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Nour El Nil Dahabiya Cruise

Step aboard the Nour El Nil Dahabiya and experience the Nile as travelers once did—gracefully and intimately. This handcrafted sailing vessel combines traditional Egyptian design with modern comfort, offering a serene alternative to large cruise ships. Glide along the river from Esna to Aswan, discovering hidden temples, quiet villages, and breathtaking desert landscapes unreachable by larger vessels. With personalized service, fine dining, and a relaxed pace, this journey allows you to connect deeply with the river’s rhythm and the spirit of ancient Egypt.

  • Duration6 days / 5 nights
  • TypeDahabiya
Nour El Nil Dahabiya Cruise

Overview

Step aboard the Nour El Nil Dahabiya and experience the Nile as travelers once did—gracefully and intimately. This handcrafted sailing vessel combines traditional Egyptian design with modern comfort, offering a serene alternative to large cruise ships. Glide along the river from Esna to Aswan, discovering hidden temples, quiet villages, and breathtaking desert landscapes unreachable by larger vessels. With personalized service, fine dining, and a relaxed pace, this journey allows you to connect deeply with the river’s rhythm and the spirit of ancient Egypt.

Highlights

  • Boarding at Esna and the Temple of Khnum
  • El Kab and Edfu with village walks along the way
  • A swimming stop and desert walk mid-river
  • A riverside picnic at Gebel el-Silsila's quarries
  • Kom Ombo's crocodile mummies before Aswan

Itinerary

  1. 1Arrival in Esna – Embarkation and Visit to the Temple of Khnum

    Arrive in the charming town of Esna, located about 55 kilometers south of Luxor, to begin your Nile adventure. Board your elegant dahabiya and meet the welcoming crew. After settling into your cabin, take a short stroll to the Temple of Khnum, an ancient sanctuary situated below the current street level. Wander through Esna’s lively markets filled with handmade crafts and local goods before returning to the boat to start your southbound sail along the Nile. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board the dahabiya

  2. 2El Kab and Edfu – Ancient Tombs and the Temple of Horus

    After breakfast, the dahabiya anchors at El Kab, once the capital of Upper Egypt. Walk through a peaceful riverside village to explore the temple of Nekhbet and the beautifully decorated tombs of nobles carved into the cliffs. Later, sail to Edfu, where a horse-drawn carriage will take you to the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved monuments. After your visit, return to the boat and continue sailing toward a quiet island for a tranquil evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board the dahabiya

  3. 3Nile Sailing and Desert Walk – Swimming Stop

    Spend the morning sailing peacefully along the Nile. In the afternoon, the boat anchors at a serene island where you can swim in the river or simply relax on deck. Adventurous guests may take a short walk into the desert to see prehistoric rock carvings that mark the start of an ancient trade route leading toward Libya. The evening is free to enjoy the calm of the river under the stars. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board the dahabiya

  4. 4Gebel El Silsileh – Sandstone Quarries and Riverside Picnic

    After breakfast, visit Gebel El Silsileh, a rarely visited site where the Nile narrows dramatically between cliffs. Explore the small temple of Horemheb and the ancient sandstone quarries that once supplied stone for Egypt’s grand temples. Afterward, enjoy an open-air lunch on the riverbank and take a refreshing swim before continuing your journey southward. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board the dahabiya

  5. 5Kom Ombo Temple and Crocodile Museum

    Wake up to the sight of Kom Ombo, a unique temple dedicated to two gods—Sobek, the crocodile deity, and Haroeris. Explore the temple’s fascinating reliefs and enjoy panoramic views of the Nile’s curve. Then, visit the nearby Crocodile Museum, which displays mummified crocodiles and ancient artifacts. Continue sailing toward Aswan as the sun sets over the river. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board the dahabiya

  6. 6Disembarkation in Aswan

    After breakfast, your memorable Nile journey concludes in Aswan. Disembark near the Aswan Bridge, the designated docking point for dahabiyas. Though the setting is modest, the morning offers a final moment to reflect on the peaceful beauty of the Nile before your transfer to your next destination in Aswan. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Disembarkation

What’s included

  • Meet and assist upon arrival at the airport or railway station
  • Accommodation on board the Nour El Nil Dahabiya on a full-board basis
  • Professional tour guide fluent in English, Portuguese, German, or Spanish
  • All sightseeing tours conducted privately with a guide
  • Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water during excursions
  • All transfers in a private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Not included

  • Optional excursions
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping

How booking works

  1. Send your dates

    Use the enquiry form with your travel dates and how many people are coming. Nothing is charged and nothing is held at this point.

  2. We reply with a plan

    You get a written itinerary and a full price back — what is included, what is not, and what the alternatives are if a date or a hotel does not work.

  3. You change what you want

    Go back and forth as many times as you need. The itinerary is not fixed until you say it is.

  4. Confirm and travel

    Once the plan is right, we confirm the bookings and send you the final documents with your guide and driver details.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Nour El Nil Dahabiya Cruise?

6 days and 5 nights in total, counted from your arrival day to your departure day.

Is there a day-by-day itinerary?

Yes — 6 days are written out above, with what you see and where you sleep on each one. Every day can be changed before you book.

How much does Nour El Nil Dahabiya Cruise cost?

It starts at $2,049 per person. The final price depends on your dates, your group size and the hotel level you choose, so we quote it for your specific trip rather than selling a fixed package.

What is included in the price?

8 things are included, listed in full above. In short: meet and assist upon arrival at the airport or railway station; accommodation on board the nour el nil dahabiya on a full-board basis; professional tour guide fluent in english, portuguese, german, or spanish; all sightseeing tours conducted privately with a guide, and more.

What is not included?

The exclusions are listed above in full. The main ones are optional excursions; personal expenses; tipping. Ask us before you book if you want any of them added — most of them can be.

Can this trip be changed?

Yes. Nothing on this page is fixed. Days can be added or dropped, sites swapped, hotels moved up or down, and the whole route rebuilt around what you actually want to see.

What to pack

Clothing

  • Loose cotton or linen — it is hot in the sun and cold on the water after dark
  • A light long-sleeved layer for evenings and for sun cover at open sites
  • Shoulders and knees covered for mosques and churches; a scarf for women at mosques
  • One warm layer between November and February — desert nights drop sharply

Feet

  • Closed walking shoes you have already broken in — temple ground is uneven stone and sand
  • Sandals or slip-ons for the boat and the hotel

Sun and heat

  • A wide-brimmed hat — there is almost no shade at Giza, Karnak or Abu Simbel
  • High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Sunglasses
  • A refillable water bottle

For the Nile boat

  • Swimwear — most cruise boats have a sun deck pool
  • A light windproof layer for the top deck while sailing
  • Motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive, though the river is calm

Practical

  • A universal adapter — Egypt uses European two-pin type C and F sockets at 220V
  • Any medication you take, in its original packaging
  • Small notes in local currency for tips and small purchases
  • A power bank — you will be off a socket for most of each day

Gallery

The Temple of Khnum at Esna — view 3The Temple of Horus at Edfu — view 5The Nile River — view 6The Temple of Kom Ombo — view 7Felucca Sailing on the Nile — view 8

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