Le Fayan Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with a pool, restaurant, bar, air-conditioned cabins, and a gym for time between shore excursions.
The short answer
Le Fayan is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Monday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Thursday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,567 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
Palm groves and villages slide past the windows as Le Fayan moves along the Nile. From an air-conditioned cabin or the sun deck, the river remains part of the day; later, the pool and lounge bar offer a quieter place to pause between shore excursions.
Unlike a hotel stay, the view changes as the vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, while the onboard rhythm alternates between time on the river and visits ashore. We arrange your booking and coordinate the vessel’s excursion program, so you have a clear point of contact before your trip.
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. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,567double cabinsingle cabin $2,152 | Peak dates: from $1,840double cabinsingle cabin $2,581 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $1,991double cabinsingle cabin $2,771 | Peak dates: from $2,355double cabinsingle cabin $3,343 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $3,205double cabinsingle cabin $4,570 | Peak dates: from $3,842double cabinsingle cabin $5,571 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,225double cabinsingle cabin $4,590 | Peak dates: from $3,862double cabinsingle cabin $5,591 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your cruise 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.
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.
What lingers
- 01Board MS Le Fayan at the Luxor Corniche pier for midday embarkation and luggage transfer via the pier gangway.
- 02Visit Karnak Temple with an Egyptologist, walking the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Hypostyle Hall at quieter hours.
- 03Enter the Valley of the Kings early to see two royal tombs; extra-access tombs require separate tickets.
- 04Sail past daily river life from the shaded sun deck, mooring against the west bank for evening light.
- 05Disembark for guided visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with timed shore calls and short quay-side market walks.
- 06Moor on the Aswan Corniche and take the local motorboat transfer to Philae Temple and its island temple complex.
- 07Sleep aboard in Nile-cruise cabins with private en suite facilities; cabins are compact, practical, and cleaned daily.
On property
What's here
- Wi-Fi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Family rooms
- Bar
- Spa
- Beach access
Bundled in
- Full board
- Airport transfer
- Hotel pickup
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full Board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Shore excursions as organized by the vessel's program (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Valley of the Kings)
- Accommodation in the cabin class booked, with daily cabin cleaning and selected onboard services
- Use of onboard facilities: sun deck, pool, lounge bar and fitness area, as provided by the vessel
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- International or domestic flights
- Gratuities for onboard staff and Egyptologists unless requested
- Visas and personal travel insurance
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.
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
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travelers can usually choose between cabin categories such as Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, depending on availability and budget. The cruise can be arranged as a Luxor-to-Aswan or Aswan-to-Luxor sailing, and guests may request add-ons such as premium tomb entrances, upgraded beverages, or extended land arrangements before or after the river journey.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a comfortable, structured way to visit Upper Egypt’s major temples and tombs without changing hotels every night. It is a strong fit for history-focused travelers, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer a private or small-party experience with 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
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a hotel-based Luxor or Aswan stay, this vessel combines accommodation and intercity river travel in one package. Compared with independent sightseeing, the cruise’s shore-excursion program bundles transport, guiding, and monument visits into a single arranged schedule. It is also different from a land tour because the onboard experience includes cabins, dining, and shared leisure facilities while sailing on the Nile.
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.
- Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,626 per person
- Royal Lily Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,626 per person
- Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,489 per person
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
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak · Luxor Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Full Board meals · Scheduled shore excursions · Cabin accommodation · Use of shared onboard facilities
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Couples · First-time visitors · Families with older children
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others · English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport plus photocopy
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight day pack for excursions
- Reusable water bottle
- Any required prescription medications
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders for temples and mosques
- A light layer for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with two paying adults. Children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price, sharing the parents' cabin; children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Maximum one child may share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used on board but may be impractical on shore excursions because of steps, uneven stone and restricted landing stages. High chairs are not standard on all vessels; please request one at booking and we will confirm availability with the cruise line.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions require moderate mobility: expect uneven stone surfaces, short flights of stairs and cobblestones at archaeological sites, and steps when boarding and disembarking the ship. Cabins are on multiple decks; some have one or more steps between corridor and cabin threshold. Public areas include staircases and a sun deck reached by steps; there is usually no lift between all decks on Nile cruisers. Transfers between airport and berth use a stepped gangway and vehicle steps. Wheelchair users with full independence in transfers and ability to walk several meters may be able to join, but manual wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can confirm ramp availability and shore-excursion suitability. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will advise on specific accessibility constraints for individual cabins and the particular sailing date.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river engines and local tenders for short transfers to landing stages. Onboard waste is segregated where possible and disposed of at licensed reception facilities in Luxor and Aswan rather than being discharged into the river. We contract locally owned suppliers for food, guides and longshore services, which helps keep income in the communities visited. Shore excursions are scheduled to minimise duplicate vehicle journeys between sites, and most excursions use small, air-conditioned coaches provided by local companies. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles; the vessel supplies drinking water refill points on deck where available. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we monitor suppliers annually and ask partners to follow local labour and environmental regulations.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What shore excursions are included with the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
The Le Fayan Nile Cruise includes an organized program of shore excursions to major sites. These typically feature Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, all led by an Egyptologist.02What is the board basis on the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
The Le Fayan Nile Cruise operates on a full board basis. This includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are generally not included.03What amenities are available on board the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
The Le Fayan Nile Cruise offers a range of amenities for guest comfort. These include a sun deck with a swimming pool, a lounge bar, a restaurant, a fitness area, and air-conditioned cabins. Wi-Fi is also typically available.04Are children welcome on the Le Fayan Nile Cruise, and what are the rates?
Children are welcome on board the Le Fayan 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 rate.05What are the cabin options on the Le Fayan Nile Cruise?
The Le Fayan Nile Cruise offers various cabin grades, including Standard cabins and Suites. Many cabins feature Nile-view or panoramic windows, providing views of the river scenery. All cabins are air-conditioned.06What should I wear for shore excursions during the cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, light clothing suitable for warm weather, and a hat and sunglasses for sun protection. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is advisable for temple visits.07What is the best time of year to take a Nile cruise?
The best time to take a 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.08How does Discovery Tours Egypt arrange my Le Fayan Nile Cruise booking?
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange your Le Fayan Nile Cruise booking directly with the vessel operator. We coordinate your accommodation and the included shore excursions, ensuring a seamless experience on the ground.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-LUX-534653
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Thu in Luxor · Mon in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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