Mythical cruise on the King of Rivers
The Steam Ship Sudan operates two cruises between Luxor and Aswan: one travels North (The Dynastic, 5 days) while the other journeys South (The Eternal River, 4 days).

THE ETERNAL RIVER CRUISE

4 days - 3 nights
Follow the Nile and journey north from Aswan to Luxor. During these four days, you will fall in love not just with the grandiose sites erected along the Nile, but also with the peaceful and majestic shores of the King of Rivers.

• Day 1 | Aswan 

Private transfer to the river, after which you climb aboard the Steam Ship Sudan. Settle into your quarters. Breakfast on board. In the afternoon, discover the temple of Philae, the “Pearl of Egypt”, dedicated to the Nubian goddess Isis for over 24 centuries. Late evening, free time in Aswan, whose touristy yet colorful souk remains very popular. Dinner on the ship. Overnight in Aswan.

• Day 2 | Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna 

At dawn we head towards Kom Ombo, north of Aswan. Visit the temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two divinities, Horus the Great and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. This unusual temple built right on the shores of the Nile is surrounded by some of Upper Egypt’s most captivating landscape. Breakfast on board while the ship takes you to Edfu. In the afternoon you discover the Ptolemaic era’s best-preserved temple, its buildings perfect examples of ancient Egypt’s religious architecture. Get back on board before the riverboat sails off towards Esna where it will spend then night.

• Day 3 | Esna - Luxor 

Once you are past the Esna locks, continue north towards Luxor (former Thebes). In the afternoon you visit the majestic Karnak temple complex, dedicated to the god Amun, protector of the pharaohs of the New Empire. In the evening, discover the temple of Luxor. At this time of day, the perfection of the columns of Amenhotep III is particularly highlighted. This is where the fertility of the Nile was celebrated each year during the Optet festival. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.

• Day 4 | Luxor 

Early departure for discovery of the Theban necropolis. Land of mysteries and home to the god Osiris during the New Empire. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where the magnificently decorated tombs tell the story of the defunct in the hereafter. Visit the Valley of the Queens, secret necropolis of the royal wives. In the Valley of the Nobles, the tomb of Ramose is a fine example of the art at the time of Akhenaten. Late morning visit to the temple of Medinet Habu, where Ramesses III carved the tales of his victories against the Sea Peoples for all eternity. Back on board the Steam Ship and transfer to hotel or airport.

THE DYNASTIC CRUISE

5 days - 4 nights
More than a cruise on the Nile, this is a window into history. On board the Steam Ship Sudan, from Luxor to Aswan, you will discover all of Upper Egypt’s major sites, following in the footsteps of the legendary pharaohs. A 5-day journey through time during which you will rediscover history, both human and spiritual.

• Day 1 | Luxor 

Private transfer to the Ship. Climb on board and settle into your quarters. Breakfast on board. In the afternoon, discover the eastern shores of Luxor with a visit to the Karnak temple complex, one of the world’s largest. Highlights include the temple of Amun, sovereign god of Karnak, the construction of which spread from the Middle Empire to the Ptolemaic era. Evening visit of the temple of Luxor, the most elegant of all pharaonic buildings, built by Amenhotep III and expanded by another great builder, Ramesses II. Optional light and sound show at the temple of Karnak. Dinner on board. Overnight on board in Luxor.

• Day 2 | Luxor - Esna - Edfu 

Early morning departure for discovery of the Theban necropolis: the Valley of the Kings, eternal home of the pharaohs. The Valley of the Queens was the necropolis for the royal wives and their daughters during the XIXth and XXth dynasties. The Valley of the Nobles houses the tomb of Ramose, whose beauty and fine reliefs showcase exceptional realism. Visit the temple of Ramesses III in Medinet Habu. Almost entirely preserved, it shines as the finest example of the funerary temples of this dynasty. Back on board and the journey continues. In the evening, pass the Esna locks and then night navigation towards Edfu. Overnight on board.

• Day 3 | Edfu - Kom Ombo

Morning departure for a visit to the temple of Edfu. Dedicated to Horus and Hathor, construction on this temple started in the 4th century BC during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty, only to be completed 170 years later. It is one of the best-preserved temples in ancient Egypt. Back on board, you sail towards Kom Ombo for arrival at sunset. In the evening, visit the temple of Kom Ombo, which stands out both for architectural and religious reasons. This complex is unique in Egypt, being dedicated to two divinities and housing two temples in the same area. While the southern part is dedicated to the falcon god Horus (Haroeris), the northern part is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Overnight on board.

• Day 4 | Kom Ombo - Aswan

Navigate towards Aswan, where the valley of the Nile ends and Nubia begins. The cultivated fields on the shores of the river make way for wide sandy banks. This was once the end of civilization. As early as 3000 BC, a commercial exchange center was already blossoming on the island of Elephantine. Nubia (which means ‘gold’ in Nubian) was a rich land, supplying Egypt not only with gold, but also wood, soldiers, and precious ivory. Visit the temple of Philae, home to the goddess Isis, universal mother and magician who ruled over life, death, and resurrection. Philae was one of the most important sanctuaries in Egypt and Nubia until the year 550 AD, when the Byzantine emperor Justinian closed its doors. Free time to explore Aswan before dinner. Optional light and sound show in Philae. Overnight on board in Aswan.

• Day 5 | Aswan

After breakfast, disembarkation and transfer.

** Budgets displayed on this website are provided for information purpose only and do not have any contractual value, Uniktour cannot be held responsible for any consequences related to this information (departure dates are not indicated). Fares are led to change on a regular basis, depending on exchange rates and the fluctuation in the hospitality industry. For a precise quotation, you may click here.

** Fares applying to the on-site itinerary are not subject to applicable GST (TPS) & QST (TVQ). The displayed budget does not include 0.1% FICAV contribution (The Compensation fund for customers of travel agents)

• The cruise budget includes: 

- Accommodation in double cabin with private bathroom
- Full board (from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day)
- Entrances and accompaniment for the visits
- Airport-Ship and Ship-airport vehicle transfers with private driver
- Tips for the personnel

• The cruise budget does not include: 

- Drinks
- Deluxe travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Supplement for accommodation in suites or on the upper deck
- Anything not mentioned in the “The cruise budget includes” section above

Next departure dates for this travel

• Ship restoration

Christine Puech was in charge of breathing new life into the Steam Ship Sudan’s interior. We asked her:
In terms of decoration, which element do you think best represents the spirit of the Sudan?
“The whole ship is unique! As far as the interior is concerned, I would never have touched the beautiful bed frames, made out of wood and copper. The most important part was not to change anything, trying different accessories with the baroque structures to bring together authenticity and modernity.”

• Life on board

The ship’s layout includes many common areas allowing each passenger to enjoy life on board at his own rhythm. On the decks, the passageways are furnished with rattan tables and chairs, while the upper deck has been converted into a large terrace lined with deckchairs and lounge chairs – a particularly pleasant place to relax and enjoy the view while the ship makes its way to the next destination.
When evening falls, the panoramic lounge bar keeps the show going. An intimate setting which inspired one of the most beautiful scenes in Agatha Christie’s novel “Death on the Nile”. Much like the cabins, the restaurant’s elegant Belle Epoque style puts it in a class of its own. The original woodworks and furniture create an especially refined setting. Menus change on a daily basis, offering a variety of Western and Eastern dishes.
Daily outings accompanied by top-quality guides will take you to the highlights of the valley of the Nile. Programs for such outings may vary depending on traffic at navigational locks, especially in Esna. As Egypt imposes strict regulations on landing areas, a boarding pass will be handed out at each destination.
Following modifications made in 2007 and 2008, the Steam Ship Sudan’s ecological footprint was greatly diminished: engine repairs, weight reduction, and the installation of solar panels reduced its fuel consumption by 30%, which translates into less greenhouse gas emissions.

• Cabins and suites

23 cabins, 5 of which are suites, are ready to welcome you. A small capacity, which sets the Steam Ship Sudan apart from other cruise, ships, giving it the allure of a private yacht. The cabins kept their period character, and yet they offer all the creature comforts of a true hotel room: bathroom with bath or shower, toilets, air conditioning, safe, and 220V European standard electrical sockets.
The rooms and suites are all individually decorated, some with oriental designs (carpets and fabrics), others with beautiful 19th century furniture. Meanwhile, the warm woodworks create a truly intimate atmosphere. The bow and stern on the upper level house four of the five suites. They differ from the cabins by their lighter tones and their large bay windows opening right on the Nile. They are filled with light, panoramic, and more spacious than the classic cabins.

• Useful information:

- Languages spoken on board: French and English.
- The restaurant is a non-smoking area.
- The Steam Ship Sudan is recommended for “big children” aged 7 and up. (The ship’s layout and the cultural character of the journey make it less appropriate for very little ones).
- Payments on board can be made using credit cards or cash (Egyptian pounds, Euros, or dollars).

If discovering the Nile Valley is the trip of a lifetime, choose to live it aboard our steamship and make this experience even more unique.