Le Fayan Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt operating from Cairo with five regional offices since 1988
- Licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
- Guided shore excursions led by licensed Egyptologists
- Operates five-star Nile vessels with full-board service
Background
The facts
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for scheduled sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise programme follows the standard Upper Egypt river route, with embarkation and disembarkation arranged through those two cities. Onboard facilities typically include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and cabin categories ranging from Standard to Suite, with some cabins offering Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows.
The vessel’s shore-excursion programme usually includes major monuments on both riverbanks. In Luxor, this commonly means Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, while the west bank excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes royal tombs from the New Kingdom period, many associated with the 18th and 19th Dynasties. Southbound or northbound sailings also visit Edfu, where the Temple of Horus dates mainly to the Ptolemaic period, Kom Ombo, and Philae on Agilkia Island near Aswan.
Full board is typically provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra, and many five-star Nile vessels include afternoon tea. Cabins are usually sold per person sharing, with a single supplement for sole occupancy.
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, while the vessel itself is owned and operated by the cruise line. Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with guided shore visits according to the vessel programme.
Named in this entry
Le Fayan Nile Cruise · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Nile River · Discovery Tours Egypt · ETAA
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a comfortable way to combine river travel with Upper Egypt sightseeing. It is especially suitable for first-time visitors, history enthusiasts, and travellers who prefer structured logistics with guided visits and onboard accommodation.
Maybe not, if
- Guests requiring full wheelchair access due to limited facilities
- Very active travelers seeking a fast-paced, adventurous itinerary
- Those wanting longer immersive cruises should choose a week-long option
What lingers
- 01 Board MS Le Fayan at the Luxor Corniche pier for midday embarkation and luggage transfer via the pier gangway.
- 02 Visit Karnak Temple with an Egyptologist, walking the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Hypostyle Hall at quieter hours.
- 03 Enter the Valley of the Kings early to see two royal tombs; extra-access tombs require separate tickets.
- 04 Sail past daily river life from the shaded sun deck, mooring against the west bank for evening light.
- 05 Disembark for guided visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with timed shore calls and short quay-side market walks.
- 06 Moor on the Aswan Corniche and take the local motorboat transfer to Philae Temple and its island temple complex.
- 07 Sleep aboard in Nile-cruise cabins with private en suite facilities; cabins are compact, practical, and cleaned daily.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus 7-night cruises, this 4-day voyage focuses on the core Luxor–Aswan temple cluster without filler days. Versus day tours, it offers evenings onboard, relaxed pacing and comfortable cabins.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 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 · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Jan to April | May to August |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,460 | $1,050 |
| Single Cabin | $2,050 | $1,375 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Jan to April | May to August |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,780 | $1,220 |
| Single Cabin | $2,580 | $1,675 |
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.
On property
What's here
- wifi
- non-smoking
- air-conditioning
- gym
- pool
- restaurant
- room-service
- family-rooms
- bar
- spa
- beach-access
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
- ✓ Complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- ✓ 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.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Choose a mid-ship cabin to reduce motion and enjoy quieter nights on board.
- 02
Visit early at Karnak and Valley of the Kings to avoid midday heat and crowds.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pounds for tipping local guides, cafés and crew gratuities.
- 04
Bring a light scarf for temple visits; it respects local customs and sun.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Gangways and temple sites include steps and uneven surfaces. Cabins may require stairs and full wheelchair access is limited onboard and ashore; the crew can assist but guests with reduced mobility should contact Discovery Tours Egypt before booking.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport copy and emergency contacts
- Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed sun hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Refillable water bottle and basic medications
- Light layers for cool evenings on deck
What to wear
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Light, breathable layers for hot daytime and cooler nights
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for uneven surfaces and steps
Children & families
Children are welcome; family cabins may be limited and child rates vary. For safety, very young children should be supervised on gangways and at shore sites; contact Discovery Tours Egypt for specific arrangements.
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The operator sources local produce and hires regional guides and crew where possible. Guests are asked to follow site rules, reduce single-use plastics where practical and respect cultural heritage during shore visits.
-
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
-
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
· In summary
Le Fayan Nile Cruise is a 4-day, 3-night sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a comfortable five-star vessel. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt (since 1988, licensed by ETAA), the package includes full-board meals and guided excursions to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
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 17 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-LUX-534653
You Might Also Like
Nile3 Nights
Esmeralda Nile Cruise
The Esmeralda Nile Cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. This Classic-tier, five-star vessel suits travelers who prefer relaxed days ashore and time on deck. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange Egyptologists, transfers, and embarkation formalities for the cruise. We don't run group bus tours. Unlike many rushed itineraries, this Luxor to Aswan route allows longer stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than 60- to 90-minute drop-ins. Note: sun and heat intensify on the open deck at midday, so early-morning visits and sun protection are practical considerations.
From $585
Luxor3 Nights
Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
You board at the Luxor Nile cruise terminal and settle into three nights aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess. I walk you through the West Bank at first light–Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut–so soft morning sun reads the painted reliefs better and tour groups are thinner. After lunch you cross the Esna lock; the lock passage and crew work take about 30–45 minutes. The vessel cruises south through stretch-views of date-palms and small river farms, stopping at Edfu for a focused 90–120 minute visit to Horus’s temple, then at Kom Ombo to read the dual sanctuaries carved for Sobek and Haroeris. In Aswan we make time for Philae island by motorboat and the quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk. Cabins are river-cruise scale–compact and functional, with en suite facilities and daily housekeeping–not ocean-liner space. Meals are full board on board; breakfast, lunch and dinner follow a mix of international and local dishes, and bottled water is replenished daily. Expect early starts and warm midday sun; dress in layers for morning tombs and bring comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone surfaces. I brief the route each evening so you know timings for the next day’s temple visits, transfers to the pier, and any optional extras like a felucca ride in Aswan. This schedule balances on-board cruising time with practical walking time at each site to let inscriptions and architectural details register properly.
From $1,300
Luxor3 Nights
Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
You board at Luxor's Nile pier on the East Bank and step aboard MS Steigenberger Legacy. The cruise runs three nights between Luxor and Aswan; luggage handling and cabin assignment take 30–45 minutes after arrival. Cabins average 16 m² – Nile-cruise scale, not an ocean‑liner – with twin or double bedding and a large picture window for river views. You sail south through the Esna lock; the vessel waits to transit when schedules permit and the landscape tightens to sandstone banks. Scheduled guided visits with an Egyptologist include Karnak and Luxor Temple near embarkation, then Edfu and Kom Ombo as you work toward Aswan. Plan for roughly 90–120 minutes at Edfu for the best reading of the reliefs; Kom Ombo is a briefer stop for the twin‑god reliefs and the small crocodile museum. In Aswan the ship moors at the Nile Corniche near the town center; Philae Island is the usual half‑day visit by motorboat. Meals are full board on the ship: breakfast, lunch and dinner presented in the main dining room, with simple regional dishes and international options. The sun deck serves as the day’s viewing platform for the West Bank ridge at dawn and for late‑afternoon light. Expect compact public spaces – lounge, shaded sun deck, and observation area – and personalised service from on‑board staff. Note limited lift access and modest cabin storage. Your Egyptologist guides the monument visits, explains sculptural details and hieroglyphs, and our local office in Luxor supports practical arrangements or last‑minute changes.
From $950