Trade the hum of engines for the flutter of canvas aboard the Mazaj Seba Dahabiya, a graceful twin-masted sailboat that drifts between Luxor and Aswan the way travellers explored the river a century ago. With only a small circle of guests on board, mornings unfurl slowly over Egyptian coffee on deck, afternoons drop anchor at temples the larger fleets bypass, and evenings pass beneath star-flecked skies to the sound of water lapping the hull. Step ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo, wander riverside villages, greet farmers along the palm-lined banks, and let the current dictate the pace. Chef-prepared Egyptian dishes, sun-warmed lounges, and unhurried conversation round out each day. Book your Mazaj Seba Dahabiya voyage with Daily Pyramids Tours and rediscover the Nile at its gentlest.
Slow travel finds its purest form on the Mazaj Seba Dahabiya, a handcrafted sailing boat that carries a handful of guests along the calm reaches between Luxor and Aswan. Because the cabin count is intentionally small, service feels personal, deck spaces stay uncrowded, and the pace mirrors the drift of the current itself. Between temple visits and village strolls, guests linger over chef-cooked meals, sink into sun-loungers with a book, and watch feluccas skim past ochre banks. It is the Nile as generations of writers, artists and adventurers first fell for it — quietly and completely.
Day 1 – Embarkation in Luxor & East Bank Visit
Your voyage opens on the Luxor waterfront, where the crew greets you at the gangway and shows you to your cabin. A leisurely lunch, drawn from local markets that same morning, is laid out as the boat readies itself for the afternoon. You then step ashore for the great monuments of the East Bank: first the sprawling precinct of Karnak Temple, with its towering Hypostyle Hall and reflective sacred lake, followed by Luxor Temple, still poised at the end of the reawakened Sphinx Avenue.
Returning at dusk, you dine on board and settle in for a quiet first night moored across on the West Bank.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2 – West Bank Monuments & Sailing to Esna
Breakfast on deck ushers in a morning of Theban wonders. You descend into the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings, marvel at the terraced grandeur of the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari, and pause beside the weather-worn Colossi of Memnon before the day grows hot.
Back aboard, lunch is served as the sails are unfurled and the dahabiya glides toward Esna. Afternoon tea on the Sun Deck slips into a dinner served under sail, and the boat spends the night quietly moored at Esna.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Al Ramady Island
The dahabiya continues southward through the morning, and lunch is served on deck while the shoreline drifts by. On arrival at Edfu you visit its magnificent temple, the best preserved in all Egypt, raised in honour of the falcon god Horus.
Sails are hoisted once more toward the hush of Al Ramady Island, where dinner is set out against the sound of frogs and river reeds. The night is spent anchored beside the island, far from any road or town.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4 – Gebel El Silsila, Kom Ombo & Sheikh Fadl Island
An early start sees the dahabiya sail toward Gebel El Silsila, the ancient sandstone quarry that supplied so many of Egypt’s greatest temples; breakfast is enjoyed on board along the way. From there you continue to Kom Ombo to explore the unique double temple shared by Sobek the crocodile god and Horus.
Lunch is served as the boat sets a course for El Sheikh Fadl Island. Afternoon tea unfolds on shore, followed by dinner beneath the trees. Sails are then set for Aswan, with the night spent gliding onward on board.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5 – Aswan Sightseeing & Free Time
You wake to Aswan on the horizon, and after breakfast head out to two of its landmark sights: the graceful Philae Temple, sanctuary of the goddess Isis, and the mighty High Dam, a symbol of modern Egyptian engineering. Lunch returns you to the boat, after which the afternoon is yours — many guests wander the spice-scented lanes of Aswan Market for keepsakes, photographs and a taste of local life. The night is spent moored in Aswan.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6 – Disembarkation in Aswan
A final breakfast on deck brings the voyage to a gentle close before you check out and step ashore in Aswan, carrying with you the slow rhythm of the Nile.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1: Embarkation in Luxor & East Bank Temples
Upon arrival in Luxor, you will embark on your elegant dahabiya and settle into your cabin while taking in the serene Nile views. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board before beginning your exploration of Luxor’s East Bank. Start with the magnificent Karnak Temple, a sprawling complex of colossal columns, sacred obelisks, and beautifully preserved hieroglyphs that tell stories of pharaohs past.
Continue to the Luxor Temple, an architectural gem aligned with the Avenue of Sphinxes, where ancient processions once took place. After a full afternoon of discovery, return to your dahabiya for dinner and relax on deck, soaking in the peaceful river ambiance.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2: West Bank Monuments & Sail to Esna
After a hearty breakfast on board, head to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where elaborately decorated tombs reveal the secrets of pharaohs and their journeys to the afterlife. Visit the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari, a terraced masterpiece carved into the cliffs, and marvel at the iconic Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that have stood for millennia.
Return to the dahabiya for lunch and enjoy the beginning of your Nile sail toward Esna. Relax with afternoon tea on the Sun Deck, observing the riverbanks and villages passing by. Dinner is served during sailing, and the boat stays overnight in Esna.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3: Edfu Temple & Al Ramady Island
Sail leisurely toward Edfu after breakfast, with the gentle Nile landscapes unfolding around you. Lunch is served on board as you approach this historic city. Visit the Temple of Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, with its remarkable inscriptions and towering pylons.
After the visit, continue sailing toward the tranquil Al Ramady Island. Enjoy dinner on board while anchored beside the island, surrounded by serene river scenery, and spend a restful night under the stars.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4: Gebel El Silsila, Kom Ombo & Sheikh Fadl Island
The day begins with an early morning sail toward Gebel El Silsila, a historic sandstone quarry that supplied stone for Egypt’s temples for centuries. Breakfast is served on board as you arrive at this fascinating site. Continue to Kom Ombo to explore the unique twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god.
Sail onward to El Sheikh Fadl Island for lunch on board during the journey. Enjoy afternoon tea on the island before dinner, taking in the quiet Nile surroundings. After dinner, the dahabiya resumes sailing toward Aswan for an overnight on board.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5: Aswan – Philae Temple & High Dam
Arrive in Aswan early at around 6:00 AM and enjoy breakfast on board. Visit the majestic Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, nestled on its island with stunning Nile views. Continue to the impressive High Dam, a symbol of modern Egypt’s engineering prowess.
Return to the dahabiya for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring Aswan Market at your own pace, discovering spices, perfumes, and local handicrafts. Overnight stay is in Aswan, allowing you to soak in the serene river city ambiance.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6: Optional Abu Simbel & Al Ramady Island
After breakfast on board, there is an option for an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel Temple, one of Egypt’s most iconic monuments carved into the mountains by Ramses II. Return to the dahabiya for lunch, then enjoy a relaxing sail back toward Al Ramady Island, a peaceful spot to unwind. Dinner is served on board, and the night is spent anchored near the island.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7: Sail to Esna & Return to Luxor
Begin an early morning sail toward Esna, enjoying breakfast on board as the river flows gently past. Navigate through the famous Esna Lock while enjoying lunch on board. Continue sailing north toward Luxor, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner is served on the dahabiya as you spend your final night moored on the West Bank, reflecting on your unforgettable Nile journey.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 8: Disembarkation in Luxor
After breakfast, check out and disembark in Luxor, concluding your enriching and scenic dahabiya cruise along the Nile.
Meals: Breakfast
At Daily Pyramids Tours, all prices are quoted in US Dollars (USD) unless otherwise specified. However, we gladly accept payments in other major currencies such as Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), and more, based on the official daily exchange rate on the payment date.
Our prices reflect current market conditions, seasonal fluctuations, and service availability, so they may change without prior notice. Once a deposit or full payment is received, your booking price is locked in and guaranteed.
What’s Included in Our Packages:
Please check your specific booking confirmation and itinerary for exact inclusions and exclusions.
Holiday Supplement:
A 25% surcharge applies to all Nile Cruises and tour packages booked during Christmas, New Year, and Easter holidays due to peak demand.
To ensure a smooth booking process with Daily Pyramids Tours, our payment terms vary depending on the service type:
After payment, you will receive written confirmation, a tailored itinerary, and travel documents via email. Receipts for all payments will be provided.
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation terms are:
Refunds, when applicable, are processed within 14 business days of receiving your written cancellation notice. Some cruises or hotels may have stricter cancellation policies, which will be clearly communicated in your itinerary.
At Daily Pyramids Tours, we welcome families and offer the following children’s pricing:
Discounts apply only when children share accommodation with two full-paying adults. Note that certain Nile Cruises and luxury hotels may have different policies or restrictions for young children, which will be detailed in your itinerary if relevant.
Some special experiences are optional and not included in standard packages. You may book these in advance or arrange on-site (subject to availability). Examples include:
Optional tours are payable in USD or local currency (EGP). We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak seasons.
While our packages are comprehensive, travelers should budget for:
We advise carrying small amounts of local currency (EGP) for convenience, especially for tipping and shopping at local markets.
Tipping (“baksheesh”) is a customary way to show appreciation for good service in Egypt. Though not mandatory, it is widely appreciated:
Tipping is generally not included in your package price. We recommend carrying small USD or EGP bills for tipping convenience.
A Dahabiya is a traditional two-masted sailing boat, handcrafted from wood, and built for gentle, unhurried journeys along the Nile. Where the large cruisers carry hundreds of passengers, a Dahabiya usually welcomes only 10–20 guests, giving it the atmosphere of a private floating guesthouse. That small scale means quiet decks, attentive crew, and the freedom to moor beside remote islands and villages that bigger ships steam right past. In short, a Dahabiya lets you sail the Nile the way nineteenth-century travellers did, only with air-conditioned cabins, chef-cooked meals and modern comforts in place of hardship.
Most Dahabiya itineraries fall between 4 and 7 nights, shaped by the route you choose.
Slowness is the point. A Dahabiya is in no hurry — it pauses at little-visited temples, secluded riverbanks and rural landscapes that never make it onto the standard cruise map, leaving room for a deeper and calmer encounter with the Nile.
Yes — a Dahabiya cruise works beautifully for families who value quiet, safety and time together.
That said, households travelling with very young children (under 4 years old) should weigh the open deck and the calm, adult-friendly rhythm before booking; a bit of supervision goes a long way.
The sweet spot for a Dahabiya Nile Cruise runs from October to April.
Across those months, temperatures stay mild and forgiving, making them ideal for slow sailing, temple visits, village walks and long hours on deck.
Summer (May–September) turns hot, yet some travellers still relish a Dahabiya then, buoyed by shaded decks, river breezes and onboard cooling systems.
Cabins on a Dahabiya are compact but characterful, decorated to feel warm rather than corporate.
They are cosier than the sprawling cabins on a large cruise ship, but that is precisely the point — an intimate room to match an intimate way of sailing.
