Trade the crowds for the creak of wooden masts and the whisper of a lateen sail. The Swan Dahabiya is a boutique sailing boat with only a handful of cabins, carrying you along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan at the same unhurried rhythm generations of travellers once knew. Because she is small, she can slip into moorings the big cruisers simply cannot reach, tying up beside sleepy villages and half-forgotten temples such as Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Days drift by watching farmers, fishermen and egrets on the banks; evenings bring lantern-lit dinners on deck and the soft slap of the river against the hull. Sail with Daily Pyramids Tours and let the wind set your pace.
The Swan Dahabiya is a hand-built wooden sailing boat that offers one of the most refined and personal ways to travel the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. With just a small handful of cabins on board, the atmosphere feels closer to a private yacht than a cruise ship: attentive crew, quiet deck space, and time to breathe. You will sail past palm-lined shores, step into some of Egypt’s most celebrated temples, share unhurried meals prepared fresh in the galley, and watch Upper Egypt reveal itself at the gentle pace of the wind.
Day 1 – Arrival in Aswan & Kom Ombo Discovery
Landing at Aswan Airport, you are met and looked after from the moment you step off the plane before setting out on a gentle first day of sightseeing. You will visit the enchanting island sanctuary of Philae Temple, then move on to the Unfinished Obelisk lying in its ancient quarry and the sweeping curve of the High Dam. From there you board your Dahabiya, where a warm welcome and an orientation session set the tone for the days ahead.
Lunch is served on deck as the boat casts off toward Kom Ombo. In the late afternoon you step ashore to explore the striking Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, before returning to the Dahabiya for dinner while the boat continues its quiet passage toward Edfu.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board while sailing toward Edfu
Day 2 – Edfu Temple & Scenic Journey Toward Luxor
By morning the Dahabiya is moored at Edfu. After breakfast on board, you climb into a horse-drawn carriage and clip through town to the Temple of Edfu, one of the most complete and best-preserved temples anywhere in Egypt.
Back on board, lunch is served as the boat sets a course for Luxor, leaving you free to stretch out on deck and watch the riverbanks roll by.
As dusk falls the crew brings dinner up on deck before the Dahabiya moors at Esna for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Esna
Day 3 – Arrival in Luxor & East Bank Exploration
Breakfast is served on board as the Dahabiya continues her sail up to Luxor, ready for a day among the great monuments of the East Bank.
After lunch on board you step into the extraordinary Karnak Temple complex, an entire ancient city of columns, obelisks and sanctuaries, before heading on to the softly floodlit Luxor Temple in the heart of the modern town.
Return to the boat for a leisurely dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxor
Day 4 – West Bank Highlights & Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before stepping ashore for a memorable morning on Luxor’s West Bank. Your guide leads you into the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings, up to the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut set against its cliffs, and past the mighty Colossi of Memnon standing sentinel over the fields.
Once the visits are done, you are driven to Luxor Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1 – Arrival in Luxor & East Bank Wonders
Touching down at Luxor Airport, you are met by our team and driven straight to your waiting Dahabiya. On board, you are shown to your cabin, handed a cool welcome drink, and given time to settle into the calm of the boat.
Lunch is served before you head out into Luxor to walk the vast hypostyle halls of the Karnak Temples and continue on to the beautifully lit Luxor Temple.
Back on board you sit down to dinner and spend the evening on deck, letting the Nile breeze ease you into the trip.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board in Luxor
Day 2 – West Bank Treasures & Scenic Sailing Toward Edfu
After breakfast on board, cross to the West Bank for a morning among the desert royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, and the towering Colossi of Memnon standing guard on the plain.
Return to the Dahabiya as she casts off toward Esna. Lunch is served on board and the afternoon is yours to relax as the riverbanks slide gently by.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Edfu
Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Kom Ombo Adventure
Breakfast is served on board before you step ashore to visit the magnificent Temple of Edfu, one of the most complete temples surviving from ancient Egypt. Back on the Dahabiya, lunch is set out as the boat sails on to Kom Ombo, where you explore the unusual twin temple honouring Sobek and Haroeris.
Afterwards the Dahabiya continues quietly toward Aswan while you enjoy dinner on board and settle in for a still, star-filled night on the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Aswan
Day 4 – Aswan Highlights & Relaxing Afternoon on the Nile
Start with breakfast on board, then head out to see the great sights of Aswan: the temple island of Philae, the huge span of the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk still resting in the granite that once held it.
Return to the Dahabiya for lunch and give yourself over to a slow afternoon on deck. Dinner is served as the sky darkens over Aswan and the boat settles into a peaceful mooring for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board in Aswan
Day 5 – Farewell & Departure from Aswan
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew. You will then be transferred to Aswan Airport for your onward flight, closing the chapter on your slow-sailed journey along the Nile.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1 – Arrival in Aswan & Dahabiya Embarkation
Our team meets you at Aswan Airport and takes the hassle out of arrival before you set off on a first taste of the region. You visit the temple island of Philae, admire the massive Unfinished Obelisk in its quarry bed, and take in the scale of the High Dam that reshaped the Nile.
At midday you step aboard your Dahabiya for lunch and an orientation session that introduces the boat and the rhythm of the days ahead. The afternoon is left free for you to soak up the peace of the deck, and the day ends with dinner on board.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Aswan
Day 2 – Kom Ombo Temple & Sailing Toward Edfu
Breakfast is served on board as the Dahabiya casts off in the cool of the morning. Ashore, your guide leads you through the striking Kom Ombo Temple and on into the small Crocodile Museum housed beside it.
Sailing continues toward Edfu with lunch on board, leaving the afternoon free for deck time and quiet views. Dinner is served as the boat moors near Edfu for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Edfu
Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Sailing Toward Luxor
After breakfast on board, a horse-drawn carriage takes you at a happy clip to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
Back aboard, the Dahabiya turns north toward Luxor. Lunch is served before you pass through the Esna Lock, and the boat carries on through gentle countryside while you watch the banks drift by, ending the day with dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Luxor
Day 4 – West Bank Wonders & East Bank Highlights
Start with breakfast on board before crossing to the West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, and the two great Colossi of Memnon shape a morning of pure ancient Egypt.
Return to the Dahabiya for lunch, then head out again to walk the mighty Karnak Temple and finish the day at the softly lit Luxor Temple, before dinner and a peaceful overnight moored in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxor
Day 5 – Leisure in Luxor & Sailing Toward Esna
After breakfast on board, take the morning slowly, either aboard the Dahabiya or wandering Luxor at your own pace.
Around noon the boat sets sail for Esna. Lunch is served as the water widens and quietens, and the evening brings a relaxed dinner on board and an overnight mooring near Esna.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Esna
Day 6 – Esna Lock & Sailing Toward Edfu
Breakfast is served on board before the Dahabiya passes once more through the Esna Lock and continues on toward Edfu.
Lunch arrives mid-journey and the afternoon is given over to deck life, the changing light on the water and long slow river views. Dinner on board precedes an overnight mooring near Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Edfu
Day 7 – Full Day of Relaxation While Sailing to Aswan
After breakfast on board, this is a day for doing very little. The Dahabiya carries you upstream toward Aswan while you slip into the rhythm of the river.
Lunch is served on deck as palm groves, riverside villages and stretches of golden desert glide past. Dinner rounds off the day, and the boat moors quietly near Aswan for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Aswan
Day 8 – Farewell & Departure from Aswan
A last breakfast on board, a warm goodbye to the crew, and a transfer to Aswan Airport or on to your chosen hotel bring your slow, sail-powered Nile journey to a close.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1 – Arrival in Luxor & East Bank Highlights
You are met at Luxor Airport and driven straight to the Dahabiya, where the crew welcomes you aboard, shows you to your cabin and offers a cool arrival drink.
After lunch on board you head out to explore the East Bank’s headline sights: the sprawling Karnak Temples and, later, the iconic Luxor Temple lit up against the evening sky. Return to the boat for dinner and a slow, breeze-cooled evening on deck.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board in Luxor
Day 2 – West Bank Wonders & Sailing Toward Aswan
After breakfast on board, cross the river to Luxor’s West Bank to walk the rock-cut Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, and the huge stone figures of the Colossi of Memnon.
Back aboard, the Dahabiya casts off toward Aswan. Lunch is served as she picks up the current, leaving you the whole afternoon to watch Upper Egypt drift by. Dinner and a restful night follow on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board while sailing toward Aswan
Day 3 – Edfu Temple Visit & Sailing Toward Aswan
Breakfast is served on board as the Dahabiya continues her slow sail south. Lunch follows before you step ashore to visit the majestic Temple of Edfu, one of the most complete ancient temples anywhere in the country.
Back on board, the boat carries on toward Aswan, giving you a front-row seat as the sun burns down toward the desert. Dinner is served on deck and the Nile falls quiet around the moored Dahabiya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board while sailing toward Aswan
Day 4 – Kom Ombo Temple & Arrival in Aswan
A relaxed morning of sailing follows breakfast on board, with lunch served as the landscape opens out. In the afternoon you step ashore at Kom Ombo Temple, with its unusual twin sanctuaries and rich seam of medical and ritual reliefs.
Sailing on toward Aswan, you finish the day with dinner on board and a serene mooring in the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board in Aswan
Day 5 – Aswan Highlights & Leisure Time
After breakfast on board, head into Aswan to see its finest sights: the island-set Philae Temple, the vast sweep of the High Dam, and the ancient Unfinished Obelisk still cradled in its bedrock.
Return to the Dahabiya for lunch and give the afternoon to the boat’s amenities. Dinner on board is followed by time with your guide, whose stories fill in the world behind the monuments before you turn in for another comfortable night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On board in Aswan
Day 6 – Scenic Sailing Toward Edfu
Breakfast on board is served as the Dahabiya sets off early, passing Kom Ombo Temple on the bank and offering wide views from the deck.
The journey carries on toward Edfu while lunch is laid out, and the afternoon unwinds slowly on deck. Dinner on board closes the day and the boat moors near Edfu for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Edfu
Day 7 – Sailing Toward Luxor & Esna Lock Passage
After breakfast on board, the return leg toward Luxor begins, filled with the same timeless riverbank views.
Lunch is served in the middle of the day before the boat passes through the Esna Lock, then carries on toward Luxor. Dinner on board is followed by an overnight mooring near the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Near Luxor
Day 8 – Farewell & Departure from Luxor
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking. From the pier you are driven to Luxor Airport or on to your hotel, wrapping up a slow, sail-powered journey 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 wooden sailing boat, built for a slow, intimate way of travelling the Nile. Unlike the tall multi-deck cruisers, a Dahabiya normally carries just 10–20 guests, which gives the whole experience a boutique feel: attentive service, uncrowded deck space and easy access to small islands and remote riverside villages that larger ships simply cannot approach. The result is a rare combination of luxury, privacy and authenticity, letting you experience the Nile much as travellers did centuries ago, but with modern comfort, well-crafted meals and a warm, personal welcome on board.
Most Dahabiya itineraries run for 4 to 7 nights, depending on the route you choose.
The slow pace is part of the appeal. Dahabiyas do not chase a schedule; they linger at lesser-known temples, moor beside quiet stretches of riverbank, and slip into small villages, giving you a deeper and more relaxed sense of the Nile.
Yes, a Dahabiya cruise is a wonderful choice for families, especially those looking for a quieter, calmer and more personal kind of journey.
That said, families travelling with very young children (under 4 years old) may find the open deck and the quiet, adult pace a little tricky to manage, so it is worth weighing up comfort and supervision before booking.
The finest season for a Dahabiya Nile Cruise runs from October to April.
Through these months temperatures stay comfortable, which suits gentle sailing, outdoor sightseeing, village walks and long hours on deck.
Summer (May–September) is hot, though plenty of travellers still enjoy Dahabiyas at this time thanks to shaded decks, sail-driven breezes and onboard cooling.
Cabins on a Dahabiya are compact, characterful and designed to feel like a small, well-appointed hideaway.
The cabins are not as vast as those on the big cruisers, but they feel intimate and beautifully in keeping with the slow, sail-driven spirit of the Dahabiya.
