HomeEsmeralda Nile Cruise
Set sail on the Esmeralda Nile Cruise, a five-star deluxe vessel offering the perfect mix of modern luxury and cultural discovery. Cruising between Luxor and Aswan, the Esmeralda provides a comfortable and stylish way to explore Egypt’s most iconic landmarks along the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Kom Ombo, and the Temple of Philae while enjoying seamless service and authentic Egyptian hospitality. Onboard, relax in elegantly furnished cabins, indulge in fine dining, and take in panoramic views from the sundeck as the timeless river unfolds before you. The Esmeralda Nile Cruise combines exceptional comfort with unforgettable sightseeing, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking to experience Egypt’s history in five-star style.
- Meet and assist service upon arrival & departure
- Assistance of our personnel during your stay and excursions
- All transfers by a modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
- Accommodation on board 5 star cruise on full board basis
- All Nile Cruise excursions as mentioned in the itinerary sharing nile cruise group
- Entrance fees to all sights between Luxor and Aswan
- English-speaking tour guide during your excursions
- All service charges and taxes
- Any extras and personal spending
- Tipping
Your Memphis Tours representative meets you at Luxor Airport or the train terminal and assists with your arrival before transferring you to Mövenpick MS Royal Lotus for embarkation.
After lunch on board, begin on Luxor’s East Bank at Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever built. Walk through monumental gateways, courtyards and the celebrated Hypostyle Hall before continuing to Luxor Temple in the heart of the modern city.
Return to Royal Lotus for dinner and a relaxed first evening on the Nile.
Overnight: Docked in Luxor
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Walking: Moderate walking over uneven archaeological surfaces, particularly at Karnak.
Good to know: Karnak has limited shade in many areas. Comfortable shoes, bottled water and sun protection are recommended.
After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s West Bank with your Egyptologist guide for one of the archaeological highlights of the cruise.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, where richly decorated royal tombs were carved into the desert hills. Continue to the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt’s most distinctive monuments, before stopping at the Colossi of Memnon.
Return to Royal Lotus for lunch as the vessel begins sailing south toward Esna and Edfu. The afternoon brings a slower pace, with time to enjoy the sun deck, afternoon tea and the changing Nile scenery.
Overnight: Aboard Mövenpick MS Royal Lotus
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Walking: This is one of the more active sightseeing mornings, with uneven ground, steps and inclines in and around some tombs.
Good to know: Standard Valley of the Kings admission covers selected regular tombs. Tutankhamun’s Tomb and other special-entry tombs require separate tickets.
After breakfast, step ashore in Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. From the docking area, travel to the temple by traditional horse-drawn carriage, with the carriage fare included.
The temple’s monumental pylons, enclosed halls and granite falcon statues provide an unusually complete impression of a Ptolemaic sanctuary. Return to Royal Lotus and continue south toward Kom Ombo, with lunch served on board.
Later, visit Kom Ombo Temple. Unlike Edfu, Kom Ombo stands directly beside the Nile and is reached on foot from the docking area. Its unusual double design is dedicated principally to Sobek and Haroeris. Return to the vessel and continue toward Aswan.
Overnight: Docked in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple
Good to know: Edfu Temple is inland and is reached by included horse-drawn carriage; Kom Ombo Temple is directly riverside and reached on foot from the docking area. A small tip to the carriage driver is appreciated.
Breakfast is served on board in Aswan before you set out with your Egyptologist guide. Begin at the ancient granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk and the evidence it preserves of ancient stoneworking techniques.
From there, take an included motorboat to Agilkia Island for the Temple of Philae, dedicated principally to Isis. The temple was dismantled and reconstructed on higher ground during the international campaign to protect Nubian monuments from rising waters.
Return to Royal Lotus for lunch, with the remainder of the afternoon at a more relaxed pace. Depending on the confirmed operating program, optional experiences can be arranged around the Aswan stay.
Overnight: Docked in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple
Good to know: Philae Temple is reached by included motorboat. The crossing is open-air, so a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended, particularly during the warmer months.
Enjoy breakfast on board before completing cabin check-out by around 8:00 AM. After checking out, your luggage will be handled according to your onward travel arrangements.
A Memphis Tours representative will assist with your disembarkation and transfer to Aswan Airport or the train station for your onward journey.
If you would like to include Abu Simbel and it cannot be accommodated within your confirmed cruise schedule, it can be arranged with an additional night in Aswan before or after the cruise.
Meals: Breakfast
Disembarkation: Cabins are vacated by around 8:00 AM. Your departure transfer follows according to your confirmed travel arrangements.
Good to know: Allow sufficient time between disembarkation and any onward flight or train. Abu Simbel timings should always be checked against the confirmed sailing and departure schedule.
Your Memphis Tours representative meets you at Aswan Airport or the train terminal and assists with your arrival before introducing you to your Egyptologist guide.
Begin with the Aswan High Dam, a landmark of modern Egypt, then continue to the ancient granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk and the remarkable traces left by ancient stoneworkers.
From there, travel by included motorboat to Agilkia Island for the Temple of Philae, dedicated principally to the goddess Isis. After the visit, transfer to Movenpick MS Royal Lotus for embarkation, lunch and a relaxed first afternoon and evening beside the Nile.
Overnight: Docked in Aswan
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Visits: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple
Good to know: Philae Temple is located on an island and is reached by motorboat; the boat transfer is included. Aswan is typically warm and sunny, so a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Movenpick MS Royal Lotus offers a useful scheduling advantage for guests who want to add Abu Simbel. With the vessel expected to remain in Aswan until approximately 1:30 PM, an early-morning excursion of Abu Simble Temples can be arranged before the cruise begins sailing north
Travel by road or air to Abu Simbel to see the monumental rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, then return to Aswan in time to rejoin Movenpick MS Royal Lotus. Guests who do not take the optional excursion can enjoy a slower morning on board before departure.
Later, visit Kom Ombo Temple, one of the Nile Valley’s most distinctive archaeological sites. The temple stands directly beside the river and is reached on foot from the docking area. Its unusual symmetrical plan honors two principal deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, a form of Horus.
Return to the vessel and continue sailing north, with time to relax on deck and watch the Nile landscape change as Royal Lotus heads toward Edfu.
Overnight: Aboard Mövenpick MS Royal Lotus
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple
Optional Experience: Abu Simbel by road or air
Good to know: Kom Ombo Temple is directly riverside and is reached on foot from the docking area.
After breakfast, step ashore in Edfu for the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. Unlike Kom Ombo, Edfu Temple lies inland from the Nile. Travel between the cruise docking area and the temple by traditional horse-drawn carriage, with the carriage fare included.
Its monumental pylons, roofed halls and granite falcon statues offer one of the clearest impressions of how a Ptolemaic temple once appeared in use. Return to Movenpick MS Royal Lotus and continue sailing toward Luxor through the Esna area.
In Luxor, explore the East Bank with your Egyptologist guide. Begin at the vast Karnak Temple Complex before continuing to Luxor Temple, dramatically positioned close to the Nile in the heart of the modern city. Return to the vessel for dinner and your final night on board.
Overnight: Docked in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visits: Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Walking: Moderate walking over some uneven ancient surfaces, especially at Karnak; comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Good to know: Edfu Temple is inland and is reached by included horse-drawn carriage, while Kom Ombo Temple is directly beside the Nile. Sailing and passage timings around Esna can vary according to river traffic and navigation conditions.
Enjoy breakfast on board before vacating your cabin at approximately 8:00 AM. Your luggage will be handled according to your onward travel arrangements while you continue sightseeing on Luxor’s West Bank.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, burial place of many of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Standard admission includes selected open tombs; separately ticketed special-entry tombs such as Tutankhamun’s Tomb are not included unless specifically stated and can be added at additional cost.
Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, dramatically built against the limestone cliffs, before stopping at the towering Colossi of Memnon. After sightseeing, transfer to Luxor Airport or the train station for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Walking: This is the most active sightseeing day, with uneven surfaces, steps and inclines inside some tombs.
Disembarkation: Cabins are vacated by around 8:00 AM. Touring and your departure transfer follow afterward.
Good to know: Standard Valley of the Kings admission covers selected regular tombs. Tutankhamun’s Tomb and other special-entry tombs require separate tickets.
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