Dahabiya 3 Nights: Aswan to Esna

Nights: 3
Destinations: 4

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Three nights downriver from Aswan to Esna, visiting the Kom Ombo double temple, the quarry temples at Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu and the rock tombs of El Kab.

Downriver is the better direction for a short cruise, and not only because you are drifting with the current. Coming from the south, the sites arrive in an order that makes historical sense: the Ptolemaic temple at Kom Ombo, the working quarries at Gebel el-Silsila, the Greco-Roman capital of Edfu, and then the early town of El Kab. You are following Egypt forward through time, at the pace of a boat with a swimming platform.

Three nights aboard is short, but the boat reaches Esna, which is only an hour from Luxor, so you are not giving up the west bank. If your schedule allows a fourth day, the same boat can carry you on to Luxor itself.

Kom Ombo's double temple — The only temple in Egypt built with two complete sets of courts and sanctuaries.
Gebel el-Silsila, dahabiyas only — The quarries and the rock temple, closed to large cruise ships.
El Kab and the rock tombs — The early capital of Upper Egypt, on the east bank.
Campfire dinner on the bank — The crew cooks ashore on a quiet island on the second night.

LIFE ON BOARD

Everything you need, on the Nile.

Sun deck
Air-conditioned cabins
Onboard dining
Lounge
Housekeeping service
Guest assistance

THE RIVER, DAY BY DAY

A journey worth taking slowly.

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Esna

Aswan → Esna 3 nights

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Esna

Day01

Aswan, Kom Ombo and Gebel el-Silsila

Boarding in Aswan, then the first two temples

We meet you at any address in Aswan at 09:00 and take you to the boat. After lunch on the sun deck the crew sets sail for a small island for a walk ashore, then continues north to Kom Ombo, the only double temple in Egypt, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, with two entrances, two processional ways and two sanctuaries. Late in the afternoon the boat reaches the old sandstone quarries at Gebel el-Silsila, where the crew rows you in to the rock temple and the remains of the quarry monuments.

Overnight: Moored after Gebel el-Silsila
Meals included: Lunch on board, dinner on board

Day02

Edfu and El Fawaz

The Temple of Horus, then a bank dinner

After breakfast the boat sits at Gebel el-Silsila while you walk the quarries and the small temple of Horemheb. Then the crew sails north to Edfu, watching life on the riverbanks start the day along the way. At Edfu you go ashore to the Temple of Horus, fantastically well preserved, where the walls of the innermost sanctuary are so completely covered in hieroglyphic text that it is often called a library carved in stone. You may see the temple by horse and carriage through the city. The day ends at a small island where dinner is served around a campfire.

Overnight: Moored on a small island
Meals included: Breakfast on board, campfire dinner ashore

Day03

El Kab and Esna

The ancient Nekheb, then Esna

The boat sails to El Kab, the ancient city of Nekheb, capital of Upper Egypt, with its Old Kingdom temples and tombs cut into the cliffs. You go ashore to walk among them. The afternoon is then under way for Esna, where the cruise ends.

Overnight: Moored at Esna
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner on board

Day04

Esna

Disembarkation, then on to Luxor

A final breakfast on board. You are then transferred to any address in Luxor, 45 kilometres north and roughly an hour's drive, arriving around 11:00.

Meals included: Breakfast on board

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PART OF YOUR JOURNEY

Included & not included

A clear view of what your journey covers and what to plan separately.

YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Included

Private pickup in Aswan and drop-off in Luxor
Breakfast and lunch on board throughout
Dinner on board or on the riverbank as described each day
Entrance fees to all temples and sites in the itinerary
English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout
Bottled water and tea or coffee on board

PLAN SEPARATELYWhat is not included

Gratuities for guides and crew
Personal expenses
Optional visits not in the itinerary

TWO WAYS TO SAIL

FIND YOUR IDEAL NILE CRUISE

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THE NILE COLLECTION

Traditional Dahabiya

An intimate, authentic sailing with traditional character, warm service and a close connection to life along the Nile.

Discover the details

Traditional Dahabiya journeys focus on timeless character, a relaxed pace and quieter riverside moments. Exact facilities and arrangements are confirmed for your chosen departure.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Modern Luxury Dahabiya

A contemporary Dahabiya journey with refined interiors, elevated comfort and attentive service on the Nile.

Discover the details

Modern Luxury Dahabiya journeys pair the intimacy of small-scale sailing with enhanced comfort and thoughtful service. Exact facilities and arrangements are confirmed for your chosen departure.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

A few things worth knowing.

Pickup and drop-off

We collect you from any address in Aswan at 09:00 and return you to any address in Luxor on day four.

Ending point

This cruise ends at Esna, not Luxor. The transfer to Luxor takes about an hour and is included.

Onboard

Air-conditioned cabins, private or twin share, with en-suite facilities and a shaded sun deck.

Guides

An English-speaking Egyptologist guide accompanies you at every site.

Child Policy

Child rates and age bands vary by sailing, travel date and category. Please send each child’s age at the time of travel; we will confirm the applicable per-person child price, rooming and any required documents before booking.

Does this cruise include Luxor? +

It ends at Esna. Luxor is a 45 kilometre drive, about an hour, and your transfer is included, so you can add the Luxor Museum and Karnak afterwards or the next morning.

Can I extend to Luxor on the same boat? +

Yes. The three-night Aswan to Luxor cruise covers the same corridor and finishes in Luxor itself.

What is the child policy for this Nile journey? +

PLAN YOUR NILE JOURNEY

Prices by group size & category

USD · per person

All prices start from the amount shown and are per person for the entire sailing. Group size includes adults and children. Choose your departure date to confirm availability and the final total.

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Esna

Travel dates: 01 Oct 2026 — 01 Oct 2027

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3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Esna — USD per person for the entire sailing
Travellers	Traditional Dahabiya	Modern Luxury Dahabiya
1 travellersSolo	Traditional Dahabiya USD 1,500.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 750.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 2,100.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,050.00 · per child
2–4 travellersSmall group	Traditional Dahabiya USD 1,500.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 750.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 2,100.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,050.00 · per child
5–8 travellersFriends & family	Traditional Dahabiya USD 1,500.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 750.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 2,100.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,050.00 · per child
9–16 travellersGroup	Traditional Dahabiya USD 1,500.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 750.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 2,100.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,050.00 · per child
17–40 travellersLarge group	Traditional Dahabiya USD 1,500.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 750.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 2,100.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,050.00 · per child