Discovery Tours Egypt
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Nile Cruise 5-Star Deluxe Aswan → Luxor

Sun Times Nile Cruise

At a glance

Length
4 days · 3 nights
Embarks
Mon, Fri
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

The short answer

Sun Times Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

02 Overview

A first look

MS Sun Times runs a four-day cruise on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. We include Egyptologist-led visits to Karnak Temple, the Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo, plus transfers and on-board full board.

Background

The facts

Sun Times Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation arranged at those two ports. On the Nile route, the vessel typically includes a shore-excursion programme to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are among the best-known archaeological sites in Upper Egypt and are commonly combined with river travel because they sit within practical reach of the Luxor–Aswan corridor.

Karnak Temple on Luxor’s east bank is one of the largest temple complexes in Egypt and was developed over many centuries, beginning in the Middle Kingdom and expanding through the New Kingdom. Luxor Temple, also on the east bank, is a major ceremonial temple linked to the ancient city of Thebes and is especially significant for its axial relationship with Karnak. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from the New Kingdom period, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and lies roughly midway between Luxor and Aswan. Kom Ombo is a double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder, while Philae Temple on Agilkia Island near Aswan was relocated after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to preserve it from rising waters. These sites are usually reached as part of planned shore excursions rather than independent city visits.

Cabins on this vessel are sold by grade, commonly from Standard to Suite, with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies depending on category. Onboard facilities typically include air conditioning, a lounge bar, dining room, spa facilities, rooftop terrace, WiFi in public areas, and a sun deck with a pool, which is a common place to spend late afternoons while sailing on the Nile.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This cruise suits adults and older children who want a structured Upper Egypt river itinerary with archaeological site visits and comfortable onboard accommodation. It is a good fit for first-time visitors, history-focused travelers, and couples who prefer a private cabin and full board dining over day-by-day hotel changes.

What lingers

  • 01 Four-day cruise between Luxor and Aswan visiting Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
  • 02 Site entrance fees are included; Valley of the Kings premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) excluded unless requested.
  • 03 We moor overnight at Edfu so the temple visit gets two hours after the morning excursion boats.
  • 04 Our Egyptologist-led excursions are included at Karnak and Luxor West Bank; English commentary, Arabic on request.
  • 05 Early starts, uneven stone and midday heat at open-air sites; bring sun protection and comfortable closed shoes.
  • 06 Unlike large-group packaged cruises, we prioritize two-hour temple visits rather than 40-minute drive-by shore stops.

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

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. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

On property

What's here

  • non-smoking
  • air-conditioning
  • pool
  • restaurant
  • room-service
  • laundry
  • spa
  • bar
  • wifi
  • garden
  • rooftop-terrace

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full board meals, as listed: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Use of onboard facilities including sun deck and pool where present
  • Shore-excursion programme arranged by the vessel to named archaeological sites

Not included

  • Drinks beyond still water served with meals
  • Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists
  • Optional premium visits such as pyramid interiors or private guided tomb entries
  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Transfers between airports and embarkation/disembarkation ports unless explicitly added

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin). Two or more children require their own cabin.

Location

On the map

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What does the MS Sun Times four-day Nile cruise include?
    The MS Sun Times four-day cruise typically includes cabin accommodation, daily meals, on-board service, and scheduled guided excursions. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange port handling, local Egyptologists, and routine on-board logistics. Standard site entrance fees are included in the quoted price unless the itinerary states otherwise; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded by default. We do not run large coach-only shore transfers – groups are limited and private transfers or upgrades are available on request.
  2. 02 Does the MS Sun Times visit Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank?
    Many four-day Nile cruises call at Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank, but the MS Sun Times itinerary can vary by departure. Confirm the ship’s daily program before you travel; some departures run Aswan-to-Luxor and others Luxor-to-Aswan, which changes the order of visits. Unlike short-day-boat or cruise-ship shore calls, a four-day cruise typically allows longer time at major sites when those visits are on the published itinerary.
  3. 03 Are site entrance fees and tips included in the cruise price?
    Standard site entrance fees are included in our quoted price; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless stated. Gratuities for your cabin staff, guide, and driver are not included by default; we can pre-pay suggested tipping on your behalf if you ask. Any optional extras, premium-site fees, or private services are listed on your booking confirmation so there are no surprise charges.
  4. 04 What cabin types are available on the MS Sun Times and how are beds configured?
    Cabin types on the MS Sun Times range from standard river cabins to larger suites; exact configurations vary by deck and departure. Typical Nile cabins provide twin or double bedding, a private bathroom, and either fixed windows or French balconies on upper decks. Tell us your bedding preference at booking – cabins are allocated by booking date and availability, and we can send deck plans on request.
  5. 05 Is the MS Sun Times suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
    The MS Sun Times is not a fully accessible ship; expect steps between decks and some narrow corridors. Shore visits involve uneven ancient stone, temple steps, and soft sand at some quays, which can be physically demanding. We can arrange assistance, ground-floor cabins, and private transfers, but true wheelchair access is limited – please contact us with exact mobility needs before booking so we can advise and make feasible arrangements.
  6. 06 What are typical daily timings and do excursions start very early?
    Daily routines on four-day Nile cruises usually begin with breakfast around 07:00 and excursions from about 07:30–09:00, depending on the port. Early starts are common to avoid midday heat and river traffic; some sailing legs occur overnight and affect arrival times. We send a detailed daily program before travel with exact pickup times and walking distances for each visit so you can plan clothing and medications.
  7. 07 How do I get from Luxor or Aswan airport to the MS Sun Times – are transfers included?
    We arrange airport-to-ship transfers in Luxor and Aswan; your driver meets you in arrivals holding a name card. Provide your full flight details at booking so we can schedule and monitor the transfer, and allow for delays or schedule changes. Transfer durations depend on airport, traffic, and which port is in use; if you have long flight connections or overnighting needs we can add a pre- or post-cruise hotel and handle luggage logistics.

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 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-129926

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