# The Oberoi Philae A cruise ship of 22 cabins and suites run by India's Oberoi group, all facing the Nile and all 36 m² or more, sailing between Luxor and Aswan in 4 or 6 nights; the 6-night programme adds Dendera and Abydos. For couples and families with children aged 7 and over who want large cabins and a full sightseeing programme. Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/hotels/oberoi-philae/ ## An old boat rebuilt The Oberoi Philae is a four-deck paddlewheel boat that entered service in the 1990s. In 2011, the Indian hotel group Oberoi, which had been running the Oberoi Zahra on the Nile since 2007, reached an agreement with its Saudi owners to rebuild it. The work took place in Cairo over nearly five years, at the pace allowed by the unrest that followed the 2011 revolution, at a reported cost of 10 million US dollars. The boat returned to the river at the end of 2015. The refit cut the number of cabins sharply: there are now 22 cabins and suites, for about forty passengers. The original grand staircase gave way to a double-height atrium lit by a crystal chandelier, with marble floors. The suites are decorated with contemporary Egyptian art. This is what sets it apart from its neighbour, the Oberoi Zahra: the smallest cabin on the Philae is 36 m², against 26.4 m² for the Zahra's standard cabin, and all have a window that opens onto the river. ## Six programmes, two directions Departures are on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in both directions. Oberoi's website details three programmes in each direction. - **4 nights, Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan.** The classic circuit: Philae and the High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Esna lock, Luxor's West Bank (Valley of the Kings with Tutankhamun's tomb, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu, the Colossi of Memnon), the Luxor and Karnak temples, and the Nubian Museum in Aswan. - **6 nights, with Dendera and Abydos.** The boat sails north beyond Luxor to Qena, from where you visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, then the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, with the Luxor Museum in the evening. In the Luxor–Aswan direction, a free morning is scheduled in Luxor. - **6 nights, low-water version.** When the river level does not allow the boat to sail down to Qena, it stays in Luxor, Dendera is reached by coach (an hour and a half each way) and the Temple of Hatshepsut replaces Abydos. Our reading: 4 nights is enough for the great temples of the river and Luxor; 6 nights is worth it above all for Abydos, off the usual circuits and hard to reach on your own. When booking, ask which version will run: the low-water one skips Abydos. ## Life on board Days start early. On West Bank days, breakfast is served at 5 am and the visit starts at 6 am, to make the most of the cool; the boat often leaves the dock at 5 am and sails during breakfast. Afternoon visits resume around 3 pm. All times are local; Egypt is on UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer. Between stops, life centres on the upper deck, around the 11 m temperature-controlled pool, open from 8 am to 8 pm. The poolside restaurant, shaded by a large canopy during the day, serves light lunches and barbecues from 12.30 to 2 pm, and its bar is open from 9 am to 7.30 pm. The main restaurant serves international cooking, Western, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern: breakfast from 7.30 to 9.30 am, lunch from 12.30 to 2.30 pm, dinner from 7 to 10.30 pm, smart casual in the evening. The bar and library lounge (11 am to 11 pm) hosts dance and film nights: the boat has a cinema and a dance floor. Cuban cigars are smoked on the upper deck. The spa is open from 9 am to 9 pm: Thai, Balinese, Swedish and Oberoi signature massages, in treatment rooms facing the Nile. Treatments must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. A hair and beauty salon serves men and women, and the air-conditioned gym is open from 7 am to 7 pm. ## Which cabin The Luxury Cabin (36 m², king-size bed, seating area with an armchair facing the window) is plenty for a couple. The Luxury Suite (55 m²) adds a proper living room, a bathtub and a dressing room; it is the right category for the 6-night programme, when more time is spent on board. The Luxury Suite with Terrace (85 m², 55 m² of it indoors) has a private terrace with a sun lounger and a heated whirlpool, very pleasant during the hours of sailing. All categories take two guests at most: a family books two cabins. ## Sabaro's view **Who it's for**: couples, and families with children aged 7 and over, who want a small boat, large cabins and a full sightseeing programme, Abydos included. **Strengths**: 22 cabins and suites, all 36 m² or more; a 6-night programme with Dendera and Abydos; a cinema and a spa on board; Oberoi ranked first among river cruisers by Travel + Leisure readers in 2025 and 2026. **Good to know**: the official rate is not published; sightseeing days start before dawn; at low water, the 6-night programme changes and drops Abydos. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are children allowed on board? Only from age 7, and each child must occupy a separate cabin charged at the full rate. ### How far is the boat from the airports? About 15 km and 30 minutes by road from Luxor airport, 25 km and 45 minutes from Aswan airport. ### What is the difference between 4 and 6 nights? The 6-night programme adds two days north of Luxor for the temples of Dendera and Abydos, plus the Luxor Museum. At low water, Abydos is replaced by the Temple of Hatshepsut. ### What are the cancellation terms? Full refund more than 180 days before departure; 15% retained from 180 to 121 days, 50% from 120 to 91 days, the full amount within 90 days. Any change of name, cabin or dates counts as a cancellation.