Dahabiya 4 Nights: Luxor to Aswan

Nights: 4
Destinations: 5

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Four nights from Luxor to Aswan, starting with Karnak and the Valley of the Kings and finishing with the quarries at Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo and a swim at Hor Diab Island.

Starting in Luxor is the fuller way to do this cruise. You get the east bank and the west bank on day one, which is more than most day visitors fit in, and then four nights of river with the temples distributed across the days rather than crammed into a single morning.

It is the well-worn route, and it works because of the order. You leave Luxor having seen Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon, then sail south through the Esna lock to Edfu, Kom Ombo and the quarries. The middle nights are spent on islands, which is where the appeal of a dahabiya sits.

Luxor and Karnak on day one — The east bank and the west bank both, before the boat has moved.
The Esna lock — You are aboard as the boat passes through, watching the banks rise around you.
Rababa show at Al Ramadi Island — The rababa, a traditional single-string bowed instrument, played after dark.
Hor Diab Island swimming — Among the calmest, clearest water on this stretch of the Nile.
Gebel el-Silsila, dahabiyas only — A temple cut inside the mountain, closed to large cruise ships.

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.

4 Nights / 5 Days - Luxor to Aswan

Luxor → Aswan 4 nights

4 Nights / 5 Days - Luxor to Aswan

Day01

Luxor

Boarding, then Karnak and the west bank

Board in Luxor and have lunch on board. In the afternoon visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Dinner is served on board and the boat moors on the west bank for the first night.

Overnight: West Bank, Luxor
Meals included: Lunch and dinner on board

Day02

Luxor to Esna

Valley of the Kings, then the lock

Breakfast on board, then the west bank: the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Back aboard for lunch, then the boat sails south to Esna for tea on the sun deck and dinner during the sailing, and the night beside an island.

Overnight: Moored beside an island
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board

Day03

Esna to Edfu

The lock, Edfu and a Rababa evening

Breakfast while crossing the Esna lock, which is one of the more interesting things that happens to a boat on this river. Sail on to Edfu and take lunch during the sailing. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Edfu. Then sail to Al Ramadi Island, where dinner is on board and an Egyptian rababa performance is given on the bank before the third night.

Overnight: Al Ramadi Island
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board

Day04

Kom Ombo and Aswan

The quarries, the double temple and a swim

An early start at Gebel el-Silsila, where the temple is cut inside the mountain. This is a privilege of the small boats: large cruise ships may not stop here. Breakfast while sailing south to Kom Ombo, then the temple, then lunch while crossing Shekh Fadl Island. The boat reaches Hor Diab Island, where you can swim in what is among the cleanest and calmest water here. Dinner on board during the last sailing of the day, and the night in Aswan.

Overnight: Aswan
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board

Day05

Aswan

Disembarkation, Philae and the High Dam

Breakfast on board, then disembarkation. The Philae Temple and Aswan's High Dam are both easy to add to the morning, and the crew will arrange a car if you would like them.

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 Luxor and drop-off in Aswan
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board throughout
Entrance fees to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo
English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout
The rababa performance on Al Ramadi Island
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

Choose your category and departure date here. Your details and payment come next.

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

Collection from any address in Luxor, and drop-off at any address in Aswan.

The order of the temples

Travelling south from Luxor you reach Kom Ombo before Gebel el-Silsila, not the other way round. This itinerary follows the correct sequence.

Onboard

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

The Aswan overnight

By regulation, dahabiyas moor beside the Aswan bridge on the final night.

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.

Is Luxor included in the price? +

The Luxor and Karnak temples and the full west bank are part of day one and are included.

What is a rababa show? +

A performance of the rababa, a traditional single-string bowed instrument, by musicians who play on the riverbank after dark. It is a small, informal and rather good evening.

Why can only dahabiyas visit Gebel el-Silsila? +

The site is closed to large cruise ships by regulation. Only shallow-drafted traditional boats may moor there, which is the single strongest reason to choose a dahabiya.

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.

4 Nights / 5 Days - Luxor to Aswan

Travel dates: 01 Oct 2026 — 01 Oct 2027

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4 Nights / 5 Days - Luxor to Aswan — USD per person for the entire sailing
Travellers	Traditional Dahabiya	Modern Luxury Dahabiya
1 travellersSolo	Traditional Dahabiya USD 2,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,000.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 3,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,500.00 · per child
2–4 travellersSmall group	Traditional Dahabiya USD 2,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,000.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 3,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,500.00 · per child
5–8 travellersFriends & family	Traditional Dahabiya USD 2,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,000.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 3,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,500.00 · per child
9–16 travellersGroup	Traditional Dahabiya USD 2,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,000.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 3,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,500.00 · per child
17–40 travellersLarge group	Traditional Dahabiya USD 2,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,000.00 · per child	Modern Luxury Dahabiya USD 3,000.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,500.00 · per child