The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02 Overview
A first look
MS The Oberoi Zahra is offered as a four-day Nile cruise option; we book cabins and coordinate shore visits. Our Egyptologist accompanies ashore visits, and we arrange private transfers and luggage handling.
Background
The facts
The Oberoi Zahra is a luxury Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan on Egypt’s inland river route. The program typically alternates sailing days with shore excursions, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor and Aswan. Scheduled visits commonly include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.
The vessel is sold on a full board basis, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. On board facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and library, and cabin categories are typically Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Higher categories may feature a Nile-view balcony or panoramic window, depending on the cabin type.
Luxor is the main starting point for access to the East Bank monuments, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, while Aswan provides access to Philae Temple and the southern Nile landscape. The cruise route between Luxor and Aswan covers one of Egypt’s most commonly traveled river sections, with guided shore excursions arranged as part of the vessel’s published programme.
Discovery Tours Egypt hand-picks and arranges this cruise for travelers who want a structured Nile itinerary with accommodation, meals, and sightseeing included in one booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want an organized Nile itinerary with fixed sightseeing, onboard dining, and hotel-style accommodation on the river. It is especially suitable for adults, couples, and families who prefer a comfortable, moderately paced journey with guided visits to major Upper Egypt monuments.
What lingers
- 01 Four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan visiting Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
- 02 Onboard fine dining, sun deck, and spa facilities; shore excursions transfer by launch or gangway.
- 03 Our Egyptologist accompanies every shore visit; we pre-book entrance tickets and guide times to avoid queues.
- 04 Operated ashore by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we arrange airport transfers and visa assistance.
- 05 Unlike packaged large-ship shore days, our itinerary staggers visits to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings to reduce crowds.
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.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled shore excursions as per the vessel's programme, with English-speaking guide where provided by the cruise line
- Use of public facilities on board, including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Embarkation and disembarkation assistance and on-board luggage handling
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless stated otherwise
- Site entrance fees charged at specific monuments, premium tombs or pyramid interiors unless explicitly included
- Mandatory port taxes or cruise supplement fees when applicable
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists, typically paid locally
- Single supplement for sole occupancy of a cabin, typically applies
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
-
01 What does the 4-day Nile cruise on MS The Oberoi Zahra include?
The cruise price usually covers cabin accommodation, daily meals aboard, and standard on‑board services unless we state otherwise. Standard archaeological site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise; pyramid interiors and premium tombs (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I) are excluded and charged at site. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and handle local logistics, but international flights, travel insurance, and personal gratuities are typically separate. Tell us if you need transfers, special dietary arrangements, or pre‑cruise hotel nights so we can confirm inclusions in your quotation. -
02 How are shore excursions arranged during the cruise?
We arrange and time shore excursions with licensed local Egyptologists and our on‑the‑ground team. Excursion timing depends on the navigation schedule and local site opening hours, so start times can be early and some walks are over uneven ancient stone. You can request a private guide upgrade for most stops; we confirm exact meeting points and durations on your travel documents before arrival. As the on‑site operator, we coordinate permits and local transport so you do not need to negotiate with suppliers on the day. -
03 Can I visit the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple on a 4-day itinerary?
Most four‑day Nile itineraries call at Luxor West Bank for the Valley of the Kings and at Karnak Temple on the East Bank. Visits are timed and typically include guided walking tours, but expect uneven ground, steps, and limited shade at midday. Entrance fees for standard tombs and temples are usually included; premium tombs such as Tutankhamun are excluded and require an extra ticket at the site. If you need longer time in Luxor West Bank, tell us – we can adjust your schedule or add a private morning so you avoid the larger groups. -
04 Is Wi‑Fi and mobile signal reliable on MS The Oberoi Zahra?
Wi‑Fi and mobile signal can be intermittent while the vessel is transiting the Nile and improve near major towns like Aswan and Luxor. Expect slower upload/download speeds during open‑water travel; streaming large files may not be possible. We can advise on local SIM cards and offline map options before you travel, and we arrange a brief tech briefing at embarkation if you prefer. If constant connectivity is business‑critical, discuss this with us so we can suggest workarounds or alternative arrangements. -
05 How are transfers and luggage handled for embarkation and disembarkation?
Our ground team coordinates transfers and handles luggage between the agreed meeting point and the ship. Your driver meets you with a name card in arrivals; we organise porterage and a brief check‑in procedure at embarkation to avoid on‑site delays. If your international flight arrives late or the itinerary requires an early morning transfer, we usually recommend an extra hotel night to avoid rushed connections. Let us know flight numbers and arrival times so we can confirm exact pickup times and any waiting‑time charges. -
06 What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise on MS The Oberoi Zahra?
Bring sun protection (hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen), light layers, comfortable walking shoes, and modest clothing for temple and mosque visits. Add a small daypack, refillable water bottle, a photocopy of your passport, any prescription medications, and a light jacket for cooler early mornings and evenings. Expect midday sun with limited shade at archaeological sites and uneven stone underfoot, so closed shoes and a sun hat matter more than formal wear. If you want a packing list tailored to your cabin and flight times, tell us your arrival city and we will send one.
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-580069
You Might Also Like
Nile3 Nights
Esplanade Nile Cruise
The Esplanade sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private modern transfers, and guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist. Excursions run with groups capped at eight guests per Egyptologist, keeping commentary focused and the pace flexible. Onboard meals are full board, and evenings include Egyptian folkloric performances and relaxed time on deck. The itinerary also offers an optional Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan on disembarkation day. Unlike standard mass-market sailings, our shore visits are private, timed to avoid the busiest periods where possible.
From $1,350
Luxor3 Nights
Farah Nile Cruise
Four days aboard MS Farah sail between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We include an Egyptologist on every departure rather than a driver-guide; that keeps commentary focused and consistent throughout the cruise. Unlike shared coach day trips, the vessel sails overnight so you gain two mornings ashore and more relaxed transfer times. Trade-offs: cabins are compact, mornings can start early, and walking is on uneven ancient stone at many sites. Standard site entrance fees are included; gratuities and premium tombs are excluded. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers.
Luxor3 Nights
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise is a five-star passenger vessel offering full board accommodation and an on-board shore excursion programme between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel features a dining room, lounge bar and sun deck for river viewing, plus graded cabin classes from Standard to Suite. It sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with days alternating between sailing and escorted shore visits to major Nile sites. We arrange bookings and cabin allocation for you as a licensed Egyptian tour operator; the cruise line owns and runs the vessel.
From $1,315