dahabiya

Duration: 6 days

Starting From: $1,000

Sail the Nile in style aboard a traditional dahabiya on a peaceful journey from Esna to Aswan. This unique cruise blends relaxation with discovery as you explore ancient temples, charming villages, and untouched river islands along the way. Visit highlights such as the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu, and the dramatic sandstone quarries of Gebel Silsileh. Enjoy leisurely sailing, swimming in the Nile, and sunset walks through landscapes carved with ancient hieroglyphs. The journey continues to Kom Ombo and its fascinating Crocodile Museum before ending in scenic Aswan, leaving you refreshed and inspired by Egypt’s timeless beauty.

Starting Price: $1,000

Day 1

Welcome Aboard in Esna

Route: ESNA

Esna, located some 33 miles south of Luxor, is where you will board your dahabiya and meet the crew. A thriving merchant town, Esna is bes known for the small ancient Temple of Khnum, which sits 9 meters below street level. Your trip will begin with a brief walk to the temple and a stroll through streets filled with beautiful textiles and other exotic goods

Dahabiya Embarkation Temple of Khnum Visit Esna Local Market Walk

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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Welcome Aboard in Esna Meet your dahabiya crew in Esna and settle into your floating home, marking the beginning of a relaxed and intimate Nile sailing experience.
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The Temple of Khnum Explore the unique Temple of Khnum, dramatically set below modern street level, and discover the rich history of one of Esna’s most fascinating ancient landmarks.
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Esna Street Walk Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Esna’s lively streets, surrounded by colorful textiles, local shops, and the authentic rhythm of daily life along the Nile.

Day 2

El Kab & Edfu Exploration

Route: EL KAB & EDFU

El Kab, on the East bank of the Nile, was once the capital of Upper Egypt and is still home to the temple of Nekhbet, as well as a row of fascinating decorated tombs carved into the slope of the mountains. Upon docking, you will embark on a beautiful walk through a small fishermen village to visit the necropolis. In the afternoon, the boat will arrive at Edfu, home to the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the god Horus. This is among the best preserved of all Egyptian temples. Horse and carriage will take you to the temple through the busy city streets. After returning to the boat, you will set sail for a beautiful island.

El Kab Necropolis Visit Edfu Temple by Horse Carriage Nile Sailing to a Scenic Island

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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El Kab: Tombs of the First Capital Step ashore at El Kab, once the capital of Upper Egypt, and enjoy a scenic walk through a traditional fishermen village leading to the ancient necropolis, where richly decorated tombs are carved into the mountainside.
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The Temple of Horus at Edfu Arrive in Edfu and ride by horse and carriage through lively streets to one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, where monumental walls and sacred reliefs reveal the power of the falcon god.
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Sailing Toward a Nile Island Return to the dahabiya and set sail along the calm waters of the Nile, heading toward a beautiful island, as the landscape slowly shifts into a peaceful riverside panorama.

Day 3

Sail, Swim & Desert Echoes

Route: SAIL & SWIM

This is a day devoted to the river: immediately after an optional morning walk and breakfast, you will set sail. In the afternoon, you will stop at an island for a stroll or to swim in the Nile. As dusk begins, there may be an opportunity to walk into the desert along a valley lined with boulders covered in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and stone-age inscriptions. These images mark the beginning of the shortest trail through the desert to Libya (28 days in ancient times). At night, the boat will tie up the foot of floodlit temple of Gebel Silsileh.

Leisure Nile Sailing Island Swim & Nature Walk Desert Walk & Ancient Inscriptions

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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Sailing into the Day Begin your day with an optional morning walk followed by a relaxing breakfast as the dahabiya sets sail along the majestic Nile, soaking in the calm river atmosphere.
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Island Swim and Riverside Stroll Pause at a scenic island for a refreshing swim or a gentle walk, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Nile’s tranquil waters and lush riverbanks.
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Desert Walk Among Ancient Inscriptions As dusk falls, embark on a unique desert walk along a valley lined with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and stone-age carvings—marking the start of an ancient desert route toward Libya.
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Overnight at Gebel Silsileh Temple At night, the dahabiya moors at the foot of the floodlit temple of Gebel Silsileh, offering a magical ambiance under the stars, surrounded by timeless history.

Day 4

Exclusive Exploration of Gebel Silsileh

Route: GEBEL SILSILEH

Here, the Nile, flowing between two mountains ranges, is at its narrowest. You will often be the only visitors at this fascinating site, as large Nile cruisers are not allowed to stop here. After ☐ visiting the small temple of Horemheb and walking through the sandstone quarries, where ancient Egyptians cut stone for many of their most famous temples, you will sail for the remainder of the day. We then sail to a picturesque riverbank where you will stop for lunch and swimming.

Horemheb Temple Visit Sandstone Quarry Walk Riverbank Lunch & Swim

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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At the Narrowest Point of the Nile Discover Gebel Silsileh, where the Nile flows between two mountain ranges at its narrowest, offering a rare and peaceful experience away from large cruise traffic.
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Horemheb Temple & Sandstone Quarries Visit the small temple of Horemheb and walk through the ancient sandstone quarries, where massive blocks were once cut to build some of Egypt’s most iconic temples.
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Riverbank Lunch and Swimming Sail onward to a picturesque riverbank, where you’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch and refreshing swim, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Nile.

Day 5

Sacred Sobek & the Crocodile Legacy

Route: KOM OMBO

After a night on the water and beneath the stars, the morning trip will take you to the town and temple of Kom Ombo. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period on the site of an older temple and at one of the most beautiful locations, on a bend on the river. The temple was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god After enjoying the temple, you will visit the new Crocodile Museum, which contains many mummified crocodiles, attesting to the importance the creature played in this region in ancient times.

Kom Ombo Temple Visit Crocodile Museum Exploration Nile Riverbend Scenery

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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Kom Ombo on the Nile Bend Arrive at the beautifully positioned Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Ptolemaic period on a sweeping bend of the Nile, and discover its unique setting and rich history.
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Temple of Sobek Explore the temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, whose worship reflected the power and importance of the Nile in this region of ancient Egypt.
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The Crocodile Museum Visit the modern Crocodile Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of mummified crocodiles, offering insight into the sacred role these creatures once played in local life and belief.

Day 6

Aswan: Journey’s End

Route: ASWAN

Awake to the beautiful sight of the desert closing in on the river at Aswan Bridge. Here your cruise comes to an end. You will leave us relaxed and refreshed in the morning. Please note: The government requires all dahabiyas to overnight in a dock beside the Aswan bridge. Unfortunately this location is less idyllic than our other stops, but it is a legal requirement

Final Nile Morning Views Disembarkation in Aswan

🎯 Activities & Experiences

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Desert Meets the Nile Wake up to a tranquil morning view as the desert closes in on the Nile near Aswan Bridge, offering a peaceful and reflective end to your river journey.
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Farewell & Disembarkation Enjoy a relaxed morning before disembarking in Aswan, leaving the dahabiya refreshed and enriched by an unforgettable Nile experience.