Luxury Egypt Itinerary – Cairo and Nile Cruise by Dahabiya

Welcome to the mysterious lands of Egypt , where the Pharaohs were in charge thousands of years ago. Your tour guide will meet you at Cairo International Airport and help you along the way, arranging an entry visa so everything runs smoothly. After that, you will be guided through the energetic streets of Cairo in an exclusive, air-conditioned vehicle. Then, once you arrive at the beautiful boutique hotel, tucked right in the middle of Old Islamic Cairo, your guide will help you with check-in and also go over your itinerary with you to verify and secure every pick-up time for your planned activities.

Overnight in Cairo.

After tasting a really delicious, kind of hearty Egyptian breakfast, your own guide will take you up to the Giza Plateau and  begin the day by just staring at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. You’ll stroll around the Plateau, and you should also step by the well known Sphinx, and the Valley Temple, almost like you’re easing into it. Once you finish up your time with the Pyramids, then you’ll have lunch at an authentic Egyptian restaurant. After that, you’ll move toward the Sakkara district, where you will explore the Sakkara Complex, and the very first pyramid ever built, the Djoser Pyramid.

Overnight in Cairo.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.  
Visits: Great Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Valley Temple, Sakkara, Djoser Pyramid.

After breakfast, the first stop is gonna be the New Grand Egyptian Museum — basically Egypt’s newest landmark, sitting just about 2 kilometres away from the pyramids. It holds more than 100,000 artefacts across roughly 5,000 years, and it shows the full Tutankhamun collection, all in one place for the very first time. Then, a bit later, you’ll head to lunch at a genuinely Egyptian restaurant, something local and hearty I guess.

Overnight in Cairo.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.  
Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

Today your little adventure kind of drifts all the way to the sun warmed regions of Luxor in Upper Egypt. You’ll be welcomed at your hotel and, well, guided to Cairo Airport for the transfer to Luxor Airport, nice and early in the morning. Once there you’ll be whisked off to see the breathtaking Karnak Temple, and also the famous Valley of the Kings—basically the most renowned gathering of Pharaonic royalty’s intricate tombs.

When you’ve soaked up the strong atmosphere of ancient Egypt in Luxor, you’ll head toward the West Bank to start your straightforward yet luxurious Dahabiya , before noon. The small, wooden boat will start gliding calmly toward Esna while you take in a truly hand made lunch on board. Later, get ready for a captivating sunset scene, framed by the peaceful Upper Egypt scenery as you pass through the Esna Lock. After that, enjoy dinner with the quiet, steady Nile water all around you.

Overnight at El Hegz Island.  
Meals: Lunch and Dinner.  
Visits: Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings.

Savor a tasty early morning breakfast, caught inside the Nile’s warm breeze, sort of like soft air that just won’t let go. Then head over to El Kab, the city, and wander out toward the wide desert terrain, you’ll spot that quiet hidden charm in the ancient temples and walls, plus rock cut tombs, all tied to the New Kingdom period.

After that, begin sailing toward Edfu, and while you go, enjoy another lovely lunch onboard your traditional dahabiya. When you arrive in Edfu, stop at the Edfu Temple, and then do a fun little horse drawn carriage ride to the impressive Temple of Horus, which is one of the biggest, and also among the most well preserved monuments in ancient Egypt. You’ll notice the two striking granite statues of Horus, the falcon god, standing tall above the entrance as you walk in, like they’re watching you.

Once you’re back on the dahabiya, move slowly through the countryside routines, passing by local farmers and fishermen, life there feels calm and a bit unhurried. Get immersed in that jaw dropping greenery, fertile and bright, with banana trees and date palms scattered around, and with expansive sugar cane fields stretching out as far as you can see. Also, take a moment to appreciate Upper Egypt’s special river wildlife along the Nile riverbanks.

Later, enjoy a pretty sunset moment as you disembark at Sheikh Rehan Island, then you’ll tuck into a hearty dinner. Take some time to really feel the atmosphere at this Nile-side place, it’s peaceful, and honestly it feels a little cinematic.

Overnight near El Sheikh Rehan Island.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.  
Visits: El Kab Village, Edfu Temple, Temple of Horus.

Another quite tasty breakfast aboard while we’re slowly moving towards Gebel Silsela. Just relax during that calm, slow glide until lunch, no rush, no stress. You can lounge in the sun or sip something cool until we get there. When we reach the old quarries of Silsela, you’ll be greeted by the strange almost mystical rock-cute Temple of Hormoheb. Then you climb up to the mountain top and enjoy a really breathtaking panorama.

Later, there will be a delicious BBQ dinner right near the edge of Al Bashir Island, which sits next to Kom Ombo.

Overnight on the edge of Al Basher Island.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Visits: Gabal El Silsela, Temple of Hormoheb, Al Basher Island.

Just take the whole day to lounge around and really enjoy breakfast , lunch , and dinner onboard as you move along on the long run to Aswan. You wont have to worry about anything , the entire day is kept open so you can wander through the comfortable, rather luxurious amenities and taste the well prepared dishes offered on board.

Stay overnight on board.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Enjoy a pleasant breakfast on board before you head over to see the well known Philae Temple, which was, dedicated to Isis the goddess. The Temple of Philae sits in a gorgeous landscape, shaped to look like the original place when it got re located by UNESCO after the Aswan Dam construction put the whole site at risk.

Then keep cruising along, and have yet another dinner under the stars on board the slow moving dahabiya.

Overnight: Herdiab Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner  
Visits: Aswan, Philae Temple

Wake up to a breakfast that feels hand-made, then, enjoy lunch a little later in the afternoon while cruising toward Kom Ombo. Land on the shoreline of Kom Ombo and take a look at the curious Kom Ombo temple, with its two same entrances, hypostyle halls and sanctuaries. After that, head back on board for one more delicious dinner, like you’re meant to.

Overnight close to Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple.

Take it easy again for a long, laid back sort of day while you’re on board, sailing over and across Esna. We start early so you can catch the sunrise, like really catch it, watching the sky get painted with a kaleidoscope of bold vibrant tones. Then jump into the Jacuzzi for a proper dip and afterwards grab a light snack, read a bit and just let the sun warm you up, with those out of this world Nile River panoramas in the background. You can also enjoy breakfast , lunch , and dinner right on board, no rush at all.

Overnight stay in Luxor.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

So this is it, the last day of your grand adventure through those marvelous lands and waters, of magical Egypt. Take your time, enjoy your last, scrumptious breakfast on board , then you disembark and make your transfer to Luxor Airport for your final departure , going through Cairo International Airport!

Meals: Breakfast