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.

Ancient Egyptian temple columns — EGYPT REST TOURSA closer connection to Egypt.

THE RIVER, DAY BY DAY

A journey worth taking slowly.

4 Nights / 5 Days - Luxor to Aswan

Luxor → Aswan 4 nights Price on request

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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FOUR WAYS TO SAIL

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Dahabiya 4 Nights: Luxor to Aswan

ABOUT THE SHIP

Dahabiya 4 Nights: Luxor to Aswan

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.

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PART OF YOUR JOURNEY

The details, considered.

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

What is not included +

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

FIND YOUR DEPARTURE

Dates & prices

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Luxor → Aswan · 4 nights

Available departure dates

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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.

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.

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