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Aswan ⇄ Dendera ⇄ Luxor
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Dendera & Abydos 6 Nights · 7 Days

Aswan ⇄ Dendera ⇄ Luxor

Our signature "Long Cruise" — the classic southern route deepened with an exclusive excursion to Abydos and the magnificent Temple of Dendera.

Duration
6 Nights · 7 Days
Route
Aswan → Dendera → Luxor
Embark
Aswan
Disembark
Luxor
Temples
9+ major sites
Pace
Relaxed · flexible

Route Overview

Journey Through the Ages

This 6-night "Long Cruise" offers a deep exploration of the Nile, combining the classic southern route with an exclusive excursion to the magnificent Temple of Dendara. The schedule is designed to make the most of each day, balancing iconic sights with serene sailing.

Available Routes

The same temples and experiences, with the order tailored to your arrival city. Select a direction and the day-by-day below will follow.

Highlights

  • Philae Temple
  • Kom Ombo
  • Edfu
  • Abydos
  • Dendera
  • Karnak

Day by Day

Your journey, unhurried

Showing Aswan → Dendera → Luxor

  1. Day 1

    Embarkation & The Goddess Isis's Sanctuary

    • Philae Temple

    Arrive in Aswan and step aboard — your journey begins on the island of Isis.

    • Afternoon Arrive in Aswan, board your dahabiya, and settle in.
    • Late afternoon Visit the beautiful Philae Temple — a motorboat to Agilkia Island reveals this Graeco-Roman complex dedicated to Isis, famed for its elegant columns and picturesque setting.
    • Overnight Docked in Aswan.
    Embarkation & The Goddess Isis's Sanctuary

  2. Day 2

    The Dual Temple & Ancient Sandstone Quarries

    • Kom Ombo
    • Gebel el-Silsila

    Two great riverside monuments, with serene sailing in between.

    • 6:00 AM Set sail north towards Kom Ombo.
    • 9:00 AM Visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods — the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus.
    • 10:00 AM Continue sailing to the historic site of El Silsila.
    • 2:00 PM Explore the El Silsila quarries — the source of sandstone for Egypt's great temples — with cliff-side chapels and royal stelae carved into the rock.
    • 3:00 PM Sail onwards to Edfu.
    • Overnight Docked in Edfu.
    The Dual Temple & Ancient Sandstone Quarries

  3. Day 3

    The Falcon God's Citadel & Sailing to Thebes

    • Edfu Temple

    Egypt's best-preserved temple, then a full day on the water.

    • 8:00 AM Visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Edfu, the largest dedicated to the god Horus — its massive pylon, courtyards, and intact inner halls a highlight of Ptolemaic architecture.
    • 10:00 AM Depart Edfu for a full day of scenic sailing towards Luxor, ancient Thebes.
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    The Falcon God's Citadel & Sailing to Thebes

  4. Day 4

    Theban Necropolis & Voyage to the Goddess Hathor

    • Valley of the Kings
    • Temple of Hatshepsut
    • Colossi of Memnon

    The West Bank of Thebes, then a special sail north toward Dendara.

    • 6:00 AM Cross the Nile to the West Bank — the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the towering Colossi of Memnon.
    • 1:00 PM A special northward sail to the city of Qena, the docking point for Dendara.
    • Overnight Docked near Dendara.
    Theban Necropolis & Voyage to the Goddess Hathor

  5. Day 5

    Pilgrimage to Abydos & The Temple of Hathor

    • Abydos
    • Temple of Seti I
    • Dendera Temple

    A full day ashore at two of Egypt's most sacred, least-visited temples.

    • Full day · by road Travel to Abydos — the magnificent Temple of Seti I, with its exquisite raised reliefs and the mystical Abydos King List, and the nearby Osireion.
    • Afternoon Return to Qena for the stunning Temple of Dendara, dedicated to Hathor — its famous astronomical ceiling, vivid column capitals, and rooftop chapels.
    • Evening Set sail back to Luxor.
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    Pilgrimage to Abydos & The Temple of Hathor

  6. Day 6

    The Grand Temples of Thebes

    • Karnak Temple
    • Luxor Temple

    The grand finale, on the East Bank of ancient Thebes.

    • Full day Stand within the colossal Karnak Temple Complex — the forest of pillars in the Great Hypostyle Hall — then the elegant Luxor Temple on the Nile Corniche.
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    The Grand Temples of Thebes

  7. Day 7

    Disembarkation

    • Luxor

    Farewell to the river.

    • Morning After breakfast, disembark in Luxor, concluding your deep journey through Egyptian history and spirituality.
    Disembarkation

Good to Know

Travel Insight

  • Day 5 — Abydos & Dendera is a full-day road excursion (about 1.5 hours each way from Qena to Abydos), requiring an early start. The day-by-day reflects a realistic timeline for this exceptional day of sightseeing.
  • The inclusion of Abydos makes this a uniquely comprehensive "Long Cruise," offering access to one of Egypt's most sacred and historically significant sites — often missed on standard itineraries.
  • The sequence of visits, especially on the West Bank, may be arranged by your guide to ensure the best possible experience based on conditions.

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

What makes this the "Long Cruise"? +

The inclusion of Abydos makes this uniquely comprehensive, offering access to one of Egypt's most sacred and historically significant sites — the Temple of Seti I — alongside Dendera, both often missed on standard itineraries.

How demanding is the Abydos & Dendera day? +

It is a full-day road excursion from Qena (roughly 1.5 hours each way to Abydos) requiring an early start, but it is uniquely rewarding for travellers drawn to deep historical and spiritual sites. Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential.

Which direction will we sail? +

Either Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan — the temples are the same, the order differs. Starting in Luxor lets you experience the grandeur of Thebes first; ending in Aswan opens the option to extend toward Abu Simbel. We tailor the direction to your travel plans.

Can the order of visits change? +

Yes. This is a private, flexible charter and a general framework — your guide may adjust the sequence of visits, especially on the West Bank, to ensure the best experience based on river, lock, and site conditions.

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.

View the full meal plan → View full charter terms →

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6 nights on the Nile, entirely private and tailored to your group. Tell us your dates and we'll do the rest.

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