Soleil Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck and lounge bar, full-board dining and guided shore excursions; sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Soleil Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cruise Cabin Categories: Standard, Deluxe, Suite
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu (Temple of Horus) · Kom Ombo · Philae
- Includes
- Accommodation in selected cabin grade · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Scheduled shore excursions as per vessel program · Use of sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room · Service of on-board crew and captain
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travelers seeking a structured Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator that selects and arranges this cruise for travelers.
- Cabins, meals, and shore excursions are booked as part of a structured cruise program with a cruise-line-operated vessel.
- Scheduled temple visits are coordinated in advance, reducing logistics for travelers moving between Luxor and Aswan.
- Support is available through Discovery Tours Egypt before and during travel for itinerary coordination and booking assistance.
- Traveler reviews and repeat bookings are commonly used to assess cruise quality, cabin category, and excursion pacing.
02Overview
A first look
By the time the sun leans low over the Nile, the vessel’s sun deck smells of warm timber and cooling river air, and the Pyramid-shaped silhouette of Luxor Temple can still be seen from the quay. Onboard, panoramic windows frame the river as cabins trade city noise for the slow pulse of sailing, while the lounge bar and dining room set a steady rhythm to the day.
We hand-pick this cruise and arrange bookings with the cruise line rather than operating the vessel ourselves, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. One of our Egyptologists meets guests on embarkation to introduce the shore-excursion program and practical notes for your time on the Nile.
Background
The facts
Soleil Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan, the two main embarkation ports used for Upper Egypt cruise traffic. The route follows the Nile corridor between the southern city of Aswan and Luxor, where the riverfront distance is roughly 200 km by water, with shore-excursion stops arranged along the way.
The vessel’s excursion program includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. Karnak and Luxor are located on the east bank at Luxor; the Valley of the Kings is on the west bank opposite the city; Edfu lies between Luxor and Aswan; Kom Ombo is north of Aswan; and Philae is reached from Aswan by boat transfer to Agilkia Island.
Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, with Nile views where available. Public areas typically include a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing travelers to connect the cruise with flights, hotel stays, or longer Egypt itineraries.
Full Board applies from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities, optional visits, pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, and flights are separate unless specifically added to the booking arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a structured Nile itinerary with guided temple visits and comfortable onboard accommodation. It is a strong fit for adults, couples, and families who are comfortable with several days of moving between sightseeing and sailing days, with moderate walking at archaeological sites.
What lingers
- 01Graded cabins: Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes with Nile views where available
- 02Sun deck with panoramic views for sunset and reading
- 03Shore-excursion program calling at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 04Full Board service, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 05Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so schedules suit connecting travel plans
- 06Lounge bar and dining room for onboard meals and briefings
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a hotel-based Egypt trip, this cruise combines accommodation, meals, and scheduled temple visits while sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Compared with a fixed one-way land transfer, the river route reduces repeated packing and unpacking and groups the main Upper Egypt monuments into one itinerary. It is also different from a private day tour because the sightseeing is built around the vessel’s excursion program and onboard schedule.
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.
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Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | May to September | October to April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
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.
Bundled in
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation in your chosen cabin grade on board the vessel
- Full Board, defined as lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled shore excursions as per the vessel program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae
- Use of public areas including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Service of on-board crew and captain
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals
- Optional shore excursions or premium visits not listed in the vessel program
- Gratuities and tipping for crew and guides unless requested
- Pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel nights and transfers
- International or domestic flights
Tailor it
Make it yours
The cruise can be booked in different cabin grades, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, and Nile-view options may be available where offered by the cruise line. Travelers can also combine the cruise with pre- or post-cruise hotels, extra transfers, or additional sightseeing in Luxor, Aswan, or Cairo. Private arrangements can be added around the cruise for travelers who want a more tailored Egypt itinerary.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves multiple embarkation and shore excursions that include uneven stone surfaces, steps, short staircases and soft sand at some temple landings. Boarding the vessel requires climbing a gangway and a short ladder or ramp; crew will assist where possible but travelers should be steady on their feet. Shore visits at Karnak, Valley of the Kings and Philae include stairs and slopes; many tombs have low ceilings and uneven flooring. Wheelchair users can use certain public areas on board, but standard cabins are not fully wheelchair-accessible and the vessel has limited lift access. If you require a wheelchair-accessible cabin, step-free embarkation, or additional assistance, tell us before booking so we can confirm feasibility with the cruise line. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we can arrange alternatives and recommend which shore visits are more suitable given reduced mobility.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a printed or digital booking voucher
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a broad-brimmed hat
- Lightweight, comfortable walking shoes with grip
- A small daypack for water, camera and personal items
- Reusable water bottle (refill on board where available)
- Medication and basic first-aid items, motion-sickness remedies if needed
- Plug adaptor for European two-pin plugs (220V)
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- A light sweater or shawl for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirts or trousers for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven ancient stone
- Swimwear for sun deck use, with a robe or cover-up for public areas
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers are practical for moving around the quay and public areas, but not for uneven temple approaches or inside most tombs. The cruise line provides cots on request where cabin space allows; bring any special child foods or medicines as these may not be stocked.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses diesel-powered river engines suitable for Nile navigation; smaller launches used for temple landings are local motorboats. We contract with locally based crew and Egyptian-registered suppliers for catering and excursion transfers, which keeps spending within the communities the cruise visits. Shore excursions often involve licensed Egyptian Egyptologists and local guides, with their fees paid directly to suppliers. Single-use plastics are discouraged on board where the cruise line policy allows refillable water stations instead of bottled water; guests may be asked to use provided water bottles. We also encourage guests to buy artisan goods directly from local sellers at sites such as Kom Ombo and Luxor, so more revenue stays with families and artisans. If you have specific sustainability preferences, tell us before booking and we will pass them to the cruise provider.
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
Soleil Nile Cruise includes accommodation in the chosen cabin grade, Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Public areas include a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by the cruise line.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Soleil Nile Cruise?
The Soleil Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3 or 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan. These sailings allow guests to experience the key historical sites along the Nile, with embarkation and disembarkation in either Luxor or Aswan.02What is included in the Full Board meal plan on the Soleil Nile Cruise?
Full Board on the Soleil Nile Cruise includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers all main meals served in the vessel's dining room. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.03Which historical sites are visited during the Soleil Nile Cruise shore excursions?
The Soleil Nile Cruise shore excursion program includes visits to significant sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These excursions are scheduled as per the vessel's program.04What is the policy for children on the Soleil Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.05What should I wear on the Soleil Nile Cruise and during shore excursions?
Comfortable, light clothing is recommended for both on-board activities and shore excursions. When visiting religious sites like temples, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is advisable. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring ancient sites.06What are the cabin options available on the Soleil Nile Cruise?
The Soleil Nile Cruise offers various cabin grades, from Standard to Suite. While specific sizes vary, all cabins provide comfortable accommodation. Many feature panoramic windows or balconies, allowing for views of the Nile as you sail.07Is the Soleil Nile Cruise accessible for guests with mobility concerns?
Nile cruise vessels, including the Soleil, have gangways that can be steep depending on river levels and docking conditions. On-board, there are stairs between decks. Shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone and sand, which may be challenging for some guests.08What is the best time of year to take a Soleil Nile Cruise?
The best time to take a Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.09Are gratuities included in the Soleil Nile Cruise package?
Gratuities and tipping for the on-board crew and guides are not included in the standard Soleil Nile Cruise package. This allows guests to tip at their discretion based on service quality. Specific guidance on customary amounts can be provided before travel.10Who operates the Soleil Nile Cruise vessel?
The Soleil Nile Cruise vessel is owned and operated by a dedicated cruise line. Discovery Tours Egypt hand-picks this cruise for its quality and arranges your booking with the cruise line, coordinating all aspects of your trip on the ground.
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 1 July 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-460310
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