounge bar, full-board dining, and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Kleos Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cabin Categories
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu (Temple of Horus) · Kom Ombo · Philae
- Includes
- Accommodation on board · Full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Use of sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room · Shore excursions as per the vessel programme
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travellers who want a structured Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- 24/7 on-the-ground support for arranged itineraries
- Egyptologist-guided sightseeing on shore excursions where included
- Verified customer reviews and booking support
02 Overview
A first look
Early light on the Nile lifts a thin mist over palm-lined riverbanks, and from a Nile-view balcony you will hear the paddle of a felucca and the distant call to prayer. The ship's sun deck and lounge frame those moments, while the dining room serves full-board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast.
We arrange your cruise, shore visits and Egyptology briefings, and our Egyptologists conduct the on-board lectures and shore orientations. Unlike short packaged sailings, this vessel's programme allocates proper time ashore at each temple, and the Kleos Nile Cruise sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
Background
The facts
Kleos Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The route connects Upper Egypt’s principal temple sites and major embarkation ports, with shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, and Philae. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and the programme is arranged so that guests spend proper time ashore at each major stop.
Karnak and Luxor Temple are on the east bank of the Nile at Luxor, while the Valley of the Kings is on the west bank opposite the city. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, lies between Luxor and Aswan and is reached from the river port at Edfu. Kom Ombo sits north of Aswan on a bend in the river, and Philae is reached by boat from the Aswan area because the temple complex is on an island.
The vessel’s accommodation is divided into cabin grades from Standard to Suite, with Nile-view windows and balcony options available on selected categories. On board, the main public spaces include a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room. The dining plan is full board, covering lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with drinks beyond water generally charged separately unless stated otherwise.
For historical context, the sites on this route represent different periods of ancient Egyptian religion and royal funerary practice, from the New Kingdom tombs in the Valley of the Kings to the Greco-Roman period at Philae. This makes the vessel suitable for travellers whose primary interest is temple architecture, archaeology, and river-based sightseeing rather than short transfer-style cruising.
Named in this entry
Nile River · Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple · Philae Temple · Horus · Ancient Egypt · Upper Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a guided Nile river itinerary with temple visits, cabin comfort, and structured sightseeing. It is a good match for history-focused travellers, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer an organised schedule over independent arrangements.
What lingers
- 01 Sail the Nile aboard MS Kleos for four days, linking Luxor and Aswan with guided site visits.
- 02 Includes guided visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank with our Egyptologists.
- 03 Stay moored at Kom Ombo and Edfu overnight – unlike most cruises, we schedule two-hour temple visits.
- 04 Private transfers, cabin porterage, and standard site entrance fees included unless stated otherwise in confirmation.
- 05 Early-morning West Bank visits (Valley of the Kings commonly scheduled from 6:00) reduce midday heat and crowds.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike short transfer-style sailings, this vessel’s programme allows time for temple visits at Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan rather than simply moving between ports. It is also different from day tours because accommodation, full board, and onboard public spaces are included during the river journey. Compared with independent travel, the cruise simplifies logistics by combining sailing, meals, and prearranged shore excursions on one booking. Compared with a hotel-only stay in Luxor or Aswan, it adds the river transit between the two cities and the sequence of sites visited along the Nile.
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
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on board the Kleos Nile Cruise, cabin grade as booked
- Full board, lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Use of public areas on board: sun deck, lounge bar, dining room
- Shore excursions as per the vessel's excursion programme between Luxor and Aswan
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Visas and travel insurance
- Drinks beyond water with meals, unless specified otherwise
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists, unless stated as included
- Entrance fees for premium tombs or pyramid interiors where applicable
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can usually choose between standard, upgraded, or suite cabin categories, and a single supplement may apply for solo occupancy. The cruise can also be combined with pre- or post-cruise stays in Luxor, Aswan, or Cairo, or extended with additional temple and museum visits arranged separately. Shore excursions follow the vessel’s programme, and optional upgrades such as premium cabins or private arrangements may be added where available.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Kleos Nile Cruise involves boarding the vessel by gangway and moving between decks using stairs; there is no guaranteed lift access to all public decks. Expect uneven gangway surfaces, steps into cabins on some decks, and thresholds when entering site launch boats for shore excursions. While standard cabins are reached via one or two steps, some suites have slightly raised entrances. Wheelchair users with full mobility aids should contact us before booking so we can confirm cabin placement and embarkation assistance. We can provide meet-and-assist at the airport and extra help boarding, but the vessel and many Nile temples have stairs and uneven ancient stone that limit independent wheelchair access.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a copy of your booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for temple visits
- Sun protection: SPF30+ sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack for camera, water bottle and personal items
- Reusable water bottle (refill on board)
- Small first-aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Plug adaptor (Egypt uses type C and F sockets)
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime on deck
- Smart-casual clothing for evening dining
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple and mosque visits
- A light jacket for cooler early mornings and evenings on the Nile
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; 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 onshore in Luxor and Aswan but are awkward to use on the vessel gangway and at temple entrances; the vessel does not guarantee availability of high chairs, so request these at time of booking and we will pass the request to the cruise supplier.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange shore excursions using locally registered Nile cruiser boats and air-conditioned coaches that meet Egyptian vehicle safety standards; the vessel itself uses diesel propulsion managed by the cruise line. We work with the vessel's crew and local Egyptologists based in Luxor and Aswan to source guides and shore teams, prioritising suppliers from the local communities along the Nile. Onboard waste is segregated where the vessel's procedures allow; surplus food is measured and redistributed to crew or local charities when permitted by health rules. We do not claim a certification unless stated in the booking paperwork; if you have specific sustainability priorities, tell us and we will request supplier responses on fuel type, water treatment and local employment practices.
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Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
-
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
-
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
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Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
· In summary
Kleos Nile Cruise includes accommodation on board, full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and use of the sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room. It also includes shore excursions as per the vessel’s programme between Luxor and Aswan.
The route visits Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 What is the typical duration of a Kleos Nile Cruise sailing?
The Kleos Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3 or 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, allowing for flexibility in your travel plans. -
02 What is included with the full board on the Kleos Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Kleos Nile Cruise includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers all main meals served in the dining room, with water included during meals. -
03 What shore excursions are part of the Kleos Nile Cruise programme?
The Kleos Nile Cruise excursion programme includes visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These visits are led by our Egyptologists. -
04 What types of cabins are available on the Kleos Nile Cruise?
The Kleos Nile Cruise offers various cabin grades, from Standard cabins to Suites. Many cabins feature panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, providing views of the river as you sail. -
05 What is the policy for children on the Kleos Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin. -
06 What should I wear for shore excursions from the Kleos Nile Cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable clothing. When visiting temples and religious sites, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees. -
07 Are gratuities included in the Kleos Nile Cruise price?
Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists are not included in the standard Kleos Nile Cruise price. We can provide guidance on appropriate amounts for gratuities for your convenience. -
08 What is the best time of year to take a Kleos Nile Cruise?
The best time to take a Kleos Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, are hotter but can offer fewer crowds. -
09 What facilities are available on board the Kleos Nile Cruise?
The Kleos Nile Cruise vessel features a sun deck for relaxation, a comfortable lounge bar, and a dining room where all meals are served. These public areas are available for all guests during their sailing. -
10 Are drinks, other than water, included with meals on the Kleos Nile Cruise?
Drinks beyond water served with meals are not typically included in the full board arrangement on the Kleos Nile Cruise. Other beverages can be purchased separately from the lounge bar or dining room.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-277904
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