Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Karim

Historic 1917 steam paddle cruiser

Karim is a Nile cruise ship operated by Spring Tours, built 1917 and refurbished 2009. It has 32 cabins and 2 suites and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Historic 1917 steam paddle cruiser. A four-star, four-deck 1917 paddle steamer with 32 cabins and two suites, sailing the Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor route.

Class Standard & independentCabins 32Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Spring Tours
Accommodation: 32 cabins · 2 suites
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 48 × 15 m
Built: 1917 · refit 2009
Route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Every Friday ex-Aswan; every Monday ex-Luxor
Season: Year-round; 22% peak surcharge for Christmas and New Year (22 Dec - 04 Jan) and Easter. Minimum stay 3 nights.

About Karim

Karim is a four-star, four-deck Nile cruiser with real history: a 1917 stern-wheel paddle steamer still driven by its original steam engine, once used by King Fuad I, King Farouk and later presidents. It carries 32 cabins and two suites and sails the Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor route on 3, 4 and 7-night trips, leaving Aswan on Fridays and Luxor on Mondays.

The 32-cover restaurant serves buffet and waiter-service meals of international and Egyptian cuisine in a single sitting. A library holds books dating back to 1849, and the bar lounge offers full service.

Upper and lower sun-deck terraces surround a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Evenings bring folklore and belly-dance performances and a Nubian party.

Highlights

1917 paddle steamer, original steam engine
32 cabins and 2 suites
Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
Library with books from 1849
Folklore, belly-dance and Nubian evenings

At sail

Day by day

Karim sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor Departures every friday ex-aswan; every 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 Karim 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: Single (4 cabins)
Twin / Double (28 cabins)
Triple
Suite (2)
Dining: Restaurant, 32 covers, single sitting - buffet and waiter service, international and Egyptian cuisine
Facilities: 24-hour reception
Restaurant (32 covers, single sitting)
Swimming pool
Jacuzzi
Upper and lower sun-deck terraces
Lounge and disco
Library with books dating to 1849
Bar lounge with full international service
Deck bar service
Folklore and belly-dance performances
Nubian party
Spa · pool · gym: Swimming pool and Jacuzzi; no spa or gym mentioned
Itineraries: 4 days / 3 nights ex-Aswan
5 days / 4 nights ex-Luxor
8 days / 7 nights ex-Aswan
8 days / 7 nights ex-Luxor