Nile Small Group Cruises
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10 best Nile small group river cruises
Compiled by

MelissaNile travel expert at TourRadar
- 5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5 stars from Luxor to Aswan
- Egyptian Treasures: 7 Day Journey from Pyramids to Siwa Oasis
- River Nile Story - 4 Days 5 stars Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor with meals and Sightseeing
- Nile Odyssey: Luxor - Aswan -Abu Simbel - Hot Air balloon A5 days with tour guided
- 4 Day - 3 Night Deluxe Nile Cruise Trip Aswan & Luxor
- 5 Days Nile Cruise Adventure from Luxor to Aswan
- Nile River Cruise 4 Days with 3 Nights Start from Luxor
- River Nile Cruise For 4 Nights From Luxor to Aswan (Opt. Balloon & Abu Simbel)
- Marvelous the Nile River Tour Between Luxor and Aswan – 5 Days
- 5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan Including Abu Simble
5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5 stars from Luxor to Aswan
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Nile cruise with excursions exceeded our expectations beyond. The cruise had the most friendly staff.”
Rodney, traveled in May
Sail down the mighty Nile with up to fellow travelers, viewing Philae Temple and Kom Ombo up close. Small groups ensure quality time at each historic site. Private cabin accommodations on 5-star ship include full-board dining and traditional entertainment.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Aswan Age Range All Ages Welcome River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 9 Group Type Group Operator Holiday In Egypt From $1,743
50% Off- NZ$871You save $871
Egyptian Treasures: 7 Day Journey from Pyramids to Siwa Oasis
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The real stars of the show were Yuri and Goma, our tour guide and driver for Siwa. They made an excellent team.”
Jennifer, traveled in March
A select group of 12-15 adventurers share personalized experiences along the desert route. Private guides enhance visits to historical sites, while intimate group sizes ensure quality time at Siwa's salt lakes and Fatnas Island's spectacular sunset views.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cairo, Siwa Oasis Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Itaca Holiday From $2,617
30% Off- NZ$1,832You save $785
River Nile Story - 4 Days 5 stars Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor with meals and Sightseeing
193 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“很有交帶,很有責任感👍🏻”
jason198987@yahoo.com.hk, traveled in October
The mighty Nile beckons with 7-10 fellow travelers, perfect for viewing riverside temples and archaeological sites. Small groups ensure quality time at each stop from Aswan to Luxor, with expert guides providing detailed commentary about ancient Egyptian civilization.
Duration 4 days Destinations Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Age Range All Ages Welcome River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 120 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Egypt Best Holidays From
30% Off- NZ$960
Nile Odyssey: Luxor - Aswan -Abu Simbel - Hot Air balloon A5 days with tour guided
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“For us was the perfect choice.”
Ioana, traveled in October
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Aswan Age Range Ages 12+ River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Egypt Direct Tours From $2,355
50% Off- NZ$1,178You save $1,178
4 Day - 3 Night Deluxe Nile Cruise Trip Aswan & Luxor
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent tour.”
Peter, traveled in March
Groups of 10-15 guests glide along the legendary Nile aboard 5-star ships like Royal Lily. Small numbers allow for personalized guidance at temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, while shared meals foster cultural exchange between fellow travelers.
Duration 4 days Destinations Aswan, Abu Simbel, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Esna, Valley of the Kings, Luxor Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 25 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Ibermundo Travel Egypt From
50% Off- NZ$1,949
5 Days Nile Cruise Adventure from Luxor to Aswan
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful experience. Beautiful Nile and beautiful people.”
zubina, traveled in March
Small groups sail the mighty Nile aboard Radamis II, perfect for families. Expert guides lead tours of riverside temples from Luxor to Aswan. Intimate group sizes enable flexible viewing at Philae Temple and High Dam.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 100 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Sun Pyramid Tours From
50% Off- NZ$1,680
Nile River Cruise 4 Days with 3 Nights Start from Luxor
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was a wonderful cruise, we saw all sightseen between luxor and aswan and Stuff.”
ahmed, traveled in February
Duration 4 days Destinations Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 25 Group Type Group Operator Nilvison Egypt Tours From
50% Off- NZ$2,818
River Nile Cruise For 4 Nights From Luxor to Aswan (Opt. Balloon & Abu Simbel)
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The cruise itself was very good and luxurious! Highly recommend the tour!”
ANISH, traveled in January
The Nile unveils its treasures to intimate groups with expert guides rated 5/5. Small group sizes ensure personalized attention exploring Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple. Morning options include hot air balloon rides over Luxor or early visits to Abu Simbel, with flexible pacing for each site.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range All Ages Welcome River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Egypt Best Holidays From
50% Off- NZ$1,047
Marvelous the Nile River Tour Between Luxor and Aswan – 5 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Everything about this tour exceeded our highest expectations. The Symphony cruise ship was also first class.”
ROBERT, traveled in November
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 35 Group Type Group Operator Nilvison Egypt Tours From
50% Off- NZ$1,394
5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan Including Abu Simble
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Nile cruise was a memorable experience with stunning landscapes and a tranquil Nile view from our room.”
John, traveled in July
Groups of 4-12 travelers sail the storied Nile aboard a 5-star ship. Egyptologist guides enhance visits to Philae Temple and Kom Ombo, while an optional hot air balloon ride ($120) reveals Luxor's antiquities from above.
Duration 5 days Destinations Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch River Nile Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Pharaohn Tours From
50% Off- NZ$2,266
Reviews of Small Group tours to Nile
- 5 Days – 4 Nights Nile Cruise 5 stars from Luxor to Aswan
Nice trip! Let's you visit all the main temples across the Nile. Schedule a bit demanding but it's the only way to cover everything. Our guide, Ahmed Kassem, had plenty of knowledge about the sites and the Ancient Egypt mythology and was able to pass it on to us very well. He also made sure we had everything we needed, from time to freely walk the sites and stop for food shopping to align meal schedules with the cruise to optimise visit times.
- Egyptian Treasures: 7 Day Journey from Pyramids to Siwa Oasis
Good organisation, good hotels, the visits are really great with some flexibility and we were able to discover and see more about the ancient Egyptian culture
- River Nile Story - 4 Days 5 stars Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor with meals and Sightseeing
Overall, we had an unforgettable experience on the 4 Day Nile River Cruise tour. We were able to tour all of the major sites, transportation was smooth, accommodation and meals on the cruise boat were good, and we are thankful to our tour guide Talaat for pulling it all together. We did encounter some relatively minor surprises / frustrations along the way worth noting. It wasn't clear what cruise boat we would be staying on beforehand (e.g. name of cruise line, types of amenities on board, etc.). In our case, our boat was the "Magic" which appeared to have been a popular selection for German tourists booking through Sonnenklar (separate from Egypt Best Holidays). It ended up being fine for us, we thought the boat was nice; but it could be a surprise for those with a particular cruise in mind, so may be worth asking for more details in advance to ensure the cruise booked for you aligns with your preferences. Communication wasn't always the best, but Talaat was responsive when we brought our feedback to his attention. The first day we didn't go to the unfinished oblisk, which was listed on the Egypt Best Holidays itinerary online when booking, apparently due to a miscommunication between Egypt Best Holidays and Talaat. However, Talaat fixed it and got us there the next day before the boat sailed so no harm done in the end. Communication style during the tours didn't always align with our preference (e.g. sometimes too many details, not enough time for Q&A and independent viewing), but again Talaat was responsive to our feedback when we shared it and did his best to accommodate. Some specific positives to highlight about Talaat - there is no question that he is very knowledgeable and is describing the most significant aspects of each site in great detail off of the top of his head, making the tours very informative for the group. He also was good about getting us to tour the temples at ideal times. He was very thoughtful to have a contact reserve tickets for us at Karnak temple before the ticket office closed, which still allowed us prime time for viewing Karnak near sunset with few visitors left - this was the most striking, unforgettable part of the trip for us. Considering all of the above, we were happy with the package and believe it is a great value particularly at the price point considering accomodation, transport, meals, and tour guide services. Thanks to Egypt Best Holidays and Talaat for an unforgettable experience in our first visit to Egypt.
What our customers ask about Nile Small Group Cruises
What is the typical group size for a Nile River small group tour?
Nile River small group tours maintain an intimate atmosphere with 6-10 travelers per group. This size allows for easy access and comfortable viewing at archaeological sites like Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. The River Nile Story cruise demonstrates this approach where groups of 5-10 people travel together based on language preferences. This smaller scale works well on luxury vessels like the Steigenberger Nile Palace where travelers can enjoy relaxed dining and quiet moments on deck without crowds.
What is the best time of year for small group Nile River tours?
The most comfortable time for Nile River tours falls between October and April. During these months the weather stays mild enough for exploring temples and archaeological sites. Travel data shows December and March are especially popular for good reason: the temperatures work well for walking tours and outdoor activities. Summer months from June through August see temperatures reaching 40°C/104°F which can make temple visits difficult even for small groups.
What is the typical duration of small group Nile River cruises?
The standard Nile cruise runs 4-5 days between Luxor and Aswan though some itineraries extend to 15 days to include Lake Nasser. The River Nile Story cruise offers a 4-day route from Aswan to Luxor with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu temples. Travel statistics show most visitors prefer these 4-5 day trips as they provide enough time to see major sites while enjoying the river journey.
What language options are available for small group Nile River tours?
Tour operators provide guides speaking English German French Spanish and Russian on Nile cruises. Companies like Egypt Tour Pro and Sun Pyramid Tours assign language-specific guides to each group. This setup helps visitors understand complex historical information as noted by a TourRadar guest who found that having an English-speaking Egyptologist made temple hieroglyphics much clearer.
How much interaction is there with local communities on small group tours?
The smaller group format creates natural opportunities for local connections particularly in Aswan's Nubian villages. Groups can visit family homes share traditional tea and learn about daily life. The size also works well for exploring busy spaces like Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo or watching artisans at work in alabaster workshops near the Valley of the Kings.
What type of accommodation is provided on small group Nile cruises?
Cruise ships like the Movenpick MS Royal Lily and Steigenberger Omar El Khayam offer 5-star rooms with private balconies. The Queen Isis provides well-designed cabin spaces suited to small groups complete with modern amenities and en-suite bathrooms. Each room comes with views of the Nile plus access to ship facilities like pools and outdoor spaces.
What is included in a typical small group Nile River tour package?
Standard packages cover 3-7 nights on luxury boats like the MS Mayfair or Radamis II including all meals professional Egyptologist guides and private transport. Entry fees to major attractions such as Karnak Temple Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple come included. Many tours offer extra activities like Abu Simbel visits hot air balloon rides over Luxor or special cultural programs. Recent travelers note the comprehensive nature of these packages with guides handling all logistics.