NB-22 · Tour Package · 10 days
1,000 Miles Up the Nile
A 10-day luxury dahabiya program, Cairo to Aswan, with domestic flights and Abu Simbel
Key facts
- Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
- Route: Cairo – Luxor – dahabiya to Aswan – Abu Simbel – Cairo
- Dahabiya boarding: Luxor, every Monday
- Nights: 5 in Cairo, 4 on the dahabiya
- Cairo hotels: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile or Cairo Marriott Omar Khayyam
- Domestic flights: Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo, included
- Abu Simbel: by private car from Aswan
- Guiding: private English-speaking Egyptologist
- Group size: small groups, maximum 12 travelers [confirm]
- Meals: 21 (9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners) [confirm: day-by-day meals list 20]
- Available as: scheduled small-group departures or private and tailor-made dates
A journey inspired by Amelia Edwards
In 1873, the English writer Amelia Edwards rented a dahabiya and sailed all the way to Abu Simbel. She called her book about the journey A Thousand Miles Up the Nile. This program follows her route on the same kind of boat: a traditional sailing dahabiya with only a handful of cabins, mooring at quiet riverbanks instead of crowded cruise docks.
Built for trade partners who sell premium Egypt, it pairs five nights in Cairo with four nights on the Nile and Abu Simbel, and every day runs with a private Egyptologist. It's ready to load into your brochure, website or tailor-made offers.
Explore our Egypt destination guide, Nile charters and trade partnership approach.
Why this tour works for your clients
- A story clients already know: Amelia Edwards' classic travel book gives you a ready-made marketing hook.
- The pyramids in order: Saqqara and Dahshur first, then Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, so travelers see how pyramid building grew.
- The dahabiya difference: a handful of cabins, a barbecue on a Nile island, and nights moored at the riverbank.
- Flights handled: both domestic flights and Abu Simbel are built in, so you have no extra components to book.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Meet and assist at Cairo airport and a private transfer to the hotel on the Nile. The rest of the day is free, then a welcome dinner with the group.
Meals: dinner · Overnight: Cairo
Day 2
Saqqara and Dahshur
Guided visit to the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, the oldest monumental stone building on earth, then Dahshur's Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, the early experiments that led to Giza. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Meals: breakfast, lunch · Overnight: Cairo
Day 3
Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
An early start at the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramid, the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. In the afternoon, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the complete Tutankhamun collection.
Meals: breakfast, lunch · Overnight: Cairo
Day 4
Fly to Luxor, board the dahabiya
Morning flight to Luxor and a welcome on board. After lunch, Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall, then Luxor Temple at dusk.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: dahabiya, Luxor
Day 5
Valley of the Kings and the West Bank
Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Back on board, the boat passes through the Esna lock and sails toward Edfu. Optional: a sunrise balloon flight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: dahabiya
Day 6
Edfu and Kom Ombo
Morning visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt. After a slow afternoon of sailing, the double Temple of Kom Ombo, then a barbecue dinner on a Nile island.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: dahabiya
Day 7
Aswan and Philae
An early sail into Aswan. By motorboat to Philae, the island temple of Isis, then the Unfinished Obelisk. The afternoon is free. Optional: a visit to a Nubian village.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: dahabiya, Aswan
Day 8
Abu Simbel and back to Cairo
A dawn departure by private car to the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari. Back in Aswan by early afternoon, then the evening flight to Cairo.
Meals: packed breakfast · Overnight: Cairo
Day 9
Islamic and Coptic Cairo
The Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo, and free time at Khan El Khalili bazaar.
Meals: breakfast, lunch · Overnight: Cairo
Day 10
Departure
A private transfer to Cairo airport.
Meals: breakfast
Meal basis: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Confirmed in your quote.
Included
- 9 nights: 5 in a luxury Cairo hotel, 4 on the dahabiya
- 21 meals [confirm: day-by-day meals list 20]
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist throughout
- Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo
- Abu Simbel by private car
- Meet and assist at the airport on arrival and departure
- All private transfers
- Soft drinks, coffee and tea on board [confirm]
- Bottled water throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt visa
- Entrance fees and gratuities (collected locally)
- Optional sunrise balloon flight in Luxor and the Nubian village visit
- Personal expenses and premium drinks
Trade notes
- Add 1,000 Miles Up the Nile to your Egypt collection.
- Request trade rates, departure dates, allotments and marketing images from our trade desk. Commercial terms are shown after your agency is approved.
Price upon request — net rates are shown after your agency is approved.
Hotel options by category
luxury
Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile or Cairo Marriott Omar Khayyam
Frequently asked questions
What is a dahabiya?
A traditional Nile sailing boat with only a handful of cabins. It is far smaller and quieter than a standard Nile cruise ship and moors at riverbanks instead of busy docks.
Is Abu Simbel included?
Yes. Travelers go by private car from Aswan on Day 8.
Can this program run as a private or tailor-made trip?
Yes. The dahabiya boards in Luxor on Mondays, and the Cairo nights can be adjusted for private groups.
How do trade partners get rates?
Commercial terms are shown after your agency is approved. Sign in to your partner account or request a proposal from our trade desk.
