Nile cruise shipDeluxe fleet shipsLuxor → Aswan
Iberotel Helio
50-cabin cruiser with two-level sun deck
Iberotel Helio is a Nile cruise ship operated by Iberotel Cruises / JAZ Hotel Group (JAZ Voyages), Travco Group. It has 50 cabins and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
50-cabin cruiser with two-level sun deck. A single-class ship with 50 cabins, sailing Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor on 3-, 4- and 7-night trips year-round.
- Operator
- Iberotel Cruises / JAZ Hotel Group (JAZ Voyages), Travco Group
- Accommodation
- 50 cabins
- Built
- — · refit 2024
- Route
- Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor
- Trip length
- 3 · 4 nights
- Departures
- 3-night every Friday from Aswan; 4-night every Monday from Luxor; 7-night every Monday from Luxor
- Season
- Year-round weekly departures
- Wi-Fi
- Free limited Wi-Fi.
About Iberotel Helio
Iberotel Helio is a mid-sized Nile cruiser with 50 cabins in a single class, run by Iberotel Cruises. Each 16.5 m2 cabin has private facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning, marine satellite TV, a safe and a minibar.
A two-level sun deck holds a swimming pool, pool bar and deck fitness equipment, with massage services available. The main restaurant serves international buffet dining, backed by a lounge bar and a sun-deck bar, plus a gift shop, beauty salon on request, laundry and 24-hour reception.
Departures run year-round: 3 nights from Aswan (Fridays), 4 nights from Luxor (Mondays) and 7-night trips from Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna. Free limited Wi-Fi is provided.
Highlights
- Single-class 16.5 m2 cabins
- Two-level sun deck with pool
- International buffet restaurant
- Year-round weekly departures
- 3-, 4- and 7-night Aswan-Luxor routes
At sail
Day by day
Iberotel Helio sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor Departures 3-night every friday from aswan; 4-night every monday from luxor; 7-night every monday from 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.
Cabin pricing
Rates by season
Our own per-person USD rates for winter 2026–27, in a main-deck cabin on full board; guided sightseeing is quoted separately. Each cell is a range because the fare moves with your sailing week and cabin. We confirm the exact fare on your quote, with no booking fee to ask.
4 days / 3 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $350–$430 | $290–$350 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $590–$730 | $480–$600 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $330–$400 | $270–$330 |
5 days / 4 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $470–$570 | $380–$470 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $790–$970 | $640–$800 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $440–$540 | $360–$450 |
- Cabins are allocated by the operator at confirmation; tell us your preferred deck and we will ask.
- Longer itineraries are priced as the sailings combined, confirmed on your quote.
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 Iberotel Helio in the cabin booked
- Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
- Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout
- Wi-Fi on board
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
- Cabin 16.5 m² - private facilities, individually controlled A/C, TV with marine satellite, safety box, minibar (all cabins reported as one class)
- Dining
- Main Restaurant
- Lounge Bar
- Sun Deck Bar
- Facilities
- 24-hour reception
- Laundry service
- Gift shop
- Beauty salon on request
- Two-level sun deck
- Major credit cards accepted
- Spa · pool · gym
- Two-level sun deck with swimming pool and pool bar; fitness equipment on deck; massage services
- Itineraries
- 3 nights: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor
- 4 nights: Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan
- 7-night packages sold by UK agents departing Luxor
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of Iberotel Helio, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
4.1 out of 5via Tripadvisor (38)
Good to know
Iberotel Helio questions, answered
How much does Iberotel Helio cost?
Our winter 2026–27 rates start from US$290 per person for 3 nights in a double cabin, rising to about US$430 in the festive weeks; the exact fare depends on your sailing week and cabin.
How many cabins does Iberotel Helio have?
50 cabins.
What route does Iberotel Helio sail?
Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor, departing 3-night every Friday from Aswan; 4-night every Monday from Luxor; 7-night every Monday from Luxor.
What's included on Iberotel Helio?
UK flights, 7-night Nile cruise and 1 night in Hurghada
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