Grand Egypt by Dahabiya

Why this tour works for your clients

• Combines major Pharaonic sites with a slower, more intimate Nile sailing.
• Private guiding in Cairo, Aswan and Abu Simbel ensures a personalized cultural experience.
• The dahabiya offers boutique accommodation and access to quieter mooring spots.
• Logical flow from Cairo to Abu Simbel, with an overnight stay for an in-depth visit.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1 · Cairo

   Arrival in Cairo

   Airport meet and assist · Private transfer to hotel

   Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), your clients are immediately greeted by a uniformed Nourbelle representative. This exclusive meet-and-assist service takes place before immigration, where our staff will expertly handle visa formalities, ensuring a seamless entry process. Once through customs, they will be escorted to baggage claim. From there, a private, air-conditioned vehicle awaits for a comfortable transfer to their Cairo hotel. Nourbelle orchestrates every logistical detail of the arrival, allowing your clients to bypass the usual airport chaos. The remainder of the day is at leisure for them to settle in, relax, and acclimatize, setting a calm and professional tone for the journey ahead.

   Meals: — · Overnight: Cairo

2. Day 2 · Cairo

   Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum

   Giza Plateau (Pyramids, Sphinx) · Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

   The journey into antiquity begins after breakfast. Your clients will be met at their hotel by their private Egyptologist guide and driver for a full-day tour. The morning is dedicated to the legendary Giza Plateau. Here, they will stand in awe before the Great Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, with their guide providing rich historical context and uncovering the secrets of these colossal structures. In the afternoon, the tour continues to the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Nourbelle’s guide ensures an efficient and insightful visit, expertly navigating the vast halls to highlight key masterpieces, including the world-renowned treasures of Tutankhamun, bringing millennia of history to life.

   Meals: B · Overnight: Cairo

3. Day 3 · Cairo

   Saqqara, Memphis & Historic Cairo

   Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara · Ancient capital of Memphis · Islamic & Coptic Cairo

   Today's privately guided tour offers a fascinating chronological journey through Egypt's layered history. The morning begins with a drive south of Cairo to the Saqqara necropolis, the sprawling burial ground of ancient Memphis. Here, clients will marvel at the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest major stone structure. A short drive away lies Memphis, the first capital of a unified Egypt. After lunch, the focus shifts to Historic Cairo. Your clients will immerse themselves in the medieval atmosphere of Islamic Cairo, wandering through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili bazaar, before exploring the serene and ancient sites of Coptic Cairo, including the iconic Hanging Church.

   Meals: B · Overnight: Cairo

4. Day 4 · Cairo → Luxor

   Flight to Luxor & Dahabiya Embarkation

   Domestic flight to Luxor · Dahabiya check-in · Karnak Temple Complex · Luxor Temple

   Following an early breakfast, Nourbelle arranges a private transfer to Cairo Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor. Upon landing, another dedicated representative will be waiting to greet your clients and transfer them directly to the riverside to embark on their elegant Dahabiya. After settling into their cabins and enjoying a freshly prepared lunch on board, they will meet their private guide for an afternoon exploring Luxor’s East Bank. The tour begins at the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple Complex, a vast city of temples built over centuries. As dusk approaches, they will visit Luxor Temple, which is magically illuminated at night, creating an unforgettable atmosphere before returning to the dahabiya for dinner.

   Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Luxor (onboard dahabiya)

5. Day 5 · Luxor

   Luxor's West Bank & Sailing to Esna

   Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon

   The morning is dedicated to the West Bank, the necropolis of ancient Thebes. Clients will visit the Valley of the Kings, exploring several royal tombs with their guide. The tour continues to the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. After the visit, they return to the dahabiya for lunch and begin sailing upstream toward Esna. The afternoon is for relaxing and observing the timeless scenes of river life from the deck.

   Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Near Esna (onboard dahabiya)

6. Day 6 · Esna → Edfu

   Sailing to Edfu

   Temple of Horus at Edfu

   The day begins with the gentle pace of river life as the dahabiya continues its serene voyage south along the Nile. After a leisurely morning and lunch on deck, the boat will moor near the town of Edfu. Here, your clients will experience a touch of local life with a horse-drawn carriage ride to the magnificent Temple of Horus. Accompanied by their guide, they’ll explore this incredibly well-preserved Ptolemaic temple, gaining a clear understanding of ancient temple architecture and religious rituals. Afterwards, they return to the vessel, which will cast off to find a quiet, picturesque mooring along the riverbank for the night, far from the bustling docks.

   Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Near Edfu (onboard dahabiya)

7. Day 7 · Edfu → Gebel el-Silsila

   Gebel el-Silsila & Village Life

   Gebel el-Silsila sandstone quarries · Swimming or relaxing by the Nile

   Today offers a change of pace as the dahabiya sails towards Gebel el-Silsila. This area is where sandstone was quarried for many of Egypt's great temples. Clients can go ashore to explore the small rock-cut shrines and chapels. The location, inaccessible to large ships, is a highlight of the dahabiya experience. The crew may arrange for swimming in the Nile or dinner on a quiet island, depending on conditions. The day is focused on enjoying the tranquility of the river.

   Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Near Gebel el-Silsila (onboard dahabiya)

8. Day 8 · Gebel el-Silsila → Aswan

   Kom Ombo & Sailing to Aswan

   Temple of Kom Ombo

   A short morning sail brings the dahabiya to the town of Kom Ombo, where a unique temple awaits. Your clients will disembark with their guide to visit the double Temple of Kom Ombo, which stands dramatically on a bend in the river. The guide will explain its unusual symmetrical design, dedicated to both the crocodile-god Sobek and the falcon-god Haroeris. Clients will discover fascinating details, including an ancient Nilometer used to measure river levels and remarkable reliefs thought to be among the earliest depictions of medical and surgical instruments. Afterwards, they re-board for the final, scenic leg of their Nile journey, arriving and mooring in Aswan for their last night afloat.

   Meals: B, L, D · Overnight: Aswan (onboard dahabiya)

9. Day 9 · Aswan

   Aswan Sights & Disembarkation

   Dahabiya disembarkation · Aswan High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Philae Temple

   After a final breakfast on board, your clients will disembark from their dahabiya, where their private guide and vehicle await. Nourbelle ensures a seamless transition, handling all luggage as the day’s tour of Aswan's highlights begins. The first stop is the Aswan High Dam, a monumental feat of modern engineering. Next, they will visit the Unfinished Obelisk, offering incredible insight into pharaonic quarrying techniques. The tour culminates with a short motorboat ride to Agilkia Island, the relocated home of the beautiful Temple of Isis at Philae. Following this comprehensive tour, they will be transferred to their Aswan hotel for check-in and an evening at leisure.

   Meals: B · Overnight: Aswan

10. Day 10 · Aswan → Abu Simbel

    Journey to Abu Simbel

    Overland transfer to Abu Simbel · Great Temple of Ramses II · Temple of Hathor (Nefertari)

    This morning, clients will travel south from Aswan by private vehicle across the desert to Abu Simbel (approx. 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, they will check into their hotel. In the afternoon, their guide will accompany them to the two great rock-cut temples of Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari. These temples were famously relocated in a monumental UNESCO-led project to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. An overnight stay allows for a more relaxed visit, avoiding the main convoy crowds.

    Meals: B · Overnight: Abu Simbel

11. Day 11 · Abu Simbel → Cairo

    Abu Simbel Sunrise & Return to Cairo

    Optional sunrise viewing at the temples · Flight from Abu Simbel to Cairo

    An unforgettable experience awaits your clients with the option for an early start to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the temples of Abu Simbel. Watching the first rays of light illuminate the colossal statues is a truly magical moment. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, Nourbelle will provide a timely transfer to Abu Simbel Airport for the flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will be there to greet them and facilitate a swift and easy transfer to their nearby airport hotel. This convenient location ensures a stress-free final evening before their international departure the next day.

    Meals: B · Overnight: Cairo

12. Day 12 · Cairo

    Final Departure

    Private transfer to airport

    On the final day of their Grand Egypt journey, your clients will enjoy breakfast at their hotel. In accordance with their international flight schedule, a Nourbelle representative will meet them at the hotel lobby. They will then be chauffeured in a private, air-conditioned vehicle directly to the departures hall at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Our representative will assist them with check-in procedures and passport control, ensuring a smooth and efficient process through to security. This final, professional touch concludes their memorable tour with Nourbelle, leaving them with a lasting impression of impeccable service from arrival to departure.

    Meals: B · Overnight: —

Meal basis: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Confirmed in your quote.

Frequently asked questions