Iris Dahabiya

Arrive in Aswan and meet your representative, then head to the Iris Dahabiya to begin your Nile experience. Once on board, the crew welcomes you with refreshing drinks while you get comfortable in your cabin and settle into the peaceful rhythm of the river. Your first guided visit is to the beautiful Temple of Philae, devoted to the goddess Isis and set on an island in the Nile. Walk through its elegant colonnades and carved scenes as your Egyptologist shares the stories, symbolism, and the remarkable tale of how the monument was saved from the river’s rising waters. Return to the dahabiya for a freshly cooked lunch, then enjoy a calm afternoon of sailing. In the evening, dine on board and spend the night anchored on the Nile. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board anchored along the Nile

Start the day with a tranquil sunrise on the water and breakfast served on deck. Later, the dahabiya stops at Kom Ombo, where you explore the rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Discover its mirrored layout, inscriptions, and atmospheric halls before visiting the Crocodile Mummies Museum, which highlights the ancient cult of Sobek through preserved crocodiles and related displays. After the tour, return to the boat and continue sailing toward Edfu. This day is intentionally unhurried—perfect for relaxing on deck, watching life along the Nile banks, enjoying tea time, or simply taking in the quiet scenery. Lunch and dinner are served on board as you cruise onward. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

Following breakfast, ride by horse carriage through Edfu to reach the impressive Temple of Horus, celebrated as the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Stand beneath its towering pylons and move through broad courtyards and richly carved walls that bring ancient myths and royal rituals vividly to life. Back on board, the dahabiya continues toward Luxor. After lunch, begin your East Bank sightseeing with the vast Karnak Temple Complex, famed for its monumental Hypostyle Hall and its collection of chapels, shrines, and the sacred lake. Then visit Luxor Temple, especially captivating in the evening light. Linked historically to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, it features remarkable statues, inscriptions, and layers of architectural history. Return for your final dinner on board and overnight moored in Luxor. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Luxor

After breakfast, check out from the Iris Dahabiya and set out to explore Luxor’s West Bank. Begin at the famed Valley of the Kings, burial place of powerful pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, where vividly decorated tombs reveal beliefs about the afterlife. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a striking structure built into dramatic cliffs and admired for its terraces and design. End with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, the towering statues that once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. After the visits, transfer to Luxor Airport to conclude your Nile journey. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Not included

Embark on the Iris Dahabiya in Luxor and settle into your stylish cabin with panoramic Nile views. Enjoy lunch prepared on board, then head out to discover the treasures of Luxor’s East Bank. Start at the immense Karnak Temple, an extraordinary collection of pylons, sanctuaries, halls, and sacred lakes that reflects centuries of building and worship. Continue to Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by the historic Avenue of Sphinxes, and take in its grand statues and detailed inscriptions. Return to the dahabiya for dinner and a restful overnight in Luxor. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Luxor

After breakfast, cross to the West Bank for a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of Egypt’s rulers are carved into the desert hills. Next, explore the Temple of Hatshepsut, a distinctive monument rising from the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, then stop to see the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the Iris Dahabiya for lunch, then begin sailing toward Edfu, passing through the Esna Lock along the way. Dinner is served on board, followed by overnight accommodation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

Begin the morning with a visit to Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus and renowned for its remarkable preservation and powerful architectural scale. After your exploration, go back to the dahabiya and enjoy lunch as the boat sails toward Kom Ombo. On arrival, tour Kom Ombo Temple, distinguished by its twin sanctuaries and balanced design. Continue to the Crocodile Museum, where mummified crocodiles and related artifacts offer insight into ancient beliefs and rituals. Return to the Iris Dahabiya for dinner as you sail onward to Aswan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

After breakfast, set out to explore Aswan. Visit the High Dam, a modern engineering landmark that reshaped the Nile’s flow, then continue to the Temple of Philae, one of Egypt’s most picturesque sites, beautifully positioned on an island and dedicated to Isis. Return to the dahabiya later for your final dinner on board and a relaxed evening in Aswan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

Enjoy breakfast on board, then disembark from the Iris Dahabiya and say farewell to the crew at the end of your cruise. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Not included