Salacia Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Salacia 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
- Licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
- Five-star deluxe cruise accommodation and onboard service standard
- English-speaking licensed Egyptologist guides included on shore excursions
Background
The facts
Salacia is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails on the River Nile between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel has Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes, along with public areas such as a sun deck, a lounge bar and a dining room. Cabins are sold per person sharing, and a single supplement is commonly applied for solo travellers.
The cruise programme includes scheduled shore excursions in Upper Egypt, with visits commonly associated with Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. These sites cover both Theban and Pharaonic periods: Karnak expanded from the Middle Kingdom onward, while the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs of the New Kingdom, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Embarkation and disembarkation take place in those two cities, and the cruise is typically used as a transfer-and-sightseeing route along the Nile rather than a point-to-point hotel stay. Full board is included from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Named in this entry
Salacia Nile Cruise · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Nile River · Discovery Tours Egypt · sun deck
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a structured Nile programme with guided shore calls and time to relax on deck between visits. It is a good fit for adults, couples and older families who prefer a classic river-cruise format over independent overland travel.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers requiring full wheelchair accessibility without prior arrangements
- Guests who need a fast-paced, nightlife-focused experience
- Those unwilling to walk on uneven temple stone and steps
What lingers
- 01 Board at the Luxor Nile pier; reception and luggage handled before the noon sail toward the West Bank.
- 02 Guided walk in the Valley of the Kings with entrance to selected tombs and time for photography and commentary.
- 03 Karnak visit at first light: guided passage through the Hypostyle Hall and close study of major inscriptions.
- 04 Edfu stop with an overnight mooring to allow a full two-hour guided exploration of the Horus Temple.
- 05 Kom Ombo visit between sailings; twin temples and crocodile finds lie immediately above the quay with stair access.
- 06 Shaded sun deck seating with awnings; Egyptian coffee and tea service in the afternoon as the riverbank landscape passes.
- 07 Disembark in Aswan for Philae Temple by motorboat and a timed visit to the Aswan High Dam.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus longer seven-night cruises, this five-day cruise focuses tightly on the Luxor–Aswan temple circuit. It covers core archaeological highlights without extra sailing days.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | May to August | Jan to April |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $1,020 | on request |
| Double Cabin | $1,080 | $1,120 |
| Single Cabin | $1,500 | $1,600 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | May to August | Jan to April |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $1,200 | on request |
| Double Cabin | $1,280 | $1,330 |
| Single Cabin | $1,840 | $1,970 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 3/4/ or 7 nights’ Deluxe accommodation on full board basis
- ✓ All sightseeing tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- ✓ Meet & assist service upon arrival & departure
- ✓ All airport and port transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓ Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- ✓ Complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- ✓ All service charges & taxes
- ✓ Small group tours (maximum 8 participants)
Not included
- ✘ Any additional meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary.
- ✘ Personal expenses, including laundry, minibar, and spa treatments.
- ✘ Tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise staff (optional but recommended).
- ✘ Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- ✘ Visa fees and international airfare.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book an early-morning visit to Karnak for cooler temperatures and softer photography light.
- 02
Choose a mid-ship lower-deck cabin for quieter nights and easier shore disembarkation.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pounds for local sellers, tips, and small museum purchases.
- 04
Take sunscreen and a wide-brim hat; sun is strong, even on the river.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Embarkation and disembarkation use gangways; some cabins have limited mobility access. Many archaeological sites have uneven surfaces and steps, so wheelchair access ashore is limited; contact us to discuss assistance and suitable cabin options.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport photocopy and essential travel documents
- Refillable water bottle and reusable snacks for day trips
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat
- Comfortable walking shoes for temple stone and uneven paths
- Small amount of local currency for tips and purchases
What to wear
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Light layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons
- Comfortable, closed shoes suitable for uneven surfaces
- Sun-protective clothing and a light scarf for temples
Children & families
Children are welcome; cabins can accommodate families subject to ship capacity and bedding arrangements. Child fares and age bands vary–contact Discovery Tours Egypt for specific policies and rates.
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The operator sources local produce for onboard menus where possible and trains crew in cultural sensitivity. Waste-reduction and fuel-efficiency measures are promoted to lower the cruise's environmental impact.
-
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 Salacia Nile Cruise is a 5-day, 4-night deluxe voyage from Luxor to Aswan. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt (Cairo + five regional offices; licensed by ETAA), it provides five-star cabins, full-board meals and guided shore excursions to Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
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-194865
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