Here is our own experience so that you can have an idea of the places you will see and the things you will do:
Route: Luxor to Aswan
Ship: St. George I
Nights: 4
Day 1
Embarkation
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Visit: Karnak and Luxor temples
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
21:30 Dancing music
-overnight at Luxor-
About Day 1:
The first day onboard we explored the ship, got acquainted with the other passengers and in the afternoon visited the wonderful Temples of Karnak and Luxor.
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| A statue of Tutankhamen and his wife |
Day 2
05:30-06:30 Breakfast
06:30 Visit: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi
of Memnon.
12:30 Sail to Esna
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
19:30 Welcome Reception
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Rababa Show (folkloric show)
-overnight at Esna-
About Day 2:
This morning we started early so that when we visited the temples it wouldn't be so hot and crowded.
In the Valley of the Kings your entrance ticket entitles you to visit 3 tombs of your choice. This doesn't include the tomb of Tutankhamen; if you wish to visit that one you will need to pay an additional fee (about 100 Egyptian pounds, but of course the fee is subject to change). Also keep in mind that some of the tombs may be under maintenance and for this reason you may not be able to see them.
At some point between Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon we made a stop at a Marble shop. There they explained to us how they polish the marble and turn it into beautiful cups, flower vases and ornaments. After the explanation you can see what they have for sale and buy something if you like, but I strongly recommend you not to do it as this place is special for tourists which means everything is overpriced.
Regarding the Rababa Show, it took place on board at the Lounge bar and I liked it very much, this one is worth watching.
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| Hatshepsut's Temple |
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| Colossi of Memnon |
Day 3
07:30-09:00 Breakfast
09:30 Visit: Edfu Temple
12:00 Sail to Komombo
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
18:00 Visit: Kom Ombo Temple
20:00-21:30 Egyptian Dinner
21:30 Galabiya Party
-overnight at Kom Ombo-
About Day 3:
Outside the temples you will find shops selling all kinds of souveniers: statues, scarabs, books with pictures of the temples in different languages (english, italian, spanish, french, german, japanese...), traditional clothes, sunglasses, etc.
Don't miss the Egyptian Dinner because it is your chance to experience all sorts of wonderful dishes from soups to desserts. The Galabiya party is also fun, you can buy your Galabiya (traditional dress) at a local shop or on board. If you don't wish to buy one, no problem, you can still join the party! There will be music and games and everybody is invited to participate. In most of this games you have to do something on the stage (like dancing for example), so it is sort of guests entertained by other guests.
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| Edfu Temple |
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| Cute family of cats in Edfu Temple |
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| Kom Ombo Temple |
Day 4
07:00-08:00 Breakfast
08:00 Visit: High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk.
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Felucca Ride
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Belly Dancing Show
-overnight at Aswan-
About Day 4:
The felucca ride is an interesting experience but just keep in mind that if you don't have wind your felucca won't move. In our case that's what happened, so another boat pulled us so that we could reach our destination, which was Kitchener's Island.
About Kitchener's Island, it is a botanical garden full of palm trees and different kinds of vegetation. Besides that there is nothing else to see in there so don't expect any ruins or monuments, ok? Only trees here.
At night we had the belly dancing show which I felt was not as good as others we had seen before. The dancer performed briefly and then she chose people from the crowd and brought them to the stage to dance (once more, you become the entertainment).
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| Philae Temple |
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| Philae Temple |
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| Felucca |
The next morning after breakfast we did the check out and continued with our trip.
About the ship: The rooms were good, the swimming pool was ok, the spa was more like a hair salon, the lounge was very nice and comfortable and the restaurant was also nice. There was a souvenir shop and a jewelry shop. The service was great, everyone willing to help you and trying to make your stay a pleasant one. The food was also good, we didn't get sick (nor any of the other passengers we talked with) and there were plenty of options, also suitable for vegetarians.
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| Sonesta St. George I |
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| Sun Deck |
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| Bathroom |
What I liked the best about the boat? Waking up in the morning and looking from my bed at the yellow of the sand, the green of the vegetation and the blue of the Nile.
If you want to try cruising the Nile you can book directly with the cruise company or through a travel company. With the travel company they can also arrange other tours and visits before and after your cruise, so this is very convenient.
How to get there:
Cruise company- www.sonesta.com
Travel company- www.industravels.ca
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