Kontiki Nile Cruise
Five-star cabins, most with Nile-view windows or balconies; sun deck, lounge bar and indoor dining, full-board meals and planned shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Kontiki Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Couples ·
- Seniors ·
- Groups ·
- Solo traveller
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
02 Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile's surface goes quiet and the Kontiki's pale hull sits low in the water, sunlight catching the palm-lined riverbanks as you step into a cabin with a Nile-view window or balcony. On shaded sun-deck mornings the air smells faintly of hibiscus and baking bread from nearby villages, while the lounge bar offers a quiet seat between shore excursions.
We carefully select the Kontiki for its balanced schedule, relaxed on-board atmosphere and graded cabins, and we arrange your full-board embarkation, cabin grade and shore-excursion bookings. Our Egyptologists meet groups ashore to explain each site and answer detailed questions before you return to the vessel.
Background
The facts
Kontiki Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for scheduled sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the vessel itself is owned and operated by a third-party cruise line. It is typically sold on a per-person sharing basis, with a single supplement for sole occupancy.
Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, and many cabins feature Nile-view windows or balconies. On board, the vessel includes a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, and an indoor dining room. Full board usually runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with meals served while sailing on the Nile.
The vessel’s shore-excursion programme commonly includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are major Upper Egypt monuments connected by river cruising between the Luxor and Aswan embarkation points. The cruise typically sails weekly in both directions, so shore days alternate with sailing days rather than following a fixed point-to-point transfer pattern.
Karnak is a large temple complex on the east bank of Luxor, developed from the Middle Kingdom onward and expanded under New Kingdom pharaohs such as Seti I and Ramesses II. The Valley of the Kings is on the west bank of Luxor and contains royal tombs from the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties. Philae is reached near Aswan and is associated with the cult of Isis; the temple complex was relocated during the UNESCO Nubian Monuments campaign to protect it from flooding.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a structured Nile itinerary with comfortable cabins, set meals, and time on board between sightseeing stops. It is a good fit for adults, couples, and history-focused visitors who are comfortable with repeated embarkation and disembarkation at river ports and monument sites.
What lingers
- 01 Five-star cabins graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, most with Nile-view windows or balconies
- 02 Sun deck with shaded seating, lounge bar and indoor dining room
- 03 Full-board dining from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- 04 Planned shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05 Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, giving shore days alternating with sailing days
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
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
4 Days / 3 Nights
| Cabin | May–Aug | Sep–Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $540 | $690 |
| Double Cabin | $610 | $760 |
| Single Cabin | $907 | $1,147 |
5 Days / 4 Nights
| Cabin | May–Aug | Sep–Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $634 | $834 |
| Double Cabin | $712 | $912 |
| Single Cabin | $1,082 | $1,402 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Kontiki Nile Cruise
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Scheduled shore excursions as per the vessel's excursion programme, to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Use of on-board facilities: sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
Not included
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, unless stated otherwise
- Gratuities to crew and guides
- Personal expenses and optional shore activities not listed in the vessel programme
- Entrance fees that are optional or premium, for example premium tombs or pyramid interiors where applicable
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ 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.
Location
On the map
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 What is the typical duration of a Kontiki Nile Cruise sailing?
The Kontiki Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3, 4, or 7 nights, travelling between Luxor and Aswan. We arrange these cruises as part of longer Egypt itineraries, allowing you to experience the Nile at a comfortable pace. -
02 What is included in the full board meals on the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Kontiki Nile Cruise includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, served in the vessel's main dining room. -
03 What shore excursions are part of the Kontiki Nile Cruise programme?
The Kontiki Nile Cruise includes scheduled shore excursions to major sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These visits are coordinated by the vessel's crew. -
04 What is the policy for children travelling on the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin. -
05 What should I wear for shore excursions from the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable clothing. When visiting temples and mosques, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees out of respect. -
06 Are drinks included with meals on the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
Drinks beyond bottled water served with meals are typically not included in the full board arrangement. You can purchase additional beverages, including soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic drinks, from the lounge bar or dining room. -
07 What are the cabin options available on the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
The Kontiki Nile Cruise offers various cabin grades, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories. All cabins feature panoramic windows or balconies with Nile views, providing comfortable accommodation during your sailing. -
08 What is the single supplement policy for solo travellers on the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
Pricing for the Kontiki Nile Cruise is generally per person sharing a cabin. Solo travellers will typically incur a single supplement charge for sole occupancy of a cabin. Please enquire for specific rates. -
09 What facilities are available on board the Kontiki Nile Cruise?
On board the Kontiki Nile Cruise, guests can enjoy a sun deck with a swimming pool, a comfortable lounge bar, and a main dining room. These facilities offer spaces for relaxation and socialising between shore excursions. -
10 What is the best time of year to experience a Kontiki Nile Cruise?
The best time to experience a Kontiki Nile Cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.
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-624028
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