Dahabiya sailing Egypt trip

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Ahmed
Trip plan crafted byAhmed
5
EgyptEgypt flagTravel Expert

Starting from:

5499 USD

per Adult

Let an Egyptian sailing journey become the canvas for your personal discovery. Designed as one of our distinctive Egypt trips, this experience offers a tailor-made itinerary that balances private time among ancient monuments with unhurried, sunlit days aboard a traditional dahabiya.

Work with a dedicated travel designer to curate exclusive access, meaningful local encounters, and seamless transfers. Reserve your dates and turn Nile horizons, temple stones, and historic sites into an intimate journey crafted entirely around you.

Dahabiya sailing Egypt trip highlights

  • Ancient wonders, privately guided: Private guided tours of Giza and the Egyptian Museum reveal stories and hidden details.
  • Luxurious dahabiya Nile voyage: Sail the Nile aboard an intimate dahabiya, enjoying personalized service, spacious cabins, and sunset views.
  • Exclusive archaeological access: Exclusive access to lesser-known temples and hands-on briefings from Egyptologists make each stop meaningful.
  • Culinary and cultural immersion: Savor homemade Egyptian cuisine and meet local artisans.
  • Flexible, bespoke itinerary: Design each day's rhythm to match your energy, preferences, and unforgettable moments.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Cairo

• Meet and assist at Cairo International Airport

• Private transfer to hotel and check-in

• Leisure time and local orientation

Cairo
2Giza / Sakkara / Memphis

• Giza Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure

• Sphinx and panoramic photo stop

• Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara

• Memphis open-air museum and Ramses II statue

Cairo
3Cairo

• Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun collection

• Royal Mummies Room

• Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan

• Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel

Cairo
4Cairo / Luxor

• Flight to Luxor

• Dahabiya embarkation

• Lunch on board

• Karnak Temple and Hypostyle Hall

• Luxor Temple

Dahabiya
5Luxor West Bank

• Colossi of Memnon

• Valley of the Kings

• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

• Valley of the Queens

• Lunch and leisure on board

Dahabiya
6Esna / Edfu / Al Ramady

• Sailing through Esna Lock

• Temple of Edfu

• Island time at Al Ramady

• Sunset dinner onshore

Dahabiya
7Aswan / Abu Simbel

• Morning flight to Abu Simbel

• Temples of Ramses II

• Return flight to Aswan

Dahabiya
8Aswan

• Philae Temple

• Aswan High Dam

• Lunch on board

• Aswan local market

Dahabiya
9Kom Ombo

• Sailing along the Nile

• Temple of Kom Ombo

Dahabiya
10Esna / Luxor

• Scenic sailing toward Luxor

• Esna Lock crossing

• Leisure time on board

• Optional guided temple visits

Dahabiya
11Luxor / Cairo

• Leisure morning aboard dahabiya

• Optional private temple visits

• Disembarkation

• Flight to Cairo

Cairo
12Cairo

• Coptic Cairo churches and synagogue

• Islamic Cairo mosques and historic houses

• Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Cairo
13Cairo

• Breakfast and hotel check out

• Private transfer to Cairo International Airport

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Arrival in Cairo

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will meet and assist you through passport control, baggage claim, and customs to ensure a smooth start to your Egypt travel.

A private, air-conditioned transfer then takes you to your hotel for check-in and a personalized welcome, followed by time to relax or explore nearby sights at your own pace.

Cairo
Day02

Giza Pyramids, Sakkara, and Memphis

After breakfast at your hotel, join an expert Egyptologist for a guided exploration of the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with an iconic photo stop overlooking the Cairo skyline and a visit to the Sphinx.

Continue to Sakkara to see Egypt’s oldest step pyramid, then on to Memphis to view key artifacts, including the fallen statue of Ramses II.

Pyramids Giza
Day03

Egyptian Museum, Sultan Hassan, and Citadel of Salah el-Din

After breakfast in Cairo, explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to Tutankhamun’s gilded coffins and iconic gold mask. Continue to the Royal Mummies Room for insight into ancient funerary art and mummification rituals, guided by expert commentary on royal life.

The day concludes with visits to the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and the Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Salah el Din, offering sweeping views over the city.

Alabaster Mosque
Day04

Cairo to Luxor

Fly from Cairo to Luxor, where our representative meets you and escorts you to board your luxurious dahabiya for a serene Nile sailing experience. Enjoy lunch on board as you unwind and take in the river’s timeless scenery.

Later, explore the vast Karnak Temple complex, including the monumental Hypostyle Hall, before continuing to Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II as a sacred center for rituals honoring the god Amun.

Karnak temple
Day05

West Bank of the Nile

After breakfast, explore the West Bank of the Nile, beginning with the Colossi of Memnon, followed by the Valley of the Kings with its richly decorated pharaonic tombs, and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari. Continue to the Valley of the Queens before returning to your cruise for lunch and afternoon tea.

This thoughtfully paced day is a highlight of your Egypt itinerary, with free time to relax on deck, arrange a tailor-made walking tour, or watch the sun set over the Nile.

Hatshepsut temple
Day06

Sailing to Edfu

Enjoy breakfast aboard your luxurious dahabiya as you pass through the Esna Lock and continue sailing toward Edfu. After a relaxed lunch, set out on a private guided visit to the magnificent Temple of Edfu, with time to explore its myths and quieter corners.

In the late afternoon, glide on to Al Ramady for time on the island, followed by a sunset dinner served onshore.

Edfu
Ahmed

Tips from Ahmed

Egypt Travel Expert

quotes

For travelers who want intimacy and immersion, a dahabiya is ideal. These elegant sailing boats stop at islands and local villages inaccessible to larger ships, offering a rare, authentic glimpse into daily life along the river.

Day07

Abu Simbel from Aswan

Take a morning flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel to explore the twin temples of Ramses II, part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments.

With your guide, learn about the remarkable relocation of the temples above the Aswan High Dam reservoir, the four colossal seated pharaohs, and their rediscovery in 1813. Return to Aswan by flight in the afternoon.

Abu Simbel
Day08

Aswan city tour

Enjoy breakfast aboard your luxurious dahabiya before setting out with your Egyptologist guide and private driver to the island sanctuary of Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam. With tailored commentary and unhurried photo stops, discover the balance of ancient devotion and modern engineering that defines Aswan as one of the best places to visit in Egypt.

After lunch on board, stroll through Aswan’s local market, browsing authentic crafts and spices while enjoying relaxed cultural exchanges.

Aswan
Day09

Sailing to Kom Ombo

Wake to breakfast aboard your dahabiya as the Nile scenery glides past. Sail on to Kom Ombo for a private guided visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo, where rare reliefs and sweeping river views offer an intimate and authentic experience of this unique riverside sanctuary.

Kom Ombo
Day10

Esna to Luxor

Glide toward Esna and pass through the historic Esna Lock on your way to Luxor. Enjoy ever-changing Nile scenery at a relaxed, tailor-made pace that seamlessly connects the highlights of Cairo with Upper Egypt.

The afternoon is at leisure on board, with time to enjoy crew insights or arrange optional guided visits to Luxor’s temples.

Esna
Day11

Luxor leisure and flight to Cairo

Begin the day with breakfast aboard your dahabiya in Luxor, then enjoy the freedom to shape the hours ahead. Choose from private temple visits, a personalized guided walk through Karnak and Luxor Temple, or quiet time on deck taking in Nile views.

Later, disembark in Luxor and take a short flight to Cairo to continue your journey.

Luxor
Day12

Coptic and Islamic Cairo

Begin the day in Coptic Cairo with a guided walk through the Hanging Church, Abu Serga, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, uncovering stories of early Christian and Jewish life and gaining close insight into these historic shrines.

Continue to Islamic Cairo to explore Al Azhar Mosque, the Mosque of Al Hakim, and the restored Beit as Suhaymi, before wandering the lanes of Khan El Khalili Bazaar to browse traditional crafts and sample local flavors.

Al-Azhar Mosque
Day13

Departure from Cairo

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring privately to Cairo International Airport for your departure.

We hope your Egypt trip has revealed both the vibrant energy of Cairo and the tranquil rhythm of a luxurious dahabiya sailing along the Nile. Thank you for choosing a tailor-made journey designed around authentic experiences and lasting memories.

Departure