Home / The Nile Collection / Dahabiya from Esna to Aswan, 6 Days
Nile Collection · 6 days, 5 nights
Five nights under sail on a dahabiya that has only a handful of cabins, from Esna to Aswan by way of El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el Silsila and Kom Ombo.
The journey
This six-day sail runs from Esna to Aswan on a dahabiya that has only a handful of cabins, so service stays personal and the river stays quiet. You begin with the Temple of Khnum and the streets of Esna, then reach El Kab and the Temple of Horus at Edfu.
A slower day follows, with time to walk or swim at a Nile island. At Gebel el Silsila, where large cruise ships cannot stop, you see the Temple of Horemheb and the old sandstone quarries. Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum come last, before you sail into Aswan. All sightseeing is private and guided.
The route
Day by day
Your dahabiya cruise starts in Esna, a merchant town roughly 33 miles south of Luxor. A private transfer brings you to the boat, where the crew welcomes you aboard. With your guide you walk to the Temple of Khnum, which lies nearly 9 meters below the level of the street. Afterward you stroll through the lively lanes of Esna, past bright textiles and goods made by local artisans. Then the sails go up and your days on the Nile begin.
This morning you go ashore at El Kab, where a temple honors Nekhbet, the goddess of protection. A walk through a calm riverside village leads you to old tombs cut into the cliffs. In the afternoon you reach Edfu, and a horse-drawn carriage carries you through its busy streets to the Temple of Horus. After the visit you return on board, and the dahabiya sails at sunset to a quiet island, where it moors for the night.
Today belongs to the river. An optional walk in the early morning comes first, then an unhurried breakfast on deck. As the dahabiya sails south, the riverbanks and the far desert hills slip past. Later in the day you moor at a Nile island. Here you can stretch your legs, take a swim in the river or lie in the sun. At dusk there is a chance to explore a desert valley whose rocks carry prehistoric inscriptions and ancient hieroglyphs.
You reach Gebel el Silsila early, where the Nile runs narrow between sandstone cliffs. Stone for the great temples of Egypt was once cut here, and because large cruise ships cannot stop, the site is often yours alone. First comes the Temple of Horemheb, and then a walk through the old quarries that gave the blocks for Karnak and Luxor. Later the dahabiya moves on to a pretty stretch of riverbank for lunch and a swim, and the quiet voyage continues.
After a calm night under the stars, you wake at Kom Ombo, which sits where the Nile bends. Its double temple honors two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek, the crocodile god, and its balanced plan holds reliefs of healing and symbols tied to the Nile. Next is the Crocodile Museum, with dozens of mummified crocodiles that show how deeply this animal was revered. You then return on board for a final sail as the sun goes down.
Your last stretch of sailing brings you gently into Aswan, with the golden desert reaching down to the riverbanks. The cruise ends near the Aswan Bridge, at a dock set by local regulations, a plainer spot than the earlier stops. After breakfast, our representative arranges your private transfer, or helps with your plans for onward travel. You leave the Nile rested, with the river and its temples fresh in your mind.
Where you'll stay
Proposed properties. The room category, view and meal plan are confirmed in your written proposal, subject to availability.
The same route can be quoted with these hotels and vessels, subject to availability for your dates. See the Ultra-Luxury collection.
What's included
Questions
The dahabiya is shared with its other guests unless your group charters the whole boat, and the guided visits are private.
Dahabiya: A dahabiya on the Esna to Aswan route (5 nights). The alternatives are named on this page, and your proposal confirms the room category.
No. These are booked and paid separately: domestic flights to and from the cruise.
No. Tips for guides, drivers and hotel or ship staff are not included; they are customary in Egypt.
Yes. The same route can be quoted with the ultra-luxury hotels and vessels listed under Where you'll stay, subject to availability for your dates.
Yes. The length, the hotels and the pace can all be adjusted before you confirm, subject to availability.
The price depends on your dates, hotels, room type and group size. Your written proposal shows the full price, what it includes and the terms; no payment is taken with a request.
Your private proposal
Tell us your dates, who is traveling and what matters most. We reply with a written proposal: the hotels, the full itinerary, the price and the terms.
Design your private journeyNo payment is taken with a request.
