Nile Cruise · Aswan & Luxor
MS Esplanade Nile Cruise
- 4.9 on Tripadvisor · 88 reviews
- Licence No. 121
Tour Overview
The MS Esplanade Nile cruise is a five-star ship with 55 cabins and suites that runs between Luxor and Aswan on Saturdays and Wednesdays. You can sail 3 nights from Aswan or 4 nights from Luxor, with full board, private guided visits to Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor’s east and west banks, and entrance fees included.
Why the departure days matter
Many ships on this route leave on Mondays and Fridays or Mondays and Thursdays. The Esplanade’s Saturday and Wednesday departures help when your flights or Cairo nights do not line up with those days, and they can save a wasted hotel night in Luxor or Aswan. Tell us your arrival date and we will check which sailing fits. As a rule, the Luxor start suits travelers flying in from Cairo who want the extra night, while the Aswan start works well after an overnight at the southern end or a visit to Abu Simbel.
Size and feel
With 55 cabins and suites, the Esplanade is a mid-sized ship: big enough for a full range of public spaces, small enough that the decks rarely feel crowded. It suits couples and small families who want a five-star standard and a straightforward, comfortable trip.
What you will see
- Philae Temple, reached by boat on its island near Aswan
- Kom Ombo, the double temple on a bend of the river
- Edfu, the temple of Horus
- Luxor’s east bank temples and the royal tombs of the west bank
Esplanade inclusions
Full-board meals on board, private sightseeing with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to the program’s sites, airport meet and greet, private air-conditioned transfers, and service charges and taxes. International flights, the visa, optional tours and tips are extra.
Esplanade pricing
Fares for the Esplanade depend on your dates, cabin and cruise length, so we quote them for your travel period. Travel between October and April is the most comfortable for sightseeing; see our best season to visit Egypt guide.
Comparing the Esplanade
Compare the Esplanade with other ultra deluxe Nile cruises, read the Luxor to Aswan cruise guide, or ask us for a tailor-made itinerary that adds Cairo and the pyramids.
Tour Highlights
English-speaking tour guide
All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
Meet and assist on arrival
3 or 4 nights aboard MS Esplanade
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Tour Packages
4 Days / 3 Nights 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.
5 Days / 4 Nights from Luxor
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.
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.
MS Esplanade Nile Cruise: Your Questions
The ship has 55 cabins and suites.
Departures are on Saturdays and Wednesdays, which can suit travelers whose dates do not fit the Monday departures of many other ships.
Guided visits cover Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor’s East and West Banks.
The 4-night sailing starts in Luxor and the 3-night sailing starts in Aswan.
Fares are quoted for your dates and cabin type. Contact us with your travel month for a price.
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.”
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