5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan

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5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
5 Days of Elegance on the Nile - Dahabieh Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Duration
5 Days
4 Nights
Destination
Immersion / Nature / Adventure
Group Size
2-15 People
Category
Dahabiya

The Journey

Board a confidential cruise on one of the most mythical rivers in the world. Aboard a dahabieh, you glide slowly from Luxor to Aswan, carried by the winds and the ancestral rhythm of the Nile.

This five-day voyage is far more than a simple navigation: it is a sensory and cultural immersion in the heart of Upper Egypt. From sugar cane fields to the sacred quarries of Silsileh, from the majestic temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo to the light-bathed Nubian villages, each stop reveals an authentic face of Egypt, far from the crowds and close to the soul.

Designed for lovers of beauty, history and slowness, this cruise blends archaeological exploration, human encounters and silent contemplation. You will be accompanied by an attentive crew and a passionate Egyptologist guide. Between each visit, the Nile becomes a moving sanctuary, a mirror of an inner journey.

Let yourself be carried. Here, everything invites you to slow down, feel and listen. The river whispers its secrets to you - all you have to do is board.


The Dahabieh

Sailing the Nile aboard a dahabieh means choosing a confidential, gentle and poetic Egypt. The heir to the princely sailing vessels of the 19th century, this human-scale boat - between 6 and 15 cabins, all with private bathrooms - combines discreet refinement, old-world charm and contemporary comfort.

On board, sculpted wood, light fabrics and a shaded deck terrace create a cocoon of serenity. The silence of the wind in the sails, the attentive kindness of the crew and the slow rhythm of the river invite you to let go. Every moment becomes a luxury: sipping tea at sunset, mooring on a wild bank, strolling among the palm trees, or simply watching the banks glide by.

The cuisine, simple, fresh and flavourful, is prepared each day using local produce. Visits are thoughtfully arranged at the gentlest hours - early morning or late afternoon - to fully savour each site, away from the crowds.

More than a boat, the dahabieh is a way of life. A journey against the current, between fertile banks, ancient temples and golden light. A breath of eternity on the waters of the Nile.


What Is Included in the Price

  • All transfers and transport during visits in a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entry fees to all sites listed in the programme
  • Accompaniment by a French-speaking Egyptologist guide responsible for logistics and planned visits
  • Accommodation: 4 nights cruise aboard the dahabieh, full board
  • Non-alcoholic drinks on board
  • All service charges

What Is Not Included in the Price

  • International and domestic flights
  • Egypt entry visa (approximately 25 EUR per person)
  • Tips for the guide, drivers and dahabieh crew
  • Personal expenses (shopping, alcoholic drinks, optional services)
  • Services not explicitly mentioned in the programme


Included

  • Intimate navigation aboard a traditional dahabieh, propelled by the wind, far from large cruise ships
  • Exceptional visits to Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae
  • Visits organised at chosen times to avoid crowds and enjoy each site in peace
  • Authentic encounters: Bassaw Nubian village, Daraw market, Gebel Silsila sacred cliffs
  • All-inclusive: French-speaking Egyptologist guide, full board with local flavours, site entry tickets and private transfers

Excluded

  • International and domestic flights
  • Egypt entry visa approximately 25 EUR
  • Tips for guide, drivers and crew
  • Personal expenses and services not in programme

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Luxor to Esna - Boarding the Dahabieh

Lunch Dinner
Late morning, you leave Luxor by private vehicle heading south towards Esna, an hour's drive through the Egyptian countryside where time seems suspended: sugar cane fields swaying in the breeze, slowly swaying palm trees, donkey-drawn carts, children laughing barefoot on the dusty ground. Everything here speaks of the luminous simplicity of Upper Egypt. On arrival, a vision worthy of an Oriental tale: your dahabieh awaits you, moored in the golden reflections of the river. The crew welcomes you with that silent, attentive warmth that turns hospitality into a true act of the heart. After settling on board, the moorings are cast off. The dahabieh gently detaches from the bank, glides onto the Nile, and the modern world fades away. The Nile, wide and impassive, opens the way as it once did for the pharaohs. The banks drift slowly past: peaceful buffalo, women in galabiya, children waving at the dahabieh. Every scene seems from another time. Lunch is served on deck, blending local flavours with the scents of the river. The afternoon unfolds in gentle languor: reading, contemplation, silence. At dusk, you anchor near El-Hegz. The sky blazes, the river turns to light. Dinner under the stars, night on board, rocked by the breath of the wind and the peace of the river.
2

Day 2: El-Hegz to Edfu to Bassaw - Sacred Temple and Human Encounter

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The day rises over the Nile. While golden light floods the banks, breakfast is served on deck as the dahabieh glides gently southward. The morning navigation is enchanting: silhouettes of palm trees, fishing boats, birds in flight - every moment is an offering to slowness. At midday, your dahabieh moors at Edfu, one of the major sites of the Nile valley. A horse-drawn carriage takes you through the town to the Temple of Horus, a masterpiece of Ptolemaic religious architecture. Built between 237 and 57 BC under the reigns of Ptolemy III to Ptolemy XII, this sanctuary is one of the most complete and best-preserved Egyptian temples. Dedicated to Horus the Elder, god of the sky and protector of royalty, its walls are covered with finely carved reliefs tracing daily rituals, sacred processions and divine battles. Back on board, you resume navigation. The Nile becomes a confidant. The sails rise, and the wind carries you to the small island of Bassaw, hidden among reeds and mango trees. In the late afternoon you moor and set off on foot through this peaceful island. Bassaw is a Nubian village, vibrating with colours, children's songs and the smell of warm bread. The inhabitants welcome you with the simple generosity of river people. Smiles abound, conversations improvise, glances say more than words. Here, time is not counted: it is shared. Return to the boat at dusk. Dinner served under the stars, then a peaceful night on the Nile. Included visits: Temple of Edfu.
2

Day 2: Gebel Silsila to Kom Ombo to Daraw - Sacred Stones and the Mystery of Duality

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The morning opens in the soft light of a still-misty Nile. Breakfast on board as the dahabieh continues south. The river leads you to a place outside of time: Gebel Silsila. After a short sail, you moor at the foot of these monumental cliffs and set off to discover the ancient sandstone quarries which, from the New Kingdom onwards, provided the stone for Egypt's greatest temples: Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Dendara. Here, the rock speaks. You walk in the footsteps of stonemasons, priests and engineers of the past. Rock-cut chapels, forgotten steles and discreet reliefs evoke the almost sacred organisation of this colossal worksite. Back on board, the Nile takes you gently back. Lunch on deck as the dahabieh continues through landscapes of serene beauty: palm groves, hibiscus fields, timeless rural scenes. In the late afternoon, the dahabieh anchors opposite Kom Ombo, a temple suspended between sky and river on a promontory bathed in golden light. This singular sanctuary has a perfectly symmetrical architecture reflecting a cosmic vision: the balance between the forces of the world. Kom Ombo is double, like the Nile that gives and takes. Two deities cohabit: Sobek, the crocodile god, guardian of deep waters and primordial forces; and Horus, the solar falcon, incarnation of consciousness, justice and sovereign light. Every relief, every stone sings the eternal dialogue between these two poles of the universe. After the visit, the dahabieh resumes its course towards Daraw. Dinner on board under a velvet sky, then a gentle night to the silent rhythm of the river. Included visits: Gebel Silsila Quarry, Temple of Kom Ombo.
4

Day 4: Daraw to Aswan - Living Market and Temple of Philae

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast, a stop in Daraw, a vibrant village in the heart of Upper Egypt. You wander through the lanes of the local market: pyramids of fruit, loose spices, camel butchers, children's smiles and authentic scenes of life. Depending on the day, it may be possible to visit the camel market (Saturday/Sunday) or the animal market (Tuesday). Nearby, a small discreet Coptic church offers a moment of quiet before returning to the boat. Here, you touch the living soul of rural Egypt - an ancient, vibrant world that continues to beat to the rhythm of the Nile. The dahabieh resumes course south. The Nile narrows, the banks grow wilder: inhabited islets, Nubian villages with colourful walls. Lunch on board with southern Egypt as backdrop. Arrival in Aswan. Departure by vehicle to the Shellal landing stage, then crossing by boat to Agilkia island, where the Temple of Philae stands. Moved stone by stone in the 1970s to be preserved from rising waters, the temple stands today in a landscape shaped by the Nile: pink granite chaos, dark islets, Precambrian cliffs. Dedicated to Isis, goddess of life, magic and rebirth, the sanctuary was built by the Ptolemies and enriched in the Roman era. Its finely sculpted walls recount the mysteries of Isis and Osiris. Before returning to the boat, you stroll through the Aswan souk, the beating heart of the city. Return to the boat at the end of the day. Dinner on deck under the first stars, and a peaceful night on the Nile. Included visits: Daraw Market, Temple of Philae, Aswan Souk.
5

Day 5: End of Cruise - Disembarkation

Breakfast
Breakfast on board as the Nile gently awakens. It is time to say goodbye to the crew and your fellow travellers. A page turns, but the memories will sail on with you for a long time. Optional excursion: Abu Simbel. Early morning departure to discover the monumental temples of Ramses II, 260 km south of Aswan.

Prices & Accommodation

Starting Price

Per Person €799.00

Optional Extras

Abu Simbel Excursion (optional) €85.00 / person

Accommodation

Contact us for detailed accommodation information for this tour.