Monica Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser offering full-board dining and shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Edfu, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings.
The short answer
Monica is a 5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Wednesday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Saturday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,015 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At dawn, the Nile moves quietly past the cabin windows as Monica Nile Cruise leaves the riverbank, with palms, farmland, and village life unfolding beyond the water. The pace is unhurried: coffee on deck, time in the lounge between sailing and shore excursions, and the changing light over Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
We arrange your cabin, embarkation details, and shore-excursion coordination with the cruise line, while our Egyptologists provide context at the sites. Full board begins with lunch on embarkation day and ends with breakfast at disembarkation.
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 | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $1,015double cabinsingle cabin $1,397 | May – September: from $859double cabinsingle cabin $1,132 | Peak dates: from $1,132double cabinsingle cabin $1,600 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,260double cabinsingle cabin $1,770 | May – September: from $1,052double cabinsingle cabin $1,416 | Peak dates: from $1,416double cabinsingle cabin $2,040 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,989double cabinsingle cabin $2,881 | May – September: from $1,625double cabinsingle cabin $2,262 | Peak dates: from $2,262double cabinsingle cabin $3,354 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $2,008double cabinsingle cabin $2,900 | May – September: from $1,644double cabinsingle cabin $2,281 | Peak dates: from $2,281double cabinsingle cabin $3,373 |
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
- 01Sailing between Luxor and Aswan in either direction
- 02Shore excursions to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- 03Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo
- 04Explore Philae Temple near Aswan
- 05See the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank
- 06Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
Bundled in
- Sun Deck
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Main Lounge Bar
- Spa Center
- Massage Room
- Boutique
- Jewelry Shop
- Laundry Service
- Dry Cleaning Service
- Internet Corner
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas
- Library
- Reception Area
- Soundproofing
- Ultra Violet Water Treatment
- Credit Card Payments
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation in a 5-star Nile cruise cabin
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day
- The vessel’s shore-excursion program at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Cancellation terms are as shown on the product page
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 request Luxor-to-Aswan or Aswan-to-Luxor sailing, subject to availability, along with private arrangements around embarkation and disembarkation.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, history enthusiasts, couples, and families seeking a structured Nile experience with included shore excursions. Travelers should be comfortable boarding a vessel, using gangways, and walking across archaeological sites with uneven surfaces
- private guiding and cabin arrangements can be requested where available.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines accommodation, river sailing, meals, and a planned program of riverside archaeological visits.
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.
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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 Cabin
- Destinations
- Nile River · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo · Philae · Aswan
- Includes
- 5-star Nile cruise cabin · Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Shore excursions to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Shore excursions to Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore excursion to Philae Temple · Shore excursion to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travelers seeking full-board river cruising
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Cruise booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Medication and basic personal toiletries
- Small day bag for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm weather
- Comfortable shoes for uneven ancient stone and sand
- A light sweater or shawl for air-conditioned areas and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the pool or sun deck
- Sun hat and sunglasses
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. Strollers can be difficult on gangways, stairs, quays, and archaeological sites, so a compact foldable model is more practical. High-chair availability should be requested before booking and confirmed with the assigned vessel.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves uneven quays, gangways, steps, and narrow corridors between the cabin deck, dining room, lounge bar, and sun deck. Shore excursions may include uneven ancient stone, sand, cobblestones, stairs, and limited shade at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. Wheelchair access varies by vessel and embarkation quay, and some gangways are steep. Guests with reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin location, assistance requirements, and excursion alternatives. A mobility aid may be practical on board but difficult at several archaeological sites.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses a river vessel for travel between Luxor and Aswan, reducing the need for separate road transfers between the main Nile Valley stops. Shore excursions use local transport and local Egyptologists arranged through our licensed Egyptian tour operator. Dining, cabin service, navigation, and site access are supplied by Egyptian cruise and tourism businesses. The main environmental considerations remain fuel use, freshwater consumption, laundry, food waste, and shore-side transport. Guests can help by reusing towels, carrying a refillable bottle where permitted, avoiding single-use plastics, and following site rules that protect ancient stone and painted surfaces.
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 Monica Nile Cruise?
The Monica Nile Cruise includes a program of shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. These excursions are led by our Egyptologists.02What meals are included on the Monica Nile Cruise?
The Monica Nile Cruise operates on a full-board basis, which includes all meals from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically extra.03What is the cabin configuration and view like on the Monica Nile Cruise?
Cabins on the Monica Nile Cruise feature panoramic windows offering Nile views. Specific cabin sizes and whether they include balconies can vary by cabin class, with details available upon booking.04What is the policy for children on the Monica Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.05What should I wear and bring for a Nile cruise?
We recommend comfortable clothing and walking shoes for shore excursions. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection. Modest dress is advised for temple visits. Pack a light jacket for cooler evenings on deck.06Is the Monica Nile Cruise accessible for guests with mobility concerns?
Nile cruise vessels, including the Monica Nile Cruise, have stairs between decks and may not be fully accessible for guests with significant mobility challenges. Shore excursions often involve walking on uneven ancient stone and sand.07What is the best time of year to take a Monica Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot.08Are gratuities included in the Monica Nile Cruise price?
No, personal expenses and gratuities for the cruise staff and Egyptologists are not included in the Monica Nile Cruise price. We recommend budgeting for these separately.09How does Discovery Tours Egypt arrange the Monica Nile Cruise?
Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, carefully selects and arranges your Monica Nile Cruise with the owning cruise line. We coordinate your cabin booking and the included shore excursion program.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-199589
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe
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