Edfu Temple on our Nile cruise, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

Take a Cruise on the Egyptian Nile: Aswan to Luxor

Prior to stepping on board the Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise ship in Aswan, traveling around Egypt had been quite a bit more difficult than we originally anticipated. The constant touts shouted at us to get in their taxi, ride their horse-drawn carriage, or buy their Egyptian scarf.

We haggled over prices for everything from a bottle of water at a market to the price of a boat ride that was originally stated as being a much lower price. We were exhausted and ready for some rest and relaxation. Our four days on board, we wanted them to be… easy.

And from the moment we stepped onto the ship, it was just that! We dined on delicious meals that varied daily. We had a knowledgeable and friendly guide to arrange our transport to the temples. They provided us with an overview of Egyptian history, and the friendliest of staff onboard helped us with anything and everything we needed throughout our stay. This luxury cruise on the Nile River was everything we were hoping it would be and so much more.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote, “Egypt was the gift of the Nile” but we’d argue that taking a luxury cruise ship tour is truly the gift of the Nile. It was most certainly an experience of a lifetime!

Balcony views on our Sonesta Cruise, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

Note: We opted for the Sonesta Star Goddess three-night, four-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor that departs every Friday. However, Sonesta Cruises offers a variety of options at differing price levels, differing lengths of time, and embarkation in either Luxor or Aswan. 

Preparing for Your Nile Cruise

A Brief History of the River

The Nile River is regarded as the longest river in the world at 4,258 miles long and spanning 11 different countries. Not only is the Nile an important source of sustenance and transportation in Egypt, but it is also considered to be a spiritual landmark.

The Nile was thought to be the causeway from life to death to the afterlife in ancient times. It may explain why a full-sized boat was included in the tomb of a Pharaoh. It is now on display in the Pyramids of Giza. The east side of the river was a place of birth and growth. The west was the place of death which is why all of the tombs were constructed west of the Nile.

Exterior main sonesta star goddess cruise ship
Image provided by Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise Line

The Nile is central to many ancient Egyptian beliefs and stories. They believed that Nut, the god of the sky, ate Ra, the god of the sun every night. Afterward, it gave birth to Ra again every day at dawn. But prior to being birthed, Ra had to get 12 boats safely across the Nile River and battle dangerous snakes and crocodiles along the way.

Ancient Egyptians even based their calendar on the cycles of the Nile and called them Akhet, Peret, and Shemu. Akhet was the Nile flood season, Peret was the growing season, and Shemu was the harvest season. Each cycle was approximately four months long. 

You’ll learn all about the ancient Egyptians, their gods, and the importance that the Nile had on their culture all while visiting some of the best temples of Egypt during your journey down the river!

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Things to Know Before You Board

  • The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (LE). At the time of writing the conversion rate was about 16.31 LE to $1 USD. We’ll be referring to costs in Egyptian Pounds. Keep in mind that if we say something costs 100 LE, that’s just about $6.00 USD.
  • Be sure to have a small change on you for a “baksheesh” or tip. You’ll need to tip your car, boat, and carriage drivers on your daily excursions as well as the bellhops that carry your bags to your room.
  • Egyptians speak Arabic and you should learn a few key phrases to get around. “Al Salam Alaikum” (pronounced “sall-em wall-a-come”)  is a nice way to say “hello”. “Shukran” (pronounced “shoo-kran”) is “thank you”. “Ma’-Elsalama” (pronounced ma sell lem-a) is “goodbye”.
  • Tip the cruise ship staff at the end of your stay. You don’t need to tip at every meal as the tips will be split equally between the staff you see daily and those you don’t. 100-150 LE per guest per day is appropriate for the cruise ship staff. If you opt for a guide for your daily excursions, a tip of 100 LE per person per day (depending on group size) is the standard tip rate.

Packing for your Cruise

You’ll spend your mornings exploring temples in the heat and your evenings enjoying the sunset from the top deck of the ship. It cools off quickly as soon as the sun sets. Pack light breathable clothing, sunglasses, a brimmed hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for the daytime. And a warm sweater for the evenings. Something on the fancy side for evening dinners and entertainment would be recommended as well.

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A Nile River Cruise with Sonesta Cruises

In and Around Aswan

The Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise line departs from Aswan. If you arrive early and give yourself a few days to explore, these are the top destinations not to miss!

  • Take a day trip to Abu Simbal Temple – it takes about three hours by car to get to Abu Simbal Temple. The trip is most certainly worth it! This massive temple was actually deconstructed, piece by piece, and moved to higher ground when the Nile was dammed in the 1960s. You can arrange a private taxi for around 1200 LE (per car) if you want more time and flexibility to explore the temple. Or you can arrange minibus transport for 265 LE (per person) that will leave at 4 am or 11 am, but you’ll only get 1.5 hours at the temple before heading back.
Abu Simbel Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys
  • Visit a Nubian Village – Elephantine Island is a short boat ride from the downtown area of Aswan. It allows the opportunity to wander through both a traditional Nubian Village as well as ancient ruins that are in the process of being uncovered and reconstructed. The botanical gardens across the way are an excellent stop for a stroll as well!
  • Shop at the Sharia as-Souq – the old Aswan market runs parallel to the Nile River and comes alive at night. You’re sure to find all of the Nubian souvenirs and snacks that your heart desires in this colorful, bustling market!

Nile Cruise Overview

The Sonesta Star Goddess is the premier five-star, all-suite cruise line. It allows its passengers to travel up or down the Nile between Luxor and Aswan in comfort and class. Stops along the way allow passengers to explore the ancient temples and tombs through guided excursions.

Kom Ombo Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise Ship Features

  • In-suite dining is available until midnight
  • Spa and fitness center
  • Massage services, sauna, and steam bath
  • Nightly entertainment
  • Onboard shopping

Accommodations

The large, luxurious suites feature comfortable bedding. The large bathrooms are equipped with full-sized bathtubs and panoramic windows showcasing the gorgeous views along the banks of the Nile. It also has private terraces where passengers can enjoy sunrise or sunset from the comfort of their own room.

Beethoven Suite on the Sonesta Star Goddess by Wandering Wheatleys

Delectable Dining Onboard

The food on the ship will definitely be the best you’ve had in Aswan, and possibly the best you’ll experience in all of Egypt!

  • Main Dining Room – daily breakfast and lunch buffets as well as à la carte dinners
  • Sun Deck Bar & BBQ – barbecue specialties and delicious cocktails while overlooking panoramic views of the Nile – the perfect place to spend an afternoon!
  • The Lounge – cocktails and light snacks are served in The Lounge near the lobby of the ship which also features a dance floor for your evening entertainment!
Lounge, Sonesta Star Goddess by Wandering Wheatleys

Check Sonesta Cruise Prices on Booking.com

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from Aswan and Sail to Kom Ombo

  • Prior to 12:30 pm Board the Sonesta Star Goddess 
  • 12:30 pm – Lunch on board
  • 3:30 pm Visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries, and the Temple of Philae . Sail on the Nile by Felucca around Kitchener’s Island and Agha Khan
  • 5:30 pm Afternoon tea on the sun deck
  • 7:30 pm Traditional Nubian music in the lounge
  • 8 pm – Dinner in the main dining room

After a delicious lunch onboard the ship, you’ll disembark in the early afternoon to explore Aswan with your knowledgeable guide. You’ll start with a relaxing felucca ride around Kitchener’s Island. Your guide will give you a history of the temples and ruins you’ll pass on the banks of the river.

Felucca ride on the Nile by Wandering Wheatleys

You’ll disembark and move to a minivan that will take you to the Granite Quarries (entrance fee: 60 LE/person). It contains a giant, sadly unfinished obelisk that cracked before it was complete. If finished, the obelisk would have been the largest in the world.

You’ll head to the High Dam from there and learn about how it was constructed and about all of the Nubian villages that were flooded and the ancient temples that had to be moved due to the damming.

Your final stop of the afternoon will be the Temple of Philae (entrance fee: 100 LE/person). It is on an island and was moved from its original location to keep it from damage from rising river waters.

Philae Temple, Aswan, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

The temple is massive and was erected by the Greeks when they ruled Egypt. As such, most of the gods depicted are in the traditional Greek style with round, soft bodies. You can see the water lines from the flooding that occurred before the Nile was dammed.

Philae Temple, Aswan, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

Side Note: you’ll need a small change to tip your boat and minivan drivers and it can be difficult to get change onboard. 

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Day 2: Sail from Kom Ombo to Esna

  • 7:30 – 8:30 am – Breakfast on board
  • 8 am – Visit Kom Ombo Temple
  • 1 pm – BBQ lunch on the sun deck
  • 2:30 pm – Visit Edfu Temple
  • 5:30 pm – Afternoon tea
  • 7:30 pm – Dinner on board
  • 9:30 pm – Galabeya party

After a delicious breakfast buffet, you’ll begin your day with a tour of the Kom Ombo Temple (entrance fee: 80 LE/person). It is just a short, five-minute walk from the point of disembarkation.

Kom Ombo Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

The area around the temple holds many uncovered treasures so excavations continue to this day. Hundreds of mummified crocodiles were found nearby and many are displayed in the small but intriguing museum near the exit.

Kom Ombo Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

After wandering around all morning, take solace from the midday heat in the infinity pool overlooking spectacular views of the Nile. Lounge in the comfortable chairs during your three-hour break as you pass by the stunning scenery on the banks of the river.

Your final stop for the day is Edfu Temple (entrance fee: 100 LE/person) which is a massive and incredibly well-preserved Greek-style temple.

Edfu Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

You’ll enter the towering gates into a large central courtyard that was filled with mud from the Nile waters for many years. That mud actually helped to preserve many of the carvings from damage from the elements as well as people who wanted to destroy the ancient gods by making scratches in the rock.

Edfu Temple, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

After your exploration of the temple, you’ll have afternoon tea on the top deck of the boat where you can watch the beautiful sunset cast pink hues on the calm river. Between afternoon tea and dinner is a great time to soak your tired muscles in the hot tub which also offers stunning views of the Nile from the large picture window.

Jacuzzi with a view on the Sonesta Star Goddess, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

Enjoy a lively galabeya party after dinner! If you haven’t already purchased a galabeya, the small shop onboard has several styles for sale (of course, you can attend the party even if you aren’t dressed in a traditional costume).

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Day 3: Sail to Luxor

  • 6:30 – 7:30 am – Breakfast on board
  • 7:30 am – Visit the West Bank (Valley of Kings, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut)
  • 1 pm – Lunch on board
  • 5:30 pm – Afternoon tea
  • 7:30 pm – Whirling Dervish and Belly dance show
  • 8 pm – Dinner on board
  • 10 pm – Music in the lounge

Fill up on the delightful breakfast buffet as you have a long morning of exploring temples ahead of you! You’ll start with a quick stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These are two large statues that were originally carved from a single piece of limestone. One is intact and original, and one has had quite a bit of reconstruction.

This valley is full of tombs that archaeologists are working hard to uncover to this day. Communities of people are being relocated so that their houses can be demolished and digging underneath can begin.

From there you’ll head to the Valley of the Kings (entrance fee: 160 LE/person to see 3 tombs; photography ticket fee for 3 tombs: 300 LE/camera; 2-way tram ticket: 4 LE/person; King Tut tomb entrance fee: 200 LE/person; Seti 1-Tut tomb entrance fee: 1,000 LE/person).

Intriguingly, ancient Egyptian kings would begin the construction of their tombs on the day they were crowned king. Some kings like Rameses III reigned for quite a long time so their tombs are incredibly long and intricately carved and painted. And others, like Rameses IX, did not enjoy a long life so their tombs had to be completed in haste (when the king died, the workers had 70 days to complete the construction of the tomb as that was the length of time needed for mummification of the body).

There are currently eight tombs available for viewing but two require an additional fee. Of the six remaining, you’ll need to choose only three to visit (unless you purchase two entrance tickets). The tombs that have the best-preserved colors are the tombs of Rameses IV, Rameses III, and Rameses IX. The tomb of Rameses III is not to be missed! Guides are not allowed inside. Your guide will give you good information ahead of time to ensure you don’t miss any important details inside these spectacular, elaborate tombs!

Your next stop is the Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple (entrance fee: 80 LE/person; 2-way tram ticket: 2 LE/person). It was originally constructed as a funeral temple for use by King Hatshepsut who is famous for being the only confirmed female pharaoh. After the death of her husband (also her half-brother), she claimed that the gods turned her into a man and was thus able to rule as king. She is depicted as a man in all Egyptian statues and it was only at the discovery of her lover’s tomb in the 1900s that archaeologists realized she was actually a woman. Unfortunately, all of the statues and carvings depicting Hatshepsut in this temple were destroyed by her angry stepson, Thutmose III.

Your final stop today will be the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee: 80 LE/person). You can enter the tombs of two different queens which are quite smaller and less elaborate than their male counterparts. If you’d like to see the tomb of Nefertari, the favorite of King Rameses’s 34 wives, you’ll need to pay for an additional ticket for 1,000 LE/person.

Sunset onboard the Sonesta Star Goddess by Wandering Wheatleys

You’ll have the afternoon completely free to do whatever you desire! Lounge by the infinity pool, take a dip in the hot tub or relax on your private balcony while sipping coffee and enjoying the river.

Then at 7:30 pm, head to the lounge, order a glass of wine and relax. Enjoy the nightly entertainment before dinner!

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Day 4: Disembark and Explore Luxor

  • 7 – 8 am – Breakfast on board
  • 8 am – Disembark and visit Karnak and Luxor Temples

These temples in Luxor will be the highlight of your cruise excursions! Your first stop will be the Karnak Temple (entrance fee: 120 LE/person) where you’ll wander through 134 well-preserved columns. You’ll see damaged images of King (Queen) Hatshepsut throughout the temple as she made more than a few offerings here so that the priests would accept her as a pharaoh.

Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

A road of sphinxes connects the Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temple and it is expected that when excavations are complete, somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 – 7,000 sphinxes will be discovered. Many buildings along this road, including a 200-year-old mosque, were destroyed to make way for the excavations.

Sphinxes between Luxor and Karnak Temples, Luxor, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys
Just 5,000 more to go!

Your day of excursions will end at the Luxor Temple (entrance fee: 100 LE/person) where you will find evidence of five different cultures in one place – Roman, Greek, Christian, Islamic, and ancient Egyptian.

Luxor Temple, Luxor, Egypt by Wandering Wheatleys

You’ll pass by the oldest mosque in Egypt and a headless Greek statue on your way into the temple. You can see where Romans attempted to cover the ancient Egyptian carvings with their own paintings during their reign. For more information on Luxor make sure you check out our other post!

Exploring these spectacular temples will be the perfect way to end a perfect 4-day excursion on the Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise ship!

Hope you have an amazing cruise on the Nile River!


Planning a visit to Egypt? Check out our favorite books!


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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

11 thoughts on “Take a Cruise on the Egyptian Nile: Aswan to Luxor”

  1. This sounds so awesome! I would like to check this out. Egypt is high on my list and of course seeing everything. Going down the Nile just sounds super cool. It is always interesting to see the different cultures amongst everything because of the different invasions and reigns. Funny how one tried to cover up the others stuff.

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