Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Champollion II

Four-deck Nile ship, Aswan and Luxor

Champollion II is a Nile cruise ship operated by CIT Travel. It has 51 cabins and 7 suites for up to 106 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Four-deck Nile ship, Aswan and Luxor. A four-deck Nile cruise ship with 51 cabins and seven suites, sailing the Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor route on 3, 4 and 7-night itineraries.

Class Standard & independentCabins 51 · up to 106 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: CIT Travel
Accommodation: 51 cabins · 7 suites
Guests: Up to 106
Decks: 4
Route: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Friday ex Aswan; Monday ex Luxor
Wi-Fi: Wireless internet listed both as a cabin amenity and a ship facility; charging basis not stated.

About Champollion II

Champollion II is a four-deck Nile cruiser carrying 51 cabins and seven suites, from twin and king rooms up to junior suites. It runs the classic Upper Egypt route between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, with departures every Friday from Aswan and Monday from Luxor.

On board there is a 106-seat restaurant serving international and local dishes, plus a bar lounge for cocktails. The broad sundeck holds more than 35 sun beds around a swimming pool, a children's pool and a hot-and-cold Jacuzzi.

Practical touches include 24-hour room service, a concierge, a business centre, laundry, and a small parade of shops for gifts, books and flowers.

Highlights

51 cabins and 7 suites over four decks
Pool, children's pool and Jacuzzi
Sundeck with 35+ sun beds
106-seat restaurant and bar lounge
3, 4 and 7-night Aswan-Luxor sailings

At sail

Day by day

Champollion II sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor Departures friday ex aswan; monday ex luxor. The order of the temples is fixed by the river, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Luxor to Aswan, 4 nightsusually departs Monday

Day 1
Luxor, embark and the east bank
Board before lunch. The two east-bank temples in the afternoon, when the light is best at Karnak.
Visits Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 2
The west bank, then sail through the Esna lock
An early start for the tombs, then the boat sails south and passes the Esna lock, often in the evening. Moor at Edfu.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn
Day 3
Edfu and Kom Ombo
Edfu at first light, usually reached by horse-drawn carriage from the mooring. Sail to Kom Ombo, whose double temple sits directly above the water.
Visits Edfu · Kom Ombo
Day 4
Aswan
The Aswan cluster, usually in one morning, with a felucca sail among the islands in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk · felucca
Day 5
Disembark
Breakfast on board and disembarkation, typically by 08:00. Abu Simbel is a pre-dawn add-on, not part of the sailing.
Optional Abu Simbel by road or air

Aswan to Luxor, 3 nightsusually departs Friday

Day 1
Aswan, embark
Board before lunch, then the Aswan cluster in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk
Optional felucca among the islands
Day 2
Kom Ombo and Edfu
Sail north. Kom Ombo sits at the mooring; Edfu is a short carriage ride inland.
Visits Kom Ombo · Edfu
Optional Abu Simbel, pre-dawn by road or air
Day 3
Through Esna to Luxor, east bank
The Esna lock can hold the fleet for a while; the east-bank temples follow on arrival.
Visits Esna lock · Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 4
West bank and disembark
Check out after breakfast, then the west bank before departure.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

The fine print

What's included and what isn't

Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.

Included

Accommodation aboard Champollion II in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout

Not included

Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
Gratuities for the crew
Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Twin bed cabin (36)
King bed cabin (8)
Junior Suite (3)
Suite (4)
Dining: Restaurant, 106 seats, international and local cuisine
Bar lounge (cocktails)
Facilities: Swimming pool
Children's pool
Jacuzzi (cold & hot water)
Sundeck with 35+ sun beds
Bar lounge
Business centre
Concierge
24-hour room service
Laundry & dry cleaning
Beauty & barber shop
Gift shop
Book shop
Flower shop
Spa · pool · gym: Large swimming pool, children's pool and Jacuzzi with cold & hot water; beauty & barber shop. No gym or spa listed.
Itineraries: 4 days / 3 nights ex Aswan, every Friday
5 days / 4 nights ex Luxor, every Monday
8 days / 7 nights ex Aswan, every Friday
8 days / 7 nights ex Luxor, every Monday

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Budget Nile cruises Nile cruise vs land tour The cheapest time to cruise the Nile

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of Champollion II, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (2)

Good to know

Champollion II questions, answered

How much does Champollion II cost?

Advertised rates start from US$280 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does Champollion II have?

51 cabins and 7 suites, for up to 106 guests.

What route does Champollion II sail?

Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor, departing Friday ex Aswan; Monday ex Luxor.

What's included on Champollion II?

Full-board accommodation including sightseeing, all transfers by private coach, private guide in your language and all entrance fees. 10% surcharge 22 Dec - 04 Jan and Easter.