Nile Cruise · Aswan & Luxor
Sanctuary Sun Boat III Luxury Nile Cruise
- 4.9 on Tripadvisor · 88 reviews
- Licence No. 121
Tour Overview
Sanctuary Sun Boat III is one of the smallest luxury ships on the Nile, with just 18 cabins and room for 36 guests, so it feels closer to a private yacht than a cruise ship. We offer it on 3-night and 4-night sailings between Luxor and Aswan, departing Mondays and Fridays, with full board, private guided tours and entrance fees included. Fares are quoted for your dates.
Small numbers, big difference
With 36 guests at most, boarding is quick, the dining room is never noisy and the sun deck rarely feels busy. Crew can learn preferences fast, and the whole experience is calmer than on larger boats. If you have traveled on small expedition ships or boutique hotels, this is the Nile equivalent.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 18 cabins, maximum 36 guests |
| Route on this page | Luxor and Aswan, 3 or 4 nights |
| Departures | Monday and Friday |
| Fares | Quoted on request for your dates |
| Meals | Full board, cuisine with an award-winning reputation |
Small does not mean basic. The ship is often listed among the most beautiful on the river, and its kitchen has a strong reputation, so meals become one of the quiet pleasures of the trip.
Booking early
Eighteen cabins sell out quickly in the cooler months. If you have fixed dates between October and April, contact us well ahead so we can hold a cabin. Our page on the best season to visit Egypt helps with timing.
Sightseeing and what is covered
Private tours with an English-speaking guide take in the Luxor temples and the West Bank, Valley of the Queens or Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Aswan, with the exact list confirmed at booking. Included: airport meet and greet, private transfers, full board, entrance fees to itinerary sites, service charges and taxes. Excluded: international flights, the visa, optional tours, extras and tips.
Longer river journeys
Sun Boat III also runs longer itineraries, including Cairo to Aswan. This page covers the Luxor and Aswan sailings; ask us if you would like the longer route and we will check dates and price.
Compare other boats on our luxury Nile cruise page or the full Nile cruise range, read the Luxor to Aswan cruise guide, or let our tailor-made team add Cairo and hotels.
Tour Highlights
English-Speaking tour guide/leader
All transfers by air-conditioning vehicle
Meet at the airport upon arrival
4/3 Nights Nile cruise
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Tour Packages
04 Days / 03 Night From Aswan
On arrival, you will be met and escorted to your Nile cruise for embarkation.
Begin your Aswan sightseeing with a visit to the impressive High Dam, a landmark of modern Egyptian engineering. Continue by boat to Agilkia Island to explore the exquisite Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and renowned for its beautifully preserved sanctuaries and reliefs.
Return to your Nile cruise, where lunch is served on board, followed in the evening by an international buffet dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, a rare double sanctuary dedicated to two deities—Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Return to your Nile cruise for lunch on board.
Later, explore the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus and considered one of the finest surviving temples of ancient Egypt. In the evening, enjoy a continental buffet dinner on board your cruise.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, enjoy a privately guided exploration of Luxor’s East Bank. Visit the vast Karnak Temple, a monumental complex built over centuries, before continuing to Luxor Temple, once connected by a grand avenue of ram-headed sphinxes.
These extraordinary sites together embody Luxor’s enduring reputation as the world’s greatest open-air museum and one of its most remarkable archaeological landscapes.
Return to your Nile cruise in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed Galabia celebration on board.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, disembark from your Nile cruise. Continue with a guided visit to Luxor’s West Bank, beginning with the legendary Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Continue to the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, beautifully set against the desert cliffs, and pause at the monumental Colossi of Memnon, which have stood guard over the Theban plain for more than three thousand years.
Following your visit, transfer to Luxor Airport or the train station for your onward journey.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast.
05 Days / 04 Night From Aswan
Upon arrival in Luxor, transfer to your Nile cruise for embarkation.
Later, enjoy a guided visit to Luxor’s East Bank, home to the magnificent Temple of Karnak, a vast complex built over centuries by generations of pharaohs. Continue to the graceful Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak by a ceremonial avenue of ram-headed sphinxes. Together, these monuments define Luxor’s reputation as the world’s greatest open-air museum and one of the most remarkable archaeological landscapes in existence.
In the evening, enjoy an international buffet dinner on board.
Accommodation : Overnight onboard
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit to Luxor’s West Bank. Explore the renowned Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Continue to the remarkable Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set dramatically against the cliffs of the Theban mountains, and pause at the monumental Colossi of Memnon, which have stood guard over the plain for more than three millennia.
Return to your Nile cruise for the afternoon.
In the evening, enjoy a continental buffet dinner on board.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, sail toward Edfu, passing through the Esna Lock. On arrival, visit the remarkable Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus and considered one of the best-preserved temples of the ancient world.
Return to your Nile cruise for lunch on board as the journey continues along the Nile toward Kom Ombo. Visit the distinctive Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two deities—Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder.
After the visit, return to your cruise and continue sailing toward Aswan.
In the evening, enjoy an international buffet dinner on board.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit to the impressive High Dam, a landmark of modern Egyptian engineering that transformed the country’s irrigation and energy supply. Continue with a scenic boat ride to Agilkia Island to explore the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and renowned for its graceful sanctuaries and reliefs.
Return to your Nile cruise for the afternoon.
In the evening, enjoy a relaxed Galabia evening accompanied by an oriental dinner on board.
Meals: Overnight onboard
Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, disembark from your Nile cruise. You will then be transferred to Aswan Airport or the train station for your onward journey.
Accommodation: Overnight onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hint: Your journey should be as unique as you are. Share your ideas, and we'll craft a bespoke itinerary around your preferences.
Inclusions
- Meet and greet service by our representatives upon your airport arrival
- All transfers via private air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation on the Nile Cruise ship full board
- Private sightseeing tours in Luxor & Aswan (listed on itinerary)
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to all sites mentioned on the itinerary
- All meals mentioned on the itinerary
- All service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- International Airfare
- Entry visa to Egypt
- Any optional tours
- Any extras not mentioned in the program
- Tipping.
Tour Prices
Important Notes
👨👩👧 Delta Tours Child Policy:
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (except for flight tickets where airline rules apply).
- 2 – 5.99 years: Pay 25% of adult price (if there is a flight tickets).
- 6 – 11.99 years: Pay 50% of adult price (sharing parents’ room/cabin).
- 12 years and above: Considered an adult and pay full price.
Notes:
- Child discounts apply when sharing a room/cabin with two full-paying adults.
- If a child requires a separate room, the full adult rate applies.
- Some tours, cruises, or hotels may have different rules; in that case, the stricter policy applies.
Ready to Discover Egypt Your Way?
Let our local travel specialists create a private journey shaped around your interests, pace, and preferred travel style.
Sanctuary Sun Boat III: Your Questions
A maximum of 36 guests in 18 cabins, which makes it one of the most intimate ships on the river.
Fares are quoted on request for your dates. Because the ship is small, availability in peak months is limited, so enquire early.
Mondays and Fridays, on 3-night and 4-night programs.
The ship also runs longer routes such as Cairo to Aswan. This page covers Luxor and Aswan sailings; ask us about the longer route.
Full board, private guided tours in Luxor and Aswan with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to itinerary sites, private transfers, and taxes.
Our Clients Feedback
Offers valuable insights straight from the source, capturing the voices and experiences of those who matter most – our cherished clients
DebbieMel
“Our Egypt trip was perfectly organized with excellent guides, smooth transfers, and constant support from arrival until departure.”
Luciano M
“Professional service, knowledgeable guides, and excellent communication made our experience smooth, enjoyable, and completely stress-free throughout."”
Deepam L
“The customized itinerary matched exactly what we wanted, with attentive staff and outstanding service during every part of our trip.”
Isadora R
“Every detail was handled professionally, from airport assistance to transportation, making us feel comfortable and cared for every day.”
Maria S.
“Excellent organization, punctual drivers, and friendly staff created an unforgettable experience across Cairo, Luxor, and the Nile Valley”
Peter D.
“Knowledgeable Egyptologists and carefully planned sightseeing tours made every destination fascinating, educational, and easy to explore comfortably”
Laura C
“Private transportation, responsive support, and flexible arrangements helped create a relaxing journey that exceeded all our expectations completely.”
Read Before You Go
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