Embark on a 6-day journey that takes you back to ancient Egypt. Powered by gentle winds, you will discover the many archaeological treasures, magnificent deserts, and breathtaking views that Egypt has to offer. You will walk in villages and through orchards, meeting Egyptians in their daily lives. The small insights you gain into how people live along the river are special. You will stay aboard a dahabiya (Egyptian riverboat), named one of the “21 Best Cruises in the World” by National Geographic. Your dahabiya offers a large deck, fantastic comfort level, and minimal environmental impact. You board the boat and meet the crew in Esna just outside Luxor, and during your journey toward Aswan, you will see well-preserved Egyptian temples such as El Kab, Gebel Silsileh & Kom Ombo. In addition to the guided tours, you can expect evenings on the banks of the Nile, shisha by lit campfires under the stars, a soccer match on the beach, and swimming in the Nile.
This program is a source of inspiration — each trip is unique and tailored to you.
Arrival in Luxor and transfer to your boat located in Esna, approximately 53 kilometers south of Luxor. Board your dahabiya and meet the crew. Esna is a thriving market town, best known for the small ancient Temple of Khnum, located 9 meters below street level. Your journey begins with a short walk to the temple and a stroll through streets filled with beautiful textiles and other exotic goods. The boat then sails toward El Kab.
Photo credit @jordanharvich
El Kab, on the east bank of the Nile, was once the capital of Upper Egypt and is still home to the Temple of Nekhbet, as well as a series of fascinating decorated tombs carved into the hillsides. Upon docking, you set out on a scenic walk through a small fishing village to visit the necropolis. In the afternoon, the boat arrives in Edfu, home to the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the god Horus. This is among the best-preserved of all Egyptian temples. A horse and carriage takes you to the temple through the lively city streets. After returning to the boat, you set sail toward a beautiful island.
This is a day dedicated to the river. After a morning walk and breakfast, you set sail. In the afternoon, you stop at an island for a walk or to swim in the Nile. As dusk falls, there may be an opportunity to hike into the desert along a valley lined with boulders covered in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Stone Age inscriptions. These images mark the beginning of the shortest trail through the desert to Libya (28 days in ancient times). At night, the boat moors at the foot of the illuminated Gebel Silsileh temple.
Here, the Nile, flowing between two mountain ranges, is at its narrowest. You will often be the only visitors at this fascinating site, as large Nile cruisers are not allowed to stop here. After visiting the small temple of Horemheb and wandering through the sandstone quarries, where ancient Egyptians quarried stone for many of their most famous temples, you sail for the rest of the day. We then sail to a picturesque riverbank where you stop for lunch and swimming.
After a night on the water and under the stars, the morning tour takes you to the town and temple of Kom Ombo. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period on the site of an older temple and in one of the most beautiful locations, at a bend in the river. The temple was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. After enjoying the temple, you visit the new crocodile museum, which houses many mummified crocodiles, testifying to the importance the creature played in this region during ancient times.
Wake up to the beautiful sight of the desert closing in on the river at the Aswan Bridge. Here your cruise comes to an end. You will leave us relaxed and refreshed in the morning. Please note: The government requires all dahabiyas to moor overnight at a pier next to the Aswan Bridge. Unfortunately, this location is less idyllic than the other stops, but it is a legal requirement.
Bid farewell to your crew and continue your journey on your own!
All cabins onboard are fantastic. The Panoramic Suite is spacious and elegant, giving you the pleasure of wide, uninterrupted views of the Nile through sweeping windows. The generous space makes it feel more like a private sanctuary on the river.
The double rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated.
Lunch & Dinners – Everything was served and shared, family-style, on the main deck, at a large table. This is very much the heart and soul of the onboard experience, as you gather three times a day to exchange stories and travel tales.
During your sailing, you will walk in villages and through orchards, meeting Egyptians in their daily lives.
Ecorating: 2.5
Season: Year-round
Airport: Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Duration: 6 nights.
The trip price includes:
The trip price does not include: International flights (we can help you book this), food & drinks other than mentioned, activities outside the itinerary, visa, tips, travel insurance can be booked at Insurance.
Travel Etiquette: For those planning to travel to Egypt, it is important to be aware of the country’s cultural and religious norms. Egypt is a country with a long and proud history, where the majority of the population is Muslim. This means that local customs play a significant role in everyday life – and as a visitor, showing consideration is appreciated. Women are recommended to dress modestly, with clothes covering shoulders and knees. This shows respect for the culture and also helps protect against the sun. Men should also consider their attire – in more conservative areas, it is best to avoid shorts and tank tops. When visiting mosques and other religious buildings, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering. By following these simple guidelines, you will not only receive a warmer welcome, but also a richer and more respectful travel experience.
Entry Requirements: As a Swedish citizen, you must have a valid passport with a validity of at least six months from the date you intend to arrive in the country. A tourist visa is required and can be purchased online or at the airport, and is most easily paid with US dollars (approx. 20 USD per person). Keep in mind that entry and exit regulations can change on short notice. Check the current entry regulations with Egyptian authorities or the Egyptian Embassy in Stockholm.
Time Zone: GMT +3
Vaccinations: Read more here and contact your local vaccination clinic
Local Currency: The local currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). It may be a good idea to exchange a small amount before departure, as many small purchases and services, especially in local markets, prefer cash payment.
Credit cards are generally accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented shops, but this is not always the case in smaller shops or bazaars. If you need to exchange more money during the trip, there are plenty of banks and exchange offices in cities and major tourist areas. Having some cash on hand at all times makes it easier to get around and shop smoothly, especially in situations where cards are not accepted.
Weather: Egypt’s climate is dry, hot, and dominated by desert. It has a mild winter season with rain falling along coastal areas, and a hot and dry summer season (May to September). Daytime temperatures vary depending on the season and
change with the prevailing winds. In Luxor and Aswan, temperatures in December range from 12°C to 25°C. The weather is mild, with cooler evenings and comfortable daytime temperatures.
Packing: In general, you should make sure to pack the following: sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, shorts/light dress, scarf (for women), t-shirts, comfortable walking shoes, adapter, camera, and a good book! In winter, you can bring a jacket or sweater for the evenings, in case it gets cold.
Electricity & Outlets: The standard voltage in Egypt is 220 volts. On the newer boats, outlets are both European and American. We recommend packing a universal travel adapter just in case you need it. Electricity runs throughout the night for most small appliances, including small medical devices (e.g., CPAP).
Mobile Network: Wi-Fi works well.
Tipping: We recommend tipping based on the experience you had on the cruise. No tip is mandatory, but for those who wish, the recommended tip is 100 EUR per guest (not per crew member). For the guide, we recommend 25-30 EUR per guest. Tips can be given in any currency, but EUR or USD is preferred. For those who wish to leave a tip for the crew, it is collected at the end of the trip. This tip for the crew will be divided evenly among the entire crew (usually 15-17
people). The tip for the guide can be given directly to the guide after the last visit (Kom Ombo).
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Nour El Nil proudly employs over 100 Egyptians, all of whom have been hired and trained by the owners. Their crew is their family (many of them literally) and their goal is to make you feel like you are part of the family as well. They offer a combination of impeccable service and authentic personality, making you feel both pampered and genuinely cared for.
Only the most authentic Egyptian cuisine is served, prepared with fresh ingredients purchased daily from farmers and fishermen along the river. The newest boat features measures to reduce environmental impact, including solar power and a new battery system that enables 24/7 operation of the air conditioning. This is the only boat on the Nile that offers this level of comfort with minimal environmental impact.
