COMPLETE FILE

Overview

Luxury cruise on the Nile

An authentic steamship built at the dawn of the 20th century, the Steam Ship Sudan brings turn-of-the-century travel back to life. It truly is an exceptional vessel. A ship inhabited by memories of the Belle Epoque travelers who boarded it, its decks echoing Hercule Poirot’s footsteps in the writings of Agatha Christie…This cruise ship was completely restored in 2007, with great care being given to reconciling the original atmosphere with the needs of today’s travelers (such as air conditioning and bathrooms!). It took more than 6 months of hard work, lots of bargaining in the bazaars of Cairo, and careful inspection of old photographs to furnish and decorate the vessel in the style of the times: brass, wood, and porcelain all regain their bygone splendor. Egyptian workers were happy to oblige: they were bringing a part of their history back to life.
Spring 2001: The steam engine starts turning and the brass paddle wheel is once again churning the waters of the Nile. The Sudan is reborn! She is meeting up with old friends: the Winter Palace and the Old Cataract. Though madam Christie will not be joining us, we can’t help but look for the shadow of Hercule Poirot. Along the Nile, buses have replaced donkeys to transport visitors, and the ship now only sails between Cairo and Luxor. Yet the emotions remain the same: a cruise aboard the Sudan is a trip unlike any other. Everything is carefully planned to guarantee the best possible experience: top-notch on-board services, the finest restaurants, and the best guides in Egypt are all waiting for you on the vessel. If discovering the Nile Valley is the trip of a lifetime, choose to live it aboard our luxury cruise ship and make this experience even more unique.
Feel free to contact our Egypt specialists for more information on this wonderful luxury cruise on the Nile!

Itinerary

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

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

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.

Jour 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.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Additional information

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.

Overview

From tradition to modernity, Egypt is a country which has succeeded in creating a present that is as fascinating as its past. Since the end of the nineteenth century, Egypt has been evolving at a very high speed. Its political, economical and cultural life has undergone striking changes. From the inscription of the first hieroglyph to the construction of the new hi-tech Smart Village, Egypt has always been a pioneer on the frontier for emerging information technologies in the Arab world.

Geography

Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, Egypt is built around the Nile Valley, a very fertile land bordering the river and bounded by 2 seas : the Mediterranean Sea (to the north) and the Red Sea (to the east). The thin area on either side of the Nile was historically where 90% of the population settled. To the east of the valley is the Arabian Desert, bounded by a high ridge of mountains. To the west is the Libyan Desert which stretches across the top of North Africa.

The demarcation line in Cairo, the capital city, separates Lower Egypt (everything north of Cairo) from Upper Egypt (everything to the south). To the east, across the Suez Canal is the triangular wedge of Sinai with Mt Sinai and Mt Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt (2642m).

Culture

With 72,000,000 inhabitants, Egypt represents one quarter of the population of the Arab world. The city of Cairo itself counts about 16,000,000 people. The Egyptian population is composed of people from various origins. Most Egyptians originate from Ancient Egypt and the Nile Valley. Others come from the Arabic and Levantine descents and the Nubians of Upper Egypt.

Climate

During the summer, from March to November, the climate is hot and dry in most of the country. December to February can be quite cold in the north. The sky is usually blue and cloudless. The temperature varies considerably in Egypt. It can be extremely hot during the day and very cold at night, especially in the desert. It rains more often in Alexandria than in Aswan and Cairo. During the early days of the spring season, a hot wind called "Khamasin" blows in from the western desert at up to 150 km/h.