Overview
Tour Description
A Dahabiya is the most relaxed way to see the Nile. These traditional two-masted sailing boats carry only a handful of cabins, so there are no crowds on deck, no queues at mealtimes and no fixed timetable set for hundreds of passengers. They moor at small islands and quiet riverbanks the big ships cannot reach. On this 13-day private holiday, you spend seven nights sailing from Luxor to Aswan on a 5-star Dahabiya, after four days in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Flights between Cairo and Upper Egypt are included, along with a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Luxor, a flight to Abu Simbel, a Nubian village visit and a private Egyptologist on every sightseeing day.
Why choose a Dahabiya cruise?
- Small boats with just a few cabins, ideal for couples, families and small groups
- Mooring at quiet spots such as Gebel el-Silsila, where large cruise ships cannot stop
- Seven nights on the river, so the sailing itself becomes part of the holiday
- Full board with fresh, home-style Egyptian food cooked on board
Not sure whether a Dahabiya is for you? Read our guide to Dahabiya vs Nile cruise, or see all our Nile cruises and Dahabiyas.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Our representative meets you at Cairo International Airport and takes you by private car to your 5-star hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in.
Overnight: 5-star hotel in Cairo
Day 2: Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili
Spend about four hours at the Grand Egyptian Museum with your Egyptologist, who focuses on the masterpieces: Tutankhamun’s gold mask and complete tomb treasure, the colossal Ramses II and the royal statues on the Grand Staircase. In the afternoon, explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and stop for mint tea at a traditional café.
Meals: breakfast · Overnight: Cairo
Day 3: Coptic and Islamic Cairo
Visit Coptic Cairo, including the Hanging Church, built on top of a gate of the Roman fortress of Babylon, and the churches and synagogue of the old quarter. Continue to Islamic Cairo for the Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, with sweeping views across the city.
Meals: breakfast · Overnight: Cairo
Day 4: Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and Saqqara
Start early at the Giza plateau for the Great Pyramid, the panorama viewpoint and the Sphinx. Then drive to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt, and the decorated tombs around it.
Meals: breakfast · Overnight: Cairo
Day 5: Fly to Luxor – Board Your Dahabiya, Karnak and Luxor Temple
Fly to Luxor and board your Dahabiya. In the afternoon visit the great temple complex of Karnak, then Luxor Temple as the lights come on in the evening.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 6: Balloon Flight and the Valley of the Kings
Rise before dawn for a hot-air balloon flight over the west bank as the sun comes up over the temples. After landing, visit the Valley of the Kings, where your guide chooses the best royal tombs open that day. The Dahabiya then sets sail south.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 7: Esna and Edfu Temples
Visit the Temple of Khnum at Esna, whose restored ceiling now shows its original colors. Sail on to Edfu for the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved temple in Egypt.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 8: Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo
Moor at Gebel el-Silsila, the ancient sandstone quarry where many temples were cut, and visit the rock-cut chapel of King Horemheb. In the afternoon, sail to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek and Horus and the Crocodile Museum.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 9: Aswan – Philae Temple and a Nubian Village
Arrive in Aswan and take a boat to Philae, the island temple of Isis. In the afternoon, visit a Nubian village and its colorful houses, or choose the Nubian Museum or Aswan’s spice market.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 10: Abu Simbel by Air
Fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel for a guided visit of the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari, then fly back to Aswan in the afternoon.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 11: A Free Day in Aswan
A slow day on board or in town: swim from the boat, read on deck, or ask us to arrange a felucca sail around Elephantine Island.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Dahabiya
Day 12: Fly Back to Cairo
Disembark after breakfast and fly to Cairo. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or a walk along the Nile.
Meals: breakfast · Overnight: 5-star hotel in Cairo
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: breakfast
Included and Excluded
- Meet and assist at all airports in Egypt
- 4 nights in a 5-star hotel in Cairo with breakfast
- 7 nights on a 5-star Dahabiya from Luxor to Aswan, full board
- Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo
- Flights to Abu Simbel and back from Aswan
- Hot-air balloon flight over Luxor
- Nubian village visit
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
- All transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- All taxes and service charges
- International flights and Egypt entry visa
- Entry ticket to the Step Pyramid interior at Saqqara
- Optional tours and personal expenses
- Tips for guides, drivers 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.
Tour Attractions
FAQs
What is a Dahabiya?
A traditional Nile sailing boat with two masts and only a few cabins. It offers a quieter, more personal cruise than a large ship and can moor at places bigger boats cannot reach.
How many nights is the Dahabiya cruise?
Seven nights, sailing from Luxor to Aswan with stops at Esna, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo.
Is the balloon flight included?
Yes. A sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Luxor’s west bank is included, weather permitting.
Is this tour good for families?
Yes. The small size of a Dahabiya suits families well, and we can arrange connecting cabins and child-friendly touring on request.
How long is a Nile cruise?
Usually four nights from Luxor or three nights from Aswan. Dahabiyas take four to five nights.
