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Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise

Step aboard the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise, a contemporary 5-star vessel that perfectly combines modern luxury with the timeless beauty of the Nile. This elegant cruise ship sails gracefully between Luxor and Aswan, allowing guests to relax in style while discovering Egypt’s most iconic ancient landmarks. The ship features 77 beautifully designed cabins, including 73 double cabins (19 m²), 2 single cabins (16 m²), and 2 spacious suites (39 m²). Each cabin offers panoramic Nile views and is equipped with modern comforts to ensure a serene and memorable journey. Onboard, guests can enjoy

  • Duration4 days / 3 nights
  • Type5-Star
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise

Overview

Step aboard the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise, a contemporary 5-star vessel that perfectly combines modern luxury with the timeless beauty of the Nile. This elegant cruise ship sails gracefully between Luxor and Aswan, allowing guests to relax in style while discovering Egypt’s most iconic ancient landmarks. The ship features 77 beautifully designed cabins, including 73 double cabins (19 m²), 2 single cabins (16 m²), and 2 spacious suites (39 m²). Each cabin offers panoramic Nile views and is equipped with modern comforts to ensure a serene and memorable journey. Onboard, guests can enjoy a large sun deck with a swimming pool, a fitness area, a lounge bar, and a main restaurant serving exquisite cuisine. Whether you’re sipping coffee as the river drifts by or unwinding after a day of exploration, this cruise promises an unforgettable experience of luxury and discovery along the Nile.

Highlights

  • Aswan boarding with Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
  • Kom Ombo and Edfu — temples of Sobek and Horus
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple
  • Karnak and Luxor temples to close
  • Runs in four- and five-night versions, in both directions

Itinerary

  1. 1Arrival in Aswan – Discovering Ancient Wonders

    Upon arrival in Aswan, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your luxurious floating hotel, the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise. After check-in before noon, enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon, begin your sightseeing with a visit to the High Dam, a modern marvel of engineering that transformed Egypt’s irrigation system. Continue by motorboat to the enchanting Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Conclude the day with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, an immense monument left in the granite quarries, offering insight into ancient stone-carving techniques. Return to the cruise for dinner and overnight stay in Aswan. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Aswan

  2. 2Kom Ombo and Edfu – Temples of the Nile

    After breakfast, sail to Kom Ombo to explore its unique twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Admire its symmetrical design and riverside setting before continuing your journey toward Edfu. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail along the scenic Nile. In the afternoon, take a horse-drawn carriage through Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, renowned for its towering pylons and intricate reliefs. Return to the cruise for dinner and enjoy an evening of traditional Egyptian entertainment. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Onboard

  3. 3Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple

    Start your day with breakfast before exploring Luxor’s West Bank, the ancient necropolis of Thebes. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried in elaborately decorated tombs, including that of Tutankhamun. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a magnificent structure carved into the cliffs, dedicated to Egypt’s most successful female ruler. End the morning at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that once guarded the temple of Amenhotep III. Return to the cruise for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing before dinner and overnight in Luxor. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Luxor

  4. 4Luxor East Bank – Karnak and Luxor Temples

    After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and begin your guided tour of Luxor’s East Bank. Visit the grand Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious structure ever built, featuring colossal columns, obelisks, and a sacred lake. Continue to Luxor Temple, a graceful monument aligned with the Nile and expanded by several pharaohs over centuries. After the tour, you will be transferred to your next destination in Luxor. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Not included

  5. 1Arrival in Luxor – Temples of Karnak and Luxor

    Begin your journey with a warm welcome aboard the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise. After settling into your cabin and enjoying lunch, explore Luxor’s East Bank. Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex, with its grand Hypostyle Hall and rows of ram-headed sphinxes, followed by the elegant Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes. Return to the cruise for afternoon tea, dinner, and overnight in Luxor. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Luxor

  6. 2Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple | Sail to Esna

    After breakfast, cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, where generations of pharaohs were laid to rest in richly decorated tombs. Optional entry to the tombs of Tutankhamun or Seti I is available. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of ancient architecture, and the Colossi of Memnon. Return for lunch as the cruise sails to Esna, passing through the Esna Lock before continuing toward Edfu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Onboard

  7. 3Edfu and Kom Ombo – Temples of Horus and Sobek

    After breakfast, take a carriage ride to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of Egypt’s most complete temples, dedicated to the falcon god. After lunch, sail to Kom Ombo to visit its unique double temple shared by Sobek and Horus the Elder. Explore the nearby Crocodile Museum, displaying mummified crocodiles once revered in ancient times. Dinner and overnight onboard as you sail to Aswan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Onboard

  8. 4Aswan – Philae Temple, High Dam, and Unfinished Obelisk

    After breakfast, begin your Aswan tour with a visit to the High Dam, offering panoramic views of Lake Nasser. Continue by motorboat to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, beautifully relocated to Agilkia Island. End the morning at the Unfinished Obelisk, an enormous monument left in the granite quarries. After lunch, enjoy free time or join an optional felucca ride around Elephantine Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Aswan

  9. 5Departure and Optional Abu Simbel Excursion

    Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking. For those seeking an extended adventure, an optional trip to Abu Simbel is available. Travel by car or flight to witness the magnificent rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated to protect them from flooding. Their colossal statues and solar alignment make this a fitting finale to your Nile journey. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Not included

What’s included

  • Meet and assist upon arrival and departure at the airport or railway station
  • Accommodation on board on a full-board basis
  • Professional tour guide fluent in English, Portuguese, German, or Spanish
  • All sightseeing tours conducted as private guided excursions
  • Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water during excursions
  • All transfers in a private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • All service charges and taxes

Not included

  • Optional excursions
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping

How booking works

  1. Send your dates

    Use the enquiry form with your travel dates and how many people are coming. Nothing is charged and nothing is held at this point.

  2. We reply with a plan

    You get a written itinerary and a full price back — what is included, what is not, and what the alternatives are if a date or a hotel does not work.

  3. You change what you want

    Go back and forth as many times as you need. The itinerary is not fixed until you say it is.

  4. Confirm and travel

    Once the plan is right, we confirm the bookings and send you the final documents with your guide and driver details.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise?

4 days and 3 nights in total, counted from your arrival day to your departure day.

Is there a day-by-day itinerary?

Yes — 9 days are written out above, with what you see and where you sleep on each one. Every day can be changed before you book.

How much does Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise cost?

It starts at $749 per person. The final price depends on your dates, your group size and the hotel level you choose, so we quote it for your specific trip rather than selling a fixed package.

What is included in the price?

8 things are included, listed in full above. In short: meet and assist upon arrival and departure at the airport or railway station; accommodation on board on a full-board basis; professional tour guide fluent in english, portuguese, german, or spanish; all sightseeing tours conducted as private guided excursions, and more.

What is not included?

The exclusions are listed above in full. The main ones are optional excursions; personal expenses; tipping. Ask us before you book if you want any of them added — most of them can be.

Can this trip be changed?

Yes. Nothing on this page is fixed. Days can be added or dropped, sites swapped, hotels moved up or down, and the whole route rebuilt around what you actually want to see.

What to pack

Clothing

  • Loose cotton or linen — it is hot in the sun and cold on the water after dark
  • A light long-sleeved layer for evenings and for sun cover at open sites
  • Shoulders and knees covered for mosques and churches; a scarf for women at mosques
  • One warm layer between November and February — desert nights drop sharply

Feet

  • Closed walking shoes you have already broken in — temple ground is uneven stone and sand
  • Sandals or slip-ons for the boat and the hotel

Sun and heat

  • A wide-brimmed hat — there is almost no shade at Giza, Karnak or Abu Simbel
  • High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Sunglasses
  • A refillable water bottle

Practical

  • A universal adapter — Egypt uses European two-pin type C and F sockets at 220V
  • Any medication you take, in its original packaging
  • Small notes in local currency for tips and small purchases
  • A power bank — you will be off a socket for most of each day

Gallery

The Temple of Horus at Edfu — view 8The Temple of Kom Ombo — view 2The Nile River — view 3Valley of the Kings — view 4The Temple of Hatshepsut — view 5

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