4 Days MS Renaissance Nile Cruise from Aswan

Enjoy breakfast on board before departing early for a fascinating excursion to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most remarkable archaeological sites. Return to the cruise for lunch before continuing your journey along the Nile.

The magnificent temples of Abu Simbel were commissioned by King Ramses II and carved directly into the mountainside on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC. The Great Temple was dedicated to Ramses II and the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun-Ra, and Ptah, and is famous for its four colossal statues guarding the entrance. The smaller temple was built in honor of Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. In a remarkable UNESCO-led rescue project, both temples were carefully dismantled and relocated to higher ground to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, making their preservation one of the greatest achievements in archaeological conservation.

Following the visit, return to the cruise and enjoy lunch on board. At approximately 13:00, begin sailing towards Kom Ombo.

Upon arrival, visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, located about 40 kilometers north of Aswan. Dating primarily to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods between 332 BC and 395 AD, the temple is dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon-headed god. Its distinctive double design reflects its dual dedication and makes it one of Egypt’s most unusual ancient temples.

Continue sailing to Edfu and enjoy dinner on board. Spend the night in Edfu and take part in the traditional Galabeya Party for an evening of entertainment and cultural fun.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You get to have breakfast on the cruise as it gets to Edfu. After you eat you will go see one of the oldest and most well kept temples in Egypt before you keep going to Luxor.

This temple is for Horus, who's a god with a falcon head. The Temple of Edfu is really something and it shows how good the Ptolemaic people were at building. They built it where an old temple used to be. They started building it when Ptolemy III was in charge in 246 BC. It took a long time to finish. The walls of the temple have a lot of writing and pictures on them that tell the story of Horus and Seth which was probably acted out every year during ceremonies.

When you are done looking at the temple you go back to the cruise. It sails to Luxor. On the way you go through the Esna Lock, which's a very important spot on the Nile River.

When you get to Luxor you will see the Luxor Temple, which is one of the most famous ancient sites in Egypt. Pharaoh Amenhotep III built most of the temple a long time ago and then King Tutankhamun and Ramses II added to it and made it bigger. The big wall at the front of the temple, which Ramses II built has cool pictures that show his big battle at Kadesh.

You stay on the boat, in Luxor for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast on board before discovering the remarkable treasures of Luxor’s West Bank and the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex. After the visits, return to the cruise for disembarkation.

Hidden among the rugged hills west of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings served as the royal burial ground for many pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Once known as the Great Place of Truth, this sacred valley contains richly decorated tombs where Egypt’s rulers were laid to rest in preparation for the afterlife. The dramatic landscape is dominated by a pyramid-shaped peak that overlooks the entire necropolis.

Standing proudly on the Theban plain, the Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, each rising approximately 18 meters high. These impressive monuments are all that remain of what was once one of the largest mortuary temple complexes on the West Bank of Luxor.

One of Egypt’s most striking architectural masterpieces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is built into the towering limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Its elegant terraces blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, creating a unique monument that reflects the power and legacy of one of Egypt’s most successful female pharaohs.

Continue your tour with a visit to the Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious site ever constructed in ancient Egypt. More than a single temple, Karnak is a vast collection of sanctuaries, pylons, obelisks, chapels, and sacred structures built over many centuries. Dedicated primarily to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, Karnak was the most important center of worship in ancient Thebes and remains one of Egypt’s most extraordinary archaeological treasures.

After the tour, return to the cruise for disembarkation following breakfast.

Meals: Breakfast