Aswan → Luxor
A short, refined sailing experience for travellers with limited time — the temples and ancient quarries of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, unhurried, in three nights.
- Duration
- 3 Nights · 4 Days
- Route
- Aswan → Luxor
- Embark
- Aswan
- Disembark
- Luxor
- Pace
- Express · relaxed
- Dining
- Local & international
Route Overview
The voyage, end to end
Three nights aboard your dahabiya, sailing north with the current from Aswan to Luxor. Highlights include Kom Ombo, the sandstone quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and the ancient city of El Kab, with a passage through the Esna Lock before arriving in Luxor — the ancient city of Thebes.
Highlights
- Kom Ombo
- Gebel el-Silsila
- Edfu Temple
- El Kab
- Esna Lock
Day by Day
Your journey, unhurried
-
Day 1
Embarkation in Aswan — Kom Ombo & Gebel el-Silsila
- Kom Ombo
Your journey begins in Aswan, where you board the vessel around midday before sailing north along the Nile. Enjoy lunch and your first views of traditional Nile villages and desert landscapes, then visit the remarkable Temple of Kom Ombo before continuing to the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Gebel el-Silsila.
- 12:00 Begin sailing toward Kom Ombo (approx. 4 hours downstream with the Nile current). Enjoy lunch and your first views of traditional Nile villages and desert landscapes.
- 16:00–17:00 Visit the remarkable Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The temple's symmetrical design and beautifully carved reliefs make it one of the most distinctive temples in Egypt.
- 17:00 Continue sailing north to Gebel el-Silsila (approximately 3 hours).
- Overnight Moored at Gebel el-Silsila, surrounded by the dramatic sandstone cliffs that once supplied stone for many of Egypt's great temples.
-
Day 2
Gebel el-Silsila — Edfu & El Kab
- Gebel el-Silsila
- Edfu Temple
- El Kab
This morning explores one of the Nile Valley's lesser-visited but historically important quarry sites, before sailing on to the best-preserved temple in Egypt at Edfu and continuing toward the ancient city of El Kab.
- 08:00–09:00 Visit Gebel el-Silsila, the principal sandstone quarry of ancient Egypt. Explore the rock-cut shrines, stelae, and quarries where blocks were extracted for temples across the country.
- 09:00 Sail north toward Edfu (approximately 3 hours).
- 12:00–14:00 Visit the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Built during the Ptolemaic period, its towering pylons, monumental statues of Horus, and detailed reliefs illustrate ancient rituals and mythological scenes.
- 14:00 Resume sailing toward El Kab (about 4 hours).
- Overnight El Kab, near the ancient city of Nekheb, once an important religious centre dedicated to the vulture goddess Nekhbet.
-
Day 3
Esna & Sailing to Luxor
- Esna Lock
An early start allows for smooth navigation through the Nile's only lock on this section of the river, followed by a full day's sail through the fertile Nile Valley to Luxor.
- 06:00 Early morning sailing toward Esna (approximately 2 hours).
- 08:00–09:00 Passage through the Esna Lock, an interesting experience as the vessel is raised to match the water level upstream.
- 09:00 Continue sailing north toward Luxor (approximately 6 hours), enjoying the scenery of the Nile Valley with its fertile fields, palm groves, and riverside villages.
- Overnight Moored in Luxor.
-
Day 4
Disembarkation in Luxor
- Luxor
After breakfast, disembark in Luxor — the ancient city of Thebes and one of the world's greatest archaeological regions.
- Morning After breakfast on board, disembark in Luxor, marking the end of your Nile journey.
Good to Know
Tips for Your Trip
- This itinerary involves significant walking at archaeological sites, often on uneven ground.
- Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions.
- The sailing schedule and overnight mooring locations are subject to change based on river and lock conditions.
Travel Notes
This itinerary provides a general framework; the order of visits on specific days may be arranged by your guide to ensure the best possible experience based on conditions.
Questions
Is this itinerary too short to see the highlights? +
Not at all — three nights covers a rich sequence of Nile temples and sites: Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu, and El Kab, ending in Luxor. It is ideal for travellers with limited time who still want the full dahabiya experience.
What is included on board? +
Your cabin, all meals featuring local and international cuisine, the daily sunset afternoon tea on deck, and the crew are included. Temple entrance fees, guides, and transfers are arranged for you and quoted with your charter.
Can we sail from Luxor to Aswan instead? +
Yes. The same highlights can be arranged in the reverse direction to suit your arrival city — just let us know and we will tailor it.
All-Inclusive Charter
What's Included
Your charter rate is full-board — a complete luxury sailing experience, with no hidden fees.
Gourmet Dining
- Breakfast — extensive open buffet with hot & cold selections
- Lunch — open buffet with a live outdoor barbecue station
- Dinner — generous open buffet
- Daily sunset tea service on deck, with premium teas & snacks
Beverages, All Day
- 24-hour service: bottled mineral water, fresh juices (orange, lemonade, hibiscus), soft drinks & daily smoothies
- Specialty coffees — espresso, macchiato, American, Egyptian — and a premium tea selection
- Complimentary local premium beer & wine
No Hidden Fees
- All onboard meals & beverages included
- 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) included
- 12% service charges included
Crew gratuity is not included. It is customary for guests to contribute US $6 per person per night, handed to the dahabiya's manager and shared equally among the crew.
Begin Here
Reserve this
journey
3 nights on the Nile, entirely private and tailored to your group. Tell us your dates and we'll do the rest.