Tulip Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic cabins, Nile-view balconies, shaded sun-deck seating, full-board dining, and a lounge bar.
The short answer
Tulip is a 5-Star Luxury Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,912 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beyond the sun deck, with shaded loungers giving you a quiet view of palms, riverbank villages, and passing feluccas. Inside, the lounge bar and saloon offer a cooler place to read, listen to a lecture, or watch the landscape change between Luxor and Aswan.
Shore excursions bring the river journey into focus, from the columns of Karnak Temple to the Valley of the Kings and the riverside temples farther south. We arrange your embarkation details, cabin selection, and shore program through a licensed Egyptian tour operator, with our Egyptologists on hand to explain what you are seeing.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,912double cabinsingle cabin $3,160 | May – September: from $1,561double cabinsingle cabin $2,458 | Peak dates: from $2,224double cabinsingle cabin $3,628 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $2,456double cabinsingle cabin $4,120 | May – September: from $1,988double cabinsingle cabin $3,184 | Peak dates: from $2,872double cabinsingle cabin $4,744 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $4,082double cabinsingle cabin $6,994 | May – September: from $3,263double cabinsingle cabin $5,356 | Peak dates: from $4,810double cabinsingle cabin $8,086 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $4,101double cabinsingle cabin $7,013 | May – September: from $3,282double cabinsingle cabin $5,375 | Peak dates: from $4,829double cabinsingle cabin $8,105 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your cruise and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Board at Luxor and enjoy lunch on board before visiting Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then begin sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, then sail on to Aswan.
- 4
Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional flight or drive to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 5
A relaxed day at Aswan: sail by felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel turns north.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Luxor with time for any West Bank sites not yet seen, or relax on the sun deck as you moor for the final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Luxor for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then begins sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, then sail on to Kom Ombo and its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing to Aswan, where the ship moors for the night.
- 4
The ship lies moored at Aswan. Guests visiting Abu Simbel leave before dawn, by road or by air, for the two rock temples Ramesses II cut into the cliff, returning aboard around midday. The afternoon is at leisure on board.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan. The morning then covers Aswan itself: the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae reached by motor launch, and the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board. Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Sail north to Kom Ombo for its double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus. Sail on towards Luxor.
- 3
Reach Luxor and cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then disembark for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board, then visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
A relaxed day at Aswan by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or a Nubian village visit. An optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then Edfu for the Temple of Horus.
- 4
At Luxor, cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then the vessel begins its return sailing south.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Aswan with time to relax on board or take an optional excursion before your final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan for your onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Board at Luxor Nile Corniche pier, a short walk from Luxor Temple, mid-afternoon on day one.
- 02Guided West Bank visit to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, and Colossi of Memnon.
- 03Pass through the Esna lock in the late afternoon while the ship adjusts to river levels.
- 04Visit Edfu Temple after a short transfer by carriage or shuttle, with approximately 90 minutes on-site.
- 05Stop at Kom Ombo and moor on the riverbank for a focused one-hour visit to the double temple.
- 06Moor at Aswan corniche; visit Philae by motorboat, see the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 07Full-board dining in the ship’s dining room; breakfasts provided early for pre-dawn excursions.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard MS Tulip in the chosen cabin class
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Onboard facilities such as lounge bar, saloon and sun deck
- Shore excursions as scheduled by the vessel's program
Not included
- International flights, airport taxes and visas
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities and tipping for ship crew and guides unless requested
- Premium archaeological site extras, such as optional tomb entrances (Tutankhamun, Seti I) where applicable
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book an early-morning Valley of the Kings visit to avoid crowds and afternoon heat.
- 02
Bring small Egyptian pounds for market purchases and tips to local guides and crew.
- 03
Select a Nile-facing cabin to watch temples and villages pass by at leisure.
- 04
Use the sun deck for sunset views; carry sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This is suitable for adults and older children who want a structured Nile cruise with guided sightseeing and comfortable onboard accommodation. It appeals to travelers interested in ancient Egyptian temples, river scenery, and a slower pace than bus-based touring.
Maybe not, if
- Guests requiring full wheelchair accessibility due to narrow gangways and site steps
- Travelers wanting a very active or high-adventure itinerary
Worth knowing
How this compares
It suits travelers short on time who still want guided visits to key archaeological sites.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Esmeralda Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,873 per person
- Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,834 per person
- Movenpick Hamees Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $2,029 per person
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Ultra-deluxe Nile cruise cabins with en-suite facilities and panoramic windows.
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Sunhat, sunscreen and polarized sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes for temple visits
- Light layers for cool early mornings and evenings
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- Small daypack for shore excursions
What to wear
- Modest, breathable clothing for temple sites (knees and shoulders covered)
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for uneven surfaces
- Smart-casual outfit for evening dining aboard
Children & families
Children are welcome but must share a cabin with adults; child fares and age restrictions vary. Please enquire for specific child rates and cabin-sharing rules.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The ship has standard gangway access and cabins with ensuite facilities, but gangways and temple sites involve steps. Travelers with limited mobility should contact us before booking to discuss cabin placement and excursion suitability.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Discovery Tours Egypt works with local suppliers to source produce and reduce food miles. Guides receive training in cultural respect and minimal-impact visitor conduct at archaeological sites.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and do not run coach-style group tours–excursions use guides and Egyptologists we assign. Optional extras such as soft drinks, private transfers, and onboard gratuities are usually charged separately.02
Exact stops vary by departure and we confirm the day-by-day itinerary at booking. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's require extra tickets and are not included by default.03How do I get to the MS Tulip in Luxor?
We can arrange airport or hotel transfers in Luxor; our drivers meet you with a name card in arrivals or at your hotel. We provide the berth address and a local mobile contact before you travel so you know exactly where the MS Tulip will be moored. If you prefer to self-transfer, the Luxor Nile quay is centrally located; luggage assistance at the quay depends on local port arrangements.04Are entrance fees, airport transfers, and gratuities included on the MS Tulip?
Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise; airport transfers and gratuities are not included by default. We can add airport transfers or pre-pay suggested gratuities for the crew and guides if you ask when booking. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we handle local receipts and payments for any extras you choose.05Is the MS Tulip suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
Expect narrow gangways, cabin steps, and uneven ancient stone at shore sites; the MS Tulip does not guarantee full wheelchair access. Many Nile ships require passengers to climb gangway ramps and stairs to reach shore, and quays may lack ramps or lifts. An able companion or porter is recommended for guests with reduced mobility. If you need lower-deck cabins or assistance at the quay, notify us at booking so we can check availability and plan support.06
Bring sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, modest clothing for temples, medication, and a light layer for cooler evenings. Also carry a photocopy of your passport, any visas, a small first-aid kit, and prescription medicines in their original packaging. Temples and mosques require covered shoulders and knees; comfortable sandals or trainers help on uneven surfaces. Laundry service on short cruises may be limited, so pack accordingly.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-LUX-343799
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Luxury
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