6-Day Private Meroe Luxury Dahabiya Nile Sailing: Esna to Aswan
Duration
6 days
Max Group Size
12
Departure Type
Guaranteed
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
6 - 80 Ages
About this tour
Experience the unhurried rhythm of the Nile on this 6-day (5-night) private luxury sailing expedition from Luxor/Esna to Aswan aboard the acclaimed 5-star boutique Meroe Dahabiya (classic two-masted wooden craftsmanship, plush oriental lounges, and private chef dining, featuring en-suite air-conditioned cabins, shaded oriental sundeck, and private chef cuisine). With five full nights under canvas, you visit both Upper Egypt's monumental temples and remote pharaonic sites unreachable by large ships, with 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners included (breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 6 are not included).
Pickup in Luxor begins at 08:30 on Day 1 with a private transfer to Esna (approx. 1 hour) to visit Esna's Temple of Khnum and board the Meroe Dahabiya at 12:00 for lunch and afternoon sailing to El Hegz Island. Over Days 2 to 5, explore the New Kingdom rock tombs of El Kab, ride a carriage to Edfu's Temple of Horus, walk through peaceful Nile island villages at Bisaw, inspect the sandstone quarries and Speos of Horemheb at Gebel El-Silsila, tour the twin Temple of Kom Ombo and the market town of Daraw, and swim off Herdiab Island near Aswan.
Every meal is freshly prepared onboard from organic local ingredients, with candlelit dinners served on secluded river islands before your Day 6 disembarkation at 08:30 in Aswan, guided tour of Philae Island Temple and the High Dam, and flexible Aswan drop-off up to 17:30. Practical Note: Sightseeing involves moderate walking on stone steps and sandy riverbanks; comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended.
Route
- 1LuxorAfricaEgyptStart
- 2EsnaAfricaEgypt
- 3EdfuAfricaEgypt
- 4Gebel el-SilsilaAfricaEgypt
- 5Kom OmboAfricaEgypt
- 6AswanAfricaEgypt
- 7Philae (Temple of Isis)AfricaEgyptAswanEnd
What makes this tour special
Itinerary
08:30–12:00 – Morning Pickup in Luxor & Esna Temple Visit (Entrance Included): Meet your private driver and Egyptologist at 08:30 at your Luxor hotel, railway station, or airport and transfer 1 hour south to Esna to visit the sunken Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum before boarding the boutique Meroe Dahabiya (breakfast on Day 1 is not included).
12:30 – Welcome Lunch & Afternoon Sail: Enjoy a freshly prepared Egyptian welcome lunch on the cushioned upper deck as the twin lateen sails unfurl, gliding south to moor beside tranquil El Hegz Island for dinner under the stars.
Overnight: Aboard Meroe Dahabiya at El Hegz Island (Night 1 of 5) | Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
08:30–10:30 – Morning Excursion to El Kab (Entrance Included): After breakfast on deck, sail to the ancient site of El Kab (Nekheb) and walk with your Egyptologist to explore its 18th-Dynasty rock-cut noble tombs and massive mudbrick city walls.
14:00–16:30 – Afternoon Temple of Horus at Edfu (Entrance Included): Enjoy lunch onboard while sailing to Edfu, then ride a horse-drawn carriage to the remarkably preserved Temple of Horus before mooring beside a quiet island south of Edfu for dinner.
Overnight: Aboard Meroe Dahabiya near Fawaza / Bisaw Island (Night 2 of 5) | Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
09:00–11:00 – Morning Island Walk at Bisaw: After a leisurely breakfast onboard, go ashore on fertile Bisaw Island with your guide to stroll through date-palm groves, meet local island families, and watch traditional Nile fishing boats.
12:30–19:30 – Afternoon Sailing & Sunset at Gebel El-Silsila: Return to the Meroe Dahabiya for lunch and sail southward to the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Gebel El-Silsila, mooring at the foot of the illuminated rock-cut shrines for a magical candlelit dinner ashore.
Overnight: Aboard Meroe Dahabiya at Gebel El-Silsila (Night 3 of 5) | Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
08:30–10:30 – Morning Exploration of Gebel El-Silsila (Entrance Included): After breakfast onboard, walk ashore with your Egyptologist to explore the rock-cut Speos (chapel) of King Horemheb, royal stelae, and the vast pharaonic sandstone quarries from which Egypt's greatest temples were carved.
12:30–18:30 – Afternoon Sailing & Riverbank Relaxation: Savor lunch and afternoon mint tea on the sun deck as the Meroe Dahabiya sails south toward the Kom Ombo bend, mooring beside a sandy island bank for dinner onboard.
Overnight: Aboard Meroe Dahabiya North of Kom Ombo (Night 4 of 5) | Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
08:30–11:30 – Morning at Kom Ombo Temple & Daraw (Entrance Included): After breakfast on deck, visit the symmetrical dual Temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris and the Crocodile Mummy Museum, followed by a cultural walk through the traditional market town of Daraw.
13:00–19:30 – Afternoon at Herdiab Island & Nubian Farewell Dinner: Enjoy lunch onboard while sailing to the golden sandy beach of Herdiab Island north of Aswan—with time to swim in the clean Nile waters—before celebrating your final evening with a live Nubian music performance and farewell dinner.
Overnight: Aboard Meroe Dahabiya at Herdiab Island / Aswan (Night 5 of 5) | Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
08:30–12:30 – Morning Disembarkation & Aswan Sightseeing (Entrance Included): Savor your final breakfast aboard the Meroe Dahabiya, disembark in Aswan at 08:30, and join your Egyptologist to visit the Aswan High Dam and take a private motorboat to the island Temple of Isis at Philae.
12:30–17:30 – Flexible Aswan Drop-off: Conclude with a private transfer to Aswan International Airport, Aswan Railway Station, or your Aswan hotel matched to your onward departure schedule (up to 17:30; lunch and dinner on Day 6 are not included).
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip includes
Included
- 5 nights aboard the 5-star boutique Meroe Dahabiya (Nights 1–5, Full Board in an en-suite Nile-view cabin/suite)
- Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide accompanying all temple and island excursions
- Private representative for pickup and drop-off in Luxor and Aswan
Guiding Method
Fully guided
English- 5 breakfasts (Days 2–6), 5 freshly prepared lunches (Days 1–5), and 5 dinners (Days 1–5) — 15 meals in total served onboard and on secluded Nile islands
- Complimentary mineral water, fresh juices, tea, and Egyptian coffee throughout the voyage
- All private air-conditioned transfers between Luxor, Esna, and Aswan, Philae Island motorboat, and Edfu horse-drawn carriage
- All entrance tickets to all temples, quarries, and archaeological sites listed in the itinerary
- All river mooring fees, Esna Lock tolls, local taxes, and service charges
Excluded
Domestic and international flights are not included (private transfers at both ends of the Dahabiya voyage in Luxor and Aswan are included).
Personal travel and medical insurance is not included.
- International and domestic flights, and Egypt entry visa fees
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 6
- Alcoholic beverages, optional pre-booked excursions (Abu Simbel at $195 or Luxor hot air balloon at $150), and crew/guide gratuities
Availability
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