Dahabiya Cruise: Slowly Down the Nile

Best time to go: October - April
Best for: Slow Travel, River Cruises, Historical

Slow travel is all about taking it easy and by taking a Dahabiya, you can discover Egypt at a gentler, more refined way. You avoid the larger cruise ships, the questionable evening entertainment, and larger docks where you don’t really feel you are having the perfect Egyptian experience. The Dahabiya’s are smaller, so can dock in more remote locations. A Dahabiya Cruise could well be what you are looking for when considering a holiday to Egypt.

This itinerary sails from Luxor to Aswan on a seven-night cruise, but you can sail from Aswan to Luxor, should you so wish. You begin in Cairo, staying for three nights staying at the Belle Epoque. You can opt for any hotel in Cairo, depending on the type of hotel you like. Spend the second day with your private guide exploring the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. The second day in Cairo takes you to set out on a walking tour of Islamic Cairo, the souqs and Coptic Cairo. We can tailor your experience in the city, depending on your interests.

Fly to Luxor, and board the Sonesta Amirat. You have seven nights, so you have lots of time to sit and relax, reading a book or sipping a drink as you enjoy the views of the Nile.

You can opt to continue your journey in Egypt after you disembark, maybe with a night back in Cairo or another few in Aswan or on the beach on the Red Sea.

Guide Pricing

Starting At

LOCATION:

£3295

Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.

Highlights

Take a leisurely seven-night cruise down the Nile in a traditional Dahabiya
Combine this with three nights in Cairo
Take advantage of more remote docks
A more personal service than larger Nile cruise ships

Day 1-3

Belle Epoque

Day 4-10

Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya

Day 11

Days	Location	Hotel
Day 1-3	Cairo	Belle Epoque
Day 4-10	Nile Valley	Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya
Day 11	Aswan	Fly Home

Day 1

Cairo

Arrive in Cairo where you will be met and have a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

Cairo

Today, you will be met by your private driver and guide and taken to the Great Pyramids at Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, embark on a voyage to pharaonic times at the Solar Boat Museum. Visit the mysterious Sphinx before heading to lunch in a traditional Egyptian restaurant. After lunch, famed Egyptian Museum, the repository of many of the glories of antiquity, including the spectacular treasures of King Tutankhamen. Then, descend into the past to experience the 11 royal mummies in the world-renowned Mummy Room.

Day 3

Cairo

Begin with the less-visited pyramids at Dashour, including both the unusual Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, which was built by the father of Cheops. Continue to Saqqara, an entire complex built by Imhotep, which is most famous for the Step Pyramid, the earliest of all classic memorials. Return to Cairo for lunch in the bustling Khan el-Khalili souq before taking an immersive walking tour of Islamic Cairo.

Day 4

Luxor

Fly to Luxor where we will meet you and transfer you to your Dahabiya Cruise. In the afternoon, your private guide will show you Karnak and Luxor Temples.

Day 5

Valley of the Kings

This morning, visit the West Bank and explore the tombs in the stunning Valley of the Kings. Then it’s on to the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which is framed by towering cliffs. Explore the Valley of the Queens, Colossi of Memnon and Medinet Habu. You then sail to Esna.

Day 6

At Leisure

Today, you spend the day completely at leisure as you gently cruise the Nile. Grab a good book and a drink.

Day 7

Edfu

Today you see the temple of the falcon-headed god Horus at Edfu. The Temple of Horus is one of the most complete buildings surviving from the age of the Pharaohs.

Day 8

Kom Ombo

At leisure as you cruise onto Kom Ombo.

Day 9

Kom Ombo - Aswan

Today, visit these superb temples dedicated to Horus the Elder and the crocodile god Sobek.

Day 10

Aswan

Today, you will explore Aswan. Aswan is possibly one of the most beautiful spots in Egypt, where the desert sands of the Sahara meet the Nile. Felucca sailing boats drift across the tranquil waters between ink granite boulders and emerald islands. Your tour today includes the beautiful Temple of Isis on Philae Island, Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971) and the Quarries of the Pharaohs, where you can see the Unfinished Obelisk.