Magic I Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic views, full-board dining, a sun deck, lounge bar, swimming pool, and shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruise vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, with the cruise selected, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
·In summary
This Nile cruise includes accommodation in a selected 5-star river vessel, full-board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, cabin housekeeping and use of listed facilities such as the sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and swimming pool where available. Its shore-excursion program covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Selected 5-Star Nile Vessel
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · The Nile · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Cabin in the booked Standard, Deluxe or Suite class · Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Sun deck, lounge bar and dining room access · Daily cabin housekeeping · Swimming pool where available · Shore excursions to listed Nile Valley sites where included in the booking
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travelers seeking flexible Luxor–Aswan sailing options
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The company is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
- Standard site entrance fees are included only where explicitly stated in the booking inclusions; premium tombs and other unlisted entrances are excluded.
What lingers
- 014-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
- 02Our Egyptologist conducts guided tours at Karnak and Luxor Temples, focusing on timelines and architectural phases.
- 03We schedule two-hour visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo to avoid the 40-minute rush typical from day cruise boats.
- 04Aswan stop includes Philae Temple and High Dam briefings; Abu Simbel flight transfers available on request and separate cost.
- 05All meals onboard, Nile-view private cabins, 24-hour reception; we provide local licensed Egyptian tour operator support throughout.
02Overview
A first look
At Luxor’s riverfront, the Nile carries the last heat of the afternoon past the sun deck, while the call to embarkation gathers guests beside the vessel. From there, Magic I gives you a calm base for watching villages, farmland, and desert edges change between Luxor and Aswan.
Our shore-excursion program brings you beneath the columns of Karnak Temple, through Luxor Temple after dark, and into the quieter spaces of Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. Between visits, settle into the lounge bar, dining room, or pool, then ask our Egyptologist about the landscape passing your panoramic window. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the cabin, embarkation details, shore excursions, and on-the-ground support before you sail.
Background
The facts
This deluxe Nile cruise connects Luxor and Aswan aboard a selected 5-star river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt. Embarkation and disembarkation are available at Luxor and Aswan, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions. The cruise package is a route and vessel assignment rather than a single named ship; the operating cruise line is confirmed at booking.
The shore-excursion program covers major monuments along the Nile, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic temple complex at Kom Ombo, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. Karnak developed over more than 2,000 years, Luxor Temple was substantially built during the New Kingdom, and the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs dating mainly from Egypt’s New Kingdom period, approximately 1550–1070 BCE.
Accommodation is provided in Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, with Nile-view windows or balconies where specified. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation; drinks (including water) are generally extra. Listed facilities include a sun deck with shaded and sunny seating, lounge bar, dining room, air-conditioned public areas, daily cabin housekeeping and a swimming pool where available.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·The Nile·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·New Kingdom of Egypt·Ptolemaic Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want to combine guided sightseeing with a slower river-based travel style. Travelers should be comfortable boarding a vessel, walking through archaeological sites on uneven ground and managing stairs or ramps between the ship and shore.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a fixed one-way sailing, this cruise is available weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing greater flexibility when connecting it with hotels, flights or a wider Egypt itinerary. Unlike a room-only river package, it includes full-board dining from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast and a scheduled shore-excursion program.
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
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Parking
- Gym
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Wi-Fi
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the vessel in the booked cabin class
- Full board, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- Use of the sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room
- Daily cabin housekeeping
- Use of listed onboard facilities, including the swimming pool where available
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Crew and local guide gratuities, unless specifically requested
- Premium cabin upgrades and suite supplements
- Entrance fees for sites and tombs not explicitly stated as included
- International flights, visas, and travel insurance
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travelers can request Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, subject to availability, with premium upgrades and suite supplements priced separately. Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise in either sailing direction and may coordinate additional sightseeing, private guiding, transfers or hotel stays before and after the sailing.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise requires independent boarding, use of gangways, and movement through corridors, cabin thresholds, stairs, and shared deck areas. River cruise quays can involve uneven paving, narrow ramps, and changes in level between the quay and vessel. Shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings include uneven ancient stone, sand, stairs, and limited shade. Wheelchair access may be possible in selected public areas, but cabin and shore-excursion suitability must be confirmed before booking. Guests with reduced mobility should travel with an accompanying adult and request an accessibility review.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses river transport between Luxor and Aswan, reducing the need for separate road travel between the main Nile Valley sites. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the vessel and shore services through local Egyptian suppliers. On board, guests should use water and electricity thoughtfully, avoid single-use plastic where practical, and follow the crew’s waste instructions. The cruise program directs spending toward local Egyptologists, drivers, site staff, restaurants, and port services in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Specific fuel, waste, and energy data depend on the assigned vessel and are not assumed.
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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Comfortable walking shoes with secure soles
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Any required prescription medicines
- Small day bag for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples
- Conservative clothing for religious sites
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Swimsuit and cover-up for the pool
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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be difficult on gangways, stairs, uneven quays, and ancient site surfaces, so a compact stroller or carrier is more practical. High-chair availability should be confirmed before booking.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $765single cabin $984triple cabin $765 | May – September: from $687single cabin $863triple cabin $687 | Peak dates: from $999single cabin $1,389triple cabin $999 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $892single cabin $1,183triple cabin $892 | May – September: from $788single cabin $1,022triple cabin $788 | Peak dates: from $1,204single cabin $1,724triple cabin $1,204 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,269single cabin $1,779triple cabin $1,269 | May – September: from $1,087single cabin $1,497triple cabin $1,087 | Peak dates: from $1,815single cabin $2,725triple cabin $1,815 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $1,290single cabin $1,800triple cabin $1,290 | May – September: from $1,108single cabin $1,518triple cabin $1,108 | Peak dates: from $1,836single cabin $2,746triple cabin $1,836 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your sailing 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.
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.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% refund, or 100% as credit for future travel
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund, or 75% as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% refund, or 50% as credit
- 2–6 days
- No refund; 25% as credit
- Under 48 hours or no-show
- No refund or credit
Notice is counted from your arrival in Egypt. Some vessels have their own terms; if yours does, we tell you before any payment is made.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Magic I Nile Cruise?
The Magic I Nile Cruise typically offers an 8-day itinerary, sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's historical sites and a relaxed pace on board.02What is included in the full-board dining on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
Full-board dining on the Magic I Nile Cruise includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are extra.03What shore excursions are part of the Magic I Nile Cruise program?
The Magic I Nile Cruise includes a comprehensive shore excursion program. You will visit key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings.04What cabin classes are available on the Magic I Nile Cruise?
The Magic I Nile Cruise offers various cabin classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite options. Cabins feature Nile-view windows, with some higher classes offering private balconies for enhanced views of the river.05What on-board facilities can I use during my Magic I Nile Cruise?
Guests on the Magic I Nile Cruise can enjoy a range of on-board facilities. These include a sun deck, a lounge bar, a dining room, a swimming pool, and air-conditioned public areas for your comfort while sailing.06Is the Magic I Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Magic I Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children 0–5.99 years travel free, 6–11.99 years pay 50%, and 12+ pay the full adult price. One child maximum per cabin, sharing with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile Cruise?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. Modest clothing is recommended for temple visits. On board, casual attire is suitable, with slightly dressier options for dinner if desired.08What is the photography policy for sites visited on the cruise?
Photography is generally permitted at most sites, but some tombs or specific areas may prohibit it or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist will advise you on specific rules at each location.09What is the best time of year to take a Magic I Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile Cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, are hotter but offer fewer crowds.10Are gratuities for the crew and guides included in the cruise price?
No, crew and local guide gratuities are not included in the standard cruise price unless specifically requested and arranged beforehand. It is customary to tip the crew and your Egyptologist at the end of the cruise.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-041229
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