Sun Times Nile Cruise
The short answer
Sun Times is a 5-Star Deluxe 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 $1,015 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, and the riverbank slips past as the vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan. Inside, your cabin offers a quiet place to watch the landscape through a panoramic window or Nile-view balcony, while the lounge bar and dining room keep the atmosphere relaxed between shore excursions.
Our Egyptologists bring Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings into focus without rushing the river experience. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we coordinate your embarkation, selected cabin, meals, and archaeological visits.
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 | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $1,015double cabinsingle cabin $1,397 | May – September: from $781double cabinsingle cabin $995 | Peak dates: from $1,249double cabinsingle cabin $1,795 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,260double cabinsingle cabin $1,770 | May – September: from $948double cabinsingle cabin $1,234 | Peak dates: from $1,572double cabinsingle cabin $2,300 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $1,989double cabinsingle cabin $2,881 | May – September: from $1,443double cabinsingle cabin $1,943 | Peak dates: from $2,535double cabinsingle cabin $3,809 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $2,008double cabinsingle cabin $2,900 | May – September: from $1,462double cabinsingle cabin $1,963 | Peak dates: from $2,554double cabinsingle cabin $3,828 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. 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 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 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 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.
- 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.
What lingers
- 01Site entrance fees are included; Valley of the Kings premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) excluded unless requested.
- 02We moor overnight at Edfu so the temple visit gets two hours after the morning excursion boats.
- 03Our Egyptologist-led excursions are included at Karnak and Luxor West Bank; English commentary, Arabic on request.
- 04Early starts, uneven stone and midday heat at open-air sites; bring sun protection and comfortable closed shoes.
- 05Unlike large-group packaged cruises, we prioritize two-hour temple visits rather than 40-minute drive-by shore stops.
On property
What's here
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Laundry
- Spa
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
- 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 program arranged by the vessel to named archaeological sites
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists
- International flights and airport taxes
- Transfers between airports and embarkation/disembarkation ports unless explicitly added
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
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.
Compare
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Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
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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
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Printed or digital booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Small day bag
- Motion-sickness medication if needed
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for changing temperatures
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and religious sites
- Swimsuit and cover-up for the pool
- Sun hat and sunglasses
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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be difficult on gangways, stairs, and archaeological sites, so a compact stroller or carrier is more practical. High-chair availability should be requested before booking and confirmed with the cruise line.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A Nile cruise involves boarding from a riverbank or dock, where access may include uneven surfaces, ramps, steps, and a narrow gangway. Onboard, cabins and public areas are connected by stairs, and elevator access, if available, may not reach every deck. Shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings involve uneven ancient stone, sand, steps, and outdoor walking. Wheelchair access may be possible for selected areas with advance planning, but independent mobility is required for many visits. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and excursion arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
River cruising reduces the need for repeated road transfers between Luxor and Aswan, while shore excursions support local Egyptologists, drivers, guides, dock workers, and site-based service providers. The vessel uses standard marine systems for electricity, air conditioning, water, and waste handling; exact fuel-efficiency and waste data are not supplied by the cruise line. We arrange transport and visits through local Egyptian suppliers and encourage guests to use refillable water bottles where practical, avoid single-use plastics, remain on marked paths, and follow site rules at Karnak Temple, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. These measures reduce litter and help protect archaeological areas.
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
01
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange port handling, local Egyptologists, and routine on-board logistics. We do not run large coach-only shore transfers – groups are limited and private transfers or upgrades are available on request.02Does the MS Sun Times visit Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank?
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.03Are site entrance fees and tips included in the cruise price?
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.04What 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.05Is 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.06What are typical daily timings and do excursions start very early?
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.07How 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.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-129926
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe
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