Discovery Tours Egypt
From per personOn Request
Nile Cruise 5-Star Luxury Luxor → Aswan

Farah Nile Cruise

A 5-star Nile cruiser with sun deck, lounge bar, panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, full-board dining, and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.

At a glance

Length
4 days · 3 nights
Embarks
Mon, Fri
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

The short answer

Farah Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel operating weekly between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
5-Star Cabin Accommodation
Includes
Full-board meals · Standard, Deluxe, or Suite cabin · Scheduled shore excursions · Sun deck access · Lounge bar and dining room · English-speaking cruise staff · Port and harbour taxes where charged
Best for
History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travelers seeking an organized Nile itinerary
Guide languages
English
  • Licensed by Egyptian Tourism Authority
  • Discovery Tours Egypt
  • Cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt with third-party vessel operation
  • English-speaking cruise staff
  • Standard site entrance fees included unless stated otherwise

02 Overview

A first look

The sun deck fills with orange light as the vessel slips past sugarcane and small Nile quays; you step outside to the warm breeze and the river’s quiet current. Inside, panoramic windows and Nile-view balconies give the cabins a steady, moving picture of river life while the lounge bar becomes the evening place for maps and briefings.

We arrange the vessel and its scheduled shore-excursion programme so your days alternate between sailing and on-shore visits to named sites; unlike fast-turnaround day boats, the timetable allows longer visits at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Your Egyptologist will meet you onboard for an introductory briefing at embarkation.

Background

The facts

Farah Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation in either city depending on the sailing direction. The cruise programme typically combines sailing days with guided shore excursions at major Upper Egypt sites, including Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These sites represent different periods of ancient Egyptian history, from New Kingdom Thebes to Ptolemaic and Roman riverfront temples.

Luxor and Aswan are separated by roughly 220 kilometers of river distance, and the cruise route follows the Nile south through a landscape shaped by ancient settlement and temple building. Luxor’s East Bank monuments are associated with Karnak and Luxor Temple, while the West Bank contains the funerary landscape of the Valley of the Kings. Aswan is the southern terminus for many Nile cruises and is the access point for Philae Temple, relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies depending on the category booked. Public spaces include a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room, and the vessel is sold on a full-board basis from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Standard site entrance fees are generally included in Egypt tour pricing unless stated otherwise; premium tomb interiors such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are excluded unless specifically requested.

Named in this entry

Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple Complex · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Horus, Edfu · Kom Ombo Temple · Philae Temple · Thebes · Aswan High Dam

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This vessel suits travelers who want an organized Nile itinerary with guided sightseeing, fixed meals, and hotel-style cabin accommodation. It is especially relevant for adult couples, solo travelers, and families with older children who are comfortable with several temple visits and time spent on a moving river vessel.

What lingers

  • 01 Four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and Philae Temple.
  • 02 Guided shore excursions by our Egyptologists at Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple; tomb interiors require separate tickets.
  • 03 Sail stops include Kom Ombo and Edfu; we allot two hours at Edfu Temple after morning crowds depart.
  • 04 Embarkation and disembarkation arranged with private transfers; our driver meets you at your Nile-side hotel or airport.
  • 05 Unlike large mixed-operator cruises, our schedule prioritizes early-morning access to Karnak Temple before tour boats arrive.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike independent hotel stays in Luxor or Aswan, this cruise combines accommodation, meals, and a fixed temple programme in one itinerary. Compared with land-only tours, it reduces repeated packing and long road transfers while still covering key Upper Egypt monuments. The vessel is also different from a private day tour because the sightseeing is built around the cruise schedule and onboard full-board stay.

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

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 Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full-board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
  • Accommodation in your chosen cabin grade (Standard, Deluxe or Suite).
  • Scheduled shore excursions as listed in the vessel's programme.
  • Use of public areas on board: sun deck, lounge bar and dining room.
  • English-speaking cruise staff and onboard service.
  • Port and harbour taxes where charged by the vessel.

Not included

  • International or domestic flights to/from Egypt.
  • Transfers to/from embarkation and disembarkation ports unless booked separately.
  • Drinks beyond water with meals (where applicable) and bar bills.
  • Gratuities for cruise staff and local guides.
  • Entrance fees to premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) or pyramid interiors unless explicitly requested.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange private transfers, upgrade cabin categories, and add pre- or post-cruise stays in Luxor or Aswan. Depending on availability, travelers may also request premium tomb entry, extra sightseeing, or a longer Egypt itinerary that combines the Nile cruise with Cairo or the Red Sea. The cruise can be booked as a private arrangement or as part of a wider multi-day Egypt program.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The Farah Nile Cruise involves multiple short boardings and disembarkations onto quays and small piers; expect uneven stone surfaces, short gangways and steps between the pier and lower-deck corridor. Onboard circulation includes stairs between decks; there is no guaranteed lift access to all public areas on every vessel in this class. Shore excursions may require walking on cobbles, uneven ancient stone, soft sand and stepped temple entrances. Wheelchair users with limited mobility should contact us in advance so we can assess cabin suitability and arrange assistance where possible; full independent wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed. Registered mobility aids may not fit in some cabin doorways; battery-charged mobility scooters are usually not permitted on board for safety reasons.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

What to bring

  • Valid passport and printed or digital booking voucher
  • Sunscreen SPF50+, sun hat and sunglasses
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
  • Reusable water bottle (refills available onboard)
  • Any required medication plus a small first-aid kit
  • Copy of any relevant travel insurance documents

What to wear

  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
  • A light jumper for cooler evenings on deck
  • Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
  • Comfortable, closed shoes for archaeological sites
  • Smart-casual outfit for evening dining if you prefer

Children & families

Minimum age for cabin occupancy is generally 4 years; infants under 2 may travel at reduced rates on request but must occupy the parents’ cabin. Child pricing varies by cabin grade and is priced per person sharing; a single supplement usually applies to solo travellers. Strollers are practical onboard but may be difficult on some shore sites with steps and uneven stone; child seats and high chairs are not guaranteed—please request these at booking so we can confirm availability with the cruise line.

Location

On the map

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel is a conventional Nile river cruiser using fuel-powered propulsion typical for Nile sailings; shore transfers and small-boat landings use the vessel’s tender launches where required. We contract directly with local suppliers for crew, provisioning and excursion guides to support the local economy; crew employment and guest services are provided by the cruise line staffed locally. Onboard waste handling follows the vessel’s procedures: food waste is separated, plastics are minimised in provisioning, and greywater is managed per harbour rules. Guests can reduce impact by bringing reusable water bottles and declining single-use plastics; we will advise on permitted disposal of batteries and medical waste before embarkation.

  • 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

Farah Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile vessel with Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabins, full-board meals, and scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. The cruise includes use of the sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise and coordinates the included services.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What is included on the Farah Nile Cruise?
    Full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day and scheduled shore excursions are included. The vessel provides accommodation in the chosen cabin grade (Standard, Deluxe or Suite), use of public areas (sun deck, lounge bar, dining room), English-speaking cruise staff, and port/harbour taxes where charged. Premium tomb entrance fees (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and transfers to/from the ports are excluded unless requested.
  2. 02 When and where does the Farah Nile Cruise embark and disembark?
    The vessel embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan and sails weekly in both directions. Exact embarkation and disembarkation times are sent on your e‑ticket; typically embarkation is early afternoon and disembarkation is mid-morning, but times vary by sailing.
  3. 03 Are transfers to the embarkation port included with the Farah Nile Cruise?
    Transfers to and from the embarkation and disembarkation ports are not included unless you book them with us. We can arrange airport or hotel transfers for an additional fee and will confirm pickup times that align with the vessel's schedule.
  4. 04 What cabin grades are available on the Farah Nile Cruise and how is pricing structured?
    Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies; pricing is per person sharing. Single supplements typically apply. Contact us for exact cabin sizes, deck locations and single-supplement terms for your departure.
  5. 05 Is the visit to the Valley of the Kings included on the Farah Nile Cruise?
    A scheduled shore excursion to the Valley of the Kings is included in the vessel's programme and standard tomb entrance fees are covered. Entrance to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I is excluded unless you request and pay for them separately.
  6. 06 What should I wear and bring on the Farah Nile Cruise shore excursions?
    Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, and comfortable walking shoes; temples and mosques require modest dress (covered shoulders and knees). Also pack a light layer for early-morning or evening breezes and any personal medications.
  7. 07 Are children allowed on the Farah Nile Cruise and are there family cabins?
    Children are welcome, but cabin availability and bedding configurations vary by sailing. Some cabins accept cots or extra beds; age and occupancy rules depend on the vessel's policy. Contact us with ages and party makeup so we can confirm options and safety arrangements.
  8. 08 What accessibility and fitness levels are required for the Farah Nile Cruise shore excursions?
    Shore excursions involve uneven ancient stone, steps, and occasional sand; tours may include stairs at temples and tombs. The vessel itself has multiple decks and some cabins accessed by stairs. Tell us about mobility needs in advance so we can advise on appropriate cabin locations and tailored excursion options.
  9. 09 Can I take photographs and fly a drone during the Farah Nile Cruise visits?
    Photography for personal use is generally allowed at temples and monuments, but flash is prohibited in many tombs and some sites restrict tripods. Drone use almost always requires special permits and is effectively not permitted on scheduled shore excursions; please check with us before planning drone filming.
  10. 10 What is the best time of year to sail on the Farah Nile Cruise?
    October to April offers milder temperatures and more comfortable sightseeing conditions along the Nile. Summers (May–September) are very hot, especially on outdoor decks and at open-air temples; if you travel then, plan early-morning excursions and extra sun protection.

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 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-722273

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