Four nights under sail from Esna to Aswan, stopping at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo.
Monday
5 days on board
all guided
per person
A four-night dahabiya cruise sails south from Esna to Aswan in five days. You pass the Esna lock on the first afternoon, see the rock tombs of El Kab and the Temple of Horus at Edfu on day two, the Gebel el-Silsila quarries on day three and Kom Ombo at first light on day four, then leave the boat in Aswan after breakfast. Departures are usually on Mondays.
Scroll the days or press play — the boat sails to each stop as you go. Timings are typical; the exact order can shift with lock lines and mooring slots.
Azhar
Cleopatra Dahabiyat
The same list on every ship we sell for this route — so two quotes are always comparable.
The six sites this cruise visits, in the order you reach them.
The boat boards at Esna and passes through the lock on the first afternoon.
Painted tombs cut into the hillside, visited by small boats rather than the large cruise ships.
The best-preserved temple on the Nile, visited late in the day.
Ancient sandstone quarries and rock shrines where the river narrows.
The double temple at first light, then the camel market at Daraw.
Disembark after breakfast; Philae can be added.
There's no shopping cart because a Nile cruise shouldn't be bought like a pair of shoes. A specialist handles it end to end.
Dates, route, style, budget — or just "help". Use the finder above, the form below or WhatsApp.
A specialist replies with ships that fit, live availability, exact inclusions and a written price.
Swap ships, add Cairo or Abu Simbel, ask anything. We hold your cabin free while you decide.
Deposit by card link or bank transfer, balance before sailing. Vouchers and a WhatsApp line for the trip.
Temperature drives both comfort and price — and a few small things (tipping, tickets, what to pack) make the difference between a good cruise and a great one.
Hover or tap a month for temperatures and crowd levels.
Read the full guide: Best time for a Nile cruise, month by month
Linen or cotton that covers shoulders and knees — you'll be walking in full sun at Karnak and Edfu. A scarf doubles as sun cover and mosque-visit modesty.
Tomb floors in the Valley of the Kings are ramps and steps. Sandals for the deck, closed shoes for the sites.
Deck evenings and air-conditioned lounges are cooler than you expect. November–February nights drop to 46–54°F (8–12 °C).
The pool is the afternoon plan. Sunscreen on board costs three times the price at home.
Tomb interiors are dim and phones die fast in the heat. Plug type C/F (European two-pin), 220 V.
For the Galabeya night and the captain's dinner — or buy a galabeya at the Esna market for $10 like everyone else.
Read the full guide: What to pack for Egypt · What to wear on a Nile cruise
Roughly $3–5 for the crew (pooled envelope at the end of the cruise), $5 for your Egyptologist and $2 for drivers. We put this in writing so nothing feels awkward.
ATMs in Luxor and Aswan work fine; on board only cash is accepted for tips. $1 and $5 notes are gold for bathroom attendants and carriage drivers.
Drinks (packages from $35/day), laundry, spa, and optional excursions like Abu Simbel or the balloon. The bar takes cards on most deluxe and luxury ships.
Tutankhamun's tomb (~$20), Seti I (~$60) and Nefertari (~$60) are extra at the sites. Nefertari is the best-preserved tomb in Egypt — say yes.
Read the full guide: How much to tip on a Nile cruise · What is included in a Nile cruise
EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many more: $30 sticker at the airport bank counter, or an e-visa online in advance. Passport valid 6+ months.
Both have daily flights from Cairo (1 h) and some direct European charters. We match your arrival day to a departure day so you don't lose a night.
First excursion is the same afternoon; last day ends around 8:00–9:00 AM. Book flights after 12:00 PM on disembarkation day.
Not included and strongly advised. Egypt's private hospitals in Luxor and Aswan are good; the ship's doctor is on call 24 h.
Read the full guide: Egypt visa, money and arrival · Is Egypt safe?
You're at a temple in the morning, on deck for lunch as the banks slide past, and docked by evening. Ships often moor side by side — you may walk through another ship to reach the shore.
Grouped by language. Private guide upgrades are available on every ship for about $40–60 per day.
Optional, fun and slightly cheesy. The sun deck under the stars is the alternative.
Vegetarian, gluten-free and halal handled easily; tell us about allergies when you book and the kitchen is briefed in writing.
Read the full guide: A Nile cruise day by day · Nile cruise food
No age limit on motor ships. Connecting or triple cabins on request — we only quote ships that have them free on your dates. Children under 6 travel free and ages 6–11 pay 50%, sharing with two adults.
Single supplements run 50–75% of the double rate, but several ships halve or waive it in low season.
Under-80-guest ships and private sail boats are the quiet ones. Tell us — cabins get a welcome upgrade where we can.
Elevators on most deluxe and luxury ships; temples involve uneven ground and steps. Tell us and we'll pick a ship with an elevator and lower-deck cabins.
Our guides to a Nile cruise: who a Nile cruise suits · with kids · for solo travelers · on a honeymoon · for seniors
Usually on a Monday, arriving in Aswan on the Friday. The exact day depends on the boat, and we confirm it with your quote.
A dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat with a small number of cabins — 7 to 17 on the boats we offer — instead of roughly 30 to 80 on a cruise ship. It moors at islands rather than town docks and stops at quieter sites such as El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila.
Esna is about an hour's drive south of Luxor. The transfer from your Luxor hotel or the airport to the boat is included.
Yes. The boats that sail Esna to Aswan on Mondays usually return Aswan to Esna on Fridays, so the two trips join into a seven-night round trip.
From $1,020 per person sharing a double cabin, up to $2,200 on the newest boats, with a supplement for a single cabin and higher rates at Easter and Christmas. Tell us when you want to travel and we will send the options in writing.
No account, no payment, no obligation. Tell us the basics and a named specialist does the rest.
We value your privacy
We use essential cookies to make this site work. With your permission we also use Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity cookies to understand how the site is used, so we can improve it. We never use cookies for advertising. Cookie Policy
