The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with panoramic river views, private balconies, full-board dining, and a lounge bar on the sun deck.
The short answer
The Oberoi Philae is a Signature Collection Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Tuesday or Saturday for 4 nights to Luxor, or in Luxor on a Tuesday or Saturday for 4 nights to Aswan. Prices start at $5,004 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
Morning light moves across the Nile as The Oberoi Philae leaves its mooring, with riverbank palms, fishing boats, and village sounds passing beyond your panoramic window. On the sun deck, you can watch the landscape change while the crew prepares lunch, then settle into the lounge bar as the river narrows toward Upper Egypt.
Shore excursions bring you onto ancient stone at Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing days creating a measured rhythm between visits. We carefully select and arrange the vessel, full-board meals, cabin, and Egyptologist-led sightseeing through our licensed Egyptian tour operator team, so the practical details are handled before embarkation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Tuesdays and Saturdays | October – April: from $5,004double cabinsingle cabin $8,124 | May – September: from $4,172double cabinsingle cabin $5,732 | Peak dates: from $6,434double cabinsingle cabin $10,568 |
| 4 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Tuesdays and Saturdays | October – April: from $5,004double cabinsingle cabin $8,124 | May – September: from $4,172double cabinsingle cabin $5,732 | Peak dates: from $6,434double cabinsingle cabin $10,568 |
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 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 midday and settle in over lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Nubian Museum — the finest introduction to the culture of the far south — before a cocktail reception and dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan.
- 2
A morning visit to the island Temple of Philae and the High Dam, then sail north to Kom Ombo for the twin temple of Sobek and Horus at the water’s edge. Continue under way to Edfu for the night.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu — the best-preserved temple in Egypt — then sail on through the Esna lock and north to Luxor. Overnight moored in Luxor.
- 4
A dawn start for the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon, visit Luxor Temple and the great temple complex of Karnak. Overnight in Luxor.
- 5
Breakfast on board, then disembarkation at 8am and onward transfer.
- 1
Board late morning and sail north toward Qena as lunch is served. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt. Overnight near Qena.
- 2
Drive out to the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, the great cult centre of Osiris, then sail back south to Luxor with the afternoon on deck and an evening visit to the Luxor Museum. Overnight in Luxor.
- 3
A full day for the east bank: the vast temple complex of Karnak in the morning and Luxor Temple later in the day, with time to enjoy the ship in between. Overnight in Luxor.
- 4
An early start for the Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon, then sail south to Esna and cross the lock. Overnight at Esna.
- 5
Sail at dawn to Edfu for the Temple of Horus, then continue to Kom Ombo for an early-evening visit to the twin temple of Sobek and Horus. Overnight at Kom Ombo.
- 6
Reach Aswan in the morning and visit the island Temple of Philae and the High Dam, with an afternoon call at the Nubian Museum. Overnight in Aswan.
- 7
Breakfast on board, then disembarkation at 8am and onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Shore visits include Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) and Karnak Temple; timed to avoid mid-afternoon heat.
- 02Aswan calls include Philae Temple visits and the Unfinished Obelisk; transfers and embarkation arranged by our team.
- 03Egyptologist-led excursions, not mass coach tours–quiet monument access and contextual onsite Q&A with our guide.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Cabin accommodation graded by class (Standard, Deluxe, Suite)
- Daily cabin housekeeping
- On-board facilities: sun deck, lounge bar, restaurant
- Organized shore-excursion program while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists
- International flights and airport taxes
- Single-supplement charges for sole occupancy of a cabin
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 travelers who want a structured Upper Egypt river journey with guided sightseeing and hotel-style service while sailing. It is especially suitable for couples, mature travelers, and first-time visitors who prefer a cabin, restaurant dining, and organized shore excursions over independent travel.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
Signature Collection Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Luxor / Sat from Luxor/Aswan
From $3,915 per person
- Historia Nile Cruise
Signature Collection Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $3,043 per person
- Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $2,419 per person
The route
Aswan and Luxor
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Aswan or Luxor
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any visas
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Reusable water bottle
- Light rain jacket for sudden showers
- Any personal medication plus copies of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable daytime clothing
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A warmer layer for cool evenings on deck
- Closed shoes for temple and tomb visits
- Smart-casual outfit for restaurant evenings
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 their own cabin. Strollers are practical on board but can be difficult on some shore landings where gangways and small boats are used. High chairs and child-specific equipment vary by vessel; we will request them if needed but cannot guarantee availability until confirmed with the assigned cruise partner.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has steps between decks, narrow gangways and uneven stone at many shore-excursion sites, so guests should expect moderate physical demands. Onboard, cabins are reached by staircases on some boats; elevators are not guaranteed. Shore excursions include uneven temple floors, cobbles, and steps into tombs; wheelchair access at Karnak, Luxor Temple and Kom Ombo is limited and dependent on local pier conditions. We can arrange assistance on arrival at Luxor International Airport and meet-and-assist to the embarkation gangway, but we cannot promise full wheelchair transferability onboard. If you use a wheelchair, need an electric mobility aid, or have limited stamina, tell us before booking so we can assess vessel assignment and shore-excursion suitability. We can supply a step-assist at embarkation when possible and brief your Egyptologist about reduced-walking alternatives, but some temple visits require short walks on uneven ground and steps.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange carefully selected five-star Nile cruisers that generally run twin-diesel engines typical for river vessels, and we ask suppliers to use low-sulfur fuel where available. Transfers on the ground to embarkation points are with modern air-conditioned coaches; smaller boats used for shore landings are locally owned and licensed. We contract locally based Egyptologists and crew, which channels income into Luxor and Aswan communities. Onboard catering sources fresh produce from regional markets in Luxor and Aswan when possible, reducing refrigerated transport. We request that cruise partners operate a linen-reuse program and segregate recyclable waste on board; compliance varies by vessel, so we record each supplier's practices and favor those with formal waste-management procedures. If sustainability requirements are important to you, we can share current supplier practices for the specific sailing at booking.
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
01Where does MS The Oberoi Phiale board and disembark?
Boarding and disembarkation depend on the cruise direction; commonly the embarkation city is Luxor or Aswan. We confirm the exact port, pier, and your meeting point on your booking voucher and final travel documents. If you need airport or city transfers, we arrange private cars and meet-and-greet on request.02
The cruise price usually covers cabin accommodation, main meals aboard, crew services, and scheduled onboard facilities. Shore excursions, optional guided tours, premium alcoholic beverages, and gratuities are commonly extra unless stated otherwise.03Can we book private shore excursions from MS The Oberoi Phiale?
Yes – we arrange private shore excursions and licensed Egyptologist guides for MS The Oberoi Phiale guests. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we book private guides, vehicles, and necessary landing permits; we do not place clients on large coach tours. Book excursions before travel to secure preferred times; last-minute shore bookings depend on availability and port schedules.04Are meals, dietary requests, and drinks provided on board?
Main meals are provided on board, and the ship can accommodate most special-diet requests with advance notice. Please notify us of allergies or strict dietary needs as early as possible so the galley can prepare. Soft drinks and selected wines or spirits are typically charged separately; we will confirm beverage inclusions on booking.05Is there Wi‑Fi, mobile signal, and electricity on MS The Oberoi Phiale?
MS The Oberoi Phiale offers onboard Wi‑Fi and power outlets, but satellite and mobile signal can be intermittent away from shore. We recommend carrying a universal adapter and downloading offline maps before travel; purchasing an Egyptian SIM at the airport gives the most reliable mobile data. If you require continuous high-bandwidth access for work, tell us before booking and we will advise connectivity options.06
Pack for strong daytime sun, cool evenings, and walking on uneven ancient stone. Bring a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable closed shoes, a light jacket for evenings, and a small daypack. Carry photocopies of your passport and visas, prescription medications, and modest clothing for temple or mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered).
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-044757
At a glance
- Length
- 4 or 6 nights
- Embarks
- Tue, Wed or Sat in Luxor · Tue or Sat in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- Signature Collection
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