One week Dahabiya cruise between Luxor and Aswan

Sailing slowly on the Nile, following its course, driven by the wind between bends and cataracts. From south to north to visit archaeological treasures of the Pharaohs. The days will be spent on the mighty flow of the Nile, with stops at major and minor towns along the coast. The Dahabiya offers us the opportunity to reach the famous archaeological sites on less crowded days and also to visit the smaller ones where the big cruise ships cannot dock. The traditional sailing ship has 10 spacious suites and one single cabin with air conditioning and private bathroom, large lounge and restaurants. There are sun loungers on the sundeck where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on the banks of the Nile. The crew members are from small towns along the route and can always give you good tips during the trip and make contact with locals during the shore excursions. Along the way we will often dock to explore the riverside areas.

Day 1: Arrival Luxor

You will land at Luxor airport. A representative of the local travel agency will meet you in the immigration area of the airport and assist you in applying for your visa. Transfer to your dahabiya in Luxor. Embarkation. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 2: Luxor: Thebes East

Today we have the opportunity for an optional balloon ride over Luxor to watch the sunrise. After breakfast aboard the Dahabeya, we visit the extensive temple complexes of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. The largest temple complex in Egypt has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979, along with Luxor Temple and the Theban Necropolis. Karnak, perhaps the largest monumental complex ever built, is the most important site of pharaonic Egypt. It has been expanded by various dynasties and has evolved for over 2000 years. Today it is a collection of shrines, pylons and obelisks, a true open-air historical stone archive. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening we have the option to attend the sound and light show at the Karnak Temple. Dinner and overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 3: Thebes West – Esna

Today we have the opportunity for an optional baloon ride over Luxor to watch the sunrise. After breakfast aboard the Dahabeya, we visit the western shore: the Valley of the Kings is particularly home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC). There we visit three tombs. Then we visit the Terrace Temple of Hatshepsut the 18th of the holy Phoibammon, which was used until the 11th century. We end the excursion with a stop at the Memnon Colossi. Back to the ship. We will sail towards Esna passing the lock to continue our journey south. We will have a delicious lunch during our cruise admiring the beauty of the Nile and the green trees and fields around it. Dinner and overnight on board near Edfu. (BLD)

Day 4: Esna- Edfu - Fork El Silsila

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the river as you sail to Edfu. We will visit the Great Temple of Horus. The temple is certainly one of the most impressive monuments on the banks of the Nile between Aswan. The temple today shows itself as the largest and best preserved temple in Egypt. It was built in the Greco-Roman period and has classical features of Egyptian architecture. Two elegant black granite statues of Horus flank the entrance to the pylon, which leads to a wide colonnade and the first hypostyle hall. We sail on to Gabal El Silsila. Dinner and overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 5: Gabal El Silsila - Kom Ombo

After breakfast we visit Jebel el Silsila, the most important quarry in Egypt, many ancient buildings were built from this sandstone. We sail further south to Kom Ombo. There we will visit the double sanctuary of the crocodile-headed Sobek and Haroere, located on the banks of the Nile. Dinner and overnight on board between Kom Ombo and Aswan. (BLD)

Day 6: Aswan

After breakfast we sail to Aswan. The last leg of the cruise leads through particularly beautiful shore scenery. Golden sand hills rise behind the narrow green strip of cultivated land. After lunch you will visit the Isis - Temple on Philea Island, through which pilgrims and warriors passed to worship the figure of the virgin Isis of ancient Egypt. The temple complex was built in the Ptolemaic period. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the level of the Nile rose and completely flooded the temple for six months of the year. Through the clear waters of the river, one could see the courtyards and columns that were submerged. In the late 1970s, when the island was in danger of finally flooding, the temples were dismantled in blocks and rebuilt above the water level on nearby Agilkia Island, redesigned to resemble the flooded Philae Island as much as possible. We return to the ship for lunch and have free time on the sun deck to enjoy ourselves. In the evening we say goodbye to the crew with a festive evening of folklore. Overnight stay on board (BLD)

Day 7: Aswan - Abu Simbel – Dahabiya

The morning is at leisure.Optional: Flight to Abu Simbel and visit of the famous rock temple.The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher before the rising waters of the Nasser reservoir.Its longitudinal axis is exactly aligned with the sunrise, twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies.Return to your dahabiya.Lunch on board. In the afternoon or evening you can reimburse a visit to the spice market of Aswan. Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

DAY 8 - Disembarkation and departure

Breakfast on board, luggage collection, disembarkation and transfer from Aswan to Luxor airport and flight home or transfer to Red Sea for beach extension. (B)

SAILING FROM ASWAN TO LUXOR:

Day 1: Arrival
You will land at Luxor airport. A representative of the local travel agency will meet you in the immigration area of the airport and assist you in applying for your visa. Transfer from Luxor to Aswan. Embarkation. Overnight stay on board. (LD)

Day 2: Aswan
In Philae Island, Pearl of the Nile, visit the Isis - Temple, through which pilgrims and warriors passed to worship the figure of the Virgin Isis of ancient Egypt. The temple complex was built in the Ptolemaic period. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the level of the Nile rose and completely flooded the temple for six months of the year. Through the clear waters of the river, one could see the courtyards and columns that were submerged. In the late 1970s, when the island was in danger of finally flooding, the temples were dismantled in blocks and rebuilt above the water level on nearby Agilkia Island, redesigned to resemble the flooded Philae Island as much as possible. We return to the ship for lunch and have free time on the sun deck to enjoy ourselves. In the afternoon or evening you can reimburse a visit to the spice market of Aswan. Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

Day 3: Aswan - Abu Simbel - Dahabiya
The morning is at leisure. Optional: Flight to Abu Simbel and visit of the famous rock temple complex. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher before the rising waters of the Nasser reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is exactly aligned with the sunrise, twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Return to your dahabiya. Lunch on board. We sail to Kom Ombo. The last leg of the cruise passes through particularly beautiful shore scenery. Golden sand hills rise behind the narrow green strip of cultivated land. Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

Day 4: Kom Ombo - Fork El Silsila - Edfu
After breakfast we visit the double sanctuary of the crocodile-headed Sobek and Haroere, located on the banks of the Nile. We sail on to Jebel el Silsila, the most important quarry in Egypt, many ancient buildings were built from this sandstone. Afterwards we disembark to explore a small village on Bisaw Island and get an impression of rural life along the Nile. The Egyptian, arable farmers are also known as "fellahs". Overnight on board near Edfu. (BLD)

Day 5: Edfu - Esna
After breakfast we visit the Great Temple of Horus. The temple is certainly one of the most impressive monuments on the banks of the Nile between Aswan. The temple today shows itself as the largest and best preserved temple in Egypt. It was built in the Greco-Roman period and has classical features of Egyptian architecture. Two elegant black granite statues of Horus flank the entrance to the pylon, which leads to a wide colonnade and the first hypostyle hall. We sail further north, passing the lock of Esna. Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

DAY 6: Esna - Luxor
Enjoy breakfast aboard the Dahabeya, admiring the beauty of the Nile and the green trees and fields around it, until we reach Luxor. After lunch, visit the extensive temple complexes of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. The largest temple complex in Egypt has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1979, along with Luxor Temple and the Theban Necropolis. Karnak, perhaps the largest monumental complex ever built, is the most important site of pharaonic Egypt. It has been expanded by various dynasties and has evolved for over 2000 years. Today it is a collection of shrines, pylons and obelisks, a true open-air historical stone archive. In the evening we have the option to visit the sound and light show at Karnak Temple. Dinner and overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 7: Thebes West
Today we have the opportunity for an optional balloon ride over Luxor to watch the sunrise. After breakfast aboard the Dahabeya, we visit the western shore: the Valley of the Kings is particularly home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC). There we visit three tombs. Then we visit the Terrace Temple of Hatshepsut the 18th of the holy Phoibammon, which was used until the 11th century. We finish the excursion with a stop at the Memnon Colossi. Back to the ship for lunch. In the evening we say goodbye to the crew with a festive evening and Egyptian traditions. (BLD)

DAY 8 - Disembarkation and departure
Breakfast on board, luggage collection, disembarkation and transfer to Luxor airport and flight home. (B)