Malouka

Your Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise begins in Esna, a traditional merchant town around 33 miles south of Luxor. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted on board, introduced to the welcoming crew, and shown to your comfortable cabin to settle in. Afterwards, enjoy a guided walk through Esna’s lively streets before heading to the Temple of Khnum. Remarkably set about 9 meters below today’s street level, this atmospheric sanctuary reveals beautifully detailed carvings and offers an engaging first look into ancient Egyptian religious life and architecture. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Esna

After breakfast, the dahabiya continues toward El Kab, a once-important center of Upper Egypt. Here you’ll go ashore and walk through a small fishing village on the way to the cliffside necropolis. With your guide, explore the area’s notable tombs and learn about the temple of Nekhbet and the role El Kab played in Egypt’s early history. Later in the day, arrive at Edfu to visit the impressive Edfu Temple, among the best-preserved temples in the country. Travel through town by traditional horse-drawn carriage to reach the site, where you’ll discover the temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Return to the boat afterward and sail on toward a quiet island, where the evening feels peaceful and far from the crowds. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board near a tranquil island

Today is all about savoring the river’s atmosphere. Start the morning with an optional walk before breakfast if you wish, then enjoy a full day of gentle sailing as the Nile’s villages, palm-lined banks, and open vistas slip by. In the afternoon, stop at a calm Nile island where you can swim in the river or simply take an easy stroll along the shore. Later, head out on foot into the desert along an ancient track marked by prehistoric inscriptions and hieroglyphs—an old route once followed toward Libya. By night, the boat anchors beneath the glowing Temple of Gebel el Silsileh, creating a striking backdrop for a memorable evening on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board near Gebel el Silsileh

Wake to the dramatic landscape of Gebel el Silsileh, where The Nile River narrows between towering cliffs. With the smaller size of the dahabiya, you can reach places that larger ships often cannot. Visit the rock-cut temple of Horemheb and explore the surrounding sandstone quarries where stone was extracted for many of Egypt’s great monuments. After the visit, continue sailing along beautiful river scenery. The day includes a stop for lunch and time for a refreshing swim in a quiet spot, with nothing around but nature and the soft rhythm of the Nile. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

Following a peaceful night beneath the open sky, sail onward to Kom Ombo, set on a bend in the river. Go ashore to explore the unique double Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, where detailed reliefs and inscriptions highlight the site’s distinctive design and religious significance. Continue to the Crocodile Museum to see its collection of mummified crocodiles and artifacts connected to the local devotion to Sobek, the crocodile god. Return to the dahabiya afterward for your final evening sailing the Nile, enjoying the calm setting and onboard comfort. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board

Arrive in Aswan in the early light, where desert tones meet the river’s blue-green calm. Enjoy your last breakfast on board, then disembark as the cruise comes to an end. After leaving the boat, you will be transferred to your onward destination in Aswan. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Not included