6-Day Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Abu Simbel

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Offer your prayers at Karnak Temple, the largest temple in the world
• 02 Visit the unique Hatshepsut Temple and Luxor Temple
• 03 Admire the impressive Luxor West Bank and Aswan High Dam
• 04 Pay your respects at Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Edfu Temple

Embark on a 6-day Dahabiya cruise through Upper Egypt, travelling from Luxor to Aswan with visits to Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel. Discover the beautiful architecture of Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the temples of Abu Simbel as you sail along the Nile River. Along the way, learn about the rich history of this ancient land and hear stories of the powerful kings and queens of Egypt.

Marvel at the best-preserved religious site in Egypt, with its imposing sandstone structures dedicated to Horus, the god of protection.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Cairo, Luxor, Esna, Abu Simbel

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Luxor and East Bank Temples

• You will meet one of our tour representatives at Luxor International Airport, who will take you to your accommodation on the Dahabiya ship in a modern, air-conditioned car and assist you with the check-in process.
• Enjoy an afternoon brunch on the Dahabiya, followed by a drive to the majestic Luxor Temple.
• Afterwards, see some of the greatest instances of reverence in history, including the Karnak Temples, which were constructed as a tribute to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu.
• Enjoy dinner onboard and spend some relaxing hours on the Nile cruise.

2

Day 02

Luxor West Bank Exploration

• As the sun rises, you will be served a refreshing breakfast on the cruise as you head to Luxor.
• You will then disembark to explore the West Bank of Luxor, including a tour of the Valley of the Kings and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which was constructed during the 15th century BCE. You will also head to the royal cemetery of 62 pharaohs.
• Continue the tour to the Colossi of Memnon, then drive back to your Dahabiya.
• Enjoy your lunch while sailing at 13:30 to cross Esna Lock and continue to Edfu for an overnight stay. Relax with tea and dinner on board.

3

Day 03

Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple Visits

• As the sun rises, you will be served a refreshing breakfast on the Dahabiya before starting your visit to Edfu and enjoying an enthralling tour of the Temple of Horus.
• Marvel at the best-preserved religious site in Egypt, with its imposing sandstone structures dedicated to Horus, the god of protection. In accordance with the mythology of the Egyptian gods, explore the site where Horus sought revenge upon Seth, the god of chaos, for murdering his father, Osiris.
• Then head back to your Dahabiya boat to enjoy some tea during the 4-hour sail to Kom Ombo Temple, built in devotion to divine deities overlooking the east side of the River Nile. Learn about the structure of the temple and how it was built in honour of two great divinities: the falcon-headed Horus, or Haroeris, and the crocodile-headed god of fertility, Sobek.
• You will embark back on the ship for dinner as the Dahabiya moves towards Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.

4

Day 04

Aswan Sightseeing Tour

• On the morning of day 4, meet your tour guide for a trip to the eminent royal temple of Philae, which is dedicated to the two goddesses Hathor and Isis, as well as the great Unfinished Obelisk, which still lies on its side in the granite quarries of ancient Egypt.
• As day 4 ends, you will be transferred back to your Dahabiya in Aswan.
• In the evening, enjoy a free city tour around Aswan before returning to rest.

5

Day 05

Early Morning Abu Simbel Excursion

• Your tour guide will pick you up from your lodge in Aswan in a private modern, air-conditioned vehicle to start the tour to Abu Simbel at 3:30 AM. You will travel to the famous two temples of Abu Simbel, sanctuaries that stand as a stunning success of ancient Egypt and reflect the grandeur and magnificence of the New Kingdom. Some people also call the great temple of Abu Simbel the Sun Temple of Ramesses II, while the temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the Sun God, is known as the Sanctuary of Hathor. In an emblematic way, the two temples of Ramses II and Nefertari depict Hathor, Nefertari, and the Sun God as joined as one.
• After the majestic tour of the two temples, you will be transferred back from Abu Simbel to Aswan.
• On the way back, you will visit the Aswan High Dam and then drive to your Dahabiya Port to enjoy lunch and get some rest in Aswan.

Overnight in Aswan.

6

Day 06

Departure via Aswan to Cairo

• On day 6, have breakfast on your boat and enjoy some time to relax for 2 hours before your flight.
• Then, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport to take your flight to Cairo, followed by your international flight back home.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• 5 nights' accommodation on a private Dahabiya cruise on a full-board basis
• Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide qualified in Egyptology
• Entrance fees for all sightseeing during the 6 days
• Transportation for all sightseeing, plus airport arrival and departure transfers in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included

• International flights (to and from Cairo or anywhere in Egypt)
• Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Any extras and personal expenses
• Drinks on the cruise ship

What to bring

• Passport valid for 6 months
• Comfortable shoes
• Cotton clothes in summer
• Warm clothes in winter

Know before you go

• The room on the Dahabiya is private and located on the upper deck.
• The tour is private to give you the chance to enjoy your time in the best available way and offers flexibility for the starting time.
• During Ramadan, tours should start 45 minutes earlier.
• Children under 3 years are free of charge, and children from 4 to 10 cost 50% of the adult rate.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Luxor International Hospital Street, Gazirat Al Awameyah, Luxor, Egypt

Tour start

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.