Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise

Upon your arrival in Aswan, you’ll be welcomed by a representative and transferred in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your luxurious floating hotel, the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise. After checking in (before 12:00 p.m.), savor a delicious lunch on board.

In the afternoon, begin your discoveries with a guided visit to the impressive High Dam—a marvel of modern engineering that forever changed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile. Next, enjoy a motorboat ride to the beautiful Philae Temple, situated on Agilkia Island and dedicated to Isis, goddess of love and healing. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, a massive monument still embedded in the ancient granite quarries, offering insight into ancient Egyptian stone-carving techniques.

Return to the ship for dinner and spend the night on board in Aswan.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aswan

Start your day with a hearty breakfast on the Steigenberger Minerva before visiting the temple at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the Elder. Its symmetrical architecture and riverside setting make it one of Egypt’s most photogenic temples.

As you cruise onward to Edfu, enjoy lunch on the sun deck with sweeping views of the Nile’s lush riverbanks. In the afternoon, journey by horse-drawn carriage through Edfu village to reach the Temple of Horus—one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, famed for its towering columns and intricate reliefs.

Return to the ship for a relaxing evening. After dinner, enjoy a traditional Egyptian folkloric show staged by the onboard entertainment team.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On board

After breakfast, set out to explore Luxor’s West Bank, the ancient city of Thebes’ famed necropolis. Stroll through the Valley of the Kings, where legendary pharaohs—including Tutankhamun—rest in elaborately decorated tombs hewn into the cliffs.

Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an awe-inspiring mortuary complex carved into the limestone cliffs for Egypt’s most successful female ruler. Conclude the morning with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two gigantic statues that once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep III’s funerary temple.

Return to the cruise for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure on board before dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Luxor

After breakfast, disembark from the Steigenberger Minerva, but your journey continues with a guided tour of Luxor’s East Bank. Discover the vast Karnak Temple Complex—the grandest religious site ever constructed—featuring towering columns, mighty obelisks, and a sacred lake.

Next, visit the majestic Luxor Temple, aligned with the Nile and bathed in the golden morning light. Expanded by generations of pharaohs, this site contains relics from Egypt’s diverse past, including a mosque and a Roman chapel.

After your tour, you’ll be transferred to your next destination in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Luxor

This cruise is available on the following route:

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome as you settle into your elegant cabin before lunch. After getting acquainted with your surroundings, set out to discover Luxor’s East Bank.

Start at the vast Karnak Temple Complex, spanning 100 hectares and featuring ram-headed sphinxes, towering pylons, and the iconic Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns. Continue on to Luxor Temple, an imposing structure linked to Karnak via the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes and decorated with statues of Ramses II.

Return to the cruise ship for afternoon tea, followed by dinner and your first overnight stay in Luxor.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Luxor

After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where generations of pharaohs were laid to rest in ornately decorated rock-cut tombs. Optional entry to the tombs of Tutankhamun or Seti I is available.

Next, marvel at the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, its terraces carved into the cliffs. Conclude the morning with a visit to the towering Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the temple of Amenhotep III.

Return for lunch as the cruise begins sailing toward Esna. Experience the passage through Esna Lock, continuing up the Nile toward Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Onboard

In the morning, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through Edfu to reach the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt. Its grand pylons and mythological carvings depict epic battles between good and evil.

After lunch onboard, continue sailing to Kom Ombo, where you’ll explore the unique double temple dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Visit the nearby Crocodile Mummy Museum, home to dozens of mummified reptiles once revered by ancient Egyptians.

Dine and spend the night onboard as you sail towards Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aswan

Following breakfast, begin your exploration of Aswan with a stop at the High Dam, offering sweeping views of Lake Nasser. Board a motorboat across the water to the island sanctuary of Philae Temple, devoted to Isis and famed for its tranquil setting and beautifully preserved columns.

End your morning at the Unfinished Obelisk, still attached to the granite quarries of Aswan—a testament to ancient engineering prowess.

After lunch onboard, enjoy free time or opt for a felucca ride around Elephantine Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan conclude your day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aswan

Savor your final breakfast onboard before disembarkation.

For those seeking a fitting finale, an optional excursion to Abu Simbel is available. Travel by road or air (additional fee) to see the magnificent rock-carved temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated stone by stone to avoid flooding. Their colossal statues and sun-aligned sanctuaries offer a spectacular end to your journey.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Aswan