Swap the bustle of a full-size cruiser for the quiet elegance of the Mazaj Meroot, a small dahabiya that slips between Luxor and Aswan on the breath of its lateen sails. With just a handful of cabins on board, the rhythm of each day belongs to the river: shaded sun decks for reading and dozing, moorings at riverbank hamlets the bigger boats sail straight past, and star-strewn nights above still water. Ashore, you wander the soaring courts of Edfu, the twin sanctuaries of Kom Ombo shared by Horus and Sobek, and Nubian villages splashed in painted colour. Back aboard, hand-cooked Egyptian dishes appear at candlelit tables while the Nile murmurs alongside. Set sail with Daily Pyramids Tours for a slower, gentler journey through timeless Egypt.
Step aboard the Mazaj Meroot Dahabiya and let the Nile unfold at a truly human pace. This handcrafted sailing boat carries only a small circle of guests between Luxor and Aswan, so every voyage feels less like a cruise and more like a private river house drifting past three thousand years of history. Attentive crew, sunlit lounging decks, and unhurried mornings replace queues and crowded buffets. You will pause at farming villages the larger ships never see, wander through half-forgotten temples with room to breathe, and dine on beautifully prepared meals while the palm-lined banks slip quietly by.
Day 1 – Embarkation in Luxor & East Bank Visit
Your voyage opens in Luxor, where the crew of the Mazaj Meroot greets you at the gangway and shows you to your cabin. Once bags are unpacked, sit down to a leisurely lunch built around fresh, seasonal ingredients from the surrounding countryside. Afternoon belongs to the East Bank: first the vast precinct of Karnak Temple, with its cathedral-like Hypostyle Hall and glassy sacred lake, then Luxor Temple, elegantly threaded onto the ancient Sphinx Avenue.
Back aboard, dinner is set on deck and your first night is spent moored quietly across the river on the West Bank.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2 – West Bank Monuments & Sailing to Esna
After breakfast on the water, cross to the West Bank for its great necropolis. Enter the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs lie beneath painted ceilings still vivid with colour, then move on to the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari, one of the boldest works of ancient architecture. A short pause at the weathered Colossi of Memnon rounds off the morning.
Back on board, lunch is served as the dahabiya casts off for Esna. Take afternoon tea on the sun deck as fields and mud-brick villages slide past. Dinner arrives while you sail, and the night is spent moored at Esna.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Al Ramady Island
Morning sailing carries you gently on toward Edfu, with lunch on deck as the river opens out. On arrival, step ashore for the Temple of Edfu, the most complete of all Egypt’s temples and a soaring shrine to the falcon god Horus.
Afterwards, back to the boat and onward to the quiet reach of Al Ramady Island. Dinner is served in near-silence, surrounded by reeds and birdsong, and you moor alongside the island for the night.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4 – Gebel El Silsila, Kom Ombo & Sheikh Fadl Island
An early start sees the dahabiya slipping upriver toward the sandstone cliffs of Gebel El Silsila. Enjoy breakfast under sail before disembarking to explore this ancient quarry, where much of the stone for Egypt’s greatest temples was cut. From there you continue to Kom Ombo, whose unusual twin temple is shared between the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the Elder.
Lunch is taken on board as you sail on to El Sheikh Fadl Island. Afternoon tea is followed by a peaceful dinner on the island’s shore. Once the plates are cleared, the boat casts off again and sails through the evening toward Aswan.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5 – Aswan Sightseeing & Free Time
Arriving into Aswan at first light, breakfast on deck is followed by two of the city’s great landmarks: the graceful island temple of Philae, sacred to Isis, and the mighty High Dam, one of modern Egypt’s proudest feats of engineering. Return to the dahabiya for lunch, then enjoy free time to wander Aswan’s spice-scented market for photography, souvenirs, and easy conversation with local traders. The night is spent moored in Aswan.
Overnight at Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6 – Disembarkation in Aswan
A final breakfast on board, a last look at the Nile from the sun deck, and it is time to check out and disembark in Aswan, bringing your unhurried dahabiya journey to a close.
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 beautifully crafted wooden sailing boat built for slow, close-up travel along the Nile. Where a large cruise ship might hold hundreds, a Dahabiya generally welcomes 10–20 guests, giving it the feel of a private river house: personal service, quiet decks, and the freedom to moor at small islands and out-of-the-way villages that bigger vessels cannot reach. It is the closest you can come to sailing the Nile as nineteenth-century travellers once did, only with air-conditioning, proper bathrooms, and a chef in the galley preparing thoughtful, freshly cooked meals.
Most Dahabiya voyages run between 4 and 7 nights, shaped by the route the boat is following.
The unhurried pace is the whole point. Dahabiyas are never in a hurry to be anywhere; they linger at half-forgotten temples, drop anchor along quiet stretches of bank, and give you time to actually feel the countryside rather than photograph it through a window.
Yes, a Dahabiya cruise suits families beautifully, particularly those looking for something calmer, more private, and more personal than a big ship holiday.
That said, families travelling with very young children (under 4 years old) may find the open decks and quiet, adult-oriented rhythm harder to manage, so it comes down to how confident you feel supervising near water.
The finest window for a Dahabiya Nile Cruise runs from October to April.
Across these months, temperatures sit at just the right level for gentle sailing, walking through village lanes, and long lazy afternoons on deck.
Summer (May–September) is genuinely hot, yet some travellers still enjoy Dahabiyas thanks to the shaded upper deck, the constant river breeze under sail, and modern climate control in the cabins.
Cabins on a Dahabiya are compact and characterful, with the feel of a well-appointed sailing cottage rather than a hotel room.
You will not find the vast footprint of a big ship cabin here, but what you gain is atmosphere: rooms that feel intimate, restful, and entirely in keeping with the slow romance of dahabiya travel.
