Cairo ⇄ Aswan
The entire length of the Nile — thirteen nights linking the Pyramids of Giza with the temples of Aswan, the most complete dahabiya voyage we offer.
- Duration
- 13 Nights · 14 Days
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan
- Embark
- Cairo
- Disembark
- Aswan
- Vessel
- Dahabiya under tow
- Dining
- Daily buffet · sunset tea
- Duration
- 13 Nights · 14 Days
- Route
- Aswan → Cairo
- Embark
- Aswan
- Disembark
- Cairo
- Vessel
- Dahabiya under tow
- Dining
- Daily buffet · sunset tea
Route Overview
Upstream to Nubia
Sailing southbound against the Nile current aboard a towed dahabiya, this direction builds gradually from the Pyramids of Giza through Middle Egypt toward the great temples of the south, ending amid the islands of Aswan.
Downstream to the Delta
Fly south to begin at Aswan, then sail home northbound with the Nile current — past the southern temples, the monuments of Thebes, and Middle Egypt's hidden tombs, ending at the Pyramids of Giza.
Available Routes
The same temples and experiences, with the order tailored to your arrival city. Select a direction and the day-by-day below will follow.
Highlights
- Giza Pyramids
- Tell el-Amarna
- Abydos
- Dendera
- Valley of the Kings
- Philae Temple
Day by Day
Your journey, unhurried
Showing Cairo → Aswan
-
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
- Cairo
Arrive in Cairo at the start of the river.
- On arrival Transfer to your hotel or directly to your dahabiya for embarkation.
- Evening Welcome dinner on board.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 2
Cairo Sightseeing
- Giza Pyramids
- Egyptian Museum
The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
- Day Explore the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum.
- Meals All meals on board, including sunset tea with snacks.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 3
Sail to Beni Suef
- Beni Suef
The first long sail south through Middle Egypt.
- Sailing South to Beni Suef — approx. 120 km · 17–18 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 4
Fayoum Excursion
- Hawara Pyramid
- Meidum Pyramid
Two of Egypt's earliest pyramids.
- Excursion The ancient Hawara and Meidum pyramids.
- Evening Sunset tea and dinner on board.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 5
Sail to Minya — Tuna el-Gebel & Ashmunein
- Tuna el-Gebel
- Ashmunein
South to Minya, with two Middle-Egypt sites.
- Sailing On to Minya — approx. 145 km · 20–21 hrs against the current.
- Visit Tuna el-Gebel and Ashmunein.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 6
Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan
- Tell el-Amarna
- Beni Hassan
The painted tombs of Middle Egypt.
- Morning Tell el-Amarna — the Northern Tombs and the Tomb of Ahmose (EA3).
- Afternoon The remarkable tombs of Beni Hassan.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 7
Sail to Sohag via Asyut
- Sohag
- Asyut
A long day sailing south through Upper Egypt.
- Sailing South to Sohag via Asyut — approx. 225 km · 31–33 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Sohag.
-
Day 8
Abydos — Sail to Qena
- Abydos
- Temple of Seti I
The sacred city of Osiris, then onward south.
- Morning Excursion to the magnificent Temple of Abydos.
- Sailing South toward Qena — approx. 160 km · 22–23 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Qena.
-
Day 9
Dendera Temple — Sail to Luxor
- Dendera Temple
The Temple of Hathor, then on to Thebes.
- Morning Visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Dendara.
- Sailing On to Luxor — approx. 65 km · 9–10 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 10
Luxor Sightseeing
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
The wonders of ancient Thebes, both banks.
- West Bank The Valley of the Kings and the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.
- East Bank The Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 11
Sail to Edfu
- Edfu
Continue south toward Edfu.
- Sailing South to Edfu — approx. 110 km · 15–17 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Edfu.
-
Day 12
Edfu Temple — Sail to Kom Ombo & Aswan
- Edfu Temple
- Kom Ombo
Two southern temples, then on to Aswan.
- Morning Visit the impressive Temple of Edfu.
- Afternoon Sail to Kom Ombo for its unique double temple.
- Sailing On to Aswan — approx. 105 km · 14–15 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Farewell dinner on board · Aswan.
-
Day 13
Aswan Sightseeing
- High Dam
- Philae Temple
- Nubian Museum
The treasures of the south.
- Day The remarkable Aswan High Dam, the island Temple of Philae, and the fascinating Nubian Museum.
- Overnight Aswan.
-
Day 14
Disembarkation & Departure
- Aswan
Farewell to the river.
- Morning Disembark and transfer to Aswan Airport for your onward flight home.
-
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
- Cairo
Arrive in Cairo and overnight before flying south.
- On arrival Transfer to your hotel.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 2
Fly to Aswan & Embarkation
- Aswan
Fly south to begin the river journey at Aswan.
- Morning Flight to Aswan.
- On arrival Embark your dahabiya.
- Overnight Aswan.
-
Day 3
Aswan Sightseeing
- High Dam
- Philae Temple
- Nubian Museum
The treasures of the south.
- Day The High Dam, the island Temple of Philae, and the Nubian Museum.
- Overnight Aswan.
-
Day 4
Sail to Kom Ombo & Edfu
- Kom Ombo
- Edfu
North to two southern temples.
- Visit Kom Ombo and its unique double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus.
- Sailing On to Edfu — approx. 105 km · 12–13 hrs with partial current assistance.
- Overnight Edfu.
-
Day 5
Edfu Temple — Sail to Luxor
- Edfu Temple
The temple of Horus, then on to Thebes.
- Morning Visit the Temple of Edfu.
- Sailing On to Luxor — approx. 110 km · 13–14 hrs.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 6
Luxor Sightseeing
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
The wonders of ancient Thebes, both banks.
- West Bank The Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
- East Bank The Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 7
Sail to Qena — Abydos & Dendera
- Abydos
- Dendera Temple
North to two sacred cult temples.
- Excursions The temples of Abydos and Dendara.
- Sailing North to Qena — approx. 65 km · 7½–8 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Qena.
-
Day 8
Sail to Sohag via Naga Hammadi
- Sohag
A full sailing day north.
- Sailing North past the Naga Hammadi barrage to Sohag — approx. 160 km · 18–19 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Sohag.
-
Day 9
Sail to Minya
- Minya
A full day sailing north along the valley.
- Sailing North to Minya — approx. 225 km · 26–28 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 10
Tell el-Amarna, Tuna el-Gebel & Ashmunein
- Tell el-Amarna
- Tuna el-Gebel
- Ashmunein
A day among Middle Egypt's monuments.
- Morning Tell el-Amarna and its Northern Tombs, including the Tomb of Ahmose.
- Afternoon Tuna el-Gebel and Ashmunein.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 11
Beni Hassan — Sail to Beni Suef
- Beni Hassan
The rock-cut tombs, then north.
- Morning The rock-cut tombs of Beni Hassan.
- Sailing North to Beni Suef — approx. 145 km · 16–18 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 12
Fayoum Excursion — Sail to Cairo
- Hawara Pyramid
- Meidum Pyramid
Egypt's earliest pyramids, then the capital.
- Excursion The Hawara and Meidum pyramids.
- Sailing On to Cairo — approx. 120 km · 14–15 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 13
Cairo Sightseeing
- Giza Pyramids
- Egyptian Museum
The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
- Day Tour the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 14
Disembarkation & Departure
- Cairo
Farewell to the river.
- Morning Transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
Good to Know
Travel Insight
- This is a traditional dahabiya towed by a support tugboat for the long northern reaches — sailing times are far longer than conventional cruisers, for an authentic, leisurely passage.
- Thirteen nights covers the entire navigable Nile, combining Middle Egypt's rarely-seen monuments with the classic temples of the south aboard a single vessel.
- This is a traditional dahabiya towed by a support tugboat for the long northern reaches — sailing times are far longer than conventional cruisers, for an authentic, leisurely passage.
- Thirteen nights covers the entire navigable Nile, combining Middle Egypt's rarely-seen monuments with the classic temples of the south aboard a single vessel.
Tips for Your Trip
- This itinerary involves significant walking at archaeological sites, often on uneven ground.
- Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions.
- The sailing schedule and overnight mooring locations are subject to change based on river and lock conditions.
Travel Notes
This itinerary provides a general framework; the order of visits on specific days may be arranged by your guide to ensure the best possible experience based on conditions.
Questions
Is this the most complete Nile itinerary? +
Yes — thirteen nights covers the entire navigable Nile between Cairo and Aswan, combining Middle Egypt's rarely-seen monuments with the classic temples of the south, all aboard a single traditional dahabiya.
How does the towing work, and why? +
For the long northern reaches a support tugboat tows the dahabiya, allowing an authentic, leisurely cruise over distances no sailing dahabiya could cover alone. Southbound (Cairo → Aswan) runs against the current and is around 15–20% slower than the northbound direction.
Which direction should we choose? +
Both visit the same sites. Cairo → Aswan builds gradually toward the southern temples; Aswan → Cairo flies you south to begin and sails home with the current. We tailor the direction to your flights and preferences.
All-Inclusive Charter
What's Included
Your charter rate is full-board — a complete luxury sailing experience, with no hidden fees.
Gourmet Dining
- Breakfast — extensive open buffet with hot & cold selections
- Lunch — open buffet with a live outdoor barbecue station
- Dinner — generous open buffet
- Daily sunset tea service on deck, with premium teas & snacks
Beverages, All Day
- 24-hour service: bottled mineral water, fresh juices (orange, lemonade, hibiscus), soft drinks & daily smoothies
- Specialty coffees — espresso, macchiato, American, Egyptian — and a premium tea selection
- Complimentary local premium beer & wine
No Hidden Fees
- All onboard meals & beverages included
- 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) included
- 12% service charges included
Crew gratuity is not included. It is customary for guests to contribute US $6 per person per night, handed to the dahabiya's manager and shared equally among the crew.
Begin Here
Reserve this
journey
13 nights on the Nile, entirely private and tailored to your group. Tell us your dates and we'll do the rest.