Embark on an unforgettable 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Egypt Top Tours, where history and beauty come together in one extraordinary journey. Sail along the majestic Nile River as you explore Egypt’s most iconic temples and archaeological treasures. Begin your adventure in Aswan, visiting the impressive Philae Temple and the High Dam, before continuing to Kom Ombo and Edfu to witness the grandeur of ancient deities. As the cruise sails north, you'll reach Luxor, home to the magnificent Karnak and Luxor Temples, as well as the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. With guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and full-board meals, this experience is the perfect blend of culture and relaxation. Let Egypt Top Tours handle all the details while you immerse yourself in Egypt’s timeless wonders.
Esmeralda Nile Cruise
Overview
Step aboard the Esmeralda Nile Cruise and immerse yourself in a truly luxurious journey through time. The MS Esmeralda invites you to sail in elegance along the majestic Nile River, where every moment reflects the glory of 7,000 years of Egyptian civilization. From the timeless wonders of Luxor to the tranquil beauty of Aswan, the Esmeralda Cruise delivers more than just a voyage—it offers an unforgettable passage through the heart of ancient Egypt.
As you glide past temples, tombs, and lush riverbanks, you’ll enjoy world-class comfort, exquisite cuisine, and personalized service on one of the most refined floating hotels on the Nile. Whether relaxing on the sun deck, dining under the stars, or exploring the mysteries of the Pharaohs, the Esmeralda Nile Cruise ensures your experience is steeped in culture, comfort, and pure indulgence.
Cruise Facilities
Esmeralda Nile Cruise Facilities
Cabin Amenities
- Private bathroom with shower
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- LED TV with satellite channels
- Direct-dial telephone line
- Fully stocked mini bar
- In-room safety deposit box
- 24-hour doctor on call
- Wi-Fi access (subject to coverage)
Dining & Lounge
- Garnet Restaurant – Elegant main dining venue serving gourmet buffet and à la carte meals
- Ruby Bar – Sophisticated lounge for cocktails, soft music, and Nile views
- Sun Deck Bar – Open-air refreshments while cruising the river
Wellness & Leisure
- Outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers
- Onboard Spa offering massages and wellness treatments
- Fully equipped Gym with cardio and strength machines
- Beauty Salon for pampering during your cruise
- Library with a selection of books and travel literature
- Entertainment programs including music, dance, and themed evenings
- Onboard Bazaar and Gift Shop featuring souvenirs and local crafts
Included
- Meet and be assist by our representatives at the airport or railway station
- Accommodation on board Esmeralda Nile Cruise on full board
- English/Portuguese/German/Spanish speaking tour guide
- All sightseeing tours are private guided tours
- Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites in the itinerary
- Bottled water during the trips
- All transfers by a private air-conditioned, deluxe vehicle
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- Any optional tours
- Personal Spending
- Tipping
Itinerary:
4 Days - Aswan / Luxor Every Friday
Day 1: Arrival in Aswan – Legendary Temples & Ancient Granite
Upon your arrival in Aswan, a representative from Egypt Top Tours will greet you and escort you in a private air-conditioned vehicle to the magnificent Esmeralda Nile Cruise. Once onboard, check in and enjoy your first lunch on the sunlit deck, as the Nile’s peaceful waters welcome you.
In the afternoon, begin your discovery with a visit to the High Dam, an iconic 20th-century marvel that dramatically reshaped Egypt’s agricultural and energy landscape. From there, take a serene motorboat ride across the Nile to the enchanting Philae Temple, an island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from rising waters during UNESCO’s preservation efforts. End the day at the Unfinished Obelisk, where ancient artisans left behind a colossal red granite monument in mid-creation, providing a raw glimpse into ancient quarrying techniques. Return to the MS Esmeralda for a delightful dinner and enjoy a free evening in Aswan.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Kom Ombo & Edfu – Gods of the Nile and Sacred Carvings
After breakfast, the cruise sets sail toward Kom Ombo, where the temple dramatically overlooks a bend in the Nile. This rare dual temple, perfectly symmetrical in design, is devoted to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile deity of strength and fertility, and Horus the Elder, guardian of kingship and the sky. As you explore its halls and view the ancient surgical tools etched in stone, you’ll gain insight into the advanced knowledge of ancient Egypt.
Continue sailing aboard the Esmeralda Cruise, enjoying lunch as the lush riverbanks drift past. In the afternoon, arrive at Edfu, where you’ll be transported by traditional horse-drawn carriage to one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples—the Temple of Horus. Towering pylons, hidden chambers, and intricate wall carvings await you in this Greco-Roman masterpiece. Return to the ship, unwind with afternoon tea, and cap off the evening with a special Egyptian folkloric show and dinner onboard.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Luxor West Bank – Tombs of Kings & Queens
Enjoy a hearty breakfast as the Esmeralda Nile Cruise docks in Luxor, known in antiquity as Thebes, the city of the gods. Today’s tour takes you to the legendary West Bank, beginning at the Valley of the Kings. Here, carved deep into desert hills, lie the richly painted tombs of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, including Ramses II and Tutankhamun.
The journey continues to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning architectural marvel nestled against limestone cliffs. This multi-tiered monument honors Egypt’s first female pharaoh and remains one of the most breathtaking structures in the ancient world. On the way back, you’ll pause at the mighty Colossi of Memnon, twin statues that have watched over the Theban necropolis for over 3,000 years. Return to the MS Esmeralda for a leisurely lunch, followed by an afternoon of relaxation on the sun deck as the Nile drifts by. Dinner is served onboard.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Luxor East Bank – Temples of the Rising Sun
After your final breakfast onboard, check out and join your Egyptologist for an immersive tour of Luxor’s East Bank. Begin with Karnak Temple, the world’s largest religious complex, where massive columns and sacred lakes reveal the grandeur of pharaonic devotion over 1,500 years. Continue to Luxor Temple, elegantly aligned with the Nile, where colossal statues of Ramses II greet you at the entrance and layers of history—from Pharaonic to Islamic—unfold before your eyes.
As your Esmeralda Cruise journey concludes, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel or onward destination in Luxor, carrying with you the magic of the Nile and the unmatched hospitality of Egypt Top Tours.
Meals Included: Breakfast
5 Days - Luxor / Aswan Every Monday
Day 1: Welcome to Luxor – East Bank Exploration Begins
Your journey starts in the timeless city of Luxor, where you will board the Esmeralda Cruise before lunch. As you settle into your elegantly appointed cabin, enjoy a warm welcome from the attentive crew and take in the majestic scenery of the Nile. After a gourmet lunch on board, set out with your Egyptologist to explore the grandeur of Luxor's East Bank.
Begin with Karnak Temple, a vast complex that served as the spiritual heart of ancient Thebes for over a thousand years. Stroll the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes and stand beneath towering columns in the Hypostyle Hall—each one etched with prayers, offerings, and legends of mighty pharaohs. Then move on to Luxor Temple, glowing in the golden afternoon light. Here, statues of Ramses II and intricately carved walls transport you to an age of kings and gods.
Return to MS Esmeralda for tea time on the sundeck, followed by dinner under the stars as you prepare for your royal journey southward.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Luxor West Bank – Tombs, Temples & Sail to Esna
After breakfast, cross the Nile to the fabled West Bank, where ancient secrets lie buried in the hills of Thebes. Your first stop is the Valley of the Kings, where you’ll descend into three royal tombs, marveling at vibrant hieroglyphs that still glow with color after thousands of years. Optional visits to the tombs of Tutankhamun or Seti I are also available.
Next, visit the majestic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, uniquely carved into a cliffside. Its symmetrical terraces and elegant reliefs honor one of Egypt’s most powerful women. On the way back, pause for a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon—two colossal statues that have guarded the west bank for over 3,400 years.
Return to the Esmeralda Nile Cruise for lunch, then relax as you begin sailing south. Pass through the iconic Esna Lock and watch rural life unfold along the banks. Dinner is served onboard as you glide toward Edfu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Temples of Horus and Sobek – Edfu to Kom Ombo
Begin the day with breakfast, followed by a charming horse-drawn carriage ride to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. This striking sanctuary, dedicated to the falcon god, is the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Walk through its towering pylons and discover beautifully carved reliefs depicting the eternal struggle between Horus and Seth.
Back onboard MS Esmeralda, enjoy lunch as the cruise sails onward to Kom Ombo. In the late afternoon, arrive at the riverside temple dramatically perched on a bend of the Nile. Unique for its symmetrical design, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Visit the attached Crocodile Museum, where mummified creatures and ancient artifacts await.
As night falls, return to the Esmeralda Cruise for dinner and a peaceful evening on the water.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Aswan – Ancient Quarries & Island Temples
Wake up to the serene beauty of Aswan, where golden desert cliffs frame the deep blue Nile. After breakfast, begin your guided tour with a visit to the High Dam, a modern engineering marvel that created Lake Nasser and changed the face of Egypt.
Continue by motorboat to the enchanting island of Philae, home to the Temple of Isis. This stunning complex was saved from rising waters by an international effort and remains one of the most romantic settings in Egypt. End your tour at the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, where you’ll witness the incredible techniques of ancient stone carving.
Enjoy lunch back onboard MS Esmeralda, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Relax on the sundeck, take a dip in the pool, or join an optional felucca ride on the Nile. You may also choose to visit a colorful Nubian village to discover the vibrant culture and traditions of Egypt’s southernmost people.
Dinner is served onboard, followed by your final night on the Esmeralda Nile Cruise.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Farewell to the Nile – Optional Abu Simbel Visit
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking in Aswan. For those who wish to extend their adventure, Egypt Top Tours offers an optional excursion to the majestic temples of Abu Simbel. These colossal monuments of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, carved into sandstone cliffs and perfectly aligned with the sun, are a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egyptian art and power.
Whether continuing to Abu Simbel or concluding your cruise in Aswan, the Esmeralda Cruise leaves you with cherished memories of elegance, history, and the eternal Nile.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prices:
Hotels
Prices
Hotels
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Notes:
Esmeralda Nile Cruise Prices
Our tour rates are in US dollars per person per trip. You can also pay in Euro or GBP. Prices might vary during Christmas, New Year, and Easter Nile Cruise Vacations. We aim to provide the best rates and maintain their accuracy. Once you confirm Esmeralda Nile Cruise, our rates remain fixed and may not change.
Esmeralda Nile Cruise Children Policy
0 - 01.99 Free of Charge
2 - 5.99 pay 25% of tour price
6 - 11.99 pay 50% of tour price
12+ pay full tour price as per adult person
If your tour package includes airfare, extra charges for your children may be applied.
Esmeralda Nile Cruise Payment Policy
To secure your desired program and ensure availability, we recommend making reservations as early as possible. A deposit of 25% of the total amount is required to secure your booking, except during the Christmas and New Year holidays when a deposit of 50% is necessary. This deposit will be deducted from your final payment. The remaining balance can be settled up to one week before your arrival date or in cash upon your arrival.
Additional Entry Tickets For Esmeralda Nile Cruise
Please note that the Esmeralda Nile Cruise doesn't include entrance fees to the special archaeological sites, such as entering the interior of the Tomb of Tutankhamun at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Separate fees apply for these attractions.
Cancellation Policy For Esmeralda Nile Cruise
• Cancellations made from the date of booking until 61 days before your arrival date will incur a 10% cancellation fee of the entire tour price.
• Cancellations made between 60 and 31 days before your arrival date will incur a 20% cancellation fee of the entire tour price.
• Cancellations made between 30 and 15 days before your arrival date will incur a 50% cancellation fee of the entire tour price.
• Cancellations made between 14 and 1 day before your arrival date will incur a 100% cancellation fee of the entire tour price.
Furthermore, please note that cancellation fees may also apply to domestic flights within Egypt according to the airline's specific cancellation policy.
GALLERY / PHOTOS
$ 749 / per person
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