Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Kon Tiki

Five-deck Nile ship with two-level spa

Kon Tiki is a Nile cruise ship, built 2005. It has 66 cabins and 6 suites for up to 150 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Five-deck Nile ship with two-level spa. A five-deck Nile cruise ship for up to 150 guests, with 66 cabins and six suites sailing 3, 4 and 7-night Aswan-Luxor itineraries.

Class Standard & independentCabins 66 · up to 150 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Independent
Accommodation: 66 cabins · 6 suites
Guests: Up to 150
Decks: 5
Built: 2005
Route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna Lock, Luxor (Karnak and West Bank)
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Every Wednesday ex-Aswan; every Saturday ex-Luxor
Season: Year-round; rates split into a May-August season and a September-April season
Wi-Fi: Yes - high-speed wireless internet in cabins and Wi-Fi throughout the ship

About Kon Tiki

Kon Tiki is a five-deck Nile cruiser carrying up to 150 guests in 66 cabins of 24 square metres and six suites, including two 44-square-metre panoramic suites. It sails the route between Aswan and Luxor via Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Esna Lock, Karnak and the West Bank, departing Aswan on Wednesdays and Luxor on Saturdays.

The main restaurant offers brasserie-style lunches and both buffet and a la carte dinners, alongside a coffee shop and a sun-deck bar. A three-lobby atrium and a panoramic-view lift connect the decks.

Leisure facilities are generous: an outdoor pool and a two-level spa with an indoor relaxation pool, massage rooms, steam room, sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and a fully equipped gym. High-speed Wi-Fi runs throughout, and two cabins are wheelchair accessible.

Highlights

Up to 150 guests over five decks
Two-level spa and fully equipped gym
Outdoor pool and panoramic-view lift
Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Two wheelchair-accessible cabins

At sail

Day by day

Kon Tiki sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna Lock, Luxor (Karnak and West Bank) Departures every wednesday ex-aswan; every saturday 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 Kon Tiki 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: Twin Cabin (32, 24 sqm)
Double Cabin (32, 24 sqm)
Suite (4, 36 sqm)
Panoramic Suite (2, 44 sqm)
Dining: Main restaurant - brasserie-style lunch service with tables for 2, 6 and 8; buffet and a la carte dinners
Coffee shop
Sun-deck bar
Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool
Panoramic-view elevator
Two-level spa (indoor relaxation pool, massage rooms, steam room, sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, fully equipped gym)
Three-lobby atrium
Lounge
Sun deck
Bar
Coffee shop
Gift shop
Library
Medical clinic
Doctor on call 24 hours
Two wheelchair-accessible cabins on the Al Sultan deck
Spa · pool · gym: Two-level spa with indoor relaxation pool, massage rooms, steam, sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi, plus a fully equipped gym and an outdoor pool with Jacuzzi
Itineraries: 3 nights / 4 days ex-Aswan: Aswan - Philae - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor
4 nights / 5 days ex-Luxor: Luxor - Karnak - West Bank - Esna Lock - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan
7 nights / 8 days ex-Aswan or ex-Luxor

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

Good to know

Kon Tiki questions, answered

How much does Kon Tiki cost?

Advertised rates start from US$320 per person for 3 nights; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does Kon Tiki have?

66 cabins and 6 suites, for up to 150 guests.

What route does Kon Tiki sail?

Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna Lock, Luxor (Karnak and West Bank), departing Every Wednesday ex-Aswan; every Saturday ex-Luxor.

What's included on Kon Tiki?

3 or 4 nights aboard on full-board basis, transfers, private excursions, entrance fees, English-speaking guide (max 8 people), daily bottled water, service charges and taxes. Children 0-2.99 free, 3-11.99 at 50%, 12+ full price.