The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. Embarkation and disembarkation take place at the two main river ports, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between them. The cruise programme is built around river travel with organised shore excursions rather than independent sightseeing.
Typical excursion stops on the route include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the Luxor side, plus Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These sites represent different periods of ancient Egyptian history, from New Kingdom royal mortuary architecture at the Valley of the Kings to Ptolemaic and Roman-period temple construction at Philae and Kom Ombo. The journey follows the Nile corridor through Upper Egypt, where river transport has historically linked settlement, agriculture, and trade.
Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with Nile-view windows or private balconies depending on grade. Daily housekeeping is included, and the ship has a sun deck, a lounge bar, and a restaurant serving full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Because this is a river vessel and not a hotel-based tour, time is divided between sailing, meals, and shore excursions.
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise as part of a broader Egypt travel itinerary. The vessel itself is owned and operated by a third-party cruise line, while DTE handles the booking and itinerary coordination for travellers who want a hotel-standard sailing experience on the Nile.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a structured Upper Egypt river journey with guided sightseeing and hotel-style service while sailing. It is especially suitable for couples, mature travellers, and first-time visitors who prefer a cabin, restaurant dining, and organised shore excursions over independent travel.
What lingers
- 01Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS The Oberoi Phiale between Luxor and Aswan; daily shore excursions included.
- 02Shore visits include Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) and Karnak Temple; timed to avoid mid-afternoon heat.
- 03Aswan calls include Philae Temple visits and the Unfinished Obelisk; transfers and embarkation arranged by our team.
- 04Egyptologist-led excursions, not mass coach tours–quiet monument access and contextual onsite Q&A with our guide.
- 05Premium tomb entrances (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and pyramid interiors cost extra; standard site fees included.
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
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
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- 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.
5 Days / 4 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Cabin | $5,482 | $7,782 | $10,132 |
| Double Cabin | $2,232 | $2,632 | $3,319 |
6 Days / 5 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Cabin | $6,815 | $9,690 | $12,628 |
| Double Cabin | $2,753 | $3,253 | $4,112 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Cabin | $9,309 | $13,334 | $17,446 |
| Double Cabin | $3,621 | $4,321 | $5,524 |
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
- 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
- Organised shore-excursion programme while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
Not included
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists
- Entrance fees for premium sites such as pyramid interiors or premium tombs unless stated
- International flights and airport taxes
- Single-supplement charges for sole occupancy of a cabin
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
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.02What is included in the MS The Oberoi Phiale 4-day cruise price?
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. Standard site entrance fees for included tours are normally covered; premium tombs and pyramid interiors remain excluded unless explicitly booked.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.06What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise on MS The Oberoi Phiale?
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).
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 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-044757
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