Trade the drone of engines for the soft snap of a lateen sail. The Princess Farida is a graceful Dahabiya, a boutique sailing boat with only a handful of cabins, that carries you between Luxor and Aswan at the unhurried pace the river was always meant to keep. Because she is small, she can slip into moorings the big floating hotels cannot reach: sleepy islands, unpaved landings, farming hamlets where children wave from the reed banks. You step ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo without a crowd, watch water buffalo cool off in the shallows, and drink mint tea on deck as the palm groves turn gold at sunset. The mood on board is quiet, personal and genuinely calm. Come and meet the real Nile with Daily Pyramids Tours.
Sail the Nile the way it was written to be sailed, gently, gracefully and in the smallest of good company, aboard the Princess Farida Dahabiya. She is a boutique wooden vessel built for travellers who care as much about the crew that greets them by name as the temples on the shore, with beautifully finished suites, patient service and a rhythm set by the wind rather than the clock. Between Luxor and Aswan you will step inside some of Egypt’s most famous sanctuaries, wander archaeological sites the guidebooks lead with, and return each afternoon to freshly cooked meals laid out on the sun deck as the river slides by.
Day 1 – Arrival in Aswan & Philae Temple, Sail to Kom Ombo
Our team will be waiting the moment you arrive in Aswan, ready with a warm welcome and a smooth transfer straight to the Princess Farida Dahabiya for embarkation and check-in. Once you are settled, the sightseeing begins with the Aswan High Dam, a twentieth-century engineering feat that holds back Lake Nasser and opens up sweeping views of both the lake and the Nile stretching south.
From there a short motorboat ride takes you across to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and painstakingly moved, block by block, onto Agilkia Island to save it from the rising waters. In the early afternoon the Dahabiya casts off towards Kom Ombo, the riverbanks unspooling beside you in a slow ribbon of green.
On arrival you disembark to explore the unique Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual double sanctuary honouring both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, its twin entrances, halls and shrines laid out in perfect mirror image. Back on board, unwind on deck as dusk falls before dinner is served under the stars.
Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: EL Beshier (Small Island)
Day 2 – Sailing to El Silsela & Visit Edfu Temple
Breakfast is served on deck as the Dahabiya sets off in the early morning towards Gebel El Silsela, the sandstone quarry that once fed the chisels of nearly every great temple in Egypt. You will wander among the huge cuttings, chapels and cliff-cut tombs, learning how stone became sanctuary and how the site kept its sacred hold long after the last block was floated away.
The sail continues towards Edfu, drifting past little villages and thick palm groves. On arrival, climb into a traditional horse-drawn carriage for the clip-clopping ride into town and the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in the country, where the walls tell in stone the epic feud in which Horus finally overcame the god Set. As evening settles, you return to the deck and let the Dahabiya glide on with the current.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: Small Village
Day 3 – Sailing to Luxor, Luxor East Bank: Karnak & Luxor Temples
A leisurely breakfast on board sets the tone as you sail steadily towards Luxor, the river banks now lusher and busier with village life. You arrive in the early afternoon and meet your professional Egyptologist for a walk through the Karnak Temple Complex, an astonishing site built and rebuilt over centuries by around 30 pharaohs and second only to the Pyramids in visitor numbers.
From Karnak, the day continues at Luxor Temple, dedicated to the renewal of kingship and the stage for countless royal coronations. Along the way the Dahabiya passes through the Esna Lock, a small but fascinating piece of Nile engineering that still keeps river traffic moving as it has for generations.
The day closes with dinner on board and an overnight moored close to the Luxor West Bank.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: Luxor West Bank
Day 4 – Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon
After breakfast you leave the boat and cross to Luxor’s West Bank, first stop the Valley of the Kings, the desert cleft where pharaohs were buried in tombs bright with hieroglyphs and richly painted scenes of the afterlife.
From there it is on to the magnificent Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, dedicated to Egypt’s first female pharaoh, its three terraces stacked dramatically against the pale limestone cliffs.
The West Bank tour finishes at the Colossi of Memnon, the two vast seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have watched the road for millennia, along with the strange legends they inspired.
Once the last photograph is taken, you are transferred to your hotel or Luxor airport for onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1 – Arrival in Luxor & Explore East Bank Temples
Whether you have just stepped off a flight or checked out of a Luxor hotel, our team meets you with a smooth welcome and takes care of the transfer to the Princess Farida Dahabiya. You settle into your private suite, catch your breath and are called up for a first lunch on board as the Nile shimmers alongside.
In the afternoon you meet your Egyptologist for the East Bank of Luxor, beginning with the graceful Luxor Temple, sanctuary of royal renewal, then continuing to the enormous Karnak Temple Complex, the largest open-air religious site on Earth, expanded over centuries by roughly 30 pharaohs.
You will crane your neck at soaring columns, walk down avenues lined with sphinxes and hear the stories that turn stone back into worship. Back on the Dahabiya the day rounds off with afternoon tea, a generous dinner and a quiet mooring near the Luxor West Bank.
Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: Luxor West Bank
Day 2 – Discover the West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon
After breakfast on board you disembark for a guided tour of Luxor’s West Bank, starting with the legendary Valley of the Kings, the desert necropolis whose painted tombs, Tutankhamun’s among them, still glow with colour. Next comes the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a stepped architectural marvel raised for Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and finally the Colossi of Memnon, two towering statues that have kept their post for over 3,000 years.
You return to the Dahabiya for a slow afternoon of sailing, crossing the famous Esna Lock and letting the countryside slip past. The evening is for reflection, dinner on deck and a night moored on a quiet island near Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: An Island near Edfu
Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Kom Ombo Adventure
Breakfast is enjoyed at anchor before the Dahabiya sails on to Edfu. Once ashore, climb into a traditional horse-drawn carriage for the ride into town and step into the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries, raised in honour of the falcon-headed god.
Back on board, lunch is served as you sail on to Gebel El Silsela, an ancient quarry with chapels, rock-cut tombs and dramatic cliffside views. The river then delivers you to Kom Ombo, the unusual double temple honouring both Sobek and Horus the Elder.
You will explore the twin halls and step next door into the Crocodile Museum, home to a striking display of mummified crocodiles and their votive offerings. The evening drifts by on deck, with dinner and an overnight on a peaceful island.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: An Island
Day 4 – Aswan Highlights: High Dam & Philae Temple
The morning begins with breakfast under sail as the Dahabiya makes its way to Aswan. Once alongside, you visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern marvel that tames the Nile, powers much of the country and opens a wide panorama over Lake Nasser.
From there a short boat ride takes you across the water to Philae Temple, sanctuary of the goddess Isis, relocated stone by stone onto Agilkia Island to save it from the rising Nile. You will walk its colonnades, admire the delicate reliefs and take in one of the loveliest island settings in Egypt.
Back on the Dahabiya, lunch is followed by an afternoon of easy sailing and tea on deck as Aswan’s riverscape drifts by. Dinner is served on board before a peaceful overnight at anchor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner
Overnight: Aswan
Day 5 – Farewell to the Nile & Departure
After a final breakfast on board, you disembark in Aswan and are transferred wherever you are heading next, straight to the airport for your flight home or onward to a hotel for a longer stay in Egypt.
All that remains is the collection of memories, the temples, the sunsets, the sound of the wind in the sail, that a Nile Dahabiya so quietly leaves you with.
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 Egyptian sailing boat, wooden hulled, twin masted and beautifully finished, built for slow, intimate journeys along the Nile. Where a large cruise ship might carry hundreds, a Dahabiya usually welcomes only 10–20 guests, which makes it feel more like a private yacht than a floating hotel. Service is personal, the sailing is quiet, and the shallow draft lets the boat drop anchor at small islands, sleepy villages and remote landings the bigger ships glide straight past. It is luxury of the old kind: gourmet cooking, attentive crew, hand-crafted interiors and the Nile passing exactly as it did for the nineteenth-century explorers, only rather more comfortably.
Most Dahabiya itineraries run between 4 and 7 nights, depending on the route you choose.
The slow tempo is really the whole point. Dahabiyas never rush. They pause at little-visited temples, hidden riverbanks and unhurried countryside stops that a bigger boat could never fit into its schedule.
Yes, a Dahabiya cruise is a lovely choice for families, especially if you would rather trade nightclubs and buffets for peace, safety and a genuinely personal welcome.
That said, families travelling with very young children (under 4 years old) may find the open decks and the quiet, adult pace a little demanding to supervise, so it really depends on your own comfort with a slower kind of holiday.
The finest window for a Dahabiya Nile Cruise is between October and April.
Across those months the weather is mild and welcoming, perfect for slow sailing, unhurried sightseeing, village walks and long hours on deck.
Summer (May–September) can be hot, but some guests still enjoy a Dahabiya at this time of year thanks to the shaded decks, the constant river breeze and the air-conditioned cabins below.
Cabins on a Dahabiya are compact, characterful and quietly indulgent, designed to feel warm rather than palatial.
They will not match the square-footage of a big cruise ship stateroom, but they feel intimate, softly lit and perfectly matched to the pace of a Dahabiya voyage.
