NB-11 · Tour Package · 8 days
Dahabiya Nile Journey: Luxor to Aswan
This 8-day itinerary offers a premium Nile experience aboard a traditional dahabiya, designed for clients seeking a more intimate and leisurely pace. The program combines iconic Pharaonic sites with exclusive access to smaller islands and riverside communities inaccessible to larger vessels.
Quick answer
This is an 8-day premium Nile journey from Luxor to Aswan aboard a traditional dahabiya. Suited for premium FITs, couples, and small private groups interested in slow travel, it combines major temples with quieter riverine scenery. Nourbelle DMC provides all ground services, dahabiya arrangements, private transfers, and expert Egyptologist guides throughout the tour.
Key facts
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Starts Luxor / Ends Aswan
- Best for Premium FIT, slow travel, boutique cruise clients
- Ideal for private arrangements and small groups
- Premium dahabiya accommodation
- English, French, German, Spanish, Italian guides available
Program Overview
Nourbelle DMC presents Nile Explorer (Code: NB-11), an 8-day tour designed for your discerning clients seeking a premium, intimate, and leisurely journey through Ancient Egypt. This unique Dahabiya itinerary caters to the growing demand for smaller, more exclusive travel experiences, moving at a slower pace than traditional Nile cruises. It’s ideal for clients who wish to immerse themselves in the destination, exploring not just iconic sites but also gaining exclusive access to smaller islands and riverside communities often inaccessible to larger vessels. This program is perfectly positioned for tour operators and wholesalers looking to offer a high-value, boutique alternative to standard Nile itineraries.
This comprehensive circuit seamlessly blends the grandeur of Pharaonic history with the tranquility of river life. Your clients will embark on their dahabiya in Luxor, exploring its magnificent East and West Banks. The journey then gracefully sails south, with stops near Esna, a visit to Edfu Temple, and serene moorings at a Nile island. Further exploration includes the ancient quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, the unique dual temple of Kom Ombo, before concluding in the captivating city of Aswan, where they will disembark. For clients interested in extending their journey, consider our Luxury Dahabiya & Abu Simbel or Grand Egypt by Dahabiya options, or a bespoke pre- or post-cruise extension with our Private Egypt Discovery program.
Operational & Trade Notes
This itinerary requires domestic flights into Luxor (LXR) and out of Aswan (ASW). These airfares are not included and should be arranged by your agency. Nourbelle works with a curated selection of premium dahabiyas; the specific vessel is confirmed upon booking based on availability. Dahabiya operations are generally optimal between October and April; summer months can be very hot, and some boats may not operate. We also manage Nile cruise allotments to ensure availability for your clients.
Plan This Program
To receive confidential net rates for this Nile Explorer program (NB-11) tailored to your specific travel dates and client numbers, please use our agent portal to request trade rates.
Why this tour works for your clients
- Boutique Experience: Caters to the growing demand for smaller, more exclusive travel experiences.
- Slower Pace: Appeals to clients who want to immerse themselves in the destination, not just rush between sites.
- Unique Access: Dahabiyas can moor at small islands and villages inaccessible to large cruise ships.
- All-Inclusive Onboard: The full-board basis and guided excursions simplify the journey for your clients.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Luxor
Arrival in Luxor & Dahabiya Embarkation
Airport meet and assist · Private transfer to the dahabiya · Embarkation and welcome
Upon arrival at Luxor International Airport (LXR), your clients will be met by a Nourbelle DMC representative and transferred by private vehicle to the dock. They will board their dahabiya, a traditional sailing vessel offering an intimate and high-service environment. After settling into their cabins, lunch is served on board. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and acclimate to the serene pace of river life. Dinner is served on board as the dahabiya remains moored on the banks of Luxor for the night.
Meals: L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya in Luxor
Day 2 · Luxor
Luxor's Ancient Thebes: West & East Banks
Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple
For an unforgettable start to the day, your clients can take an optional hot-air balloon ride at sunrise over the West Bank. Afterwards, the day is dedicated to exploring the magnificent sites of ancient Thebes with their Egyptologist guide. The morning's tour covers the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of pharaohs, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the monumental Colossi of Memnon. After returning to the dahabiya for lunch, the afternoon is spent on the East Bank exploring the vast Karnak Temple complex and the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple. The dahabiya moors in Luxor for a second night.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya in Luxor
Day 3 · Luxor → Esna
Sailing to Esna
Sailing day · Esna Lock crossing · Temple of Khnum at Esna
The dahabiya sets sail south from Luxor this morning. Clients can relax on the sun deck, observing the timeless rural landscapes of the Nile valley. The vessel navigates through the Esna Lock, a notable piece of river infrastructure. Once through, a visit is made to the Temple of Khnum at Esna, a well-preserved Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the ram-headed creator god. The day ends with the dahabiya mooring for the night at a quiet spot on the riverbank just past the town of Esna.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya near Esna
Day 4 · Esna → Edfu
Edfu Temple & Island Mooring
Temple of Horus at Edfu · Sailing and mooring at a private island
After a morning of leisurely sailing, the dahabiya arrives in Edfu. Clients will take a horse-drawn carriage to visit the Temple of Horus, the most completely preserved temple in Egypt. The scale and detail of its reliefs provide a clear picture of Ptolemaic-era temple architecture and ritual. In the afternoon, the journey continues upstream. A key feature of the dahabiya experience is the ability to stop at non-commercial locations; tonight, the vessel will moor at a small, secluded island, where dinner may be served on the riverbank.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya at a Nile island
Day 5 · Sailing towards Kom Ombo
Gebel el-Silsila & River Life
Gebel el-Silsila quarries · Riverside village walk (subject to mooring)
The day is defined by slow sailing and absorbing the tranquil atmosphere of the Nile. The dahabiya will stop at Gebel el-Silsila, a significant ancient sandstone quarry area that supplied stone for many of Egypt's great temples. Clients can explore the rock-cut chapels and shrines. Depending on the schedule and mooring opportunities, a walk through a local riverside farm or village may be possible, offering a brief glimpse into the contemporary rural culture. The vessel continues sailing towards Kom Ombo, mooring for the night in a peaceful location.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya near Kom Ombo
Day 6 · Kom Ombo → Aswan
Kom Ombo & Sailing to Aswan
Temple of Kom Ombo · Sailing into Aswan
After breakfast, the dahabiya docks at Kom Ombo for the day's site visit. Your clients will be met by their Egyptologist guide for an insightful tour of the unique twin-temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder. The guide will explain its symmetrical Greco-Roman design and highlight key reliefs before leading the group to the adjacent museum and its collection of mummified crocodiles. Afterwards, clients re-board for the final sailing leg to Aswan, observing the landscape transform with granite outcrops. Lunch and dinner are served on board before the vessel moors at a secure location in Aswan for the evening.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya in Aswan
Day 7 · Aswan
Monuments and Scenery of Aswan
Aswan High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Philae Temple by motorboat · Felucca sailing on the Nile
A full day is spent exploring Aswan's principal sites. The tour includes the Aswan High Dam, a marvel of modern engineering; the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, which provides insight into stone-carving techniques; and the beautiful Temple of Isis on Philae Island, reached by a short motorboat ride. In the late afternoon, clients will enjoy a relaxing sail on a traditional felucca around the islands of the Nile, a classic Aswan experience. A final dinner is served on board the dahabiya.
Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Dahabiya in Aswan
Day 8 · Aswan
Aswan Disembarkation & Departure
Disembarkation after breakfast · Private transfer to Aswan airport
Following a final breakfast on board in Aswan, clients will disembark. A Nourbelle DMC representative will assist with check-out and luggage, and provide a private, air-conditioned transfer to Aswan Daraw Airport (ASW) for their departure flight. While this concludes the standard services for this itinerary, our team can facilitate pre-booked arrangements for clients extending their stay or undertaking the optional excursion to Abu Simbel.
Meals: B · Overnight: —
Meal basis: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Confirmed in your quote.
Included
- Meet and assist services at arrival and departure airports.
- All transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
- 7 nights accommodation on a premium dahabiya.
- Full board meal plan (B, L, D) during the cruise.
- All sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Services of a licensed, professional Egyptologist guide.
- Entrance fees to all included historical sites.
- Bottled water during transfers and tours.
Not included
- International and domestic airfare.
- Entry visa for Egypt.
- Beverages on board the dahabiya.
- Tipping for the guide, drivers, and dahabiya crew.
- Optional tours, such as the Abu Simbel excursion.
- Personal expenses and travel insurance.
Trade notes
- Domestic Flights: This itinerary requires a flight into Luxor (LXR) and out of Aswan (ASW). These are not included and should be booked separately.
- Dahabiya Selection: We work with a curated selection of premium dahabiyas. The specific vessel is confirmed upon booking based on availability.
- Program Flexibility: While the core route is fixed, pre- and post-cruise extensions in Cairo, Aswan, or Abu Simbel are easily arranged.
- Operational Window: Dahabiya operations are typically best between October and April. Summer months can be very hot and some boats may not operate.
- Net Rates: Please use the quote request form on our agent portal for your confidential net rates, specifying travel dates and number of clients.
Price upon request — net rates are shown after your agency is approved.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a dahabiya and a standard Nile cruise ship?
A dahabiya is a much smaller, motor-less sailing vessel with typically 8-12 cabins. This allows for an intimate atmosphere, personalized service, and the ability to moor at quieter, more scenic spots inaccessible to large ships.
Is there a guide for the whole trip?
Yes, a licensed Egyptologist guide accompanies the clients for all scheduled sightseeing excursions, providing expert context at each site from Luxor to Aswan.
How is the sailing managed? Is it dependent on wind?
Dahabiyas rely on wind for sailing. During periods of calm, a small, quiet tugboat accompanies the dahabiya at a distance to ensure the itinerary schedule is maintained without engine noise on the main vessel.
Is the Abu Simbel excursion included?
The Abu Simbel excursion is not included as standard. It can be added as an optional tour from Aswan by road or air, typically on Day 7 or by extending the stay in Aswan.
