Luxor and Aswan highlights 5-1
Dahabiya Sailing on the Nile - 5 Days - 4 Nights - Luxor to Aswan
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Day 1
To join the dahabiya, which is part of the Luxor governorate, we drive about an hour from Luxor
to Esna.
We visit the Temple of Esna and restored caravanserai and market, then check in to the
dahabiya and sail to El Hegz Village for a unique cultural experience. Lunch and dinner are on
board the dahabiya.r
We will drive to Esna. Here we explore the Temple dedicated to the ram headed god Khnum. The temple sits
below street level within the town, as it was excavated from layers of earth. Enjoy discovering heritage craft
traditions including beautiful textiles as we visit the restored Wekalet Al-Geddawi, a caravanserai, and the
Ottoman era market of Al-Qissariya.
We then check in to the Dahabiya and enjoy lunch on board as we sail for about 4-5 hours to El Hegz Village.r
This is an opportunity for true cross cultural exchange as we visit a local family who are excited to have visitors
from the wider world. Your guide will translate so you can ask them questions and enhance your understanding of
village culture. Dinner and your first night on the Nile, enjoying the comforts of the dahabiya.
NOTE: Departure takes place from any address in Luxor to Esna, home port of the Dahabiya. At Esna there are
two dams, one from the colonial period and a new dam that has two locks. This is why we prefer starting
dahabiya tours from Esna - so that we can avoid going through the locks.
Day 2
Breakfast on board, sailing to El Kab. Transfer to see the massive walls of the ancient town of
Nekheb and explore the New Kingdom tombs. Sail to Edfu, Ride to visit the Temple of
Horus.
Sailing with dinner and free time as you overnight on the dahabiya.
At El Kab remains of ancient settlements date from about 3,000 BC (possibly centuries earlier) to Roman rule.
The site is one of the most unique in Egypt because ancient villages and cities are rarely found.
As we move inland
you will see remains of the impressive mud brick walls and the long valley lined with tombs and shrines, including
temples dedicated to Nekhbet and Thoth. We enter the decorated tombs of New Kingdom officials from the area.
We board the dahabiya for lunch and sail towards Edfu.
Ride to the imposing Temple with its grand spaces and
many hieroglyphic inscriptions. View Tell Edfu to the West of the temple, which includes houses dating from the
Old to New Kingdom.
If time allows we also stroll through the local market.
We sail again, time to relax with dinner, and drift into dreams as you are now becoming part of the rhythms of the
Nile.
Day 3
Breakfast on board. Visit Bisaw Island and village, join the men in their boats to share the
experience of Nile fishing, walk through farms and meet the villagers. Sailing to El Selsela
ancient sandstone quarry and shrines. Special barbeque dinner by moonlight.
Stepping off the dahabiya at Bisaw Island and village we take a leisurely walk through a farm, meet some of the
women and children and learn how the unique sun bread is baked in homes here. We are welcomed by the local
fishermen to their boats, learning of the skills of these men who live in harmony with the Nile. Fish caught can be
enjoyed as part of dinner that evening.
Sail to El Selsela where we take a short walk parallel to the Nile to visit shrines and a massive quarry.
Large
amounts of sandstone was quarried here for temple building in Thebes (Luxor). Cut into the rock are the speos
(chapel) of Horemheb with its sanctuary containing rock shrines and various stelae and inscriptions.
The huge
quarry gives context to how much building material was sourced from this area. There is also an area of sand here
where children (and children at heart) can slide and play.
We sail until it is time for an atmospheric barbeque dinner by moonlight, and another tranquil night on board.
Day 4
Breakfast on board. Visit Kom Ombo temple and the Crocodile Museum. In the nearby town
of Daraw you learn how to shop like a local at the market, visit a barn to meet camels and learn
about the camel trade, and visit a Nubian Town. As we sail closer to Aswan if you wish there is an
opportunity to swim or kayak. Farewell dinner and sail to our final destination Aswan.
A short walk from the dahabiya dock, the Temple of Kom Ombo is dedicated to the crocodile-featured god
Sobek and the god Horus. The connection to the power of the Nile is unmistakable as you look towards the
temple. We also visit the Crocodile Museum which includes some impressive mummified crocodiles.
In nearby El Daraw we plan dinner for that night and you learn how to shop Egyptian style, then try your new
skills in the market shopping for ingredients for dinner. We also visit a camel barn to learn about these fascinating
animals and about the camel trade.
We visit a Nubian Town. From about 7,000 BC, communities evolved from African Nile Valley civilisations to
form the Nubian, Ancient Egyptian and Kushite civilizations. There are several Nubian communities near Daraw.
Nubian civilization is one of the oldest in the Nile River valley. Nubians are a distinct ethno-linguistic group
indigenous to southern Egypt and northern Sudan, but Nubians in Egypt who were displaced by the construction
of the High Dam near Aswan now mostly live north of Lake Nasser.
Although Nubians are historically and
culturally distinct from other Egyptians, they have long been interconnected with Egypt. While many Egyptian
pharaohs colonized Nubia at various times, Nubian pharaohs from the Kingdom of Kush ruled Ancient Egypt in
the 7th Century BC.
As we near Aswan you have the opportunity to swim or kayak. If you wish to kayak please advise us two days
before the dahabiya tour begins so we can be sure to have kayaks available.
We set sail on the final stretch of the dahabiya cruise, with lunch and time to reflect on your dahabiya experience.
By the farewell dinner we are sure you will be wanting to return to see more of Egypt, and wishing this was not
your last night on board the dahabiya..
Day 5
Breakfast on board and check out of the Dahabiya.
Quotation
| Price per person in double cabin | |
|---|---|
| USD 940 |
-- All Tours on board (professional English speaking guide on board
the Dahabiya). Other languages are available on request. - Transfers - Dahabiya accommodation in a double cabin 4 nights with all meals and drinks included (Shared Dahabiya). - All Entry Fees. |
| USD 720 | - Single supplement per person per cabin |
| USD 330 | - Dahabiya Suite supplement per suite for 4 nights (when available) |
| Not including |
- Optional tours and activities - Alcohol on Board (you can bring your own) - Gratitude - Any other thing not mentioned above. |
| Notes |
- Private dahabiya is available, as for a tailored quote. - The dress code is conservative while visiting the local villages - The above prices are subjected to change if a high inflation rate happens as a result of government practices, pandemic or economic problems. - In case of any complications in sailing, some changes in the itinerary might happen. - If there are any unforeseen circumstances and the boat assigned for your tour is unable to sail, Dahabiya Nile Sailing/Real Egypt is responsible for arranging a similar boat for your tour. |
for Payment and Cancellation, practical info, dahabiya booklet, photos gallery, FAQ and other supporting documents, view/download the PDF in the following link:
08 days - Cairo-Luxor-Dahabiya Cruise-Aswan-Abu Simbel
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Highlights of Egypt and Dahabiya Cruise in 8 days
Day 1
Visit Saqqara. Include the Step pyramid, Titi pyramid, the Nobles tombs.
Visit Dahshur. Include the bent pyramid and the Red pyramid.
Lunch at Saqqara- a good place to try Egyptian food. Normally they serve mixed grill, kofta, and lots of small dishes filled with appetizers.
Visit Giza. view the Great Pyramid, The Sphinx, Khara pyramid, Menkawra pyramid and, the nobles tombs
Night stay in Cairo .
The tour duration 8-9 hours.
Optional extras
Going Inside the great pyramid
Camel rides
Attend Giza sound and light show in the evening.
Day 2
Transfer to Cairo airport and fly to Luxor.
About 1 hour flight.
Pick up at Luxor airport.
Visit The Valley of the Kings, The Colossi of Memnon and Hatshepsut temple.
The tour duration is 5-6 hours.
Lunch and Check in the hotel.
Afternoon:
Visit Habu temple
Visit a local farmer family in Luxor and have dinner in their house.
The tour duration 3- 4 hours.
optional extras- Queens Valley
Night stay in Luxor .
Day 3
Check out from the hotel after breakfast.
Visit Karnak and Luxor temple.
The tour duration about 3-4 hours.
Transfer from Luxor to Esna. About 1 hour drive,
Check in to the Dahabiya Cruise.
Lunch on board.
Sailing for about 4-5 hours to El Hegz Island.
Going on a walking tour in El Hegz village and visiting a local family there.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Optional Tours :-
Hot air balloon ride over the west bank during the sunrise. The tour duration is about 2 hours, including 50 minutes flight.
Donkey ride in the fields
Day 4
Breakfast on board.
Sailing
Visit El Kab ancient tombs and temple ruins.
Sailing.
Lunch on board.
Visit.
Sailing.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 5
Breakfast on board.
Visit Bisaw Island and village, and meet more locals and learn about the lifestyle in a remote Egyptian village.
Enjoy a ride with local fishermen helping them in fishing in the Nile River.
Sailing.
Visit El Selsela ancient sandstone quarry and shrines.
Sailing.
Special barbeque dinner by moonlight and overnight stay on board.
Day 6
Breakfast on board.
Visit Kom Ombo temple, Daraw town, camel market( according to availability), and local market.
Lunch on board.
Sailing.
Farewell dinner and overnight stay on board near Aswan.
Optional Tours:-
Philae temple sound and light show.
Day 7
Check out from the Dahabiya after breakfast.
travel to Abu Simbel(3 hours’ drive along the desert)
Visit the 2 temples of Abu Simbel
Drive back to Aswan and stop at the High Dam.
Note: Aswan – Abu Simbel – Round trip flights are available occasionally.
The tour duration 8-9 hours.
Lunch
Boat tour in the Nile in Aswan to view the following: Elephantine Island – Agha Khan Mausoleum – The Cataract – The Nobles tombs
The tour duration is 2 hours.
Transfer to Aswan airport and fly to Cairo.
Arrive in Cairo airport and transfer to the hotel.
Night stay in Cairo.
Day 8
Visit the Egyptian museum. Including King Tut Ankh Amon collection and The Animals mummies room.
lunch at Abo Tarek, famous for Koshri as the most common fast food in Egypt, mix of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, fried onion, and tomato sauce.
Walking tour in Downtown Cairo. The most famous among the area is Tahrir square, the birthplace of Egypt’s great revolution, and visit the places where important events happened during the Egyptian revolution.
Visit the Citadel. Including the Alabaster mosque of Mohamed Ali.
Walking tour in El Muizz St, of Medieval Cairo. The most preserved area with medieval Islamic architecture such as Mosques, Houses, markets, and other Medieval architecture. It’s a perfect place to experience the local culture of Egypt today.
Visit Khan El Khalili market.
The tour duration 9-10 hours.
