Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise

Your Sonesta Star Goddess Luxury Cruise along the Nile begins in Aswan with an opportunity to board before lunch. Familiarize yourself with your beautifully appointed suite and enjoy your first meal in the dining room whilst enjoying sweeping views of the Nile.

In the afternoon will allow for a relaxing and scenic journey by traditional felucca, a simple sail boat, across the river. Glide past exotic palm islands, golden deserts and enchanting Nile panoramas which have enticed travelers to this incredible country for centuries.

In the evening, you will enjoy the Captain's welcome cocktail reception, prior to dining. Conclude the day with a captivating and unique show of Nubian folklore.

Overnight in Aswan

Meals Included:

• Lunch

• Dinner

Following breakfast this morning, explore the must-see sights of Aswan. The marvel of the Aswan High Dam, an icon of modern engineering and a major triumph in Egypt. Follow this to the ancient granite quarries and explore the amazing unfinished obelisk.

Continue to the beautiful Temple of Philae to experience this magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Nestled on an attractive island, this beautifully conserved sanctuary is one of the most atmospheric temple complexes.

Head back to your cruise boat to take lunch and start your sail towards Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, explore the unique Temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to the two gods Sobek (the crocodile god) and the older god Horus. Marvel at its perfect symmetry and enjoy the interesting detailed carvings providing insight into Egyptian religion and medicine.

Set sail once again towards Edfu where you'll relax onboard as you sail further down the beautiful river Nile while indulging in all the luxury and amenities onboard. Spend the evening at your Galabeya Party where you'll enjoy music, entertainment and Egyptian life.

Overnight onboard in Edfu

Meals Included:

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner

After breakfast, take a horse-drawn carriage ride to the incredible Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the most beautiful temples preserved from ancient Egypt. Admire the sheer scale of its pylons, the majestic courts and the detailed hieroglyphs that illustrate the tale of Horus vs Seth battle.

Enjoy an leisurely day sailing on the Sonesta Star Goddess, heading towards Luxor, and take advantage of the excellent food, service and superb views from the sun deck as the landscape slowly changes before you.

In the evening, experience the best entertainment show on the Nile: enjoy a Whirling Dervish show followed by a graceful belly dance performance and enjoy dinner with live music.

Overnight onboard in Luxor

Meals Included:

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast, disembark and commence exploring Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and an area of some of Egypt's greatest antiquities. On the West Bank, experience the Valley of the Kings where the Egyptian pharaohs were laid to rest in decorated tombs dug into the desert hills. Proceed to the incredible Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, architecturally spectacular as it is built into the side of limestone cliffs.

See the colossal statues of Memnon and proceed to Luxor's East Bank. Explore the enormous Temple of Karnak, the greatest ancient religious building ever constructed, and finish the day at the truly awe-inspiring Temple of Luxor, lit by centuries of history.

At the end of the tour, transfer to Luxor International Airport or Luxor Railway Station.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast

Begin your luxury Nile journey in Luxor, the ancient site of Thebes, where many of Egypt's most marvelous sites are concentrated. After boarding your luxurious vessel before lunch, settle into your luxurious suite and enjoy your first taste of gourmet on board.

In the afternoon, tour the marvels on the East Bank of Luxor, and explore the impressive Karnak Temple Complex, which, with its hundreds of pylons and obelisks, and sacred lake, was once the largest religious edifice in the history of the world; with gigantic columns, sacred lakes, monumental gateways, and ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions that tell of the strength of Egypt's greatest kings.

From there, experience the wonders of Luxor Temple, a temple on the bank of the Nile, adorned with enormous statues of Ramses II, graceful colonnades, and impressive monuments that at one point served as a setting for royal rituals and religious celebrations.

After the excitement of your Luxor tour, return to your luxurious Sonesta Star Goddess Luxury Cruise for afternoon tea and time to relax as the sun sets on the Nile. Your evening meal will follow as you enjoy fine dining and entertainment in the elegant lounge.

Overnight onboard in Luxor

Meals Included:

• Lunch

• Dinner

Following breakfast, we make our way across to the fabled West Bank of Luxor, the chosen burial ground for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

Discover the world famous Valley of the Kings, the secret desert mountains home to elaborately decorated tombs, and the incredible Temple of Queen Hatshepsut; one of the most magnificent of all Egyptian structures which rises dramatically from the limestone cliffs at Deir el-Bahari.

We will also stop at the celebrated Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues who have witnessed the Theban Necropolis for more than 3,000 years.

We return to the ship for lunch as we continue our sailing south towards Esna. Relax on the sun deck and admire the ever changing scenery of traditional villages, palm forests and lush river banks. We will witness passing through the old Esna Lock; another memorable highlight on the river Nile.

An evening on board with a welcome cocktail reception by the captain is followed by dinner and onboard entertainment.

Overnight onboard in Esna

Meals Included

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner

In the morning, sail towards Edfu. After breakfast on board you take a horse drawn carriage from a nearby street to explore the extraordinarily well-preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best preserved temples of ancient Egypt, where you see enormous pylons, enormous courts and excellent bas relief on the walls where the eternal struggle between Horus and Seth is depicted.

Return on board your vessel where you continue sailing towards Kom Ombo as you enjoy your lunch and the ever changing Nile panorama on the deck.

In the afternoon, you will explore the exclusive Temple of Kom Ombo dramatically situated above the Nile. As it is a unique double temple it was erected to honour two gods, Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. See the symmetrically aligned layout, the medical carvings in stone and the sacred chambers as the Egyptians blended their religious practice with scientific endeavor. The nearby Crocodile Museum is included before return on the ship.

Dinner onboard and the night is completed with a fun Galabeya Party and traditional Egyptian music and costumes.

Overnight onboard sailing toward Aswan

Meals Included

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner

Awake to the beauty of Aswan; discover its golden desert and placid Nile waters.

After breakfast, admire the Aswan High Dam, a marvel of engineering and one of Egypt's most important projects; and the ancient granite quarries and the iconic Unfinished Obelisk, with its insights into ancient techniques of stone construction.

Journey by motorboat to the bewitching Temple of Philae, in honor of the goddess Isis. Located on scenic Agilkia Island, the temple itself is spectacular, with romantic surroundings, refined design, and magnificent condition.

Return to the cruise for lunch and relaxation.

Experience the beauty of Aswan with a traditional felucca ride around the picturesque islands of Kitchener and the Aga Khan Mausoleum; it’s an unforgettable experience, featuring some of the finest Nile scenery, which epitomizes the timeless tranquility of Aswan.

End the evening and your cruise in grand style with a fabulous and vibrant Nubian show, exceptional cuisine and a luxurious hospitality.

Overnight onboard in Aswan

Meals Included:

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner

Enjoy a final breakfast aboard the Sonesta Star Goddess Luxury Cruise while taking in the peaceful beauty of Aswan.

Following disembarkation, our representative will assist with your transfer to Aswan International Airport or Aswan Railway Station.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast