Nile Quest Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with graded cabins, Nile-view balconies, a shaded sun deck, small pool, and full-board dining.
The short answer
Nile Quest is a 5-Star Standard 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 $935 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, with shaded seating, a small pool, and the quiet movement of riverbank villages beyond the panoramic windows. Between sailing days, shore excursions bring you to Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings, while the lounge bar and dining room give the vessel an easy rhythm after the heat.
We arrange your cabin grade, embarkation, full-board service, and shore-excursion program, while the cruise line operates the vessel and its onboard services.
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 | May – Septembercurrent season |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | May – September: from $935double cabinsingle cabin $1,364 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | May – September: from $1,146double cabinsingle cabin $1,718 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | May – September: from $1,772double cabinsingle cabin $2,773 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | May – September: from $1,793double cabinsingle cabin $2,794 |
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
- 01Graded cabins by class: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, many with Nile-view windows or balconies
- 02Full board service, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 03Sun deck with shaded seating and a small pool for cooling between excursions
- 04Scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Lounge bar and indoor dining room, with panoramic windows on the main public decks
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled shore excursions as listed in the vessel excursion program
- Accommodation in the cabin grade booked, on a per person sharing basis
- Use of on-board public areas: sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room
- Services of on-board crew and ship facilities
Not included
- International flights and airport taxes
- Egypt entry visa and travel insurance
- Premium drinks and beverages (including water)
- Gratuities for on-board and local staff unless otherwise requested
- Optional extras not covered in the vessel program
- Personal expenses
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
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 usually choose between Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin grades, with some cabins offering windows or balconies. The cruise may also be paired with additional pre- or post-cruise hotel nights in Luxor or Aswan, and private arrangements can be requested instead of a shared experience where available.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a structured Nile itinerary with hotel-style comfort, regular guided shore excursions, and limited packing/unpacking. It is a good fit for first-time visitors, history-focused travelers, and couples or families who prefer organized travel over independent planning.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a hotel stay in one city, this vessel combines accommodation with river transport between Luxor and Aswan and includes scheduled shore excursions. Compared with independent travel, it reduces logistics by bundling full board, cabin accommodation, and monument visits into one arranged program. It is also different from a day tour because the experience takes place over nights aboard the vessel rather than a single sightseeing transfer.
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.
- Queen of Sheeba Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $798 per person
- Semiramis III Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Luxor
From $818 per person
- Magic I Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $818 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
- 5-Star Cruise Vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite Cabins
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu (Temple of Horus) · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Scheduled shore excursions per vessel program · Cabin accommodation on a per-person-sharing basis · Use of sun deck, pool, lounge bar, and dining room · On-board crew services and ship facilities
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers seeking organized river travel
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone and sand
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and sunglasses
- Lightweight refillable water bottle
- Hat or neck covering for sun protection
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Any necessary medications in original packaging
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light jumper for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking on tomb steps and stone surfaces
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free, 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare, and children aged 12 and over 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. Cribs and high chairs are not standard on Nile cruise ships; bring or request them in advance and we will pass the request to the cruise line, who will confirm availability. Strollers are usable on the vessel, but may be impractical on shore calls with stairs and uneven surfaces.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has stairs between decks, narrow gangways and cabin thresholds that present a challenge for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Public areas include steps to reach the sun deck and pool, and shore excursions often require walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and short flights of stairs at temple entrances. Wheelchair users should expect to remain on board during many shore calls unless they bring a compact, self-propelled chair and a traveling companion to assist; transfer steps into tender boats may be unavoidable at some docks. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we can arrange assistance at Luxor or Aswan airports on request, but we cannot guarantee full step-free access ashore. Please contact us before booking so we can assess specific mobility needs and advise which cabin grades have the most accessible door thresholds and floor layouts.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses a diesel-engine river vessel, with crew and on-board services supplied by the cruise line. Transfers to and from Luxor and Aswan airports are typically in air-conditioned minibuses that meet local safety standards. Local staff, guides and suppliers are paid by the cruise line for services, and Discovery Tours Egypt contracts excursions with licensed Egyptologists and small, local craft operators where available. Waste management and potable water practices vary by vessel, so we can share the ship's published procedures on request. If you would like to reduce your footprint, bring a refillable water bottle, avoid single-use plastics on board, and consider tipping directly to local guides and crew to support household incomes.
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 the Nile Quest Nile Cruise?
This duration allows for a balanced experience of sailing and shore excursions at key ancient sites along the Nile River.02What is included in the Nile Quest Nile Cruise package?
Your Nile Quest Nile Cruise includes full board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Scheduled shore excursions, accommodation in your booked cabin grade, and access to on-board public areas like the sun deck and lounge bar are also covered.03What is not included in the Nile Quest Nile Cruise price?
The cruise price excludes international flights, Egypt entry visas, and travel insurance. Premium drinks, gratuities for on-board and local staff, optional extras, and personal expenses are also not included.04What shore excursions are part of the Nile Quest Nile Cruise program?
The vessel's excursion program includes visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These excursions are scheduled during your sailing between Luxor and Aswan.05What are the cabin options on the Nile Quest Nile Cruise?
Cabins on the Nile Quest Nile Cruise are graded by class, typically including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite options. Each cabin offers comfortable accommodation, often with panoramic windows or balconies for Nile views. Pricing is generally per person sharing.06What is the policy for children on the Nile Quest 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 guests wear and bring for the Nile Quest Nile Cruise?
We recommend light, comfortable clothing for daytime excursions, modest attire for religious sites, and a light jacket for cooler evenings on deck. Essentials include sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and any personal medications.08What kind of food is served on board the Nile Quest Nile Cruise?
The Nile Quest Nile Cruise offers full board, with meals served in the dining room from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The cuisine typically features a mix of international and Egyptian dishes.09Is the Nile Quest Nile Cruise accessible for guests with mobility challenges?
Nile cruise vessels generally have stairs between decks, and gangways can be steep depending on water levels. While staff assist, guests should be able to navigate some uneven surfaces and steps. Specific accessibility needs should be discussed when booking.10How often does the Nile Quest Nile Cruise sail between Luxor and Aswan?
This allows flexibility for travelers to choose their preferred embarkation and disembarkation points.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-608912
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Standard
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