7-Night Dahabiya from Luxor to Aswan

Overview

Step aboard a graceful dahabiya for a 7-night voyage from Luxor to Aswan, where the Nile’s slow current carries you past ancient temples, palm-fringed islands, and timeless villages. This small-boat journey blends immersive guided tours—such as the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, and Philae Temple—with tranquil afternoons under sail, exclusive island dinners, and optional adventures like visiting Abu Simbel or a Nubian village. From swimming in the pure waters at Hor Diab to watching the sunset over Kom Ombo, every day is a balance of history, culture, and relaxation. With only a handful of guests on board, you’ll enjoy personalized service, gourmet dining, and a connection to the river few travelers ever experience.

 

Tour Highlights:

  • 7-night boutique dahabiya cruise from Luxor to Aswan
  • Explore Luxor & Karnak Temples and the Valley of the Kings
  • Visit Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple
  • Private island dinner with live Egyptian Rababa music
  • Swim in the clear waters at Hor Diab Island
  • Optional visits to a Nubian village and Abu Simbel
  • Multiple island moorings for peaceful nights under the stars
  • Cross the Esna Lock twice for a classic Nile sailing moment

 

Tour Include:

  • 7 nights’ accommodation aboard a traditional dahabiya in an en-suite cabin
  • Full-board dining: breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily as per itinerary
  • All guided sightseeing with a licensed Egyptologist guide
  • Entrance fees to all sites listed in the program
  • All sailing hours as per ithe tinerary (subject to Nile conditions)
  • Private island dinner with live Rababa performance
  • Afternoon tea/coffee on sailing days
  • Bottled water during guided tours
  • Portage, service charges, and applicable taxes
  • All taxes and service charges included.

 

Tour Exclude:

  • International flights and Egypt entry visa
  • Domestic flights before/after cruise (if required)
  • Optional visits to Nubian Village and Abu Simbel Temple
  • Transfers to/from embarkation and disembarkation points (available on request)
  • Beverages outside stated inclusions
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
  • Tipping for crew, guide, and driver
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Tour Itinerary

1

Day 1 – Luxor Embarkation & East Bank Temples (Saturday)

Arrive in Luxor and board your elegant dahabiya, where the crew welcomes you aboard with warm hospitality. 

Settle into your cabin before enjoying lunch on deck as the Nile glides past. In the afternoon, explore Karnak Temple, the world’s largest religious complex, with its forest of papyrus-shaped columns, sacred lake, and intricate reliefs. 

Continue to Luxor Temple, glowing in the late afternoon light, dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Return to the vessel for dinner and an overnight mooring on the peaceful West Bank, where palm groves rustle in the evening breeze.

Overnight: Luxor West Bank

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

2

Day 2 – West Bank of Luxor & Sail to Esna (Sunday)

After breakfast, cross to the West Bank to step inside the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs’ tombs hide beneath ochre cliffs, their walls alive with ancient art. 

Visit the elegant, terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and pause before the towering Colossi of Memnon. Return for lunch as the dahabiya casts off toward Esna. Spend the afternoon on the sundeck with tea, watching village life unfold on the banks. 

Dinner is served as you sail, mooring beside a quiet Nile island where only the sounds of the river and distant calls of waterfowl accompany your night.

Overnight: Island near Esna

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3

Day 3 – Esna Lock, Edfu Temple & Al Ramady Island (Monday)

Breakfast is enjoyed while your dahabiya navigates the Esna Lock, a classic Nile cruise experience as boats rise or lower between gates. Continue under sail until lunch, then head ashore at Edfu Temple, the best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt, where Horus’s story is told in detailed carvings. 

Later, sail to Al Ramady Island, where you’ll enjoy a private dinner under the stars accompanied by the soulful strains of a traditional Egyptian Rababa performance—an unforgettable night of music, food, and friendship.

Overnight: Al Ramady Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

Day 4 – Kom Ombo Temple & Hor Diab Island (Tuesday)

Sail south to Kom Ombo, perched dramatically on a bend in the river. This unique double temple is dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, with fascinating medical reliefs and a small Crocodile Museum

Return to the dahabiya for lunch as you sail to Hor Diab Island, famed for its clean, clear Nile waters—perfect for a refreshing swim. Dinner is served on board as you sail into Aswan, where the lights of the city welcome you.

Overnight: Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Day 5 – Aswan Sights & Optional Nubian Village (Wednesday)

After breakfast, visit Philae Temple, an island sanctuary to Isis relocated stone by stone to save it from flooding. Continue to the High Dam, a marvel of modern engineering, before returning for lunch. 

The afternoon offers an optional trip to a Nubian village, where colorful houses and warm hospitality showcase southern Egypt’s rich culture. Dinner is enjoyed on board as Aswan’s evening breezes cool the decks.

Overnight: Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Day 6 – Optional Abu Simbel & Return to Al Ramady Island (Thursday)

This morning, take the optional overland excursion to Abu Simbel, where colossal statues of Ramses II and Nefertari gaze out over Lake Nasser. Marvel at the scale and artistry of these temples, relocated in the 1960s to escape rising waters. 

Back on board, enjoy lunch as the dahabiya sails north to Al Ramady Island. Spend the evening in serene isolation, with dinner served beneath a canopy of stars.

Overnight: Al Ramady Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Day 7 – Esna Lock & Return to Luxor (Friday)

Sail early toward Esna, with breakfast on board as the lock gates open once again to carry you upstream. Lunch is served as you cruise back toward Luxor, arriving in the late afternoon. 

Dinner is enjoyed on the tranquil West Bank, a fittingly calm end to your Nile adventure.

Overnight: Luxor West Bank

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

Day 8 – Disembarkation in Luxor (Saturday)

After breakfast, bid farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Disembark in Luxor, carrying home memories of temples, river breezes, and star-filled nights only a dahabiya cruise can provide.

Meals: Breakfast

Cancellation Policy

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • The tour start at 5:30am but the pickup times will be between 4am and 5:30am
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
  • The cost of a Nile River cruise can vary widely depending on the cruise duration, the level of luxury, and the time of year. On average, prices can range from $200 to $500 per person for a 3-4 day cruise on a mid-range boat. Luxury cruises can cost significantly more.

  • The best time for a Nile River cruise is during the winter months, from October to April. This period offers cooler temperatures, making sightseeing more comfortable. December and January are particularly popular due to mild weather and fewer tourists.

  • Yes, a Nile River cruise is definitely worth it for its unique perspective on Egypt's ancient wonders, including temples and tombs along the riverbanks. It offers a relaxing way to explore historical sites while enjoying scenic views from the comfort of a cruise ship.

  • Swimming in the Nile river is generally not recommended for tourists due to safety concerns, including strong currents, pollution in some areas, and the presence of potentially harmful organisms. It's advised to enjoy the Nile from a cruise boat or riverside without swimming.

  • Nile cruise dress codes are usually casual during the day, with comfortable clothing suitable for sightseeing and warm weather. In the evenings, especially for dinner and onboard entertainment, smart casual attire is recommended. Some cruises may have formal nights where guests can dress up if they choose.

From$1,000

Tour Inquiry

From$1,000

Write a review