5 Days 4 Nights Dahabiya Nile River Cruise from Luxor to Aswan

Arrival in Luxor
Upon your arrival at Luxor International Airport (LUX), Luxor Train Station, your hotel, or your location in Luxor, your WOW Egypt Tours representative and driver will meet you and assist with luggage before starting the Luxor sightseeing program.

Karnak Temple Tour
Your first stop will be Karnak Temple, also known as the Temple of Karnak, one of the largest temple complexes in Egypt. The site was developed over more than 2,000 years and was mainly dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
Karnak Temple covers about 247 acres and includes pylons, courts, chapels, sanctuaries, sacred lakes, and the Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns. The temple also marks the northern end of the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes, which connected Karnak Temple with Luxor Temple.

Valley of the Kings Tour
Visit the Valley of the Kings, also known as Wadi el-Muluk, located in the Theban Necropolis on the West Bank of Luxor. The valley was used as a royal burial area during the New Kingdom period, from around 1550 BC to 1070 BC.
The Valley of the Kings includes more than 60 tombs, including tombs connected with famous rulers such as Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Ramses III, Seti I, and other New Kingdom kings. Your Egyptologist guide will explain the tomb decoration, funerary texts, royal burial traditions, and the importance of the valley in ancient Egyptian history.

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Tour
Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, also known as the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut or Deir El Bahari Temple, one of the main monuments on the West Bank of Luxor. The temple was built for Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty in the 15th century BC.
The temple is known for its terraces, colonnades, ramps, and location against the limestone cliffs. Your Egyptologist guide will explain Hatshepsut's reign, the temple design, the scenes of the Punt expedition, and the temple's connection with Amun, Hathor, and Anubis.

Colossi of Memnon Tour
Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, also known as the Statues of Amenhotep III, two massive seated statues of King Amenhotep III on the West Bank of Luxor. The statues are about 18 meters (60 feet) high and once stood in front of the king's mortuary temple.
The Colossi of Memnon are among the main landmarks of Luxor West Bank and are usually visited as part of the West Bank sightseeing route between the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Transfer to Esna
After completing the Luxor sightseeing program, you will be transferred by private modern air-conditioned vehicle from Luxor to Esna, where you will embark on your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise. Esna is located about 55 km (34 miles) south of Luxor, and the drive usually takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Arrival at Your Dahabiya
Upon arrival in Esna, you will continue to the Dahabiya docking area. The Dahabiya staff will collect your luggage from the vehicle and deliver it to reception for check-in. Your Egyptologist guide and driver will assist during the arrival process and final boarding arrangements.

Dahabiya Cruise Check-in
Upon boarding your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise, complete the check-in formalities at reception. The Dahabiya staff will assist you and ensure a comfortable start to your Nile cruise program. Afterwards, proceed to your cabin and store your luggage.

Lunch Time
Lunch is served onboard.

Sailing to El Hegz Island
After lunch, the Dahabiya sails towards El Hegz Island, one of the quiet Nile island stops used on Dahabiya cruise routes. During the sailing, you can view palm groves, farmland, villages, and riverbank life along the Nile.

Dinner Time
Dinner is served onboard.

Overnight in El Hegz Island
Overnight onboard your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise, docked near El Hegz Island.

Breakfast Time
Breakfast is served onboard.

Sailing to El Kab
The Dahabiya sails towards El Kab, one of the important ancient sites on the east bank of the Nile. During the sailing, you can view villages, agricultural land, palm groves, and riverbank life along the Nile.

El Kab Tombs Tour
Visit the El Kab Tombs, a group of rock-cut tombs dating mainly to the New Kingdom period, around 1550 BC to 1070 BC. The tombs belonged to governors, nobles, military officials, and local administrators connected with ancient Thebes and Upper Egypt.
El Kab was known in ancient Egypt as Nekheb and was connected with Nekhbet, the vulture goddess and protector of Upper Egypt. The site was an important religious and administrative center, with history going back before the New Kingdom.
The tombs include wall paintings and inscriptions showing hunting scenes, processions, religious rituals, offering scenes, military events, and daily life details. Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the main tomb scenes, the role of El Kab in Upper Egypt, and the importance of the site during the 18th to 20th Dynasties.

Sailing to Edfu
After visiting El Kab Tombs, the Dahabiya continues sailing south along the Nile towards Edfu. During the sailing, you may spend time on the sundeck or in the lounge while viewing the Nile banks and local life along the river.

Lunch Time
Lunch is served onboard.

Horse Carriage to Edfu Temple
Upon arrival in Edfu, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the town to reach Edfu Temple. The carriage ride is arranged according to the cruise docking point, local traffic, and operating conditions on the day of your visit.

Edfu Temple Tour
Visit the Temple of Edfu, also known as Edfu Temple or the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period between 237 BC and 57 BC and was dedicated to Horus, the falcon god.
Edfu Temple is about 137 meters (449 feet) long and is known for its large pylon, open court, hypostyle halls, sanctuary, side chambers, and detailed wall inscriptions. The temple inscriptions give important information about ancient Egyptian religion, rituals, temple construction, language, and mythology.
Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the myth of Horus and Set, the temple's religious function, the Ptolemaic construction phases, and the main relief scenes inside the temple.

Sailing to Al Ramady Island
After visiting Edfu Temple, the Dahabiya sails towards Al Ramady Island, one of the local stops included in selected Dahabiya Nile cruise routes.

Al Ramady Island
Visit Al Ramady Island, a traditional stop along the Nile in Upper Egypt. The visit gives travelers a direct view of local life between Luxor and Aswan.
During the visit, you can see local houses, farming areas, livestock, and daily activities connected with rural life in Upper Egypt. Your guide will explain the connection between Nile agriculture, village traditions, and the daily rhythm of communities living beside the river.

Dinner Time
Dinner is served onboard, or on Al Ramady Island, depending on the day's itinerary.

Overnight at Al Ramady Island
Overnight onboard your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise, docked near Al Ramady Island.

Breakfast Time
Breakfast is served onboard.

Sailing to Gebel El Silsila
The Dahabiya sails south towards Gebel El Silsila, located between Edfu and Kom Ombo. During the sailing, you can view green riverbanks, agricultural land, local villages, and sandstone cliffs along the Nile.

Gebel El Silsila Tour
Visit the Gebel El Silsila, one of the most important ancient sandstone quarry areas in Egypt. The site is located where the Nile passes between sandstone cliffs on both sides of the river.
Gebel El Silsila was heavily used from the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period. It supplied sandstone for many temples and monuments in Egypt, including major building projects at Karnak, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Dendera.
The site includes rock-cut chapels, shrines, quarry marks, inscriptions, and scenes connected with kings and officials, including rulers such as Horemheb and Ramses II. Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the importance of Gebel El Silsila as a quarrying center, religious site, and working area for ancient Egyptian builders.

Sailing to Maniha
After visiting Gebel El Silsila, the Dahabiya continues sailing towards Maniha. During the sailing, you may spend time on the sundeck or in the lounge while viewing villages and riverbank life.

Lunch Time
Lunch is served onboard.

Maniha Village
The Dahabiya continues sailing towards Maniha Village, a riverside village located north of Aswan and known for its traditional markets and trading activity.
Maniha is connected with local life in Upper Egypt and has long been known for its market activity, including livestock and camel trading. The stop gives travelers a view of rural life, Nile-side movement, and traditional village activity in southern Egypt.

Dinner Time
Dinner is served onboard, or on Maniha Island, depending on the day's itinerary.

Overnight at Maniha
Overnight onboard your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise, docked near Maniha.

Breakfast Time
Breakfast is served onboard.

Sailing to Kom Ombo
The Dahabiya sails towards Kom Ombo, one of the main temple sites on the Nile between Aswan and Edfu. During the sailing, you may spend time on the sundeck or in the lounge while viewing villages and riverbank life.

Kom Ombo Temple Tour
Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, also known as Kom Ombo Temple, one of the main temples between Aswan and Edfu. The temple was built mainly during the Ptolemaic period, especially between 180 BC and 47 BC.
Kom Ombo Temple is known as a double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. The temple has a symmetrical layout with 2 entrances, 2 courts, 2 hypostyle halls, and 2 sanctuaries.
The temple walls include relief scenes connected with ancient Egyptian religion, medical instruments, calendars, offerings, and royal rituals. Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the temple's religious function, its crocodile connection, and its importance as one of the main monuments of the Nile River Valley.

Lunch Time
Lunch is served onboard.

Sailing to Herdiab Island
After lunch, the Dahabiya sails towards Herdiab Island, one of the quiet Nile island stops used on selected Dahabiya cruise routes. During the sailing, you can view palm groves, farmland, small villages, local boats, and riverbank life along the Nile.

Herdiab Island
Stop at Herdiab Island, a small island on the Nile with palm groves, farmland, and river views. It is used as a quiet stop away from the main cruise routes, giving travelers a look at a calmer side of the Nile Valley and local island life in Upper Egypt.

Swimming or Kayaking
Swimming or kayaking stop, arranged according to weather, river conditions, and cruise safety rules on the day. The stop is only arranged when conditions are suitable and safe. Guests should follow crew instructions during the activity.

Sailing to Aswan
The Dahabiya sails towards Aswan, one of the main cities of southern Egypt.

Dinner Time
Dinner is served onboard.

Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (Optional)
In the evening, you can attend the optional Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple, subject to operation on the day of your visit and final confirmation. The Philae Sound and Light Show uses light, sound, and narration to present the history of the Temple of Isis, the worship of Isis, the Osiris myth, and the temple's relocation to Agilkia Island.

Overnight in Aswan
Overnight onboard your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise, docked in Aswan.

Breakfast Time
Breakfast is served onboard.

Dahabiya Cruise Check-out
After breakfast, complete the check-out formalities from your 5★ Dahabiya Nile Cruise. Prepare your luggage and make sure you have collected all personal belongings from your cabin and the Dahabiya common areas.
Hand over your cabin key at reception and complete the check-out formalities. The Dahabiya staff will assist with moving your luggage from the Dahabiya to the vehicle before starting the Aswan sightseeing program.

Aswan High Dam Tour
Visit the Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s most important modern engineering projects. The dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970 to control the annual Nile flood, improve irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power.
The Aswan High Dam is about 3,830 meters (12,565 feet) long and helped create Lake Nasser, which extends for about 500 km (310 miles) through southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the dam’s role in modern Egypt and its connection with Aswan, the Nile, and the relocation of Nubian monuments.

Unfinished Obelisk Tour
Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries of Aswan. The Aswan Obelisk is usually connected with Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, who ruled Egypt in the 15th century BC.
The Unfinished Obelisk would have measured about 42 meters (138 feet) and weighed around 1,200 tons if completed. It was abandoned after cracks appeared in the stone, and today it gives clear evidence of ancient Egyptian quarrying and stone-working techniques.

Philae Temple Tour
Visit Philae Temple, also known as the Temple of Isis or the Temple of Philae, one of the main ancient monuments of Aswan. The temple complex was dedicated mainly to the goddess Isis and includes construction from the Late Period, Ptolemaic period, and Roman period.
Philae Temple was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO Nubian monuments rescue campaign between 1972 and 1980 after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Your private Egyptologist guide will explain the worship of Isis, the temple reliefs, the Osiris myth, and the relocation project.

Drop-off
After completing the Aswan sightseeing visits, you will be transferred by private modern air-conditioned vehicle to Aswan International Airport (ASW), Aswan Train Station, your hotel, or your agreed final location in Aswan according to your travel plan.