MS Zeina Nile Cruise – Sail the Nile in Luxury, Explore Egypt in Style

Upon arrival in Aswan, a Royal representative will greet you and accompany you in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your deluxe Nile cruise ship. If you arrive early, your sightseeing tour will begin immediately to make the most of your time, as check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

Start your day with lunch on board, then begin exploring the highlights of Aswan:

• The High Dam – A modern engineering marvel built in the 1960s to control Nile flooding and generate hydroelectric power.
• Philae Temple – Reach this enchanting island temple by motorboat. Dedicated to Goddess Isis, it’s one of Egypt’s most beautiful temples, relocated by UNESCO to save it from submersion.
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• The Unfinished Obelisk – A colossal monument carved in red granite, offering rare insight into ancient stone-cutting techniques.
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• After the tour, return to your cruise for dinner and an evening at leisure in Aswan.

Enjoy breakfast on board, then set out with your guide to explore:

• Temple of Kom Ombo – A unique double temple shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. The symmetry of the twin shrines is unlike anything else in Egypt.

Return to the ship for lunch on the sun deck, as you sail past scenic villages and palm-lined banks.

• In the afternoon, arrive in Edfu, where you’ll take a horse-drawn carriage ride to:
• Temple of Horus – The best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, featuring detailed inscriptions and towering pylons.
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Back on board, enjoy afternoon tea, relax on deck, and prepare for a festive Egyptian folkloric show after dinner.

After breakfast, embark on a magical tour of Luxor’s West Bank, the heart of Egypt’s royal tombs:

• Valley of the Kings – Explore the ancient burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs, where colorful hieroglyphs still line the tomb walls.
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• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – A stunning mortuary temple carved into limestone cliffs, built for Egypt’s most powerful female ruler.
• Colossi of Memnon – Twin statues of Amenhotep III, still standing guard after more than 3,000 years.
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Return to the cruise for lunch, then spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight onboard in Luxor.

After breakfast and check-out at 08:00 AM, enjoy your final guided tour of Luxor’s East Bank:

Karnak Temple Complex, The largest religious site ever built, a vast mix of sanctuaries, pylons, and obelisks dedicated to the Theban gods.

Luxor Temple, Linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes, this beautifully preserved site was expanded by Ramses II and others.

After your tour, you’ll be transferred in comfort to your desired location in Luxor, where your journey with Royal ends, but the memories last forever.

Begin your journey with a warm welcome aboard your Nile cruise.

Embarkation before lunch, with time to settle into your cabin and enjoy your first onboard meal.

Afternoon Exploration:

• Karnak Temple Complex – Walk along the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes, marvel at the forest of 134 towering columns in the Hypostyle Hall, and explore sacred lakes and ancient obelisks within one of the largest religious complexes ever built.
• Luxor Temple, Glowing in the afternoon light, this elegant temple reveals layers of history, from pharaohs to Islamic heritage—with colossal statues of Ramses II and a mosque built into its structure.
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Evening:

Return to the cruise for tea time on the sun deck, dinner onboard, and overnight stay in Luxor.

Morning Exploration:

Valley of the Kings – Explore the hidden tombs of the pharaohs carved deep into the cliffs of Thebes. (Includes entrance to 3 tombs.

Optional entry to Tutankhamun or Seti I at extra cost.)

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – A masterpiece of cliffside architecture, built for Egypt’s most iconic female ruler.

Colossi of Memnon – Towering statues of Amenhotep III that echo ancient legends.

Afternoon:

Return to the ship for lunch on board, then begin sailing south toward Esna.

Pass through Esna Lock, an engineering highlight of the Nile journey.

Evening:
Dinner and overnight onboard en route to Edfu.

Optional Experience:
Hot Air Balloon Ride – Greet the sunrise as you float above the Nile Valley and the West Bank—an unforgettable aerial view of Luxor’s temples and tombs.

Morning Exploration:

Temple of Horus at Edfu – Reach the site by horse-drawn carriage. Explore the best-preserved temple in Egypt, where towering walls and vivid reliefs depict the battle between Horus and Seth.

Afternoon:
Sail to Kom Ombo and enjoy lunch onboard.

Evening Visit:

Kom Ombo Temple – A rare double temple honoring Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus the Elder. See carved medical instruments, an ancient calendar, and explore the adjacent Crocodile Mummification Museum.

Overnight sailing to Aswan. Dinner on board.

Morning Exploration:

High Dam – An engineering marvel that transformed modern Egypt.

Philae Temple – Accessible only by boat, this island sanctuary dedicated to Goddess Isis is among the most beautiful in Egypt.

Unfinished Obelisk – Discover how massive monuments were carved straight from granite bedrock.

Afternoon:

Return to the cruise for lunch. Enjoy free time onboard or join an optional felucca ride on the Nile.

Optional Experience:

Nubian Village Visit, Travel by boat to a traditional Nubian village. Explore colorful homes, interact with locals, and learn about this vibrant culture along the southern Nile.

After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and continue your journey—or choose to visit one of Egypt’s greatest treasures.

Optional Tour: Abu Simbel Temples

Depart early by car or domestic flight

Visit the iconic rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari

Admire colossal statues and sunlit sanctuaries on the shores of Lake Nasser

Witness the success of UNESCO’s historic relocation effort