Discovery Tours Egypt
From per person$851
Nile Cruise 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Aswan → Luxor

Tulip Nile Cruise

At a glance

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

The short answer

MS Tulip Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Guide languages
English · French · German · Italian · Others
  • Discovery Tours Egypt – operating since 1988 from Cairo and five regional offices
  • Licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
  • Professional, Egyptologist-qualified guides for temple and tomb visits
  • 24/7 local operational support and on-the-ground teams

02 Overview

A first look

Aboard MS Tulip you spend four days cruising between Luxor's East and West Banks. Guided visits typically include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.

Background

The facts

MS Tulip is a five-star Nile river vessel based on the Luxor and Aswan sailing corridor. It is arranged for guests by Discovery Tours Egypt and features Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabins, with many units offering panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. The onboard layout typically includes a sun deck with shaded seating and loungers, an indoor saloon, a lounge bar, and a dining room for full board meals.

The cruise vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme normally includes major Upper Egypt sites associated with the Nile cruise route: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor. These visits are arranged as part of the vessel programme rather than as separate day tours.

Luxor is the embarkation and disembarkation point on some sailings, while Aswan serves the same role on others. Full board generally covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day, while drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra. The vessel is selected for travellers who want to combine time on the Nile with guided temple visits and a more relaxed shipboard pace.

Named in this entry

MS Tulip · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Nile River · Discovery Tours Egypt · ETAA · Nile cruise · sun deck

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This is suitable for adults and older children who want a structured Nile cruise with guided sightseeing and comfortable onboard accommodation. It appeals to travellers interested in ancient Egyptian temples, river scenery, and a slower pace than bus-based touring.

Maybe not, if

  • Guests requiring full wheelchair accessibility due to narrow gangways and site steps
  • Travelers wanting a very active or high-adventure itinerary

What lingers

  • 01 Board at Luxor Nile Corniche pier, a short walk from Luxor Temple, mid-afternoon on day one.
  • 02 Guided West Bank visit to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, and Colossi of Memnon.
  • 03 Pass through the Esna lock in the late afternoon while the ship adjusts to river levels.
  • 04 Visit Edfu Temple after a short transfer by carriage or shuttle, with approximately 90 minutes on-site.
  • 05 Stop at Kom Ombo and moor on the riverbank for a focused one-hour visit to the double temple.
  • 06 Moor at Aswan corniche; visit Philae by motorboat, see the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
  • 07 Full-board dining in the ship’s dining room; breakfasts provided early for pre-dawn excursions.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Versus longer seven-night cruises, this 4-day itinerary focuses tightly on the Luxor–Aswan temple cluster without extra days at sea. It suits travelers short on time who still want guided visits to key archaeological sites.

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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.

  1. 1

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Accommodation aboard MS Tulip in the chosen cabin class
  • Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
  • Onboard facilities such as lounge bar, saloon and sun deck
  • Shore excursions as scheduled by the vessel's programme

Not included

  • International flights, airport taxes and visas
  • Drinks beyond water with meals and any onboard bar bills
  • Gratuities and tipping for ship crew and guides unless requested
  • Premium archaeological site extras, such as optional tomb entrances (Tutankhamun, Seti I) where applicable
  • Travel insurance and personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Book an early-morning Valley of the Kings visit to avoid crowds and afternoon heat.

  2. 02

    Bring small Egyptian pounds for market purchases and tips to local guides and crew.

  3. 03

    Select a Nile-facing cabin to watch temples and villages pass by at leisure.

  4. 04

    Use the sun deck for sunset views; carry sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The ship has standard gangway access and cabins with ensuite facilities, but gangways and temple sites involve steps. Travelers with limited mobility should contact us before booking to discuss cabin placement and excursion suitability.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

What to bring

  • Sunhat, sunscreen and polarized sunglasses
  • Comfortable walking shoes for temple visits
  • Light layers for cool early mornings and evenings
  • Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
  • Small daypack for shore excursions

What to wear

  • Modest, breathable clothing for temple sites (knees and shoulders covered)
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes for uneven surfaces
  • Smart-casual outfit for evening dining aboard

Children & families

Children are welcome but must share a cabin with adults; child fares and age restrictions vary. Please enquire for specific child rates and cabin-sharing rules.

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.

While you're here

Worth pairing

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Discovery Tours Egypt works with local suppliers to source produce and reduce food miles. Guides receive training in cultural respect and minimal-impact visitor conduct at archaeological sites.

  • 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

The MS Tulip Nile Cruise is a 4-day, 3-night Luxor-to-Aswan sailing offering ultra-deluxe Nile accommodation, all meals, and guided shore excursions to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt (since 1988; Cairo plus five regional offices; ETAA-licensed).

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What is included on the MS Tulip 4-day Nile cruise?
    The 4-day MS Tulip cruise includes accommodation on board, daily meals, and guided shore excursions unless otherwise noted. Standard site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise; premium tombs and pyramid interiors are excluded. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and do not run coach-style group tours–excursions use guides and Egyptologists we assign. Optional extras such as soft drinks, private transfers, and onboard gratuities are usually charged separately.
  2. 02 Which archaeological sites does a 4-day Luxor cruise on the MS Tulip normally visit?
    Typical 4-day Luxor cruises visit the East Bank (Karnak and Luxor Temple) and the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut). Exact stops vary by departure and we confirm the day-by-day itinerary at booking. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's require extra tickets and are not included by default. Unlike one-day bus trips, a 4-day cruise spaces visits across mornings and late afternoons to reduce midday heat exposure.
  3. 03 How do I get to the MS Tulip in Luxor?
    We can arrange airport or hotel transfers in Luxor; our drivers meet you with a name card in arrivals or at your hotel. We provide the berth address and a local mobile contact before you travel so you know exactly where the MS Tulip will be moored. If you prefer to self-transfer, the Luxor Nile quay is centrally located; luggage assistance at the quay depends on local port arrangements.
  4. 04 Are entrance fees, airport transfers, and gratuities included on the MS Tulip?
    Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise; airport transfers and gratuities are not included by default. Pyramid interiors and premium tombs require separate tickets and are excluded unless you request them. We can add airport transfers or pre-pay suggested gratuities for the crew and guides if you ask when booking. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we handle local receipts and payments for any extras you choose.
  5. 05 Is the MS Tulip suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
    Expect narrow gangways, cabin steps, and uneven ancient stone at shore sites; the MS Tulip does not guarantee full wheelchair access. Many Nile ships require passengers to climb gangway ramps and stairs to reach shore, and quays may lack ramps or lifts. An able companion or porter is recommended for guests with reduced mobility. If you need lower-deck cabins or assistance at the quay, notify us at booking so we can check availability and plan support.
  6. 06 What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise on the MS Tulip?
    Bring sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, modest clothing for temples, medication, and a light layer for cooler evenings. Also carry a photocopy of your passport, any visas, a small first-aid kit, and prescription medicines in their original packaging. Temples and mosques require covered shoulders and knees; comfortable sandals or trainers help on uneven surfaces. Laundry service on short cruises may be limited, so pack accordingly.

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 17 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-LUX-343799

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