Salima Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with a sun deck, lounge bar, indoor dining saloon, full-board service, and Nile-view cabins.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Salima is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel operating weekly between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Salima Nile Cruise is an eight-day, five-star river voyage from Luxor to Aswan. Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt (operate from Cairo + 5 regional offices since 1988; licensed by ETAA), the trip includes full-board dining and comfortable Nile-cruise cabins, with opportunities to visit Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan temples.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Nile Cruise standard: well-appointed cabins with private facilities and river views.
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt operate from Cairo + 5 regional offices since 1988
- Licensed by ETAA
What lingers
- 01Five-star vessel with sun deck, lounge bar and indoor dining saloon
- 02Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with Nile-view windows or balconies where offered
- 03Shore-excursion program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the temples at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 04Sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
- 05Full board service, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 06Carefully selected by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator
02Overview
A first look
Early light catches the Nile beyond the cabin window as Salima leaves the quay, with palms, village fields, and feluccas moving past the sun deck. Sailing days slow the pace between shore excursions, while the lounge bar and dining saloon give you a comfortable place to watch the river change color.
On land, our Egyptologists bring context to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings without turning each visit into a rushed checklist. Salima sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. We arrange your cabin booking, embarkation details, excursion coordination, and disembarkation support as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Background
The facts
Salima is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails on the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation arranged at those two cities. The cruise program typically combines sailing days with scheduled shore excursions to key Upper Egypt sites, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.
The vessel offers cabin accommodation in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with Nile-view windows or private balconies where specified. Public areas usually include a shaded sun deck, a lounge bar, and an indoor dining saloon, which are used during the sailing portions of the voyage and during downtime between excursions.
Full board is provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra, and gratuities are generally not included unless stated in the booking conditions. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise booking and embarkation logistics as part of a broader travel arrangement.
The cruise is designed around the standard Nile corridor used by most Luxor-Aswan river vessels, where the river distance is roughly 200 kilometers by water depending on navigation and stops. Visitor time at monuments is usually structured to fit the vessel’s sailing schedule rather than a fixed land itinerary, so timing can vary by direction and season.
Named in this entry
Salima Nile Cruise·Luxor·Aswan·Kom Ombo·Edfu·Karnak·Valley of the Kings·Philae Temple·Nile sun deck·Discovery Tours Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt who want a guided Nile itinerary with monument visits built in. It also works well for adults and older children who are comfortable with stairs, short coach transfers to temple entrances, and several consecutive nights aboard.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers requiring full wheelchair accessibility and step-free access
- Those expecting nonstop active trekking or high-energy itineraries
- Very young infants may find cabin arrangements restrictive
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus longer Nile itineraries, this eight-day cruise concentrates on the Luxor–Aswan temple cluster with relaxed sailing days. It balances guided shore visits and leisure time aboard without extended repeat sailing.
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
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- Accommodation on board in the booked cabin class.
- Use of on-board public areas: sun deck, lounge bar and dining saloon.
- Scheduled shore excursions as provided by the vessel.
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals, unless otherwise stated.
- Gratuities for on-board staff and Egyptologists.
- Entrance fees for premium archaeological sites (for example pyramid interiors and premium tombs) where charged separately.
- Domestic or international flights to embarkation port.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Sit on the starboard sun deck at sunrise for temple silhouettes and cool breezes
- 02
Carry small Egyptian pound notes for local vendors, tips, and small purchases ashore
- 03
Plan temple visits early in the day to avoid midday heat and crowds
- 04
Bring a lightweight scarf and long sleeves for visiting conservative religious sites ashore
Accessibility
Who can join this
Most Nile cruise gangways and temple approaches include steps; full wheelchair access is limited. Contact Discovery Tours Egypt to review cabin locations and arrange assistance; some ships may offer accessible cabins by request.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Discovery Tours Egypt sources produce and provisions locally where possible and trains crew in cultural-site respect. The operator supports low-impact shore visits and works with local partners to benefit communities along the Nile.
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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and photocopy kept separate
- High-SPF sunscreen and broad-brim hat
- Comfortable walking shoes for temple surfaces
- Small daypack and reusable water bottle
- Local currency in small notes for tips and purchases
- Light layers for cool evenings on deck
What to wear
- Modest daytime clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Breathable layers for hot days and cooler evenings
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for uneven surfaces and steps
- Smart-casual outfit for onboard evenings
Children & families
Children are welcome but cabin layouts may limit space for families; check cabin configurations. Child rates and age bands vary–contact Discovery Tours Egypt for detailed policies and availability.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,136single cabin $1,614triple cabin $1,136 | Peak dates: from $1,335single cabin $1,994triple cabin $1,327 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,386single cabin $2,023triple cabin $1,386 | Peak dates: from $1,651single cabin $2,530triple cabin $1,640 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $2,134single cabin $3,249triple cabin $2,134 | Peak dates: from $2,598single cabin $4,136triple cabin $2,580 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $2,155single cabin $3,269triple cabin $2,155 | Peak dates: from $2,619single cabin $4,157triple cabin $2,601 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your sailing 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.
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.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% refund, or 100% as credit for future travel
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund, or 75% as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% refund, or 50% as credit
- 2–6 days
- No refund; 25% as credit
- Under 48 hours or no-show
- No refund or credit
Notice is counted from your arrival in Egypt. Some vessels have their own terms; if yours does, we tell you before any payment is made.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak Temple Complex (Luxor)
- Valley of the Kings (Luxor)
- Luxor Temple (Luxor)
- Philae Temple (Aswan)
- Unfinished Obelisk (Aswan)
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration and route for the Salima Nile Cruise?
The Salima Nile Cruise typically sails for 7 nights, offering an 8-day experience. The vessel operates weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing guests to choose their preferred embarkation and disembarkation port.02What is included in the full board meal plan on the Salima Nile Cruise?
The full board meal plan includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers all main meals served in the dining saloon. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically not included.03What shore excursions are part of the Salima Nile Cruise program?
The Salima Nile Cruise includes a scheduled shore excursion program. These excursions typically call at significant sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.04What are the cabin options available on the Salima Nile Cruise?
The Salima Nile Cruise offers various cabin classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Many cabins feature panoramic Nile-view windows, while some suites may offer private balconies for an enhanced experience.05What is the policy for children on the Salima Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.06What should I wear on board and during shore excursions?
On board, comfortable casual wear is suitable. For shore excursions to temples and other religious sites, modest dress is recommended, covering shoulders and knees. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring archaeological sites.07Are gratuities included in the Salima Nile Cruise booking?
Gratuities for on-board staff and Egyptologists are typically not included in the booking price. It is customary to tip at the end of the cruise, and guidelines are usually provided on board for your convenience.08What amenities are available on the Salima Nile Cruise vessel?
The Salima Nile Cruise vessel features a shaded sun deck, a comfortable lounge bar, and a dining saloon. These public areas are available for all guests to enjoy while sailing on the Nile or during leisure time on board.09Is the Salima Nile Cruise suitable for travelers with mobility concerns?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and climbing steps at archaeological sites. Travelers with significant mobility concerns should discuss their specific needs with us before booking.10What is the best time of year to take a Salima Nile Cruise?
The best time to take a Salima Nile Cruise is generally during Egypt's cooler months, from October to April. Temperatures are more pleasant for exploring the outdoor archaeological sites during this period.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-019559
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