Licensed tour operator
Registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, licence no. 1995 — a number you can check before you pay anyone anything.
Egypt · Nile Cruise
Noor El Din Dahabiya
About Noor El Din Dahabiya
Sail back in time aboard the Noor El Din Dahabiya, an intimate and luxurious Nile sailing boat that blends elegance, comfort, and history. This 6-day journey from Esna to Aswan offers a serene alternative to large cruise ships, allowing you to explore ancient temples, peaceful islands, and rural villages at a relaxed pace. With gourmet meals, guided tours by expert Egyptologists, and personalized service, the Noor El Din Dahabiya delivers an unforgettable Nile experience that captures the romance and charm of Egypt’s golden age of travel.
Cruise Facilities – Noor El Din Dahabiya
- Stylishly furnished cabins with private bathrooms and large Nile-view windows
- Air-conditioned rooms and elegant interior décor inspired by traditional Egyptian design
- Spacious sun deck with shaded lounges and open-air dining area
- Onboard restaurant serving freshly prepared Egyptian and international dishes
- Experienced multilingual Egyptologist guide for all excursions
- Complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks throughout the day
- 24-hour reception and attentive crew providing personalized service
- Free Wi-Fi in common areas (subject to signal availability)
- Evening entertainment and traditional music on selected nights
- Safety equipment and first-aid service available on board
Day by day
01 6 Days Noor El Din Dahabiya Every Monday from Esna to Aswan
Day 1: Arrival in Luxor – Esna & Temple of Khnum
- Arrival & Transfer: Upon arrival at Luxor Airport or Train Station, you’ll be warmly greeted by your tour manager from Luxor and Aswan Tours and transferred to Esna, where your elegant Noor El Din Dahabiya awaits.
- Temple of Khnum: Before embarkation, explore Esna’s ancient charm, including the Temple of Khnum, located 9 meters below street level and dedicated to the ram-headed creator god.
- Local Market: Wander through Esna’s vibrant market, filled with colorful textiles, aromatic spices, and handmade crafts that reflect authentic Egyptian life.
- Lunch & Relaxation: Return to your Dahabiya for a freshly prepared lunch and enjoy your first serene afternoon on the Nile.
- Evening: Spend a tranquil night aboard your Dahabiya as it anchors in Esna.
- Overnight: On board in Esna
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: El Kab – Edfu Temple – Island Stop
- Morning Sail: Wake up to the soft rhythm of the Nile as your Dahabiya sails toward El Kab, once the capital of Upper Egypt.
- El Kab: Explore this fascinating archaeological site, home to the Temple of Nekhbet and beautifully painted rock-cut tombs. A short walk through a nearby fishing village offers an authentic glimpse into local life.
- Edfu Temple: After lunch, arrive at Edfu and ride a traditional horse-drawn carriage to visit the Temple of Horus — one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples from the Greco-Roman period.
- Evening Onboard: Return to your Dahabiya for a relaxing dinner as you sail toward a quiet island, where you’ll anchor for the night.
- Overnight: Beside a Nile Island
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Sailing the Nile – Island Walk & Ancient Petroglyphs
- Morning Leisure: Enjoy a peaceful breakfast as your Dahabiya glides through unspoiled stretches of the Nile, passing green fields and palm groves.
- Island Stop: In the afternoon, pause at a remote island for swimming or a gentle stroll along the riverbank.
- Ancient Petroglyphs: Follow your guide to a nearby desert valley where prehistoric rock carvings and ancient hieroglyphs tell stories of early trade routes and travelers.
- Evening: As the sun sets, anchor beside the floodlit Temple of Gebel el-Silsila — a breathtaking view to end the day.
- Overnight: Near Gebel el-Silsila
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Gebel el-Silsila – Quarries & Riverside Picnic
- Morning Exploration: Start your day at the narrowest point of the Nile, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. Visit the Temple of Horemheb and the ancient quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, where stones for Egypt’s greatest monuments were once cut.
- Local Experience: Stop at a small riverside café for traditional tea and shisha, offering a glimpse into Egyptian hospitality.
- Riverside Lunch: Continue sailing to a tranquil riverbank for an outdoor lunch and a relaxing afternoon under the palms.
- Evening: Unwind on deck as the sun sets and the stars reflect on the Nile’s calm waters.
- Overnight: On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kom Ombo Temple & Crocodile Museum
- Morning Sail: After a restful night, cruise south toward Kom Ombo, a temple dramatically situated on a bend of the Nile.
- Kom Ombo Temple: Explore this remarkable dual temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Discover its symmetrical design, ancient reliefs, and healing chambers.
- Crocodile Museum: Visit the nearby museum showcasing mummified crocodiles and artifacts from ancient Egypt’s reverence for these creatures.
- Evening Onboard: Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night on your Dahabiya as you sail toward Aswan.
- Overnight: Near Kom Ombo
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Disembarkation in Aswan
- Morning Arrival: Enjoy your final breakfast on the deck of your Noor El Din Dahabiya as you arrive in Aswan, the jewel of southern Egypt.
- Disembarkation: Bid farewell to the crew before being transferred to Aswan Airport or Train Station for your onward journey.
- Meals: Breakfast
What's in the price, and what isn't
Included
- Meet and assist service upon arrival & departure
- All Transfers by a private A/C vehicle.
- Accommodation for 5 nights on a Dahabiya for full board basis.
- Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary.
- English-speaking tour guide during the visits.
- Bottled water during the visits.
- All service charges and taxes.
Not included
- Entry Visa to Egypt
- Any Optional tours.
- All personal Expenses.
- Tipping (Recommend).
Asked and answered
What is a Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
A Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a luxurious yet traditional way to explore the Nile River aboard an elegant, sail-powered boat. Unlike large cruise ships, Dahabiya boats are small and intimate, typically carrying 8–12 passengers. They offer a serene, personalized journey between Luxor and Aswan, allowing travelers to enjoy the beauty of the Nile at a slower pace. Onboard, guests can expect comfortable ensuite cabins, freshly prepared meals, and guided tours to Egypt’s most captivating temples and villages along the riverbanks.
What are the Best Places to Visit with Dahabiya Boats?
The most popular route for Dahabiya cruises runs between Luxor and Aswan, featuring world-famous temples and lesser-known gems. Key stops include Luxor’s Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Along the journey, travelers explore Esna’s lock, the Temple of Edfu, the stunning sandstone quarries of Gebel El-Silsila, and the twin temple of Kom Ombo. The adventure usually ends in Aswan, home to the Philae Temple, Nubian villages, and serene Nile islands — making it one of the most scenic routes in Egypt.
When is the Best Time for a Dahabiya Trip on the Nile River?
The best time to enjoy a Dahabiya cruise is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly mild and perfect for sightseeing. During these months, the temperatures are comfortable for exploring temples and open-air sites during the day, while evenings remain cool and refreshing. The summer months from May to September can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt, but some travelers still choose this period for quieter sailings and better rates.
How to Book a Dahabiya on the Nile?
Booking a Dahabiya cruise is easy and can be done through local tour operators, travel agencies, or directly from cruise companies online. Most Dahabiyas offer fixed weekly departures, usually from Luxor or Aswan, with options for shared or private charters. When booking, it’s important to check the itinerary, inclusions (meals, guides, entrance fees), and the type of Dahabiya — as some are boutique-style with higher-end service while others focus on authentic, simple sailing experiences. Booking in advance, especially in peak season, ensures availability and better cabin choices.
How Much Should I Tip on the Dahabiya?
Tipping, or “baksheesh,” is a customary practice in Egypt and an important part of a Dahabiya cruise experience. For a 4- or 5-day trip, a total tip of $10–15 USD per person per day is generally appropriate, which is then shared among the crew, guides, and service staff. Many operators collect tips at the end of the trip in an envelope to distribute fairly. Of course, tipping more is always appreciated if the service exceeded your expectations.
Why book with us
Licensed, local, andone WhatsApp away.
We are not a marketplace reselling someone else's tours. The consultant who plans your itinerary is the same person who answers when you message from Luxor at midnight.
Our own guides
Licensed Egyptologists lead every excursion, named in your confirmation, working for us rather than for a subcontractor.
Private by default
No group fillers and no shopping stops. Your party, your pace, and a day that can be rewritten the night before.
One itemised price
Entrance fees, transfers, taxes and internal flights sit inside the quote. Nothing is added at the temple gate.
Nothing to pay to enquire
A full day-by-day itinerary costs you nothing, and a 30% deposit is the first money that changes hands.
24/7 while you travel
One number, answered in Egypt, for the whole trip — not a call centre in another time zone.
Real travellers
5.0 on TripAdvisor,4.9 on Google.
Every quote is a real one, posted under the traveller's own name.
What a great team!
They helped me plan my day and arranged for an Egyptologist and driver to take me to all these places.
Had a great time
Thanks to well organised sightseeing and tour guide Ahmed who was professional and pleasant.
It was the best choice ever
We trusted EgyVacations for our trip to Egypt… They made our trip anxiety free, they solve every problem from our arrival to the airport till our departure.
How to book
Four steps, andno online checkout anywhere.
You talk to a travel consultant, they build your trip, and you only confirm when the itinerary is right.
-
Tell us your dates
Your travel month, group size and what you'd like to see. Two minutes on the form, or a message on WhatsApp.
-
Get an itinerary and quote
A consultant writes your day-by-day plan with hotels, guides and transfers, priced in your currency. Free, and yours to keep.
-
Confirm when it's right
Adjust it as many times as you like. Nothing is booked and nothing is charged until you say the itinerary is right.
-
Travel with support
You're met at the airport, and your consultant stays reachable 24/7 for the whole trip — the same person, not a call centre.
Good to know
Travel tips from the peoplewho run the trips.
Pick a question on the left. We answer it the way we would answer it on the phone — with the numbers, and with what we would actually do.
When to go
The comfortable half of the year runs October to April: 20–28 °C in Luxor and Aswan, which is what open-deck sailing and three hours inside a temple actually require.
Daytime20–28 °C
CrowdsPeak Nov–Feb
PricesHighest Dec–Jan
- March and April keep the weather and lose the crowds — the best value window.
- June to August is much cheaper, but afternoons pass 42 °C and excursions run at dawn.
- Christmas and New Year need a 50% deposit, because the cruisers ask us for one too.
Our tip
Book three to four months out for November to February. For a dahabiya, make it four — they carry twelve people and the good cabins go first.
Visas and entry
Most nationalities — US, UK, EU, Australian and Canadian included — get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, or online as an e-Visa before they fly.
VisaOn arrival
CostUS$25
Valid30 days
- Your passport needs six months’ validity from the day you land.
- The e-Visa is worth doing if you land late — it saves the queue at the bank window.
- We meet you before passport control and handle the paperwork with you.
Our tip
Carry the $25 in cash. The visa window at Cairo takes dollars and gives change in Egyptian pounds, and the card machine is not always working.
Money and tipping
Hotels, cruisers and restaurants take Visa and Mastercard. Markets, tips and small cafés are cash. We quote in US dollars and can invoice in EUR, GBP or AUD.
CardsHotels & cruisers
CashMarkets & tips
QuotesUS dollars
- Tipping is customary, never obligatory, and never inside your price.
- As a guide: $8–10 a day for your guide, $5 for your driver.
- Small notes are worth more than large ones — change is scarce everywhere.
Our tip
Change a little at the airport and the rest at your hotel. Street exchange offices quote well and pay badly.
What to pack
Light cotton for the days, one layer for the evenings, and shoes you can walk a temple in. Everything else you can buy here for less than you paid at home.
DaysLight cotton
EveningsOne warm layer
SitesClosed shoes
- Shoulders and knees covered for mosques — a scarf does the job for both.
- A hat and high-factor sun cream matter more than anything else on this list.
- Deck evenings on the Nile get genuinely cool from December to February.
Our tip
Leave room in the case. Cotton, spices and a hand-made galabeya cost a fraction of the airport price in Khan El Khalili, and your guide will tell you the real one.
Getting around
Cairo to Luxor is an hour by air and ten by road, so almost every itinerary flies it. Between Luxor and Aswan the river is the road, and your room moves with you.
Cairo → Luxor1 hour, by air
Luxor → Aswan3–4 nights
TransfersAll included
- Every transfer, domestic flight and entrance fee sits inside your quote.
- A private car and driver waits for you — no taxis, no haggling, no surprises.
- The sleeper train exists and we will book it, but it is slower and not cheaper.
Our tip
Sail Luxor to Aswan rather than the reverse if you can choose. You go upstream against the current, which means slower, longer afternoons on deck.