Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise
The short answer
Nile Dolphin is a 5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday 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
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beside the sun deck, while the riverbank slips past in palms, villages, and fields. Inside, the lounge bar and dining room offer a quieter rhythm between shore excursions, with the pool available when the heat builds. Your cabin becomes a private base as Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation available in either city. Our licensed Egyptian tour operator team selects the sailing, arranges the shore-excursion schedule, and confirms your cabin and meals before departure. Our Egyptologists bring Karnak Temple, Edfu, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings into context without turning the days into a lecture.
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 Fridays | October – April: from $1,015double cabinsingle cabin $1,397 | May – September: from $644double cabinsingle cabin $761 | Peak dates: from $1,093double cabinsingle cabin $1,561 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,260double cabinsingle cabin $1,770 | May – September: from $766double cabinsingle cabin $922 | Peak dates: from $1,364double cabinsingle cabin $1,988 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,989double cabinsingle cabin $2,881 | May – September: from $1,124double cabinsingle cabin $1,397 | Peak dates: from $2,171double cabinsingle cabin $3,263 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $2,008double cabinsingle cabin $2,900 | May – September: from $1,144double cabinsingle cabin $1,417 | Peak dates: from $2,190double cabinsingle cabin $3,282 |
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.
The ship
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise ship
- Year built
- 2007
- Cabins
- 63
- Decks
- 5
- Length
- 72 m
What lingers
- 01Deluxe 5-star Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan
- 02Swimming pool and sun deck for time between shore excursions
- 03Restaurant, bar and lounge onboard
- 04Visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Shore excursions to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
On property
What's here
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
- Wi-Fi
Bundled in
- All meals
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Shore-excursion program covering Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings
- Use of the swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, and lounge
- Wi-Fi onboard
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Single supplement
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses and services not listed in the inclusions
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
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange private or shared shore excursions, subject to availability, and can coordinate embarkation or disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. Travelers may request premium entrances, such as selected tombs, or additional hotel nights and transfers; these are priced separately when not included.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
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 archaeological visits with relaxed sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Travelers should be comfortable with hot-weather sightseeing, uneven temple surfaces and boarding or disembarking at river ports.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this cruise combines accommodation, sailing and a planned program of Upper Egypt temple visits. Unlike a fixed hotel stay, embarkation and disembarkation can be arranged in Luxor or Aswan, with full board beginning at lunch on embarkation day and ending after breakfast on disembarkation day.
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.
- Sun Times Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,015 per person
- Stephanie Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,015 per person
- Nile Treasure Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,015 per person
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
- Deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser
- Destinations
- Nile River · Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Temple of Horus at Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae
- Includes
- Cabin accommodation aboard the assigned Nile cruiser · Full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation · Shore excursions to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings · Swimming pool and sun deck access · Restaurant, bar and lounge access · Onboard Wi-Fi
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travelers seeking guided Upper Egypt sightseeing
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance details
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 or higher
- Reusable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Any required medication
- Small bag for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples
- Modest clothing for mosque visits
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the pool and sun deck
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50%; children 12 and older 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 are not practical for many shore visits because of steps, uneven stone, sand, and gangways. High-chair availability should be requested before booking and depends on the assigned vessel.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A Nile cruise combines onboard access with shore excursions over uneven historic terrain. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings include stone surfaces, steps, ramps, narrow passages, and areas with sand or limited shade. Boarding may require crossing a gangway and managing steps, depending on the dock and water level. Cabins and public areas may not be designed for wheelchair turning space. Guests using wheelchairs or with limited mobility should request an assessment before booking, as assistance and accessible cabin availability depend on the assigned vessel and local sites.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses a river vessel and local road transport for transfers between the embarkation port, docks, and shore excursions. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise and works with Egyptian transport providers, licensed Egyptologists, port agents, and locally owned service businesses. Shore visits support guides, drivers, site staff, and community businesses in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Environmental facilities vary by the assigned vessel, so we do not claim specific fuel, waste, water, or energy certifications. Guests can help by avoiding single-use plastics and following onboard waste instructions.
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 is the typical duration of a Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
This allows for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's key sites, combining sailing days with shore excursions.02What is included in the full board on the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise covers meals from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This includes all meals served in the onboard restaurant. Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately.03What shore excursions are part of the Nile Dolphin program?
The Nile Dolphin shore excursion program includes visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. These excursions are guided and provide insight into ancient Egyptian history.04What amenities are available on the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
The Nile Dolphin is a 5-star vessel featuring a swimming pool, a spacious sun deck, a restaurant, a bar, and a comfortable lounge. Wi-Fi access is also available onboard, allowing you to relax and stay connected between excursions.05Is the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise accessible for travelers with mobility challenges?
Nile cruise vessels, including the Nile Dolphin, typically have stairs between decks and gangways that can be steep depending on river levels. While some areas may be accessible, travelers with significant mobility challenges should contact us to discuss specific needs and cabin options.06What is the policy for children on the Nile Dolphin 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 fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
We recommend light, comfortable clothing for daytime excursions, along with a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jacket or shawl is advisable. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring ancient sites.08What is the best time of year to take a Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. The summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.09Are gratuities included in the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise price?
Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists are not included in the standard Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise price. It is customary to tip for good service, and we can provide guidance on appropriate amounts closer to your departure.10Can I upgrade my cabin on the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise?
Cabin upgrades on the Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise may be available depending on the vessel's configuration and availability at the time of booking. Options typically include larger cabins or those with specific views, such as panoramic windows or balconies. Please inquire for details.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-672096
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe
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