Nile Quest Nile Cruise
5-star Nile cruiser, graded cabins, panoramic windows, sun deck with pool, full-board dining and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Nile Quest Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- New
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 programme · 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 · Travellers seeking organised river travel
- Guide languages
- English
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Third-party cruise line operates the vessel and on-board services
- Scheduled shore excursions follow the published vessel programme
- Full board is clearly defined from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Cabin grades and inclusions are disclosed before booking
- Local support is provided throughout the booking and travel process
02 Overview
A first look
By sunrise the Nile is a ribbon of light and shadow, the sun deck filling with warm air and the clink of glass by the pool as the vessel slips from the quay. On board you move between a shaded sun deck, a lounge with panoramic windows and graded cabins, stepping ashore for scheduled shore excursions to the temple sites while the crew readies the dining room for full board service.
Our Egyptologists meet the group before each visit and explain what to look for; we arrange embarkation and disembarkation formalities for you. Unlike many tight-schedule cruises, we avoid packing excursions into rushed afternoon windows, giving you fuller time ashore.
Background
The facts
Nile Quest Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated on board by a third-party cruise line. It sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, with embarkation and disembarkation in those two cities and a programme of alternating sailing days and shore excursions.
The vessel’s excursion programme typically includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. These sites are connected by the Nile corridor between Upper Egypt’s main embarkation ports, with sailing used to move between Luxor and Aswan while excursions are conducted ashore.
Cabins are graded by class, typically Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, with some cabins offering Nile-view windows or balconies. Public areas include a sun deck with shaded seating, a small pool, a lounge bar, and an indoor dining room with panoramic windows. Full board generally runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day, while drinks beyond water with meals and gratuities are usually extra.
For visitors, the cruise combines transport and sightseeing on the Nile rather than a single city stay. It is most relevant to travellers who want to visit major Pharaonic and Greco-Roman monuments while staying on a river vessel between the two historic Nile cities.
Named in this entry
Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple · Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple · Philae Temple · Valley of the Kings · Nile River
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 travellers, and couples or families who prefer organised travel over independent planning.
What lingers
- 01 Graded cabins by class: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, many with Nile-view windows or balconies
- 02 Full board service, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 03 Sun deck with shaded seating and a small pool for cooling between excursions
- 04 Scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05 Lounge bar and indoor dining room, with panoramic windows on the main public decks
- 06 Sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, alternating sailing days and excursion days
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 programme. It is also different from a day tour because the experience takes place over nights aboard the vessel rather than a single sightseeing transfer.
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
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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 programme
- 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 beyond water with meals
- Gratuities for on-board and local staff unless otherwise requested
- Optional extras not covered in the vessel programme
- Personal expenses
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers 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.
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 travelling 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.
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.
Location
On the map
– 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. We work with the ship and local suppliers to schedule weekly sailings so shore-excursion timing reduces peak congestion at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings; the vessel alternates sailing and excursion days to spread visitor numbers. 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.
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Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
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Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
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Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
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Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
· In summary
Nile Quest Nile Cruise is a Nile river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line. It includes full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, plus scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite grades, and public areas include a sun deck, pool, lounge bar, and dining room.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
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01 What is the typical duration of the Nile Quest Nile Cruise?
The Nile Quest Nile Cruise typically sails for 8 days, offering a comprehensive journey between Luxor and Aswan. This duration allows for a balanced experience of sailing and shore excursions at key ancient sites along the Nile River. -
02 What 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. -
03 What 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. -
04 What shore excursions are part of the Nile Quest Nile Cruise programme?
The vessel's excursion programme 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. -
05 What 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. -
06 What 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. -
07 What 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. -
08 What 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. -
09 Is 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. -
10 How often does the Nile Quest Nile Cruise sail between Luxor and Aswan?
The Nile Quest Nile Cruise vessel sails weekly in both directions, offering regular departures between Luxor and Aswan. This allows flexibility for travellers to choose their preferred embarkation and disembarkation points.
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 8 July 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-608912
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