Day 01:
Welcome to enchanting Cairo
When you arrive for your Cairo and Dahabiya Nile cruise adventure, our representative will meet you at the Airport and escort you to the prestigious Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa for a refreshing “welcome” drink and a hassle free check-in.
After you have checked in, our tour consultant will discuss your itinerary with you, and they will also discuss pick-up times for your various tours and transfers. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have. Once everyone is happy, our consultant will leave and you will have the remainder of the day to yourself.
Meals Included
No meals
Day 02:
Touring Giza Pyramids, Saqqara and Memphis
ou will have time to enjoy a peaceful breakfast before your guide arrives to show you around the pyramids of Cairo. You will enjoy a private guided tour of Giza Plateau, which is home to spectacular pyramids of Mykerinus, Chefren, and Cheops. Your adventure will also take you to the Valley Temple and the Sphinx.
Your day’s adventure will wrap up at the Sakkara Complex, where you will find the Djoser Pyramid. This is the first pyramid ever created in this region.
After an enjoyable visit to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, you will return to your hotel where you will be spending the night.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 03:
Cairo Discovery Tour
Day 3 of your 9 day tour of Cairo and Dahabiya Nile Cruise begins with another enjoyable breakfast in the hotel, and then you will be guided through a personal tour of the Egyptian Museum. Pay special attention to the Treasures Room, home to the vast amount of treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamen. You will discover a variety of ancient artifacts throughout the museum, and you can also purchase a ticket on site to visit the spectacular Mummy Room, complete with several real mummies on display.
You will enjoy lunch in an authentic Egyptian restaurant before traveling to the Saladin Citadel. You will find the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque inside the citadel.
Next up is a tour of some amazing churches, including the Hanging Church. Ben Ezra Synagogue will also be covered.
The Khan El Khalili Bazaar will be your final destination for this day’s adventure. You will have the opportunity to shop while taking in a spectacular show of Egyptian culture.
After a wonderful day out, you will be driven back to your hotel where you will once again be spending the night.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 04:
Fly to Luxor, Karnak Temples and Valley of the Kings
Day four of the Cairo and Dahabiya Nile Cruise will begin with a drive from your hotel to the airport for your short flight to Luxor.
When you land in Luxor you will once again be met by your Egyptologist guide and a driver who will take you to visit the largest place of worship ever built, the magnificent Karnak Temple complex.
Ipet-isut is the ancient name for this temple and means “The Most Sacred of Places”. Karnak is actually a complex of temples that took more than two thousand years to complete. Generation after generation of Pharaohs worked on the complex. Enjoy a complete tour of the temple starting with the Hypostyle Hall which contains a virtual forest of giant pillars.
Next enjoy a casual lunch at a local restaurant before moving on to the Valley of the Kings. In the valley there are numerous magnificent tombs which are carved deep into the rock and filled with treasures and rich decorations to be used by the pharaohs in the afterlife.
Wrap up this day of sightseeing with the temple at El Deir El Bahary, a magnificent temple built for Queen Hatshepsut. She was the only female pharaoh and her temple rises from the plain in a series of terraces, and finally merges with the limestone cliffs around it. Next you will transfer to Esna where you will board and spend the night on your Dahabiya river boat.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 05:
Cruise to Esna and on to the Speos of Hormoheb
The next leg of your Cairo and Dahabiya Nile Cruise journey will take you from Esna to Edfu where you will disembark for a horse carriage ride to the spectacular Temple of Horus. After this pleasant excursion, you will be taken to the remarkable Edfu souk where you can do some great shopping or simply stroll around taking in all the sights and sounds. Finally we move on until we reach the Speos of Hormoheb.
After exploring and taking plenty of pictures of this ancient chapel, dinner will be served on the site. This makes for a very special experience since the structure is not only right there in front of you, but it will also be illuminated. Spend the night on board the Dahabiya.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 06:
Cruising the Nile River
Day six of your Cairo and Dahabiya Nile Cruise tour package will see you sailing for Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek. This fascinating complex actually consists of two temples, the one being a mirror image of the other. Since both were dedicated to two different gods, they had to be built identical in all aspects.
After touring these spectacular structures, you will then sail for a small and quiet Nile River island. Dinner will be served on the island which coincidentally is just a short distance from Aswan. Spend your night on the Dahabiya.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 07:
Aswan Sightseeing
On day seven of your Cairo and Dahabiya Nile Cruise vacation you will have breakfast on board and then you will disembark for a tour of Aswan’s popular attractions such as the Temple of Philae and the charming Aswan souk.
Since this is the last day of your cruise, a special farewell dinner will be served, accompanied by some wonderful Oriental and Arabic music. Enjoy you last night on board.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 08:
Aswan and Flight to Cairo
After enjoying a good breakfast on board, you will disembark and one of our consultants will escort you to Aswan airport where you will then board your flight back to Cairo.
On arrival in Cairo you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel, where you will have the remainder of the day to yourself.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 09:
Your Day of Departure has Arrived
All good things must end, and unfortunately your Cairo and Dahabiya Nile cruise vacation must end too. Enjoy a lovely breakfast while you allow your mind to dwell on the many great experiences you’ve recently had, and promise yourself you’ll return. After breakfast you’ll be collected and taken to the airport for your flight home. Bid Cairo and Egypt farewell, and fly off into the sunset with memories you’ll cherish forever.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Tanner Whitlow –
Every expectation I had about Egypt was blown away. I came for history, sure – but I stayed for the quiet beauty of the Nile.
The trip moved at the perfect pace. Cairo was a beautiful whirlwind: pyramids, ancient churches, colorful bazaars. Then came the Dahabiya, and everything softened. It was like stepping into a different rhythm of life.
The temples were grand, the food unforgettable, and the crew made us feel like royalty. This wasn’t just travel – it was transformation.
Naomi Fletcher –
I laughed, I learned, I lounged like a pharaoh. This trip was a rollercoaster of emotion, in the best way possible. From nervously riding a camel at Giza (note: they’re taller than you think) to marveling at hieroglyphics that felt freshly etched, every day had a new twist.
Evenings on the Dahabiya were my favorite – draped cushions, fairy lights, and distant temple drums. It felt like Egypt was putting on a private show just for us.
Wesley Boone –
We thought the highlight would be the Pyramids – and they were incredible. But the real joy came later, gently drifting past sleepy riverside farms with a cup of mint tea in hand.
The Dahabiya was the unsung hero of this journey. Elegant, quiet, and with just the right number of guests to feel like family. We didn’t just pass through Egypt – we experienced it, slowly and deeply.
Waking up to temple silhouettes in the mist is something I’ll never forget.
Jodie Rayburn –
We started in Old Cairo’s winding alleys, soaking up the smells, sounds, and stories. Then suddenly, we’re drifting down the Nile in a cabin with polished wood floors and crisp linens – it felt surreal.
The Dahabiya cruise redefined comfort. It wasn’t flashy, but it had soul. Every night we anchored somewhere new: Kom Ombo, Edfu, villages where donkeys outnumber cars. Our guide had encyclopedic knowledge and cracked jokes the whole time.
If you’re into ancient temples but like your espresso hot and your bed plush – this is your vibe.
Rusty Hollowell –
Imagine stepping off a chaotic Cairo street into a time machine, then stepping onto a floating boutique hotel – that’s how this trip felt. The switch from big city buzz to tranquil river cruising was just what I needed.
We saw everything: the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and later, the temples along the Nile. But my favorite part was just lying on the top deck of the Dahabiya, watching the desert hills pass by like a dream.
Maribeth Langston –
I laughed, I learned, I lounged like a pharaoh. This trip was a rollercoaster of emotion, in the best way possible. From nervously riding a camel at Giza (note: they’re taller than you think) to marveling at hieroglyphics that felt freshly etched, every day had a new twist.
Evenings on the Dahabiya were my favorite – draped cushions, fairy lights, and distant temple drums. It felt like Egypt was putting on a private show just for us.
This trip wasn’t just about the big monuments – though yes, they were jaw-dropping. It was also about the quiet moments: sipping tea while the sun set behind temple ruins, or hearing the call to prayer drift over the river at dusk.
The Dahabiya offered a different kind of experience. It was slow, personal, and full of beauty. Every detail was thoughtful, from the bedding to the meals. One day, we stopped at a small Nubian village and shared stories with locals. That memory stuck more than any selfie with the pyramids.
Dale Tinsley –
The energy in Cairo hits you like a wave – honking taxis, street food sizzling, and towering pyramids that look too big to be real. After three days of sightseeing, hopping on the Dahabiya felt like switching from rock music to jazz.
The Nile cruise was pure calm. We floated past tiny villages, waved at kids on the riverbanks, and explored hidden ruins you won’t find in guidebooks. The boat was charming, full of character and comfort. I’d do it again just for those sunrise views.
Rita Jean Kessler –
I didn’t think ancient Egypt could be this fun, but here we are. Our guide was a riot – smart as a whip and full of jokes. By the time we reached Aswan, it felt like we were traveling with friends, not strangers.
Each temple visit brought a new perspective. Edfu was my favorite – still so well-preserved it felt alive. And every evening on the Dahabiya was a little celebration. We played music, danced, and watched the stars.
I never expected to laugh this much while exploring ruins that are thousands of years old.
Hank Morrison –
Every morning on the Dahabiya felt like I was waking up in a postcard. Cool breeze, river gliding gently, and palm trees on the horizon. I never imagined luxury and history could come together this perfectly.
Cairo was electric – we saw the pyramids, the Sphinx, and even rode a camel (yes, I screamed). But the magic kicked in once we boarded the boat. We had candlelit dinners, watched temple walls glow at sunset, and even stopped at islands with no one else around.
Rhonda Sue Talbot –
If Egypt was a song, this trip was the remix – ancient and modern, loud and calm, funny and deep. Our guide was a walking encyclopedia with a great sense of humor.
Cairo was intense in the best way, but I found peace once we hit the river. I watched fishermen at dawn and read books about Cleopatra as we cruised. One evening we had grilled fish under lanterns on deck and I swear I teared up.
Jethro Klein –
One morning we were riding camels near Giza. By afternoon, we were sipping cold lemonade on the Dahabiya watching kids swim in the river. That’s the kind of wild contrast this trip offered – and I loved every bit of it.
The sights were incredible, of course. But what stood out most was how smooth everything went. Transfers were on time, the guide was cool (and funny), and the boat was clean and modern while still feeling totally authentic.
June Ray Whitmore –
I get claustrophobic on big cruises, so I was nervous. But this was nothing like that. The Dahabiya was spacious and quiet – just a handful of cabins and plenty of open deck space. I never once felt cramped.
The service was better than any 5-star hotel I’ve stayed in. And the sightseeing was something else – one minute you’re walking through a market in Aswan, and the next, you’re standing in front of a 3,000-year-old wall of hieroglyphs. Mind officially blown.
Mason Traver –
This trip is for those who love stories. Because everywhere you turn – Cairo’s mosques, the Valley of the Kings, or the carvings in Kom Ombo – Egypt is telling you one.
What made it truly special was the Dahabiya experience. Small group, great food, personal attention. We docked at lesser-known sites I hadn’t even read about, like El Kab. Floating silently down the Nile while birds swooped over the water felt like a scene from a movie.
Trudy Pennington –
Me and my best friend booked this on a whim, thinking we’d see a few pyramids and eat some falafel. We had no clue we were signing up for nine days of jaw-dropping ruins, hilarious camel rides, and sunsets that made us cry.
The Dahabiya was a floating dream – comfortable beds, beautiful woodwork, and the best staff. They even remembered our coffee order by day two. We took belly dancing lessons on the top deck one night and laughed until our sides hurt. A trip I’ll never forget.
Jeremiah Cobb –
I’ve waited 40 years to see Egypt. And this tour? Worth every minute. The itinerary was stacked – from the Great Pyramids to the temples at Luxor, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. But it never felt rushed.
The Dahabiya was a welcome surprise. No massive crowds like the other cruise ships we passed. We had dinner on deck with the Nile breeze, surrounded by silence and stars. Our guide was super knowledgeable and hilarious. I felt like Indiana Jones… but with better hygiene.
Bobby-Jo Daniels –
Let me just say this: I did not expect to feel royal on this trip. But that’s exactly what happened. The Dahabiya is stunning – polished wood, crisp linens, and those Nile views? Unreal.
We’d spend our mornings exploring ancient wonders and our afternoons lounging on deck with a drink in hand, watching Egypt drift by. I even tried fresh hibiscus tea and got addicted. The pyramids were powerful, sure, but sailing on that river was pure soul food.
Loretta Mayfield –
We started the trip in Cairo, diving headfirst into the beautiful chaos of the city – honking horns, smoky food stands, and ancient sites around every corner. It was exhilarating. Then, we boarded the Dahabiya, and it felt like the world slowed down.
Sailing past the Nile’s riverbanks was almost meditative. The cabins were bright and cool, with the best little touches. One evening we danced to live music under the stars while docked in the middle of nowhere. Egypt, you’ve stolen my heart.
Clint Hargrove –
This trip was the perfect blend of peace and awe. I’d never even heard of a “Dahabiya” before, but now I wish every river cruise in the world worked like this. No loud engines, no crowds, just us floating quietly past villages, palm trees, and temples rising from the sands.
We explored Kom Ombo and Gebel el-Silsila almost privately. The crew pampered us without overdoing it, and the food was just wow – fresh, local, and honestly better than many restaurants back home. If you want a real, deep, and quiet Egyptian experience, this is it.
Nancy Jo Mullins –
Cairo was loud, colorful, and alive. We dove into the chaos of Khan El-Khalili, visited the Citadel, and stood humbled at the foot of the Sphinx. But my favorite part? That quiet sail down the Nile.
On the Dahabiya, I watched riverbanks drift by like moving art. We stopped to see Kom Ombo and Edfu – one moment I was snapping photos of falcons carved in stone, the next I was eating grilled fish under the stars. There were laughs, naps in the sun, and moments of
Billy Dean Thompson –
I’ve done beach getaways, ski trips, even a rainforest once, but nothing felt quite like this. Egypt grabbed me by the collar and pulled me straight into the past – and did it with linen sheets and marble floors.
I mean, where else can you see hieroglyphs up close and then return to a gourmet dinner floating gently down the Nile? We even passed camels walking along the shore as we sipped hibiscus juice on the sun deck. It felt wild and serene at the same time. The crew on the Dahabiya treated us like royalty, and the sunsets? Pure magic.
Clara Belle Rogers –
We’re still in awe. There’s just no other way to describe it. The trip wove together Cairo’s electric buzz with the slow rhythm of Nile life. In the capital, we marveled at Coptic churches, Islamic mosques, and the Great Pyramid, standing tall like it had waited centuries just to impress us.
But once we stepped onto the Dahabiya, time itself seemed to slow. We sailed quietly, with only the soft flap of the sails above us, stopping to explore hidden temples, village markets, and ancient quarries. The guides were so knowledgeable – walking encyclopedias who also knew where to find the best falafel.
Earl Simmons –
Ever sipped mint tea while watching a golden sun rise over the Nile, with temple ruins in the distance and a fresh pastry in hand? Because I have now – and let me tell you, it’s hard going back to regular mornings.
We started in Cairo with a deep dive into ancient Egypt at the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. Then came the Dahabiya, a floating luxury hideaway. The staff spoiled us with gourmet meals and cool towels after every sun-soaked adventure. The calm sail from Esna to Aswan gave us time to unwind and spot herons while the breeze whispered through the papyrus. Felt like we were on a postcard – only better because we had fresh mango juice.
Mary Lou Jenkins –
I couldn’t have imagined a more elegant way to experience Egypt. From Cairo’s epic pyramids to the peaceful Dahabiya drifting past temples I’ve only seen in textbooks, every moment was a perfect balance of luxury and discovery. The accommodations on the boat were intimate and cozy, like a floating boutique hotel with attentive crew and exquisite food.
We had Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms – a real upgrade from the group tours I’m used to. What I loved most was docking at quieter spots no big cruise could reach. We wandered through ancient tombs at El Kab and meditated in Edfu Temple with barely another soul around. I came back home with sand in my shoes and stories for a lifetime.