Medea Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic cabins, shaded sun-deck seating, a cooling pool, and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Medea Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Medea Nile Cruise includes full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, en-suite Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabins, and scheduled shore excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist. The program covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cabin Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Aswan
- Includes
- Full board meals · En-suite cabin accommodation · English-speaking Egyptologist · Scheduled shore excursions · Use of onboard facilities · Port taxes and routine service charges
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting guided Upper Egypt sightseeing
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Full board and port taxes are clearly specified in the inclusions
- 24/7 on-the-ground travel support is available for arranged trips
- Cabin category, excursion program, and exclusions are disclosed in advance
What lingers
- 01Karnak Temple visit with a guided walk through the Hypostyle Hall and time for photography and inscriptions study.
- 02Evening visit to Luxor Temple with illuminated reliefs and a short stroll from the Luxor pier to the site.
- 03Passage through the Esna lock in late afternoon – engine noise and gate operation offer a close-up of river logistics.
- 04Overnight mooring at Edfu to allow roughly two hours on-site at the Temple of Horus without a rushed schedule.
- 05Onboard full-board meals served in the dining salon, with tea and coffee available at breakfast service.
- 06Philae Temple reached by motorboat from Aswan pier, followed by a visit to the Aswan High Dam viewpoint.
- 07Disembarkation at Aswan pier after breakfast with a final guided review of finds and local history notes.
02Overview
A first look
Morning light catches the limestone banks as Medea Nile Cruise leaves Luxor, with palm groves, village roofs, and felucca sails passing beyond the panoramic windows. The pace changes between quiet hours on the sun deck and shore excursions through Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, giving you time to watch the river rather than hurry between landmarks.
Our English-speaking Egyptologists put each site into context, while we arrange the cabin class, embarkation details, and shore-excursion schedule before you travel. After the day’s visit, the lounge bar and shaded deck provide a calm place to review what you have seen.
Background
The facts
Medea Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise program includes embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan, with scheduled shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Full board applies from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day.
The vessel offers graded cabins in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, each with an en-suite bathroom and Nile-facing or panoramic windows. Onboard facilities include a sun deck with shaded seating, a small pool, a panoramic dining room, and a lounge bar. Drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities, and personal expenses are typically additional.
Karnak Temple in Luxor was developed over many centuries and is one of Egypt’s largest temple complexes, while Luxor Temple sits on the east bank of the Nile. The Valley of the Kings is on the west bank near Luxor and is known for New Kingdom royal tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, Kom Ombo’s double temple, and Philae on Agilkia Island are standard stops on the cruise excursion program.
The route is commonly sold as either Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor, but the vessel itself is the product, not a one-way trip. Because the cruise stops at major Upper Egypt monuments rather than only sailing between ports, it is typically chosen by travelers who want both river transport and guided sightseeing in one booking.
Named in this entry
Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Tutankhamun·Horus·Upper Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suited to travelers who want a structured Upper Egypt itinerary with guided monument visits and comfortable cabin accommodation. It is a good fit for couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who prefer fixed logistics over independent planning.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike short river packages that rush temple stops, this cruise program includes proper time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo. It also combines cabin accommodation, meals, and guided sightseeing in one booking rather than selling transport and excursions separately.
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
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- En-suite cabin accommodation, graded by class: Standard, Deluxe, Suite
- Scheduled shore excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist
- Use of onboard facilities, including sun deck, lounge bar and pool where present
- Port taxes and routine onboard service charges
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals and premium beverages
- Gratuities for crew and guides, typically paid locally
- Personal expenses such as laundry, spa treatments and phone charges
- Optional private or premium excursions, for example hot-air balloon rides
- Entrance tickets for premium-access sites such as pyramid interiors, where applicable
Tailor it
Make it yours
The cruise can be arranged as a private or shared travel experience depending on the wider booking. Travelers may often request cabin upgrades, additional sightseeing such as hot-air balloon rides, or a longer Egypt itinerary combining Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and a Nile cruise.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangway with steps and can be uneven when the vessel is alongside the quay; transfers between shore and vessel may involve a short step up. Many cabins have single-door thresholds and one or two low steps; some cabins on lower decks are easier to access. Public areas include stairs to the sun deck and to some dining areas; there is no guarantee of a lift between all decks. Shore excursions include walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and temple steps; some sites have steep staircases, limited handrails and cobbled approaches. Wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can assess specific cabin availability, local assistance needs and whether an accessible shore-excursion option can be arranged. We provide meet-and-assist on arrival and can arrange additional mobility assistance with advance notice, subject to local supplier capacity.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses conventional marine diesel engines typical of Nile river cruisers, and fuel consumption is managed by scheduled sailings rather than ad hoc movements. We work with the cruise line and local suppliers to reduce single-use plastics on board: bottled water is supplied in larger containers and reusable glassware is used in the dining room where local infrastructure allows. Food provisioning prioritises Egyptian suppliers for produce, bread and dairy, which supports Cairo, Luxor and Aswan markets and the supply chain of small farms. Shore excursions employ licensed local Egyptologists and local boat crews for short transfers, so a portion of trip spend goes directly to local guides and communities. Solid waste is sorted on board where space permits and transferred to port reception facilities in Luxor and Aswan; blackwater and greywater are handled according to local port regulations. If you have specific sustainability requirements, tell us before booking so we can confirm on-board and supplier practices for your sailing.
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 and any visa documents
- Comfortable, closed shoes for temple visits
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat
- Lightweight daypack for excursions and water bottle
- Medication, seasickness remedies and a small first-aid kit
- Copies of flight details and emergency contact numbers
- Plug adaptor (Egypt uses types C and F, 220–240V)
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime on the Nile
- Covered shoulders and knees for visiting temples and mosques
- A light sweater or fleece for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven surfaces
- Swimwear for the pool on the sun deck, towel provided on many vessels
Children & families
Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers are practical for getting through ports and along quays, but gangways and some temple approaches have steps, so a lightweight, foldable pushchair is preferable. High chairs can usually be provided in the dining room on request; please tell us at the time of booking so we can confirm availability with the cruise supplier.
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 | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,253single cabin $1,812 | Peak dates: from $1,506single cabin $2,403 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $1,542single cabin $2,288 | Peak dates: from $1,880single cabin $3,076 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $2,407single cabin $3,713 | Peak dates: from $2,998single cabin $5,091 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $2,428single cabin $3,733 | Peak dates: from $3,019single cabin $5,112 |
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 and route of the Medea Nile Cruise?
The Medea Nile Cruise typically sails for 3 or 4 nights, offering weekly departures in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The journey includes shore excursions to key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.02What meals and facilities are included during the Medea Nile Cruise?
The Medea Nile Cruise operates on a full board basis, covering all meals from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This includes en-suite cabin accommodation, scheduled shore excursions with an Egyptologist, and use of onboard facilities like the sun deck, pool, and lounge bar.03What is not included in the Medea Nile Cruise price?
The cruise price excludes drinks beyond water with meals, premium beverages, and gratuities for the crew and guides. Personal expenses such as laundry, spa treatments, and phone charges are also not included, nor are optional excursions like hot-air balloon rides or premium-access site tickets.04What are the cabin options on the Medea Nile Cruise?
The Medea Nile Cruise offers a choice of cabin grades: Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. All cabins are en-suite and provide comfortable accommodation for your journey. Pricing is typically per person sharing, with a single supplement applied for solo travelers.05Is the Medea Nile Cruise suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Medea Nile Cruise welcomes families. 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 rate. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.06What should I wear and bring for a Nile cruise?
For shore excursions, we recommend light, comfortable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sturdy walking shoes. Modest dress is advisable for temple visits. Onboard, casual attire is suitable, with slightly smarter options for evening dining. Bring sun cream and any personal medications.07What is the photography policy for sites visited during the cruise?
Photography is generally permitted at most sites, though some areas may prohibit flash photography or require a separate photography ticket, such as inside certain tombs. Your Egyptologist will advise on specific rules at each location. Drones are typically not allowed without special permits.08What is the best time of year to take a Medea Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, though the vessel's air conditioning and pool offer respite.09How accessible is the Medea Nile Cruise for guests with mobility concerns?
Nile cruise vessels, including the Medea, have stairs between decks and gangways that can be steep depending on river levels. Shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient terrain. Guests with significant mobility challenges should contact us to discuss specific needs and suitable arrangements.10Are there opportunities for optional excursions or activities during the cruise?
Yes, the Medea Nile Cruise offers opportunities for optional excursions, such as hot-air balloon rides over Luxor or visits to premium-access sites like specific pyramid interiors. These activities are not included in the standard cruise price and can be arranged locally or in advance.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-520376
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