Overview
A Dahabiya Nile Cruise is the most unique, authentic, and exclusive way to experience the Nile in elegance and comfort. Dahabiyas are traditional wooden sailing boats with private cabins with ensuites, originally designed to take 19th-century travelers along the Nile in comfort. A Dahabiya cruise is the best way for those who want to experience culture, history, and relaxation while passing along the Nile Valley.
Tour Highlights
Indulge in an exclusive journey aboard a luxury Dahabiya, offering privacy, elegance, and a refined sailing experience along the Nile
Discover the timeless treasures of Luxor, including the majestic Valley of the Kings, the grandeur of Karnak Temple, and the iconic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Sail at a leisurely pace, docking at serene, less-visited locations inaccessible to larger cruise ships
Explore the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu with your private Egyptologist guide
Visit the striking Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods, overlooking the Nile
Experience gourmet dining onboard with freshly prepared cuisine and personalized service
Relax on spacious sun decks and enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the Nile’s tranquil landscapes
Discover the enchanting island setting of Philae Temple
Conclude your journey in the charming city of Aswan, rich in Nubian heritage and natural beauty
Enhance your journey with exclusive optional experiences such as a private hot air balloon ride over Luxor or a luxury excursion to Abu Simbel
What to Expect
Enjoy a refined journey aboard a luxury Dahabiya, offering privacy, comfort, and a relaxed pace along the Nile. Begin in Luxor, exploring iconic sites with a private guide, then sail through scenic landscapes and quiet villages.
Discover remarkable temples such as the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple while enjoying gourmet dining and personalized service onboard.
End your journey in Aswan, visiting the beautiful Philae Temple—a perfect blend of luxury, culture, and relaxation.
More About The Nile Signature Voyage – Luxury Dahabiya from Luxor to Aswan
The itinerary is subject to change due to sailing conditions or operational requirements, while maintaining all visits
Dahabiya cruises offer a more intimate and exclusive experience compared to large Nile cruises
Check-in is usually before lunch, and check-out is after breakfast on the last day
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended for excursions
Wi-Fi may be limited or unavailable onboard due to the remote sailing areas
Tipping is customary in Egypt and not included in the package
Optional tours (e.g., Abu Simbel or hot air balloon) are available upon request at an extra cost
If you want, I can also tailor this section for luxury clients or make it more concise for brochures.
Itinerary
We will drive and visit Esna, then enjoy discovering heritage craft traditions, including beautiful textiles, as we visit the restored Wekalet Al-Geddawi, a caravanserai, and the Ottoman-era market of Al-Qissariya. We then check in to the Dahabiya and enjoy lunch on board as we sail for about 4-5 hours to El Hegz Village. This is an opportunity for true cross-cultural exchange as we visit a local family who are excited to have visitors from the wider world. Your guide will translate so you can ask them questions and enhance your understanding of village culture. Dinner and your first night on the Nile, enjoying the comforts of the dahabiya.
NOTE: Departure takes place from any address in Luxor to Esna, the home port of the Dahabiya. At Esna, there are two dams: one from the colonial period and a new dam that has two locks. This is why we prefer starting dahabiya tours from Esna—so that we can avoid going through the locks.
Temple of Esna
Here we explore the temple dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum. The temple sits below street level within the town, as it was excavated from layers of earth.
The preferred day to start this tour is Monday, but we can organize other departure dates for 2+ cabins.
All our guides have backgrounds in Egyptology, history, archeology, or guiding. They are all official licensed guides.
Breakfast on board, sailing to El Ka b. From the village we walk (or you can go by donkey, motorized tricycle, or tuk-tuk) to see the massive walls of the ancient town of Nekheb and explore the New Kingdom tombs. Sail to Edfu and take horse-drawn carriages to visit the Temple of Horus. Sailing with dinner and free time while you overnight on the dahabiya.
El Kab
At El Kab remains of ancient settlements date from about 3,000 BC (possibly centuries earlier) to Roman rule. The site is one of the most unique in Egypt because ancient villages and cities are rarely found. As we move inland you will see remains of the impressive mud brick walls and the long valley lined with tombs and shrines, including temples dedicated to Nekhbet and Thoth. We enter the decorated tombs of New Kingdom officials from the area.
Edfu
Horse-drawn carriages take us to the imposing temple with its grand spaces and many hieroglyphic inscriptions. View Tell Edfu to the west of the temple, which includes houses dating from the Old to New Kingdom. If time allows, we also stroll through the local market.
We sail again, time to relax with dinner, and drift into dreams as you are now becoming part of the rhythms of the Nile.
Breakfast on board. Visit Bisaw Island and village, join the men in their boats to share the experience of Nile fishing, walk through farms and meet the villagers. Sailing to El Selsela ancient sandstone quarry and shrines. Special barbeque dinner by moonlight.
Bisaw Island and village
We take a leisurely walk through a farm, meet some of the women and children, and learn how the unique sun bread is baked in homes here. The local fishermen welcome us to their boats and teach us about the skills of these men who live in harmony with the Nile. You can enjoy the fish you catch as part of dinner that evening.
El Selsela
where we take a short walk parallel to the Nile to visit shrines and a massive quarry. Large amounts of sandstone were quarried here for temple building in Thebes (Luxor). Cut into the rock are the speos (chapel) of Horemheb, with its sanctuary containing rock shrines, various stelae, and inscriptions. The huge quarry gives context to how much building material was sourced from this area. There is also an area of sand here where children (and children at heart) can slide and play
We sail until it is time for an atmospheric barbeque dinner by moonlight and another tranquil night on board.
Breakfast on board. Visit the Kom Ombo temple and the Crocodile Museum. In the nearby town of Daraw you learn how to shop like a local at the market, visit a barn to meet camels and learn about the camel trade, and visit a Nubian village. As we sail closer to Aswan, if you wish, there is an opportunity to swim or kayak. Farewell, dinner, and sail to our final destination, Aswan.
Temple of Kom Ombo
is dedicated to the crocodile-featured god Sobek and the god Horus. The connection to the power of the Nile is unmistakable as you look towards the temple. We also visit the Crocodile Museum, which includes some impressive mummified crocodiles.
Nubian village
From about 7,000 BC, communities evolved from the African Nile Valley civilizations to form the Nubian, Ancient Egyptian, and Kushite civilizations. There are several Nubian communities near Daraw. Nubian civilization is one of the oldest in the Nile River valley. Nubians are a distinct ethno-linguistic group indigenous to southern Egypt and northern Sudan, but Nubians in Egypt who were displaced by the construction of the High Dam near Aswan now mostly live north of Lake Nasser. Although Nubians are historically and culturally distinct from other Egyptians, they have long been interconnected with Egypt. While many Egyptian pharaohs colonized Nubia at various times, Nubian pharaohs from the Kingdom of Kush ruled ancient Egypt in the 7th century BC.
El Daraw
we plan dinner for that night and you learn how to shop Egyptian style, then try your new skills in the market shopping for ingredients for dinner. We also visit a camel barn to learn about these fascinating animals and about the camel trade.
As we near Aswan, you have the opportunity to swim or kayak. If you wish to kayak, please advise us two days before the dahabiya tour begins so we can be sure to have kayaks available. We set sail on the final stretch of the dahabiya cruise, with lunch and time to reflect on your dahabiya experience. By the farewell dinner, we are sure you will be wanting to return to see more of Egypt and wishing this was not your last night on board the dahabiya.
Breakfast will be served on board, followed by check-out from the Dahabiya.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
Meet & assist upon arrival and departure
Accommodation onboard a Dahabiya Nile Cruise for 4 nights (Luxor to Aswan)
All meals onboard (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
All sightseeing tours as per itinerary
Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
Private Egyptologist tour guide
All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
Visits include:
Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple)
Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo Temple
Aswan (Philae Temple, High Dam)
Bottled water during tours
All service charges and taxes
Exclusions
International flights
Egypt entry visa
Optional tours (e.g., Abu Simbel, Hot Air Balloon in Luxor)
Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, minibar, etc.)
Beverages during meals onboard (unless specified)
Tipping (recommended but not mandatory)
Travel insurance
Current Season Price Details
Please Note that price changes per season, so the price will depend on the date you pick when check out
| Single Room | Double Room | Triple Room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must adult # | |||
| Price per adult | $ 10000 | $ 10000 | $ 1000 |
| Max child # [age:6-11] | |||
| Price per child | $ 5000 | $ 5000 | |
| Max infant # [age:0-5] | |||
| Price per infant |
Deposit
100 % of the total booking amount