Aswan to Luxor: Dahabiya Nile Cruise with Temples & Private Chef

Summary

Sailing Egypt’s Nile by dahabiya—temples, tombs, slow mornings

You’ll drift down the Nile on a classic dahabiya with private cabins, stopping at ancient sites like Kom Ombo Temple and Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist guide. Savor Egyptian meals cooked fresh onboard and share laughs with fellow travelers under endless sky. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s living inside history for a few days.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment I keep replaying: the dahabiya drifting past palm groves near Aswan, the river glassy and just a little gold from the late sun. Our guide—Youssef—was telling us about crocodile gods while a fisherman waved from his tiny boat. The air smelled faintly sweet, like warm reeds and something cooking below deck (I swear I could smell cumin). We’d been picked up right at our hotel that morning and somehow it already felt like we’d left regular time behind.

Lunch was served as we sailed—a spread of eggplant salad and grilled chicken—and I remember laughing because I tried to say “shukran” properly and Li just shook her head at my accent. The cabins were cool (air-con is no joke in June) and surprisingly quiet except for the soft creak of wood when the wind picked up. That first night we docked near Kom Ombo Temple; walking there after dinner felt almost unreal, like stepping into a storybook. The hieroglyphics looked sharper than any photo. Youssef pointed out where Sobek’s crocodiles would have basked—he said it so casually I almost believed they’d show up.

The days blurred together in a good way: sunrise tea on the sundeck, then piling into vans for Karnak or Valley of the Kings with our Egyptologist guide explaining how tombs got painted blue for eternity. There was one afternoon in Edfu where I just sat on deck watching kids race donkeys along the shore (they won every time). At Luxor, standing inside Hatshepsut’s temple with sunlight bouncing off pale stone—it made me feel small but lucky to be there. Not everything went smoothly (I lost my sunglasses somewhere between tombs), but honestly that’s part of what makes it stick in my mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aswan sightseeing and embarkation

• Pick up from Aswan hotel or port
• Guided tour of Aswan city
• Boat trip to Philae Temple
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Board dahabiya sailing boat
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Overnight aboard dahabiya in Kom Ombo

Day 2 — Kom Ombo temple and sailing to Edfu

• Guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail dahabiya toward Edfu
• Dinner on board
• Overnight aboard dahabiya in Edfu

Day 3 — Edfu temple visit

• Guided tour of Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Enjoy lunch and dinner on board
• Overnight aboard dahabiya in Edfu

Day 4 — Luxor monuments and departure

• Check out of dahabiya
• Guided tour of Valley of the Kings tombs
• Visit Tomb of Ramses III
• Visit Tomb of Ramses IV
• Visit Tomb of Merneptah
• Optional visit to Tomb of Tutankhamun
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Drop off at Luxor hotel or port

Top questions

How long is the dahabiya Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

The cruise lasts 3 nights, sailing from Aswan to Luxor with stops at major temples along the way.

Are meals included during the cruise?

Yes, all meals are included as per itinerary—breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared by your onboard chef.

Is hotel pickup provided in Aswan?

Yes, pickup from your Aswan hotel or port is included at the start of your trip.

What sites do you visit between Aswan and Luxor?

You’ll visit Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus at Edfu, Philae Temple in Aswan, Karnak Temples, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon.

Are guided tours included at each site?

Yes—a qualified Egyptologist guide leads tours at all major monuments during your cruise.

Can vegetarians be accommodated on this cruise?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

Is air conditioning available in cabins?

All private cabins have air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms for comfort.

Is there an optional Abu Simbel tour?

An early morning Abu Simbel excursion is offered for an additional cost before sailing begins.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup in Aswan, all entry fees to sites listed in your itinerary, three nights accommodation aboard a colonial-style dahabiya with ensuite air-conditioned cabins, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner freshly prepared by your personal chef (with vegetarian options if needed), guided sightseeing led by an Egyptologist throughout Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor—including Valley of the Kings—and drop-off at any Luxor hotel or port after checkout.