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The Nile Dahabiya

Experience the timeless beauty of Egypt aboard The Nile Dahabiya, a handcrafted sailing vessel that captures the charm of 19th-century Nile travel. This intimate cruise offers a peaceful and elegant way to explore the treasures of ancient Egypt, gliding between Luxor and Aswan. With its classic design, modern comforts, and personalized service, The Nile Dahabiya provides a refined alternative to large cruise ships. Guests enjoy quiet moorings, authentic encounters with riverside communities, and visits to Egypt’s most iconic temples and hidden archaeological gems. Every moment on board blends

  • Duration4 days / 3 nights
  • TypeDahabiya
The Nile Dahabiya

Overview

Experience the timeless beauty of Egypt aboard The Nile Dahabiya, a handcrafted sailing vessel that captures the charm of 19th-century Nile travel. This intimate cruise offers a peaceful and elegant way to explore the treasures of ancient Egypt, gliding between Luxor and Aswan. With its classic design, modern comforts, and personalized service, The Nile Dahabiya provides a refined alternative to large cruise ships. Guests enjoy quiet moorings, authentic encounters with riverside communities, and visits to Egypt’s most iconic temples and hidden archaeological gems. Every moment on board blends cultural discovery with relaxation, creating a truly authentic Nile experience.

Highlights

  • Philae Temple at Aswan bookends the sailing
  • Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila and Edfu strung along the river
  • Karnak and Luxor temples covered on the East Bank
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple across the water
  • Quiet moorings at Herdiab beach and Ramady Island

Itinerary

  1. 1Aswan – Philae Temple – Sailing to Herdiab

    Begin your adventure in Aswan as you board The Nile Dahabiya and settle into your comfortable cabin. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while the gentle flow of the Nile sets the tone for your voyage. In the afternoon, visit the enchanting Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis and admired for its graceful columns and intricate carvings. After exploring, return to the boat and start sailing toward the tranquil anchorage of Herdiab, away from the bustle of the ports. As night falls, savor dinner under the stars and unwind in the peaceful atmosphere of the river. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board at Herdiab

  2. 2Herdiab – Kom Ombo – Gebel el-Silsila – Edfu

    After breakfast, the Dahabiya sails to Kom Ombo, where you’ll explore the remarkable twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Its symmetrical design and elevated position above the river make it one of the Nile’s most striking monuments. Continue sailing to Gebel el-Silsila, once a major quarry site that supplied stone for Egypt’s grand temples. Visit the rock-cut shrine of Horemheb and stroll through the ancient sandstone quarries. Later, the boat continues toward Edfu, where dinner is served on board as you anchor for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Edfu

  3. 3Edfu – El Kab – Sailing to Luxor

    Start the day with a visit to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, showcasing towering pylons and detailed reliefs that reveal ancient rituals. Return to the Dahabiya for lunch as you sail to El Kab, one of Egypt’s earliest cities. Explore the hillside tombs of Ahmose and Paheri, decorated with vivid scenes of daily life and military triumphs. In the evening, continue sailing north toward Luxor, enjoying dinner on board as the river glows under the setting sun. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board en route to Luxor

  4. 4Esna – Luxor East Bank

    After breakfast, arrive in Luxor and begin your final guided visits. Explore the vast Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious structure ever built, followed by the elegant Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes. After completing your visits, your Dahabiya cruise from Aswan to Luxor concludes with unforgettable memories of the Nile’s timeless beauty. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Disembarkation in Luxor

  5. 1Luxor – Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple

    Upon arrival in Luxor, meet your representative who will assist with your transfer to The Nile Dahabiya. After check-in and lunch on board, begin exploring Luxor’s East Bank. Visit the grand Karnak Temple, a vast complex of sanctuaries and towering columns, followed by Luxor Temple, once the center of ancient religious celebrations. Return to the Dahabiya for dinner and a relaxing evening as your Nile journey begins. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Luxor

  6. 2Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings – Hatshepsut Temple – Sailing to Edfu

    After breakfast, cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s greatest pharaohs were laid to rest. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning monument carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the Dahabiya and sail through the Esna Lock toward Edfu, enjoying lunch and dinner on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board en route to Edfu

  7. 3Edfu – Ramady Island

    Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu by horse-drawn carriage, one of the most complete temples in Egypt. Afterward, sail to Ramady Island, where you can experience authentic village life, meet local residents, and enjoy the serene countryside. Dinner is served on board as you relax under the evening sky. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board at Ramady Island

  8. 4Gebel el-Silsila – Kom Ombo – Herdiab Beach

    Sail to Gebel el-Silsila to explore the ancient sandstone quarries and the rock-cut temple of Horemheb. Continue to Kom Ombo to visit its unique double temple before heading to Herdiab Beach, a pristine sandbank along the Nile perfect for swimming and relaxation. Enjoy dinner on board surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the river. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board at Herdiab Beach

  9. 5Aswan – Philae Temple

    After breakfast, visit the enchanting Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Nile. This final visit marks the end of your Dahabiya cruise from Luxor to Aswan, leaving you with lasting memories of Egypt’s ancient wonders and serene river landscapes. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Disembarkation in Aswan

What’s included

  • Meet and assist upon arrival at the airport or railway station
  • Accommodation on board the 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 The Nile Dahabiya?

4 days and 3 nights in total, counted from your arrival day to your departure day.

Is there a day-by-day itinerary?

Yes — 9 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 The Nile Dahabiya cost?

It starts at $899 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 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 Isis at Philae standing on its island in the Nile at AswanThe Nile River — view 6The Temple of Horus at Edfu — view 7The Temple of Kom Ombo — view 8Luxor Temple — view 2

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