Cairo and Dahabiya Nile cruise

Travel Type

Cruises

Duration

9 Days/8 Nights

Country

Egypt

Admire the land of contrast that is Egypt: the splendor of its desert landscapes, the magnificence of its perfectly preserved ancient jewels, as well as the majesty of its Nile, the largest river in Africa. A Nile cruise is by far the best way to travel through Upper Egypt. Spending time on the Nile allows you to relax, experience the scenery of rural Egypt and see some of the most beautiful monuments of the country. It’s the highlight of every Egypt trip.

Passenger must arrive in Cairo on a Thursday as the Dahabiya cruise sails from Luxor for 5 nights every Saturday.

Inclusions

– 8-night accommodation (3 nights in Cairo and 5 nights on board of the Nile cruise)
– 18 meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
– Domestic flights: Cairo – Luxor, Aswan – Cairo
– All the airport transfers with assistance at Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
– Full day visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo

Exclusions

International flights and airport taxes – Egyptian visa – Gratuities to hotel and cruise personnel, guides and drivers – Meals and beverages other than mentioned – Optional excursions – Travel insurance – All other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Additional Information

Note

Guaranteed with 2 people. Single supplement applies with min two people traveling. Solo travelers rate on request.

Obligatory gala dinners on December 24 and December 31 are not included.

Visa

Starting December 1st, 2024, Canadian passport holders will be able to obtain a visa online prior to or upon arrival in Egypt.

DAY 1 CAIRO

Upon your arrival to Cairo international airport, our representative will meet and assist you. You will then be transferred by an air-conditioned bus to hotel. Check-in and overnight at hotel. Cairo, with a population of 17 million, called Al-Qahirah in Arabic, is not only Africa’s largest city but the political and cultural center of the Arab World. Cairo’s old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets still known by descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairo’s architecture is distinguished by Ottoman and later European influences, especially in commercial architecture, particularly as the city’s population boomed in the 19th century.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Cairo for 2 nights

DAY 2 CAIRO

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to visit the Pyramids, Sphinx, and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum GEM. The Pyramids and Sphinx were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the seven wonders of the world. A single pyramid is built of 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and one–half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is especially interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high and 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body. The new Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world, offers an unparalleled journey through Egypt’s ancient history, housing over 100,000 artifacts. With its state-of-the-art design and immersive exhibits, it’s a must-visit for those eager to experience the wonders of Egypt’s rich heritage in a modern, world-class setting. Back to hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

DAY 3 CAIRO - LUXOR

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cairo domestic airport for flight to Luxor. Luxor has often been called the world’s greatest open-air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that knows of actually, what most people think of as Luxor is really three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor. Upon your arrival at Luxor, you will be transferred to Dahabiya. You will be welcomed by the Dahabiya manager and will be offered a cold wet towel, a welcome drink and fresh seasonal fruits. Check-in on board the Dahabiya and enjoy your seated lunch on board. After lunch, visit the East Bank (the Karnak Temple Complex, followed by the awesome Luxor Temple). Karnak Temple was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, God of Thebes then. The Temple of Karnak comprises three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples, all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu, and Amun, are enclosed in enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun at the center. Karnak is now the largest and oldest temple compound on earth. Luxor Temple is situated on the east bank of the River Nile. The temple itself was known as “ipet resyt” (“the southern harem”) and it was founded during the New Kingdom around 1400 BC. The temple is dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu and was the focus of one of the most important religious festivals in ancient Egypt, the annual Opet Festival. During this festival the cult statues of Amun, Mut and Khonsu would travel from Karnak to Luxor. As a result, the temple is not aligned to the river (as is more usual) but to the temple complex at Karnak. After the visit you will be welcomed again with cold wet towels and a chilled glass of Hibiscus drink. Sunset tea and refreshments on the Sundeck. In the evening you will be greeted by the Dahabiya staff and a gourmet dinner will be served on the sundeck or in the restaurant depending on the weather. The Dahabiya will dock at the west bank of the Nile to spend the night so you can enjoy the panoramic view of Luxor Temple as well as a peaceful sleep away from the city noise.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight on board in Luxor

DAY 4 LUXOR - ESNA

Breakfast on board at the sun deck. Visit the West Bank Necropolis, the burial ground of the Pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Proceed to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. End the tour by a panoramic stop at the Colossi of Amenhutep III named the Colossi of Memnon by the Greeks. The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king’s formal name and title is inscribed in his tomb, which are also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. The Valley of the Queens (Biban Al-Harem), which includes between 75 and 80 tombs, is located on the West Bank at Luxor. These tombs belong to queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. Among these is the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of 18th Dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years they have sat in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. These two colossal statues (about 20 meters high) of the deified Amenophis III once flanked the entrance of the first pylon at the pharaoh’s mortuary temple. The temple is now completely destroyed, ruined first by flood waters and later cannibalized for its stone. Both statues are damaged as well, lacking their faces and tall royal crowns. After the visit you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink. You will then enjoy your seated lunch on board. Next, we will sail to Esna and have tea time on the sundeck with a variety of seasonal fruits and ice cream. Dinner during sailing on the sundeck. Tonight the Dahabiya will dock at a small island close to Esna city where you can enjoy watching the clear sky and the noise of silence.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight on board, on the way to Esna near El Hegz Island

DAY 5 ESNA - EDFU

Start your sailing experience with the sunrise and enjoying the beautiful sights and scenes of the Nile. Breakfast on board while crossing Esna lock. Sail to Edfu and lunch during sailing on the sundeck with the view of the Egyptian countryside and villages on the way to Edfu. In the afternoon, visit one of the best preserved temples of the Greco-Roman era, that of Horus at Edfu. Experience the horse drawn carriage ride back and forth to the temple. The Temple of Horus in Edfu (also known as the Temple of Edfu) is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Yet despite its later date, it exactly reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple. After the visit you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink. Then afternoon tea and refreshments will be served on the sundeck while sailing to Al Ramady Island. Dinner on board followed by traditional Rababa musicians show.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight on board, besides Al Ramady island near Edfu

DAY 6 EDFU - ASWAN

Today will be dedicated to a long relaxing sailing starting from sunrise heading to Aswan. First, breakfast will be served on the sundeck. Then, sail to Sheikh Fadl Island and lunch on board during sailing. Enjoy the panoramic view of Kom Ombo Temple. The temple at Kom Ombo is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Aswan and was built during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395). There was an earlier structure from the 18th dynasty but little remains. The temple is unique because it is in fact a double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels. Tea time and dinner will be served while docking on El Sheikh Fadl Island. Tonight, the Dahabiya staff will be your entertainers. They will dress their traditional costume (Galabeya) and will teach how to dance like an Egyptian. Sail to Aswan after dinner and overnight on board.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight on board

DAY 7 ASWAN

Arrive to Aswan in the early morning. Breakfast on board. Visit the High Dam and then proceed with a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Located near Aswan, the world famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 11,811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and and 364 feet tall. Today, it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt and, together with the old Aswan Dam built by the British between 1898 and 1902, 6km down river, wonderful views for visitors. Philae Temple: A short trip on a motorboat will bring the visitor to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after his murder by his brother Seth. After the visit, you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink. Lunch and dinner on board.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Overnight on board in Aswan

DAY 8 ASWAN

Breakfast on board. Disembarkation in Aswan with memories of a lifetime journey across the Nile. Transfer to Aswan domestic airport for flight to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Cairo for 1 night

Optional Excursions : Visit to Abu Simbel Temple in the early morning.
Prepare to be blown away by the magnificence of these temples. They are undisputedly one of the world’s most breathtaking monuments, and Egypt’s second most visited touristic site, the Pyramids of Giza being on the top of the list. The relocation of the temples was a historic event in the 1960’s. At that time, the temples were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser when the High Dam was constructed. The Egyptian government with the support of UNESCO launched a world wide appeal to save these colossal landmarks. They were successfully dismantled and relocated to a spot 60 meters above the cliff where they had been initially built. The more famous of the two temples is dedicated to Ramses II and the smaller one to his favourite wife Nefertari. They were both built by Ramses II in the 13th century BCs. The most remarkable feature of the temple of Abu-Simbel is that the construction is oriented in a way that twice a year, the morning sun rays shine through the length of the inner temple cave and illuminate the statues of the four gods seated at the end of the cave.

DAY 9 DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, transfer from hotel to Cairo International airport for final departure.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Passenger must arrive in Cairo on a Thursday as the Dahabiya cruise sails from Luxor for 5 nights every Saturday.

Cairo

Mena House 5* – Garden view room

Cruise

Merit Dahabiya 5*

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from	Land Package
Departures 2026	Double Occupancy	Single Occupancy
February 1 – March 24 April 11 – 30	6129	9999
Peak season
March 25 – April 10	6299	10299
Summer 2026 (May 1 – September 19)*	On request
*During these dates the sailing will be on board of the Sonesta Dahabya Amirat (minimum of 7 nights).

Passenger must arrive in Cairo on a Thursday as the Dahabiya cruise sails from Luxor for 5 nights every Saturday.

Guaranteed with 2 people. Single supplement applies with min two people traveling. Solo travelers rate on request.

Obligatory gala dinners on December 24 and December 31 are not included.

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

DAHABIYAS

DAHABIYAS are upscale, luxurious boutique sailing boats where you enjoy a unique and stylish sailing experience, up and down the great spectacular Nile River between Luxor and Aswan. Each DAHABIYA boat offers 8 spacious cabins (18 m2) and holds up to a maximum of 16 people.

Our gourmet menus are designed to tickle every taste from BBQ to vegetarian, Asian and other international cuisines. A dip into the Jacuzzi on the sundeck offers a truly exciting experience. Soaking up in the bright sun and relaxing under the starry sky by night has never been so inspiring.

The tastefully furnished and decorated cabins with huge panoramic windows and luxurious bathrooms are equipped like deluxe hotel rooms. Twelve crew members offer the maximum sixteen guests a flexible travel and sightseeing program as well as a la carte meals and beverages of their choice.

The DAHABIYAS are traditional sailboats that are powered by wind. In cases where the wind current is low each of the Dahabiyas has its own tow boat, ensuring that visitors are disturbed by neither vibrations nor the loud noise that an engine would create.

We invite you to sail into the mysteries and wonders of ancient Egypt. Whether joining us for a North or South bound cruise, we have a package to cater to your every whim. The DAHABIYAS give you the unique opportunity of sailing into smaller branches and channels of the Nile to explore the East and West Banks of the great Nile River, offering a closer look and visits to well-preserved monuments which is not possible on larger commercial cruise ships.

Ship Stats

Built: 2008
Length: 50 meters
Width: 7.30 meters
Air draft: 4.80 meters
Water draft: 1 meter
Generator: 2 generators 80 hp and 40 hp
8 large luxurious cabins (4 cabins with twin beds and 4 cabins with king-size beds) each cabin is 18 m2.
Outdoor dining with B.B.Q facilities
Indoor lounge with dining space, bar and library
On-deck bar
Menus of top-quality cuisine and international delicacies as well as local Egyptian cuisine
State of the art Jacuzzi tub
WI-FI internet connection
Electronic fire and smoke detection and the latest sprinkler system
Shaded sun deck
Fully air-conditioned
12 crew members

Entertainment

(UPON REQUEST)
Special animation programs
Dance competitions
Folkloric and belly dance shows
Group games parties
Fancy dress parties
Wide selection of DVD movies, Music CDs and books are available (Free of charge)
Quartet (oriental or classical)

Cabin Features

LCD screen
Mini bar
Terry cloth bathrobes and slippers
Luxurious bathroom amenities
Hair dryer
Hospitality tray
Digital safe box
Large panoramic window
Individually controlled A/C units

Cairo and Dahabiya Nile cruise – Detailed itinerary