HomeSonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
A great Nile cruise needs three things: a ship you don't want to leave, temples you'll never forget, and someone else handling the details. The Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise with Memphis Tours delivers all three.
The ship first. This elegant 5-star cruise has 49 deluxe cabins, 4 senator suites and 4 presidential suites with private terraces, all facing the river through panoramic windows. Days can be spent in the open-air pool or the spa, evenings in the lounge, at the disco or over dinner that runs to your cabin door until midnight.
Then the temples. Karnak's giant columns. The painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Hatshepsut's terraces against the cliffs. The Colossi of Memnon. Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its quarry.
And finally, us. Memphis Tours has welcomed travelers to Egypt since 1955 and holds a Category A license from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism. We greet you at the airport, take care of every transfer, and include full board, entrance fees between Luxor and Aswan, an English-speaking guide and all service charges and taxes.
Sail 5 days from Luxor every Monday, or 4 days from Aswan every Friday. Pick your journey and book today.
- Meet-and-assist service by Memphis Tours representatives upon arrival, at embarkation and upon departure.
- All transfers related to the cruise program by modern, air-conditioned vehicle, including transfers to and from the airport or railway station.
- Accommodation aboard Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise on a full-board basis.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner as shown in the day-by-day itinerary, plus afternoon tea on sailing days.
- All scheduled Nile cruise sightseeing as described in your selected 4-day or 5-day itinerary.
- Sightseeing includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, according to your selected itinerary.
- Entrance fees to the standard sightseeing sites listed in the itinerary, including standard Valley of the Kings entry covering three regular tombs.
- Shared sightseeing with approximately 15 to 20 Memphis Tours guests, accompanied by a licensed English-speaking Egyptologist.
- Horse-drawn carriage transportation and fare between the Edfu docking area and the Temple of Horus, and the motorboat crossing to Philae Temple.
- Bottled water during sightseeing outside the cruise vessel.
- All service charges and applicable taxes.
- Egypt entry visa.
- International and domestic flights, sleeper trains and other transportation not specifically stated as included.
- Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodation.
- Optional excursions and add-ons not listed in the confirmed itinerary, including Abu Simbel, the Luxor hot-air balloon at US$ 129, and the sound and light shows at Karnak and Philae..
- Separately ticketed special-entry tombs or monuments, including Tutankhamun’s tomb.
- All beverages on board, whether taken at meals or outside them, including soft drinks, bottled water on board and alcoholic drinks.
- Minibar, laundry, telephone calls, internet charges, spa treatments and other personal onboard expenses.
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend for medical cover and trip cancellation.
- Personal spending, shopping and souvenirs.
- Tipping and gratuities for cruise staff, guides and drivers. As a guide, US$ 8 to US$ 12 per person per day for the crew and US$ 10 to US$ 15 per day for your guide is customary and appreciated, but never obligatory.
- Anything not specifically listed as included above.
Aswan is where your Nile story begins, a relaxed riverside city of smooth granite rocks and Nubian villages. Step aboard the Sonesta Nile Goddess before lunch, and in the early afternoon set off for one of the loveliest temples in Egypt. Tonight starts with the Captain's welcome cocktail and finishes with a lively Nubian show.
12:00: Board the Sonesta Nile Goddess before lunch
12:30: Lunch on board
13:30: Guided visit to Philae Temple, followed by a relaxing motorboat ride on the Nile
16:30: Afternoon tea
19:30: Captain's welcome cocktail
20:00: Dinner on board
21:30: Nubian show
Philae Temple, built to honor the goddess Isis, sits on its own island in the Nile, so getting there means a short and scenic boat ride. When Lake Nasser threatened to flood it, the temple was dismantled and put back together, block by block, on higher ground. It remains one of Egypt's most picture-perfect sights.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Nile Goddess in Aswan
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Philae Temple
Entertainment: Captain's welcome cocktail, Nubian show
Your morning starts with the ship gliding north on the Nile. Two remarkable temples fill your day, with relaxing time on deck between them. After dinner, dress up in a traditional galabia for a party that's always a guest favorite.
- 06:00: Sail toward Kom Ombo
- 07:30: Breakfast on board
- 08:30: Guided visit to Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris
- 10:00: Sail toward Edfu
- 13:00: Lunch on board
- 14:30: Guided visit to Edfu Temple
- 16:30: Afternoon tea
- 16:30: Sail toward Esna
- 20:00: Dinner on board
- 21:30: Galabia party
Right beside the river, Kom Ombo Temple is one of a kind, built to honor two gods at the same time: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, a form of Horus. Its two identical halves sit side by side, each with its own halls and sanctuary. Later, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples, amazes with its massive entrance towers and richly carved walls.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Nile Goddess in Esna
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple
Entertainment: Galabia party
While you sleep, the ship sails on to Luxor, arriving in time for breakfast. Then it's across the river to the West Bank, the ancient burial ground of Egypt's kings and queens, for a morning you'll remember. Spend the afternoon at your own pace on board, and end the night with a belly dance performance.
- 03:30: Early morning sailing toward Luxor
- 06:30: Breakfast on board
- 07:30: Guided visit to the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon
- 13:00: Lunch on board
- 16:30: Afternoon tea
- 20:00: Dinner on board
- 21:30: Belly dance performance
Hidden in the desert hills, the Valley of the Kings shelters the tombs of Egypt's pharaohs, their walls alive with painted scenes and hieroglyphs. The Valley of the Queens holds the tombs of royal wives and children. Nearby, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is built right into the cliffs of Deir El-Bahari. Finish at the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of giant seated statues that have stood guard over the West Bank for over 3,000 years.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Nile Goddess in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Valley of the Kings and Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Entertainment: Belly dance performance
Savor a final breakfast on the river, then check out. Before you go, there's one more treat: Luxor's East Bank, home to two of the most magnificent temples ever built.
- 06:30: Breakfast on board
- 08:00: Disembarkation
- 08:30: Guided visit to the East Bank: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple ranks among the biggest religious sites in the world, and standing inside its Great Hypostyle Hall, surrounded by massive columns, makes for a perfect finale. In the center of modern Luxor, Luxor Temple impresses with its monumental entrance, giant statues and the Avenue of Sphinxes that once led all the way to Karnak.
Meals: Breakfast
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Please note: The schedule may change due to local conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Welcome to Luxor, where your Nile cruise begins. A Memphis Tours representative will be waiting for you at Luxor International Airport or the railway station and will escort you by air-conditioned vehicle to the Sonesta Nile Goddess.
Boarding starts at around 12:00 PM. Once you've checked into your cabin and had lunch on board, it's time to discover Luxor's East Bank.
Start at the Karnak Temple Complex, a huge gathering of temples, gateways and halls that pharaoh after pharaoh added to over the centuries. From there, move on to Luxor Temple, which was once joined to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Return to the ship for afternoon tea, then enjoy dinner and entertainment on board.
Overnight: On board in Luxor
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Walking: Moderate walking over stone and uneven ancient surfaces.
Good to Know: Boarding starts at around 12:00 PM. If you arrive before then, Memphis Tours will look after your luggage and arrival until boarding begins.
Following breakfast, head across the river to Luxor's West Bank, where the desert cliffs hide some of ancient Egypt's finest royal monuments.
Discover the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of the New Kingdom pharaohs, where painted tombs were dug deep into the limestone hills over 3,000 years ago. Then visit the dramatic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the towering Colossi of Memnon.
Head back on board for lunch as the Sonesta Nile Goddess begins its journey south to Esna. This evening, raise a glass at the Captain's welcome cocktail before an à la carte dinner and entertainment.
Overnight: On board in Esna
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Walking: Moderate to active, with uneven paths, steps and a few slopes.
Premium Experience: Optional entry to Tutankhamun's Tomb and the Tomb of Ramses VI, at an extra cost and depending on opening conditions.
Good to Know: Your standard Valley of the Kings ticket includes a selection of open tombs. Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and other special tombs require their own tickets.
The ship arrives in Edfu, and after breakfast you'll explore the grand Temple of Horus, among the best-preserved temples anywhere in Egypt.
Once back on board, the cruise continues toward Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, discover what goes on behind the scenes with a ship tour hosted by the Captain, then join an onboard cooking class. Later, go ashore to Kom Ombo Temple, a rare riverside temple shared by two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. The evening brings an Oriental dinner and cultural entertainment.
Overnight: On board in Kom Ombo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple
Onboard Experiences: Captain's ship tour, cooking class
Walking: Moderate walking over uneven ancient surfaces.
Good to Know: Kom Ombo Temple is right on the Nile's edge. Edfu Temple lies inland and is normally reached from the dock by horse-drawn carriage.
The ship reaches Aswan early, and your day begins at the Unfinished Obelisk, left where it lies in Aswan's ancient granite quarries. Next, make your way to the mainland boat landing and ride a motorboat to Agilkia Island, where Philae Temple awaits. Tour this lovely temple with your Egyptologist, then return to the Sonesta Nile Goddess for lunch.
In the afternoon, a motorboat carries you along the Nile to Aswan's Botanical Garden, a calm and green change of pace from the temples. Dinner and a Nubian entertainment program close the day.
Overnight: On board in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Botanical Garden
Walking: Light to moderate, with stone walkways and steps at Philae and a gentle stroll through the garden.
Good to Know: Philae Temple stands on Agilkia Island and is reached by motorboat from the mainland landing.
Have your final breakfast on board, then disembark. Your Memphis Tours representative will take care of your departure and drive you directly to Aswan International Airport, based on your confirmed travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast
Good to Know: Cabin check-out and disembarkation take place at about 8:00 AM. If you're leaving later, Memphis Tours will look after your luggage and arrangements until your transfer.
- Panoramic windows in each cabin
- Cabins are fully air conditioned
- Wireless internet access
- Private bath/shower with hair dryer
- Satellite color TV
- Protection and smoke detector in each cabin
- Spa center and message
- Swimming pool, bar & Sun deck
- Safe box in each cabin
- Telephone system with international calls.
- Doctor on calls on board.
- Gymnasium
- In-room dining available until midnight
- Main dining room, lounge and Sun Deck Bar
- Elevator on Board
- Nightly Entertainment
- Fully-equipped Conference Room for up to 12 persons (round tables)
- Laundry service & housekeeping
- All major credit cards accepted
5 Days Luxor to Aswan
4 Days Aswan to Luxor
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