El Nil Dahabiya Nile Cruise
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Experience an authentic Nile adventure aboard El Nil Dahabiya Nile Cruise, an elegant deluxe dahabiya that sails between Esna and Aswan on a carefully planned six-day itinerary. Designed for travelers who appreciate a slower pace and personalized service, this traditional sailing vessel offers an unforgettable journey through some of Upper Egypt's most fascinating historical sites and picturesque river scenery.
Cruising every Monday from Esna to Aswan, El Nil follows a scenic route through Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, allowing guests to experience the rich history of ancient Egypt while relaxing aboard a beautifully appointed dahabiya.
The vessel features comfortable accommodation in panoramic suites, seven luxury rooms, and one standard room. Every cabin is equipped with large panoramic windows that fill the interiors with natural light while offering uninterrupted views of the Nile throughout the voyage.
Guests can enjoy delicious meals in the onboard dining area, unwind in the reading lounge, relax at the bar, or spend peaceful hours on the spacious sun deck. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, television, mini bar, private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, air conditioning throughout the vessel, a gift shop, and a doctor available 24 hours a day.
For additional safety and reliability, the dahabiya is equipped with a complete fire protection system, sprinklers, anti-fire treatment, and an accompanying motorboat that assists the vessel whenever the Nile winds become calm.
Schedule: Every Monday from Esna to Aswan
Cruise Facilities
- Panoramic Suites
- 7 Luxury Rooms
- 1 Standard Room
- Large panoramic windows in all cabins
- Dining area
- Bar
- Reading lounge
- Spacious sun deck
- Swimming pool
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom with shower
- Hair dryer
- Television
- Mini bar
- Wi-Fi
- Gift shop
- Doctor available 24 hours
- Fire safety system with sprinklers and anti-fire treatment
- Accompanying motorboat for calm wind conditions
Main Feature
Itinerary
Route Points
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Day 1
Monday | Arrival in Esna & Discover the Temple of Khnum
Your journey begins upon arrival at Luxor Airport or Luxor Railway Station, where our representative welcomes and assists you before transferring you to Esna, the starting point of your dahabiya adventure.
Your first exploration takes you into this lively merchant town, famous for the remarkable Temple of Khnum, hidden nearly 9 meters below today's street level. Wander through the ancient sanctuary before enjoying a leisurely stroll along Esna's colorful streets, lined with textile shops and traditional market stalls displaying handcrafted treasures and local goods.
Later, board El Nil Dahabiya, settle into your cabin, and enjoy your first evening peacefully moored in Esna.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
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Day 2
Tuesday | El Kab Necropolis & Edfu Temple
While you sleep, the dahabiya gently sails south toward El Kab, once the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. This historic settlement is home to the Temple of Nekhbet and an impressive collection of decorated rock-cut tombs carved into the surrounding cliffs.
After docking, enjoy a scenic walk through a charming fishermen's village before reaching the ancient necropolis and its beautifully preserved tombs.
In the afternoon, continue sailing to Edfu, home to the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of Egypt's finest preserved Greco-Roman temples. A traditional horse-drawn carriage carries you through the lively streets to the temple entrance before returning to the dahabiya. As evening approaches, the cruise continues toward a peaceful island where you spend the night.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3
Wednesday | A Day on the Nile, Swimming & Desert Landscapes
Today is devoted entirely to the beauty of the Nile.
Following an optional early morning walk and breakfast, spend the day relaxing as the dahabiya quietly glides along the river. During the afternoon, the boat stops beside a tranquil island where you may enjoy a peaceful walk or even swim in the refreshing waters of the Nile.
As sunset colors the landscape, there may be an opportunity to venture into the nearby desert through a valley scattered with massive boulders engraved with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Stone Age inscriptions. These remarkable carvings once marked the beginning of the shortest desert route leading to Libya, a journey that required 28 days in ancient times.
In the evening, the dahabiya moors beside the beautifully illuminated Temple of Gebel Silsileh.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4
Thursday | Explore Gebel Silsileh
Awake at one of the Nile's most fascinating archaeological sites, where the river narrows dramatically between two mountain ranges.
Unlike large cruise ships, your dahabiya is able to stop here, allowing you to explore this peaceful location almost entirely on your own. Visit the small Temple of Horemheb, then walk through the ancient sandstone quarries where generations of Egyptian craftsmen extracted stone used to build many of Egypt's most famous temples.
Later, relax at a charming local café while enjoying traditional tea and shisha before returning to the dahabiya. Continue sailing toward a picturesque riverbank where you'll enjoy lunch and another opportunity to swim in the Nile.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5
Friday | Kom Ombo Temple & Crocodile Museum
After another peaceful night on the Nile beneath the stars, arrive at Kom Ombo, where one of Egypt's most distinctive temples awaits.
Built during the Ptolemaic Period on the site of an older sanctuary, Kom Ombo Temple stands gracefully on a bend of the Nile and was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god.
Following your temple visit, continue to the modern Crocodile Museum, where numerous mummified crocodiles reveal the important role these creatures played in the beliefs and daily life of ancient Egyptians living in this region.
Return to the dahabiya for your final evening sailing along the Nile.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6
Saturday | Farewell in Aswan
Enjoy your final breakfast on board while taking in the peaceful scenery of the Nile one last time. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport or Aswan Railway Station for your onward journey, bringing your unforgettable dahabiya experience to a close.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Why book with Journey To Egypt?
Why you’ll love this…
- Enjoy a deluxe dahabiya cruise with an intimate small-group atmosphere.
- Sail from Esna to Aswan on a relaxing six-day Nile journey every Monday.
- Stay in comfortable panoramic suites, luxury rooms, or a standard cabin with beautiful Nile views.
- Visit iconic temples and historic sites along the route through Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
- Relax on the spacious sun deck, swimming pool, reading lounge, and comfortable onboard facilities.
- Experience personalized service while sailing aboard a traditional Nile dahabiya.
- Benefit from modern comforts including Wi-Fi, mini bar, air conditioning, and private bathrooms.
- Cruise with enhanced safety features and the support of a 24-hour doctor and accompanying motorboat.
Included
- Meet and assist service upon arrival and departure.
- Assistance from our team throughout your stay and during all scheduled excursions.
- All transfers by a modern, air-conditioned deluxe vehicle.
- Accommodation on board the 5-star El Nil Dahabiya Nile Cruise on a full-board basis.
- All Nile cruise sightseeing tours as outlined in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all sightseeing attractions between Luxor and Aswan.
- Services of a professional tour guide during all included excursions.
- All service charges and applicable taxes.
- Complimentary pick-up and drop-off in Luxor or Aswan, including transfers from or to the airport, railway station, or any hotel located on the East Bank of either city.
Please note that complimentary transfers do not cover the West Bank of Luxor or Aswan, including Gharb Sohail and Elephantine Island. Guests staying in these areas will be picked up from and dropped off at a designated meeting point on the East Bank.
Excluded
- Any extras or optional services not specified in the itinerary.
- Tipping.
Prices
Explore our plans and start your journey.
| Persons ( From ) | Journey price |
|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $3,000 |
| Single Cabin | $6,000 |
Location & Meeting Point
Meeting point: Luxor Airport (or any other location, including the train station or your hotel)