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Dahabiya - Nile Cruise
Sailing slowly on the Nile in our cozy dahabiyas, following its course, driven back and forth by the wind between bends and cataracts. From south to north to visit the archaeological treasures of the pharaohs. The days are spent on the mighty river Nile, with stopovers at larger and smaller places along the coast. The Dahabiya offers us the opportunity to reach the famous archaeological sites on less crowded days and also to visit the smaller ones where the large cruise ships cannot dock. The traditional sailing ship has 11-15 spacious suites with air conditioning and private bathrooms, a large lounge and restaurants. Sun loungers are available on the sun deck, where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on the banks of the Nile. The crew members come from small towns along the route and can always give you good tips during the trip and make contact with the locals during the shore excursions. We will often stop along the way to explore the riverside regions.
EG 3c Nature & Culture IV
Cairo & Dahabiya Cruise Luxor – Aswan
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo (Thursday or Saturday)
You will land at Cairo airport. A member of staff from the local travel agency will meet you in the immigration area of the airport and assist you with your visa application. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 2: The Grand Museum and Giza
After breakfast we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The largest archaeological museum complex in the world, it houses more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time, the entire treasure collection of King Tut is on display alongside artifacts from prehistoric times through the many thousands of years of Egypt's pharaonic civilization to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. In the afternoon, drive to the pyramids of Giza. The pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos are the highest in Egypt and classic examples of pyramid architecture. They rise up on a high plateau on the edge of the Western Desert. The ancient Egyptians believed this to be the entrance to the realm of the dead. Next to the pyramids we admire the Sphinx. Sculpted from the rock, the hermaphrodite with a lion's body (symbolizing courage) and a human head (strength of mind) guarded the pharaohs' tombs and was supposed to deter grave robbers. Theologians see the figure of the sphinx as the primordial creature in a humble posture before God. Afterwards, stroll through the lively Khan el Khalili bazaar. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3 (Saturday or Monday): Cairo - Luxor - Thebes East
Early morning flight to Luxor. Visit to the extensive temple complex of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. Karnak is the largest temple complex in Egypt. The oldest remains of the temple still visible today date from the 12th Dynasty under Sesostris I. The temple complex was repeatedly extended and rebuilt until the Roman Empire. Together with the Luxor Temple and the Theban Necropolis, the temple complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Transfer to your Dahabiya. Embarkation and lunch. The afternoon is free. We recommend a stroll through the Luxor Museum. Dinner Overnight stay on board in Luxor.
Day 4: Thebes West - Esna - Higz Island
Today we have the opportunity for an optional balloon ride over Luxor to watch the sunrise. After breakfast on board the Dahabiya, we visit the west bank: the Valley of the Kings is home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC) in particular. We visit three tombs there. We then visit the Terrace Temple of Hatshepsut We end the excursion with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon. We return at midday. We enjoy lunch while sailing to Esna. In the late afternoon we continue through the lock to Higz Island. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 5: Higz Island - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan
Enjoy your breakfast on deck as we sail to Edfu. We take carriages to the temple district of Horus. The temple is certainly one of the most impressive monuments on the banks of the Nile. Today, the temple is the largest and best-preserved temple in Egypt. It was built in the Greco-Roman period and exhibits classic features of Egyptian architecture. Two elegant black granite statues of Horus flank the entrance to the pylon, which leads to a wide colonnade and the first hypostyle hall. We sail further south. In Kom Ombo we visit the double sanctuary of the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroäris. A double sanctuary with symmetrical architecture in which each half is dedicated to the respective god. We reach Aswan in the early evening. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 6: Aswan - Abu Simbel
The morning is at leisure. Optional: bus trip to Abu Simbel and visit to the famous rock temples. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher due to the rising waters of the Nasser Reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is precisely aligned with the sunrise; twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Back to your Dahabiya. The afternoon is free. In the evening you can pay a visit to the Aswan spice market. Overnight stay on board.
Day 7: Disembarkation - Aswan
Breakfast on board, luggage collection, disembarkation. Visit to the unfinished obelisk, the relocated temples of Philae Island and the Sadd el Ali High Dam. Hotel check-in. In the afternoon, sailing boat trip around the Nile islands. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Aswan.
DAY 8: Departure
Transfer to Aswan airport and flight home via Cairo.
EG 3b Nature & Culture III
Cairo & One-Week Dahabiya Cruise Luxor – Aswan - Luxor
Day 1: Arrival in Luxor (Mondays)
You land at Luxor airport. A member of staff from our local partner agency will welcome you in the immigration area of the airport and help you apply for your visa. Transfer to your Dahabiya in Luxor. Embarkation. The Dahabiya crew will greet you with a welcome drink and introduce themselves to you. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 2: Thebes West - Esna
In the morning we have the opportunity for an optional balloon ride over Luxor, where you can take in the temples of Thebes West from the air. After breakfast on board the Dahabiya, we visit the west bank: the Valley of the Kings is home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC) in particular. We visit three tombs there. We then visit the Terrace Temple of Hatshepsut. We end the excursion with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon. We return at midday. We enjoy lunch while sailing to Esna. Dinner and overnight on board before the lock.
Day 3: Higz Island - Edfu - Ramadi - Kobaniya
The Dahabiya sails through the lock at sunrise. Enjoy your breakfast on deck as we sail south. We moor at the village of Higz-Bahari. The villager Asmaa shows you around her village and invites you to tea in her parents' house. In Edfu, we visit the Temple of Horus. The temple complex was built in the Greco-Roman period and has classic features of Egyptian architecture. Two elegant Horus statues made of black granite flank the entrance to the pylon, which leads to a wide colonnade and the first hypostyle hall. We moor at the village of Ramadi, where we enjoy our dinner at a traditional folklore evening on the island. Continue sailing south. Overnight stay on board near the village of Kobaniya.
Day 4: Saratuga -Elephantine - Bot. Island - Philae
At sunrise we sail for an hour to Aswan. We take a motorboat to the Saratuga and Gazal conservation areas. This natural vegetation includes about 94 different plant species. The unique natural conditions of these islands have favored the life of local and migratory birds, and more than 60 species have been cataloged, including rare and internationally endangered birds, the black ibis, the eagle and the purple partridge. We then walk through a Nubian village on Elephantine Island, visit a weaving mill and drink karkade with a family. On the way back we have a walk through the botanical island. After lunch on your dahabiya, we sail to the island of Philae. You will visit the Isis Temple from the Ptolemaic period, through which pilgrims and warriors passed to worship the figure of the Virgin Isis of ancient Egypt. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the level of the Nile rose and completely flooded the temple for six months of the year. At the end of the 1970s, the temple was dismantled in blocks and rebuilt on the nearby island of Agilkia above the water level. On the way back to Dahabiya, we pay a visit to the Aswan spice market. Overnight stay on board.
Day 5: Abu Simbel - Herdiab
The morning is at leisure. Optional: bus trip to Abu Simbel and visit to the famous rock temples. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher due to the rising waters of the Nasser Reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is precisely aligned with the sunrise; twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Back to your Dahabiya. You enjoy lunch while sailing to Herdiab, just before Kom Ombo. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 6: Kom Ombo - Daraw - Bisaw - Esna
After breakfast, we visit the double sanctuary of the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroäris with its symmetrical architecture, where each half is dedicated to the respective god. In the small town of Daraw, we visit the vegetable and camel market. At the local market, farmers from the surrounding area sell fresh fruit and vegetables that they have grown themselves. Tomatoes, beans, onions, pomegranates, dates and citrus fruits pile up into high mountains at the market stalls. We sail on to the island of Bisaw. We take a walk through the village to get an impression of rural life on the Nile. We then sail on to Esna. Overnight stay on board. (
Day 7: Esna - Luxor: Thebes East
Early in the morning we sail through the lock. We have breakfast on deck and enjoy sailing the last stretch to Luxor. In the afternoon we visit the extensive temple complexes of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. The largest temple complex in Egypt has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979, together with the Luxor Temple and the Theban Necropolis. After visiting Karnak Temple, you will take a horse-drawn carriage ride to Luxor Temple along the 3-kilometer-long Sphinx Avenue. In the evening, we bid farewell to the crew with a festive evening of folklore. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
DAY 8 - Disembarkation in Luxor and departure
Breakfast on board, luggage collection, disembarkation and transfer to Luxor airport and flight home or transfer to the Red Sea for an extended beach holiday.