Overview
Tour Description
Five nights on a dahabiya, sailing slowly upstream from Esna to Aswan. Because these small sailing boats are allowed to moor where big cruise ships cannot, you visit places like El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila almost alone, swim from quiet sandbanks and walk into the desert at sunset. It is the most relaxed way to travel the Nile.
Highlights
- The Temple of Khnum at Esna, 9 meters below the modern street
- The tombs and temple of El Kab, once capital of Upper Egypt
- The Temple of Horus at Edfu
- A full day of sailing, with a swim and a desert walk at dusk
- The quarries and shrines of Gebel el-Silsila, where big ships cannot stop
- Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum
Itinerary
Day 1: Board in Esna
You meet the crew and board your dahabiya in Esna, about 55 km south of Luxor. A short walk through streets of textile shops takes you to the Temple of Khnum, which sits 9 meters below today’s street level.
Meals: Dinner. Overnight: dahabiya, Esna.
Day 2: El Kab and Edfu
At El Kab, on the east bank, you walk through a fishing village to the rock tombs of local governors and the temple of the vulture goddess Nekhbet. In the afternoon you reach Edfu and its Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved in Egypt, then sail on to moor at a quiet island.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: dahabiya.
Day 3: A day on the river
A day for the Nile itself. After an optional early walk and breakfast you set sail, stopping in the afternoon at a quiet bank to swim. At dusk your guide leads a walk into a desert valley among great boulders, and at night the boat ties up below the floodlit shrines of Gebel el-Silsila.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: dahabiya, Gebel el-Silsila.
Day 4: Gebel el-Silsila
Here the Nile runs at its narrowest between two ranges of hills. You visit the rock temple of Horemheb and walk through the sandstone quarries that supplied many of Egypt’s great temples, often with no other visitors. The rest of the day is spent sailing, with a stop for lunch and a swim.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: dahabiya.
Day 5: Kom Ombo
In the morning you visit Kom Ombo, built by the Ptolemies on a bend of the river and dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the Crocodile Museum with its mummified crocodiles.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: dahabiya, Aswan.
Day 6: Arrive in Aswan
You wake near the Aswan bridge, where the desert comes down to the river. Government rules require dahabiyas to spend the last night at this dock. After breakfast you disembark and we take you to your hotel, the airport or the station.
Meals: Breakfast.
Included and Excluded
- Accommodation on board, full board
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Tours and transfers by deluxe air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees to all sites in the program
- Egyptologist guide (English, French or Spanish)
- All service charges and taxes
- Flights or train to the start and from the end of the cruise
- Drinks and extras
- Tips for the guide and crew
Prices:
What will it cost you?
Prices per person change with the season and how many of you travel. Set yours and see the real number — no email needed.
Note:
Why You’ll Love This Cruise
- The rich culture and rich history of Luxor and Aswan will be explored in this thrilling adventure.
- Our guests will enjoy a golden quest across the valley of the kings, the Luxor Temple, the Karnak temple, the Hatshepsut temple, the Philae temple, the Edfu temple, the Abu Simbel Temples, and many more.
- All our clients will enjoy the finest services across the golden dahabiya Nile Cruise.
- Everyone will enjoy the magical sensation of serenity across this marvelous dahabiya.
- The archaeological treasures of Upper Egypt will be a memorable sight.
FAQs
How much does the 6-day dahabiya cruise cost?
From $2,000 per person, including 5 nights full board, guided visits, entrance fees and transfers.
Why start in Esna?
Dahabiyas begin at Esna to avoid the busy Esna lock. Luxor is about an hour away by road, and we can collect you from your Luxor hotel.
Can I swim in the Nile?
Yes, at quiet sandbanks chosen by the crew, where the water is clean and the current gentle. Swimming is always optional.
Which languages do the guides speak?
English, French or Spanish. Tell us your preference when you book.
How long is a Nile cruise?
Usually four nights from Luxor or three nights from Aswan. Dahabiyas take four to five nights.
