Slip into a slower rhythm aboard the Anoush Dahabiya, where the timeless craft of Nile sailing has been reimagined for a handful of fortunate travellers. With only a modest number of cabins, this graceful wooden vessel drifts between Luxor and Aswan under the pull of white sails and the whisper of the current, never rushed and never crowded. Watch feluccas glide past palm groves and mudbrick hamlets, listen to children laughing along the shoreline, and step ashore at quiet temples such as Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Gebel El-Silsila that the big floating hotels sail straight past. When the sun sinks, the deck becomes a candlelit lounge beneath a sky thick with stars, with only the soft slap of water against the hull for company. This is the Nile at its most personal, unhurried and utterly romantic. Book your Anoush Dahabiya voyage with Daily Pyramids Tours today.
Trade the crowded decks of a mega-cruiser for the quiet elegance of the Anoush Dahabiya Nile Cruise, a handcrafted sailing yacht that slips between Luxor and Aswan the way travellers explored Egypt more than a century ago. Every cabin is dressed with warm woods and soft lighting, every meal is freshly prepared for a small guest list, and every day is set to the gentle pace of the river. You will wander through world-famous temples, step inside painted tombs and read hieroglyphs in the company of a private Egyptologist, then slip back on board to sip mint tea on the sundeck as golden banks and grazing water buffalo drift by. It is the Upper Egypt of dreams, delivered with intimacy that a large cruiser simply cannot match.
Day 1 – Arrival in Aswan & Philae Temple
Our representative will meet you this morning at Aswan Airport, the railway station or your hotel, whichever suits your arrival best, and whisk you smoothly to the river.
Your first stop is the exquisite Philae Temple, a jewel of ancient architecture rescued and re-erected on its own island in the middle of the Nile.
Afterwards, step aboard your elegant Dahabiya, settle in with a freshly prepared lunch and give yourself the afternoon to unwind on deck.
Later, your expert guide will bring Egypt’s hidden layers to life through stories and legends, before dinner is served and you retire for your first night on the river.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Sailing & Kom Ombo Temple
A leisurely breakfast on board opens the day before the sails fill and the Dahabiya drifts north through some of the Nile’s prettiest scenery. Later you disembark to explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, the intriguing twin sanctuary shared by two gods, where your guide unravels tales of Nubian belief and the sacred crocodiles once worshipped here.
Back on the water, cool off with a swim in a safe stretch of the river or sink into a lounger with a chilled hibiscus drink and watch the banks slide past. Dinner is served on board and you spend the night gently rocking on the current.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Gebel El-Silsila, Local Village & Edfu Temple
After breakfast, stretch out on the sundeck as your guide unveils the secrets of Gebel El-Silsila, often called the “mother of all temples,” where enormous blocks were once quarried using little more than chisels and hammers.
The Dahabiya then eases towards a small riverside village, giving you a rare, respectful glimpse of everyday life on the Nile’s islands amid postcard-perfect scenery.
Next comes the mighty Edfu Temple, the second-largest sanctuary in Egypt, where reliefs bring to life the epic clash between Horus and the treacherous god Set. As evening falls, sail on towards Luxor and enjoy a warm-hearted farewell gathering hosted by the Dahabiya crew.
Spend the night on board, cradled by the calm of the river.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon
Breakfast finished, you disembark at Esna and cross to Luxor’s legendary West Bank, an area said to hold roughly one-third of the world’s ancient monuments.
Descend into the painted corridors of the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 tombs were designed as palaces for eternity, then continue to the graceful terraces of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a monument to Egypt’s only female pharaoh.
The morning closes at the Colossi of Memnon, the pair of seated giants once famed for their mysterious dawn “song.” Afterwards you check into your Luxor hotel with time on your hands to arrange optional excursions with your guide.
Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Karnak Temple & Final Transfer
After a leisurely open buffet breakfast at your hotel, head out to marvel at the colossal Karnak Temple, arguably Egypt’s most staggering sacred site and a place where three thousand years of history feel almost tangible.
When the visit ends, you are transferred onward from Luxor with a camera roll of unforgettable images and memories of the Nile at its most romantic.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1 – Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon
Your day begins with a warm welcome as our representative collects you from Luxor’s airport, railway station or hotel. Take a moment to breathe it in — you are standing in the city said to hold one-third of the world’s ancient monuments.
Cross to the storied West Bank and descend into the Valley of the Kings, where over 60 tombs were designed less as graves and more as palaces for the afterlife. Continue to the elegant terraces of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and hear the extraordinary story of the only woman to rule as pharaoh in her own right.
Close the morning at the towering Colossi of Memnon, once famed for their haunting dawn voice, before checking into your Luxor hotel.
Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Luxor
Meals: None
Day 2 – Karnak Temple & Dahabiya Embarkation
Following an open buffet breakfast at your hotel, drive to the vast columns and pylons of Karnak Temple, where the sheer scale of ancient Egyptian ambition is impossible to miss.
You then transfer to Esna to embark on your Dahabiya. A freshly prepared lunch is served on board before the sails go up and you begin drifting past emerald islands, cultivated fields and the leafy gardens that line the Nile — a photographer’s paradise.
As dusk settles, tuck into dinner on deck while your guide shares little-known chapters of Egyptian life and lore.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu Temple, Local Villages & Sailing
Wake to breakfast on board as the Dahabiya begins another quiet morning of sailing. Step ashore at the imposing Edfu Temple, Egypt’s second-largest sanctuary, and follow the legendary tale of Horus overpowering the sinister god Set etched into its dark stone walls.
The afternoon returns you to the river, gliding past sleepy villages where you can watch farmers, fishermen and children going about a way of life that has changed remarkably little in centuries.
Back on board, dinner is served under the stars and you settle into a peaceful night on the water.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Gebel El-Silsila, Kom Ombo & Sailing
A relaxed breakfast on deck is followed by a visit to Gebel El-Silsila, the “mother of all temples,” where quarrymen once shaped enormous blocks with nothing more than chisels and hammers, leaving behind carved shrines and rock-cut tombs.
The Dahabiya sails on and a chilled drink on the sundeck accompanies the changing riverscape. Later you disembark at the intriguing Kom Ombo Temple, the striking double sanctuary with two mirrored entrances, and hear stories of Nubian culture and the sacred crocodiles that once patrolled these waters.
Return to the boat for dinner and enjoy another tranquil night at anchor.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Arrival in Aswan & Philae Temple
Today the Dahabiya arrives in Aswan, a city cherished for its Nubian heritage and postcard Nile scenery. You step ashore to visit the ravishing Temple of Philae, wreathed in love legends and rich in history.
Optional afternoon adventures can be arranged with your guide. As night falls, the crew hosts a warm farewell gathering on deck, followed by dinner and a final night on board.
Accommodation: Dahabiya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Disembarkation & Optional Abu Simbel
After a final breakfast on board, bid farewell to the Dahabiya and transfer onward to your next destination in Aswan, camera roll bursting with unforgettable images.
Travellers who want one last showstopper can add an optional excursion to the extraordinary Abu Simbel Temples, a truly iconic close to any Egyptian journey.
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 twin-masted wooden sailing yacht built for slow, soulful travel along the Nile. Where the big floating hotels carry hundreds of passengers, a Dahabiya typically welcomes just 10–20 guests, giving you a boutique atmosphere with attentive service, quiet sailing days and the ability to moor at tiny islands and off-grid villages the larger ships cannot reach. Think of it as a beautifully restored slice of nineteenth-century travel — the same romance the earliest explorers of Egypt fell for — but now with air conditioning, plush cabins, gourmet food and warm hospitality on tap.
Most Dahabiya voyages run between 4 and 7 nights, with the exact length shaped by the route you choose.
The unhurried pace is the whole point — Dahabiyas are built to linger, not to race, pausing at little-visited temples, tucked-away riverbanks and quiet countryside spots that reveal a deeper, calmer Nile.
Yes — a Dahabiya cruise is a wonderful choice for families who want a slower, safer and more personal way to see Egypt.
That said, families with very young children (under 4 years old) may find the open decks and gentle, low-key setting a little tricky to manage, so it does come down to the parents’ comfort and level of supervision.
The sweet spot for a Dahabiya Nile Cruise stretches from October to April.
During these months the temperatures are kind, the sailing conditions are ideal, and outdoor sightseeing, village strolls and long hours on deck are pure pleasure.
Summer (May–September) is hot, but shaded decks, breezy sails and onboard cooling still make Dahabiya travel enjoyable for those who don’t mind the heat.
Cabins aboard a Dahabiya are cosy, characterful and built for restful nights on the water.
They are not as sprawling as cabins on the big cruisers, but they feel intimate, elegant and perfectly in keeping with the Dahabiya’s unhurried spirit.
