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Aswan → Dendera → Luxor
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Dendera & Abydos 6 Nights · 7 Days

Aswan → Dendera → Luxor

This 6-night (Long Cruise) offers a deep exploration of the Nile, combining the classic southern route with an exclusive excursion to the magnificent Temple of Dendara. The schedule is designed to make the most of each day, balancing iconic sights with serene sailing.

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Duration
6 Nights · 7 Days
Route
Aswan → Dendera → Luxor
Embark
Aswan
Disembark
Luxor
Temples
9+ major sites
Pace
Relaxed · flexible

Day by Day

Your journey, unhurried

  1. Day 1

    Embarkation & The Goddess Isis's Sanctuary

    • Philae Temple
    • Afternoon/Evening Arrive in Aswan and board your dahabeya. Your journey begins with a visit to the beautiful Philae Temple. Travel by motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore this Graeco-Roman temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, famed for its elegant columns and picturesque setting.
    • Overnight Docked in Aswan.
    Embarkation & The Goddess Isis's Sanctuary

  2. Day 2

    The Dual Temple & Ancient Sandstone Quarries

    • Kom Ombo
    • El Silsila
    • Early Morning (6:00 AM) Set sail north towards Kom Ombo.
    • Morning (9:00 AM) Visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus. Its riverside location and symmetrical design are unforgettable.
    • Late Morning (10:00 AM) Continue sailing to the historic site of El Silsila.
    • Afternoon (2:00 PM) Explore the El Silsila quarries, the primary source of sandstone for ancient Egypt's great temples. Discover the cliff-side chapels and royal stelae carved directly into the rock.
    • Mid-Afternoon (3:00 PM) Sail onwards to Edfu.
    • Overnight Docked in Edfu.
    The Dual Temple & Ancient Sandstone Quarries

  3. Day 3

    The Falcon God's Citadel & Sailing to Thebes

    • Temple of Edfu
    • Morning (8:00 AM) Visit the incredibly well-preserved Temple of Edfu, the largest temple dedicated to the god Horus. Its massive pylon, courtyards, and intact inner halls are a highlight of Ptolemaic architecture.
    • Late Morning (10:00 AM) Depart Edfu for a full day of scenic sailing towards Luxor (ancient Thebes).
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    The Falcon God's Citadel & Sailing to Thebes

  4. Day 4

    Theban Necropolis & Voyage to the Goddess Hathor

    • Valley of the Kings
    • Temple of Hatshepsut
    • Colossi of Memnon
    • Early Morning (6:00 AM) Cross the Nile to explore the West Bank of Luxor. Discover the legendary Valley of the Kings, the imposing Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the towering Colossi of Memnon.
    • Afternoon (1:00 PM) Embark on a special northward sail to the city of Qena, the docking point for visiting Dendara.
    • Overnight Docked near Dendara.
    Theban Necropolis & Voyage to the Goddess Hathor

  5. Day 5

    Pilgrimage to Abydos & The Temple of Hathor

    • Abydos
    • Temple of Seti I
    • Osireion
    • Temple of Dendara

    Full-Day Excursion (via road): Embark on a significant cultural excursion to two of Egypt's most important and well-preserved cult centers.

    • Full-Day Excursion Travel by road to Abydos, one of the oldest and most sacred cities in ancient Egypt, dedicated to Osiris, god of the afterlife. Explore the magnificent Temple of Seti I, renowned for its exquisite raised reliefs and the mystical Abydos King List. You may also see the nearby Osireion.
    • Full-Day Excursion Return to Qena to visit the stunning Temple of Dendara, a masterpiece of Ptolemaic and Roman architecture dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love, beauty, and music. Admit its famous astronomical ceiling, vibrant column capitals, and explore the rooftop chapels.
    • Late Afternoon/Evening Set sail back to Luxor.
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    Pilgrimage to Abydos & The Temple of Hathor

  6. Day 6

    The Grand Temples of Thebes

    • Karnak Temple Complex
    • Luxor Temple
    • Full Day Explore the east bank of ancient Thebes. Stand in awe within the colossal Karnak Temple Complex, a vast city of temples, obelisks, and the forest of pillars in the Great Hypostyle Hall. Later, visit the elegant Luxor Temple, beautifully located on the Nile Corniche, connecting the world of the gods to the city of the living.
    • Overnight Docked in Luxor.
    The Grand Temples of Thebes

  7. Day 7

    Disembarkation

    • Luxor
    • Morning After breakfast, disembark in Luxor, concluding your deep journey through Egyptian history and spirituality.
    Disembarkation

Good to Know

Travel Insight

  • Important Note for Day 5: The excursion to Abydos and Dendara involves significant road travel (approximately 1.5 hours each way from Qena to Abydos). This is a full-day tour requiring an early start; the 1:00 PM sail time is not feasible for this combined visit. The itinerary has been adjusted above to reflect a realistic timeline for this exceptional day of sightseeing.
  • The inclusion of Abydos makes this a uniquely comprehensive "Long Cruise," offering access to one of Egypt's most sacred and historically significant sites, often missed on standard itineraries.
  • The sequence of visits, especially on the West Bank, may be arranged by your guide to ensure the best possible experience based on conditions

Tips for Your Trip

  • This itinerary involves significant walking at archaeological sites, often on uneven ground. Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential. 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 adjusted by your tour operator. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions

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.

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