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Overview
- Duration:6 days 5 nights
- Travelers:1 - 15 guests
- Tour Type:Group tour
Discover the Nile in a calm, elegant way aboard the Meroe Dahabiya, a large and luxurious sailing vessel rebuilt in 2017 that blends classic dahabiya character with modern comfort. Designed for space and ease, it offers some of the most generous cabins and suites in Nour El Nil’s collection, complemented by a tastefully arranged salon and a wide sun deck suited to both quiet moments and relaxed social time.
With a professional crew of more than 15 on board, the journey is shaped by attentive service and carefully prepared meals, allowing you to enjoy the river’s scenery at an unhurried pace. This Esna to Aswan program (every Tuesday) combines peaceful sailing with guided visits to temples, villages, quarries, and distinctive Nile-side landmarks.
Itinerary
Day 1: Esna – Embarkation & Temple of Khnum
Your journey begins in Esna, approximately 33 miles south of Luxor City. Upon arrival, board the Meroe Dahabiya and get acquainted with the friendly crew as you settle into life on the river. Esna is known as a lively merchant town, and your first visit is to the Temple of Khnum, set remarkably about 9 meters below today’s street level. After a short guided walk to the temple, continue with a stroll through the busy local markets, where textiles and small local finds fill the stalls. In the evening, enjoy your first night on board while the boat rests quietly along the riverbank.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard
Day 2: El Kab & Edfu – Temples and Village Walks
This morning you sail to El Kab, once an important center in Upper Egypt and home to the Temple of Nekhbet. After docking, take a pleasant walk through a traditional fishing village before reaching the intriguing tombs cut into the mountainside, where the landscape and history come together in a memorable setting.
Later in the day, arrive in Edfu to explore the impressive Edfu Temple, celebrated as one of Egypt’s best-preserved temple complexes. Travel to the site by horse-drawn carriage, passing through the animated streets of the town along the way. After your visit, the dahabiya continues onward, aiming for a quiet island where you will stop for a peaceful overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard
Day 3: Sail & Swim – Nile Bliss and Desert Wonders
Today is devoted to the simple pleasures of Nile sailing. Settle into the gentle rhythm of The Nile River, taking in the changing scenery from the deck as you glide south. After an optional morning walk and an easy breakfast, the boat pauses at a calm island where you can enjoy a swim or stretch your legs with a relaxed stroll on shore.
Toward sunset, you may have the opportunity to visit a nearby desert valley scattered with boulders marked by ancient hieroglyphs and prehistoric rock art, known as a former starting point for the 28-day trail to Libya. The day ends in a particularly atmospheric location, moored beside the illuminated Gebel Silsileh Temple, creating a striking scene beneath the night sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard
Day 4: Gebel Silsileh – Quarries and Hidden Temples
Wake up at the Nile’s narrowest passage, framed by mountain ranges on both sides. This morning includes a visit to the seldom-visited Temple of Horemheb, followed by exploration of the vast sandstone quarries that provided stone for many of Egypt’s most famous temples. The setting highlights the scale of ancient construction and the importance of this river corridor.
Later, continue sailing south to a scenic riverside spot. Here you will pause for lunch and time to unwind, with the option to cool off with another refreshing swim before the journey continues.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard
Day 5: Kom Ombo – Crocodile Gods and Mummies
The dahabiya proceeds to Kom Ombo, beautifully situated on a bend in the Nile. Visit the distinctive double Kom Ombo Temple shared by Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, with its balanced design and riverside setting making it one of the region’s most unique temple experiences.
After touring the temple, continue to the Crocodile Museum, where an impressive display of mummified crocodiles and ancient artifacts brings the cult of Sobek into vivid focus. In the afternoon, sail on toward Aswan City and enjoy your final evening on board beneath the stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard
Day 6: Aswan – Disembarkation
As the Meroe Dahabiya nears Aswan, take in the desert scenery lining the riverbanks and enjoy a final, unhurried morning on the Nile. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to your preferred location in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast
Includes/Excludes
- Meet and be assist by our representatives at the airport or railway station
- Accommodation on board Esplanade Nile Cruise on full board
- English/Portuguese/German/Spanish speaking tour guide
- All sightseeing tours are private guided tours
- Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites in the itinerary
- Bottled water during the trips
- All transfers by a private air-conditioned, deluxe vehicle
- All service charges and taxes
- Any optional tours
- Personal Spending
- Tipping
Tour maps
Cancellation policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.