Radamis ll Nile cruis 5 days 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan

The most memorable part of this five-day Nile cruise is not the ship itself, but the way Egypt’s great temples arrive in sequence along the river. You begin with Karnak and Luxor Temple, then move through the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and Abu Simbel. I especially like the included meals and the private transfers, which remove much of the daily bargaining and transport hassle.

I also like the felucca ride around Kitchener’s Island and the fact that entrance fees, bottled water, accommodation, and a guide are included. The main caution is the ship. The MS Concerto has received mixed feedback, with some guests praising clean rooms, comfortable beds, friendly service, and good housekeeping, while others describe dated cabins, faulty equipment, mold in showers, repetitive food, and aggressive tipping requests.

Key points to know before booking

• Four nights on the MS Concerto: The cruise is sold as Radamis II and described in the program as sailing aboard the MS Concerto.
• Luxor’s major temples come first: Karnak and Luxor Temple are visited on the opening day, with the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple on Day 2.
• All main meals are included: The package covers four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.
• The ship is the uncertain part: Service and cleanliness can be good, but cabin condition, food quality, working equipment, and views while docked may vary.
• Abu Simbel is included on Day 5: You visit the great temples of Ramses II and Nefertari before returning to Aswan.
• The booking is private: Pickup and transfers are arranged for your group, with hotel or airport pickup in Luxor.

A Nile itinerary built around Egypt’s greatest temples

A Nile cruise works because the river links the major ancient sites in a natural order. Instead of packing and unpacking for each visit, you sleep aboard the boat and move south while the temples change from one day to the next.

This is a sightseeing-heavy program. You will be away from the ship for guided visits, then return for meals, sailing, afternoon tea, and evening entertainment. The schedule is full, but the sights are the reason to choose this type of trip.

The published timing has a small inconsistency. Pickup is described at 10:00 am in the Day 1 program, while the meeting details list a 9:00 am start. Confirm your exact pickup time before the cruise, especially if you are arriving at Luxor airport or staying outside central Luxor.

Day 1: Karnak and Luxor Temple set the tone

Your first day starts with assistance at your Luxor hotel or the airport, followed by a private transfer to the ship. Boarding is planned before lunch, with lunch served on board before the temple visits.

Luxor Temple is a good opening stop because it is compact enough to take in without feeling lost. You see its courtyard and the huge granite figures of Ramses II. The temple sits close to modern Luxor, so the contrast between ancient stonework and today’s city is immediate.

Karnak is the larger and more demanding visit. The complex grew over many centuries, so it is better understood as a collection of temples than as one single building. The route includes the Avenue of Sphinxes, the unfinished propylon, the great Hypostyle Hall, obelisks connected with Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, and the temple of Amun.

The Hypostyle Hall is the visual high point. Its 134 enormous columns make the space feel more like a stone forest than a normal temple room. Your guide will help put the rulers and building phases in order, which matters here because Karnak can otherwise become a blur of columns, pylons, statues, and inscriptions.

The day is listed as about four hours, including both temple visits. Wear shoes suited to uneven surfaces, and keep water with you even though bottled water is included.

Day 2: Tombs, cliffs, and a sail toward Esna

After breakfast, you cross to Luxor’s West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari.

The Valley of the Kings is not a single monument but a group of royal tombs cut into dry hills. Your entrance covers the visit, though the program does not specify which individual tombs are included. Extra tombs can sometimes require separate payment, so ask your guide what your ticket covers before entering.

The tombs are more rewarding when you pay attention to the painted walls rather than only the size of the chambers. Their decoration was meant to guide a pharaoh through the afterlife, and the colors can remain surprisingly strong in the dark underground rooms.

The Colossi of Memnon are a short stop on the return route. These two seated statues once represented Amenhotep III and faced toward the Nile. They are easy to see without a long visit, making them a useful photo stop between the valley and Hatshepsut’s temple.

Hatshepsut’s Temple has a very different look from the tombs. Its terraces rise against the cliffs, with broad ramps and long horizontal lines. The setting is one of the most impressive on the West Bank, but the open stone terraces offer little shade. Plan your visit for comfort, not just photographs.

After lunch, the ship sails toward Esna. Afternoon tea, a disco party, and an overnight stay in Edfu are scheduled. Evening entertainment can be fun if you enjoy organized ship activities, but it is not the main reason to book this cruise. The actual river scenery, especially when the boat is moving, is the quieter pleasure.

Day 3: Edfu’s Horus Temple and Kom Ombo’s unusual pairing

The morning visit goes to the Temple of Horus in Edfu. This is one of the best-preserved large temples in Egypt, and its strong walls and clear reliefs make it easier to picture as a working religious center.

The temple was dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Its entrance, courtyards, columns, and carved scenes give your guide plenty to explain. The visit is listed at about two hours, which is enough for the main route without turning the morning into a marathon.

Afterward, the ship sails to Kom Ombo for lunch and the afternoon temple visit. Kom Ombo is unusual because it was dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. Sobek had the form of a crocodile, while Haroeris was a form of Horus.

The shared design is the key detail. The temple is arranged with duplicated features for the two deities, which gives the ruins a balanced, almost split-personality feel. You may also see carved medical instruments and other practical images among the reliefs, though your guide will determine how much time the group spends on each section.

The program includes afternoon tea, dinner, and a galabeya party before an overnight stay in Kom Ombo. A galabeya party usually means an Egyptian-themed evening with traditional clothing and music, but the quality of ship entertainment can vary. Treat it as an optional bit of fun rather than a major cultural performance.

Day 4: Philae, the High Dam, and a short felucca ride

The ship reaches Aswan before a group of visits to the High Dam, the granite quarries, and Philae Temple.

The High Dam is important for understanding modern Egypt. It changed control of the Nile, helped manage flooding, and created Lake Nasser. It also forced the relocation of several ancient monuments, including Philae, so this stop connects the modern engineering story with the ancient sites you have already seen.

At the granite quarries, you see the unfinished obelisk and the marks left in the stone. It is a useful reminder that many of Egypt’s giant monuments began as enormous blocks in the ground, shaped by skilled workers before being transported elsewhere.

Philae is reached by boat and sits on Agilkia Island. The temple is often called the Temple of Isis, since Isis was its central deity. It was moved from its original island after the construction of the High Dam and rebuilt on higher ground. That rescue story adds real meaning to the visit, but the temple itself is the main reward: courtyards, columns, reliefs, and water on all sides create a setting unlike Karnak or Luxor.

The itinerary also includes a felucca ride around Kitchener’s Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. A felucca is a small traditional sailing boat, so this is a slower, more open way to experience the river than the cruise ship. The program says around two hours for the main Aswan excursion, but the exact balance between the sites and the felucca ride may change with river conditions and the ship’s schedule.

You return to the ship for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and another night in Aswan.

Day 5: Abu Simbel is a major extra built into the program

The final day is devoted to Abu Simbel. You leave Aswan to visit the monumental temples built by Ramses II, then return to Aswan.

The larger temple is famous for its four colossal seated figures carved into the rock face. Inside, the scale continues with halls, statues, and reliefs honoring the king and the gods. Nearby is the smaller temple dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor.

The temples were moved to protect them from the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam. That engineering rescue is part of what makes Abu Simbel such an important stop, not just another ancient monument.

The listed visit lasts about two hours, and admission is shown as included at no extra cost. The schedule does not give a precise departure time, transport duration, or final drop-off arrangement for Abu Simbel. Ask for those details before departure, since this day can involve an early start and a long road transfer.

The booking information says the activity ends back at the meeting point, while the wider program also offers a transfer to the airport or a local hotel after the cruise. Confirm your preferred final transfer in advance rather than assuming it is automatic.

Life aboard the MS Concerto

The boat is the biggest question mark in this package. The ship is described as Radamis II in the title and as the MS Concerto in the itinerary, so confirm the vessel name and current condition before paying.

The strongest part of the onboard experience is often the staff. Housekeeping and waiters have been praised for keeping rooms clean, making beds comfortable, and offering friendly service. One waiter named Bakar is specifically noted for being kind and helpful. Service can depend on the individual crew member, but good staff can make a real difference on a cruise where you spend four nights in the same space.

The ship is not consistently presented as a new luxury vessel. Some cabins have been described as spacious and clean, while others have had dusty corners, worn towels, squeaky cupboards, small safes, mold around shower fittings, or a smell that needed attention. Working equipment has also been a concern, with reports of televisions and the gym not functioning.

Balcony expectations need care. Nile cruise boats often moor side by side, and several boats may be tied together at the dock. That means your balcony may face another vessel rather than open water while the ship is in Luxor or Aswan. The view is much better when you are actually sailing.

The food is another mixed area. All meals are included, and some praise has been directed at the food, but other accounts describe dry, repetitive, or bland buffet dishes. If you have dietary needs, make them clear to the operator before the trip. Drinks may not be included beyond the stated bottled water, and some onboard accounts describe even tea or additional water as chargeable.

Tipping deserves a practical warning. Tipping is excluded, and you should budget for it. At the same time, repeated requests can become irritating. Carry small Egyptian notes and ask your guide how the ship handles tips, so you are not paying several times for the same service.

What the $1,490 price really covers

At $1,490 per person, this is not a budget add-on. The price includes four nights of accommodation, private air-conditioned transfers, a guide, entrance fees for the listed sites, bottled water, four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.

That package can be useful if you want one booking to handle the core Nile route. The private pickup and transfers also save you from arranging separate taxis between hotels, airports, ports, and sightseeing stops. Abu Simbel is a particularly valuable inclusion because it is often planned as a separate Aswan excursion.

The value depends heavily on the ship you receive. If the cabin is clean, the air conditioning works, the food is acceptable, and the service is attentive, the all-in structure may justify the price. If you expect a polished five-star vessel, modern equipment, reliable entertainment, and consistently high food quality, the package may disappoint.

I would compare the price with other Nile cruises only after checking the exact cabin category, vessel name, departure date, and final transfer. The title says Radamis II, while the itinerary says MS Concerto, and the ship’s condition appears to have changed over time. That is not a minor detail at this price.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the classic Luxor to Aswan route in one organized package. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide, prepaid admissions, private ground transport, and regular meals more than modern ship design.

It is also a good match if you prefer a fixed schedule. Every day has a clear purpose, and the route covers the main ancient sites in a sensible southbound order.

You should think twice if your priority is the boat itself. The ship may feel dated, and the included entertainment is not a reliable reason to book. You should also be cautious if you need a quiet, highly polished hotel standard, a guaranteed open balcony view, or sophisticated dining.

The pace is active. You visit major temples and tombs in hot conditions, then return for sailing and meals. Most travelers can participate according to the booking information, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask about boarding, temple surfaces, and boat transfers before booking.

Practical advice for a smoother five days

Confirm four details in writing: the ship’s current name, your cabin category, the exact pickup time, and the final drop-off plan. The published information gives both 9:00 am and 10:00 am as possible starting times, so do not rely on a general schedule.

Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temple visits, and a small amount of cash for tips and drinks. Bottled water is included, but additional drinks may cost extra.

Use the guide to clarify which tombs and admissions are included. The package promises prepaid entrance fees and skip-the-line access to major sites, but not every optional tomb or onboard purchase is specified.

The cancellation terms are strict close to departure. You receive a full refund when cancelling at least six full days before the start time, a 50 percent refund when cancelling two to six full days ahead, and no refund within two days. Those cutoffs use local Egyptian time.

Should you book the Radamis II Nile cruise?

Book it if the itinerary matters more to you than luxury. The temple sequence is excellent, the included meals and transfers simplify a complicated trip, and Abu Simbel gives the five-day program extra weight.

Do not book without checking the ship’s current condition and cabin details. The MS Concerto can provide clean rooms, comfortable beds, friendly staff, and a pleasant Nile experience, but it can also show its age. At $1,490 per person, you deserve clear answers before committing.

FAQ

How long is the Radamis II Nile cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five days and includes four nights aboard the vessel.

What route does the cruise follow?

The program travels from Luxor to Aswan, with visits to the major sites along the Nile.

Which ship is used for the cruise?

The tour title refers to Radamis II, while the itinerary identifies the vessel as the MS Concerto. Confirm the current ship name before booking.

What meals are included?

The package includes four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the listed major sightseeing stops are included, with skip-the-line access stated as a feature. Abu Simbel is also shown with free admission in the program.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from a hotel in Luxor or from Luxor airport, followed by transfer to the cruise.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The booking information describes it as a private activity in which only your group participates.

What sites are visited in Luxor?

The Luxor program includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Is Abu Simbel included?

Yes. Day 5 includes a visit to the temples of Abu Simbel and a return to Aswan.