Sacred Lotus Dahabiya

Day 1: Arrival in Aswan & Aswan Exploration

Upon arrival in Aswan, whether by airport or train station, your tour manager will greet you and assist with your transfer. Next, your Egyptologist guide will lead you on an exciting tour of Aswan.

Highlights of the day include visits to the Philae Temple, the High Dam, and Unfinished Obelisk, offering a delightful opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Following this, you will board your Dahabiya Nile Boat, where you can enjoy lunch while cruising along the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Spend the night in Kom Ombo.

Meals: Lunch – Dinner

Day 2: Kom Ombo Temple Excursion

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before exploring the Greco-Roman Kom Ombo Temple. This unique temple is dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Later, visit the lesser-known Gebel el Silsila temple site for a serene experience.

You’ll be amazed by the Speos of Hormheb as you near it. Weather permitting, dinner will be served either on the illuminated temple grounds or on the upper deck of the boat, accompanied by music that complements the setting.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Day 3: Edfu Temple Visit & Arrival in Esna

After a leisurely breakfast, take a horse-drawn carriage to the impressive Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus. Explore this well-preserved monument before browsing the bustling local market, where you can haggle for souvenirs and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Continue sailing to Esna, stopping at an island along the way. Here, disembark for dinner on the Sun Deck or beside the Nile, depending on the weather. Enjoy a themed evening celebrating ancient Egypt with traditional Egyptian cuisine and Middle Eastern music. Overnight in Esna.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch- Dinner

Day 4: Disembarkation & Luxor Tour

After breakfast, disembark from your Nile boat at Esna. Transfer to Luxor for a comprehensive tour, including visits to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the grand Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple. Lunch will be served in Luxor.

In the evening, transfer to Luxor Airport or train station for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 1: Arrival in Luxor & Luxor Sightseeing

Upon your arrival in Luxor, whether at the airport or train station, your tour manager will greet you and assist with any necessary arrangements. You’ll then embark on a guided tour of Luxor with an Egyptologist.

The tour will take you to iconic sites such as the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and both the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to Esna to board your Nile boat, where you’ll spend the night as the boat gently sails along the Nile.

Meals: Lunch – Dinner

Day 2: Edfu Temple Visit

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as your boat sails toward Edfu, aiming to arrive by midday. Upon arrival, take a horse-drawn carriage to visit the remarkable Edfu Temple, known for being one of Egypt’s largest and most well-preserved temples. The temple is flanked by impressive granite statues of Horus as a falcon at the entrance. After your tour, you can explore the local market, famous for its vibrant atmosphere and opportunities to haggle for souvenirs.

After lunch aboard the boat, continue sailing toward the Temple of Silsela Hormoheb. Dinner will be served either on the temple grounds, on an island, or on the top deck of the boat, where you can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings with music to enhance the atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Day 3: Kom Ombo Temple Exploration

Start your day with a relaxed breakfast as you sail toward the Greco-Roman Kom Ombo Temple. You’ll spend the majority of the day exploring this dual-dedicated temple, shared by the gods Sobek and Haroeris. As you sail toward Aswan, enjoy the view of water buffalo wading in the shallows and donkeys going about their daily routines on the Nile’s banks. Birdwatchers will delight in the variety of species native to the region.

Overnight near Aswan’s gates.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Day 4: Aswan City Tour

After breakfast, disembark to explore Aswan’s highlights, starting with the High Dam and the Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk. In the evening, return to your boat for an overnight stay in Aswan, enjoying a relaxing evening aboard.

Meals: Breakfast -Lunch – Dinner

Day 5: Disembarkation

Following breakfast, it’s time to disembark. Depending on your onward travel plans, you will be transferred to either Aswan Airport or the train station.

Meals: Breakfast

All prices are in US dollars per person and depend on your travel dates, group size and hotel category. Every tour is private, so we prepare a quote for your own group. You can pay online through our secure payment gateway with no extra costs or surcharges.

After you book, we email your confirmation and tour voucher with all the contact numbers you need.

Tipping is not included and is at your discretion.

• Under 6 years free, 6 to 11 years 50% of the adult price, 12 years and over full price.

100% refund if you cancel 60 or more days before arrival, 50% refund at 30 to 59 days, and free rebooking to new dates inside 30 days. Full details on our cancellation policy page.

A 20% deposit by card confirms your booking (70% for groups of 20 or more). You pay the balance in Egypt.

We strongly recommend travel insurance. Our cancellation policy page lists the providers we trust.

Not included unless listed: special entry tickets (such as inside a pyramid), visa fees, tips and personal expenses.

The cost of a dahabiya Nile cruise varies depending on the level of luxury, duration, and time of year. Our standard dahabiya cruises last 4 or 5 days. This boat starts from $1,900 per person, and our dahabiya cruises start from $1,650. Longer cruises of 5 to 7 nights and private charters are priced on request.

The best time for a Dahabiya cruise is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler, making the journey more comfortable. Peak season tends to be from December to February, so booking in advance is recommended during these months.

Yes, a Dahabiya cruise is worth it if you are looking for a more intimate, relaxed, and authentic experience on the Nile. Unlike larger river cruises, Dahabiyas offer a smaller, more personalized atmosphere, with fewer passengers and access to less crowded, off-the-beaten-path sites along the Nile.

A Dahabiya Nile cruise is a traditional sailing boat experience on the Nile River. It is usually a smaller, more exclusive vessel compared to larger river cruise ships, allowing passengers to enjoy a slower-paced and more tranquil journey. The boat typically stops at smaller, less-visited sites along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Tipping is customary on a Dahabiya Nile cruise. The amount depends on the length of the cruise and the level of service. A common guideline is to tip between $10 to $15 per person per day, which can be shared among the crew. Some cruises also suggest leaving a collective tip at the end of the journey.