HomeSonesta Moon Goddess Cruise
Your alarm clock is a sunrise over the Nile. Your morning view changes while you sleep. That's the Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise, a 5-star ship where all 49 cabins open onto a private balcony through sliding glass doors, and 4 presidential suites come with their own private lounge.
Inside, everything is ready for you: air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a safe, an international phone and a private bathroom with hair dryer. Hungry at 11 pm? In-room dining runs until midnight.
Upstairs, the sun deck is the place to be, with a swimming pool and bar. There's a spa for a well-earned massage, a spacious gym, a main dining room, a lounge and entertainment every night.
And just off the deck: ancient Egypt. Karnak. Luxor Temple. The Valley of the Kings and Queens. Hatshepsut. The Colossi of Memnon. Edfu, Kom Ombo, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, all with an English-speaking guide.
Memphis Tours has been making Egypt easy since 1955. Transfers, full board, entrance fees and guiding are included, so the only thing left to plan is where to sit on your balcony. Sail 5 days from Luxor every Monday or 4 days from Aswan every Friday. Book your cabin 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 airport or railway station arrival and departure transfers.
- Accommodation aboard Sonesta Moon 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.
Your Nile journey starts in Aswan, the calmest city on the river, where granite rocks rise from the water and Nubian villages line the banks. You'll board the Sonesta Moon Goddess before lunch, and by early afternoon you're off to one of Egypt's most beautiful temples. The evening begins with the Captain's welcome cocktail and ends with a colorful Nubian show.
- 12:00: Embark on the Sonesta Moon 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, dedicated to the goddess Isis, stands on an island in the Nile, so your visit begins with a short, scenic boat ride across the water. To save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, the whole temple was taken apart and rebuilt, stone by stone, on higher ground. Today, it's one of the most photogenic places in Egypt.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess in Aswan
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Philae Temple
Entertainment: Captain's welcome cocktail, Nubian show
Wake up as the ship sails north along the Nile. Today you'll visit two of the river's most impressive temples, with time to relax on deck in between. In the evening, slip into a traditional galabia and join the party. It's one of the most fun nights of the cruise.
- 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
Kom Ombo Temple sits right on the riverbank and is special because it was built for two gods at once: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, a form of Horus. The temple is perfectly mirrored, with matching halls and sanctuaries side by side. In the afternoon, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, impresses with its giant entrance towers and finely detailed carvings.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess in Esna
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple
Entertainment: Galabia party
The ship sets sail before sunrise and reaches Luxor in time for breakfast. Then you cross to the West Bank, where ancient Egyptians laid their kings and queens to rest, for one of the highlights of your trip. The afternoon is free to relax on board, and a belly dance performance rounds off the evening.
- 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
The Valley of the Kings is home to the royal tombs of Egypt's pharaohs, carved deep into the desert hills and covered in colorful paintings and hieroglyphs. The Valley of the Queens was the resting place of royal wives and children. Close by, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in wide terraces against the cliffs of Deir El-Bahari. Your final stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two giant seated statues that have watched over the West Bank for more than 3,000 years.
Overnight: Aboard the Sonesta Moon 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
Enjoy one last breakfast on the Nile before checking out. Your journey ends in style, with a visit to Luxor's East Bank and two of the greatest temples of the ancient world.
- 06:30: Breakfast on board
- 08:00: Disembarkation
- 08:30: Guided visit to the East Bank: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple is one of the largest religious complexes ever built, and walking through its Great Hypostyle Hall among giant stone columns is an unforgettable way to end your cruise. Luxor Temple, in the heart of the modern city, is famous for its grand entrance, huge statues and the Avenue of Sphinxes that once connected it to Karnak.
Meals: Breakfast
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Please note: The schedule may change due to local conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Your Nile adventure starts in Luxor. When you arrive at Luxor International Airport or the railway station, a Memphis Tours representative will greet you and take you by air-conditioned vehicle to the Sonesta Moon Goddess.
Embarkation begins at around 12:00 PM. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch on board, then head out to explore Luxor's East Bank.
Your first stop is the vast Karnak Temple Complex, a remarkable collection of sanctuaries, towering gateways and grand halls built and expanded by generations of pharaohs. Next, visit Luxor Temple, once linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.
Back on board, relax with afternoon tea, followed by dinner and evening entertainment.
Overnight: On board in Luxor
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Walking: Moderate walking on stone and uneven ancient ground.
Good to Know: Embarkation begins at around 12:00 PM. If you arrive earlier, Memphis Tours will help with your luggage and arrival arrangements until you can board.
After breakfast, cross to Luxor's famous West Bank, where some of ancient Egypt's greatest royal monuments stand against the desert cliffs.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom pharaohs, where beautifully decorated tombs were carved deep into the limestone hills more than 3,000 years ago. Continue to the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the giant Colossi of Memnon.
Return to the ship for lunch as the Sonesta Moon Goddess sets sail toward Esna. In the evening, join the Captain's welcome cocktail, followed by 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 ground, steps and some slopes.
Premium Experience: Optional entry to Tutankhamun's Tomb and the Tomb of Ramses VI, at extra cost and subject to opening conditions.
Good to Know: The standard Valley of the Kings ticket covers selected open tombs. Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and other special tombs need separate tickets.
The ship sails to Edfu, and after breakfast you'll visit the impressive Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
Back on board, continue sailing toward Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, get a closer look at life on the river with a ship tour led by the Captain and an onboard cooking class. Later, step ashore at Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual riverside temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. The evening continues with 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 on uneven ancient ground.
Good to Know: Kom Ombo Temple stands right beside the Nile. Edfu Temple is inland and is usually reached from the dock by horse-drawn carriage.
Arrive in Aswan early in the morning and start with the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in Aswan's ancient granite quarries. Then head to the mainland boat landing and cross by motorboat to Agilkia Island, home of Philae Temple. Explore this beautiful temple with your Egyptologist before returning to the Sonesta Moon Goddess for lunch.
Later, take a motorboat ride on the Nile to Aswan's Botanical Garden, a peaceful break after the morning's sightseeing. The evening ends with dinner and a Nubian entertainment program.
Overnight: On board in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Botanical Garden
Walking: Light to moderate, with stone paths and steps at Philae and easy walking through the garden.
Good to Know: Philae Temple is on Agilkia Island and is reached by motorboat from the mainland landing.
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking. Your Memphis Tours representative will help with your departure and take you straight to Aswan International Airport, in line with your confirmed travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast
Good to Know: Cabin check-out and disembarkation are at around 8:00 AM. If your departure is later, Memphis Tours will help with your luggage and arrangements until your scheduled transfer.
- Sliding glass doors opening to private balconies
- 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.
- Spacious Gymnasium
- Laundry service & housekeeping
- In-room Dining available until midnight
- Main Dining Room, Lounge, Sun Deck Bar
- Nightly Entertainment
- Fully-purified Water, filtered and softened before distribution
- Fitness and Recreation Areas
- All major credit cards accepted
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