Nile River Cruise: M/S Esplanade
- Duration
- 4-5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 822
FIRST-CLASS | CRUISE: Board the luxurious MS Esplanade for a dream-like journey along the Nile River to explore the ancient world of the pharaohs. Journeying from Aswan to Luxor, or vice versa, you’ll explore the temples of Karnak, Luxor, and Edfu, stroll through the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and see the Aswan High Dam.
This 4 to 5-day Egyptian vacation takes you on a Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor, or vice versa. It features deluxe accommodations aboard the river vessel, shared tours, and is a great add-on to a stay in Cairo.
Your journey begins in Aswan, where you’ll board the MS Esplanade, your 5-star hotel on the water that’ll be your home for the next four nights. After getting settled in your spacious room, you’ll head on a sightseeing tour of Aswan, visiting the High Dam, which allows the Egyptian government to control the flow of the Nile and is one of the world’s foremost hydroelectric achievements. Afterwards, you’ll see the Unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut before you visit the Temple of Philae, the centre of Ancient Egypt’s cult of Isis.
Sail north to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple with sections built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, with dual altars to the crocodile god Sobek and falcon god Horus. Continue on to Edfu to visit Edfu Temple, renowned for its fabulous wall reliefs, and cap off the day with a Galabeya party on board the MS Esplanade. On your final full day, you’ll cruise to Esna and then Luxor, where you’ll visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, home to the tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great, as well as Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
You’ll then disembark in Luxor, where you’ll connect back to Cairo. If you’re cruising from Luxor to Aswan, you’ll add an additional day in Luxor to your voyage.
- Duration
- 4-5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 822
Itinerary View Trip Map
Embark Aswan
Today you will board your Nile Cruise Ship, your floating hotel for the next 5 days. This afternoon embark on your sightseeing of Aswan. Visit Aswan's High Dam, a huge rock filled dam which captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as "Sadd El-Aali" in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. Next it is on to see the Unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut before ending with a trip to the Temple of Philae.
Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
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Duration | 3 Nights |
Accommodation |
M/S Esplanade |
Location | View map |
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M/S Esplanade
Indulge in the sweet life aboard M.S. Esplanade and discover grandeur elegance set off by regal accommodation, succulent flavours, a flair of fun and exciting night time celebrations. Cruise past the rich history and timeless beauty of Egypt on M.S. Esplanade.
Indulge in the sweet life aboard M.S. Esplanade and discover grandeur elegance set off by regal accommodation, succulent flavours, a flair of fun and exciting night time celebrations. Cruise past the rich history and timeless beauty of Egypt on M.S. Esplanade.
Facilities
- Jacuzzi
- Lounge
- Pool
- Reception
- Spa
- Sun Chairs
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 5
Sail Aswan to Kom Ombo and Edfu
This morning sail to Kom Ombo where you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan. Located on the east bank, Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as one approaches from either direction on the river, particularly as sunset nears and the colours change. Return to the vessel to sail to Edfu where you will have a tour of the Edfu Temple, dedicated to the god Horus. Tonight, enjoy a special Egyptian Galabeya Party.
Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
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Sail Esna to Luxor
After breakfast on board, you will visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir, El-Bahari and the Colossi Memnon. Luxor is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt. It is considered the world's largest open-air museum with its various temples since the Pharaonic era till the Greco-Roman era, most famous of which is Karnak and Luxor Temples dedicated to the triad of Thebes. The West Bank of Luxor is known for the famous tombs of Seti I, Tut Ankh Amon, Tuthmosis III in the Valley of the Kings and also Queen Hatchepsut's Temple. The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamen and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and titles inscribed in his tomb, which is also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with the Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. After lunch visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples, a holy city of pylons (monumental gateways), hypostyle halls, colossal statues, shrines and obelisks built over centuries and dedicated to the God Amon-Ra, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu.
Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
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Disembarkation
This morning you will enjoy breakfast on board and disembark at 8:00am.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
4 days from Asawn: Fridays
5 days from Luxor: Mondays
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 3 or 4 nights in moderate accommodations on board M/S Esplanade in a Deluxe Cabin
- Small group tour of Aswan and Temple of Philae (max 20 guests)
- Small group tour of Temple of Sobek (max 20 guests)
- Small group tour of Temple of Horus (max 20 guests)
- Small group tour of Luxor West Bank (max 20 guests)
- Small group tour of Luxor East Bank (max 20 guests)
- Meals on 3 night cruise: 3 breakfats, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Meals on 4 night cruise: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
21 May 2021