A Voyage of Quiet Discovery
Your adventure begins in Esna, where you board your dahabiya and set sail into a softer, more contemplative Egypt. From here you’ll explore the cliff-side tombs of El Kab, wander the grand pylons of Edfu Temple and anchor at peaceful river islands where the air smells of sun-warmed sand and flowering acacia. As you continue south, long stretches of uninterrupted sailing invite relaxation, watching life unfold on the riverbanks and pausing for swims in warm, gently moving water. Each day reveals another layer of the Nile’s history, from desert inscriptions etched by ancient travellers to palm groves that have flourished for millennia.
Further along the river you’ll visit the dramatic quarries of Gebel Silsileh, a narrow gorge where stone for Egypt’s great temples was once carved, before continuing to Kom Ombo, the remarkable twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Your journey concludes in Aswan, a place of golden light, granite outcrops and serene river vistas. This itinerary is a celebration of Egypt’s enduring spirit—its quiet rhythms, ancient stories and the profound sense of stillness that comes from travelling the Nile in the way it was meant to be experienced.
You will love
- Sailing quiet stretches of the Nile
- Temple visits in soft, crowd-free hours
- Desert walks beside ancient inscriptions
- Warm-water swims from sandy river islands
- Intimate dahabiya atmosphere with personalised service
- Ending your journey in golden Aswan
8 Days of Falls & Horseback Adventures
DAY 1 | Esna – Board Your Dahabiya
You arrive in Esna late morning, where your dahabiya is moored just beyond the bustle of the town. After meeting the crew and settling into your cabin, the sails are raised and the journey begins. The transition is immediate, the sounds of the town fading into the soft hush of wind and water as you move into broad, palm-lined stretches of the Nile. The river here feels gentle and intimate, with small fishing boats drifting past and farmers tending fields along the banks.
By afternoon you begin to feel the slower rhythm of dahabiya travel, where the pleasure lies in simply watching the scenery shift between green fields, sandstone outcrops and villages perched close to the water. A freshly prepared lunch is served on deck, and the day closes with the first of many golden sunsets reflected across the river’s calm surface.
DAY 2 | El Kab & Edfu
You wake to the quiet stillness of the river and sail to El Kab, one of Egypt’s oldest settlements. Here you walk among ancient cliff-side tombs carved deep into desert slopes, their painted scenes revealing stories of ritual, daily life and devotion. The site feels wonderfully peaceful, offering a rare sense of discovery without crowds.
Later you continue to Edfu, where a horse-drawn carriage carries you through the town to its magnificent temple. Towering pylons rise dramatically against the sky, and the inner halls glow with crisp inscriptions. After your visit, the dahabiya sets sail again, eventually mooring beside a river island where warm breezes, soft light and a quiet anchorage create an idyllic ending to the day.
DAY 3 | Sailing & Swimming
Today is dedicated to the pleasure of sailing. With the dahabiya moving steadily south, you spend long hours on deck watching birds skim the water and villages gently unfold along the riverbank. The calm pace invites reading, sketching or settling into the simple joy of wide, uninterrupted views.
Around midday you anchor beside an island, where you can swim in the warm, slow-moving water or walk along sandy trails scattered with palm groves. Later in the afternoon you wander deeper into the desert, exploring boulders covered in ancient inscriptions left by travellers thousands of years ago. The evening brings lantern light, a soft breeze and the unmatched quiet of a night spent on the river.
DAY 4 | Gebel Silsileh
After breakfast the dahabiya glides into the dramatic gorge of Gebel Silsileh, where the river narrows between towering cliffs of golden sandstone. You step ashore to explore the ancient quarries once used to build Egypt’s great temples, finding carved doorways, rough-hewn chambers and river-facing stelae that speak to centuries of craftsmanship.
The setting is spectacular, with cliffs rising steeply from the water and the air carrying the faint scent of warm stone. After your visit you continue downstream, anchoring at a scenic bend of the river for lunch and a refreshing swim. The light in this stretch of the Nile is particularly beautiful, creating a memorable sense of immersion in Egypt’s timeless landscape.
DAY 5 | Kom Ombo
Enjoy a final sunrise ride before breakfast, then depart by river and road to Chundukwa River Lodge. Back in comfort, spend the afternoon at leisure — take a swim, book a massage, or stroll through the gardens.
Your riverside chalet offers a peaceful retreat after days of riding, with all meals, drinks, and one in-house activity included.
DAY 6 | CHUNDUKWA RIVER LODGE
You arrive in Aswan as the morning sun lifts over the desert hills, illuminating granite outcrops and calm waters. The atmosphere here is warm and serene, with palm trees, gardens and the soft glow of sandstone temples creating an unforgettable sense of place. After breakfast you disembark, carrying with you the quiet magic of a journey shaped by the river’s own rhythm.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
6 Days / 5 Nights
6 Days / 5 Nights
PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
START: Esna, Egypt | Finish: Aswan, Egypt
Please enquire for pricing and availability.
Flights & insurance – on request
TOTAL
STARTING AT USD 4,113 per person
This itinerary has a range of dahabiya boats available, ranging in price and style:
|
Adelaïde – 24 passengers El Nil – 20 passengers Meroe – 20 passengers Roman – 24 passengers |
Agatha – 20 passengers Malouka – 20 passengers Najafa – 24 passengers Poppee – 24 passengers |
•Pricing at Dec 2025. Prices may vary depending on time of travel and annual variations.
Inclusions
- All dahabiya accommodation
- Transfer from Luxor hotel to Esna
- Entrance fees to five historic sites
- Official licensed Egyptian guide (language subject to availability
- All meals, snacks, & non-alcoholic beverages
- Transfer from boat to your Aswan hotel
Exclusions
- International flights & visas
- Beer, wine, & liquor (available for purchase on board)
- Tips for the crew & guide (customary at the end of the trip)
- Transfers to or from Luxor or Aswan airports
About the Vessels
|
Adelaïde – 55 m × 8.5 m – 24 passengers Agatha – 52 m × 8 m – 20 passengers El Nil – 45 m × 7.5 m – 20 passengers Malouka – 50 m × 7.7 m – 20 passengers |
Meroe – 52 m × 8 m – 20 passengers Najafa – 60 m × 8.5 m – 24 passengers Poppee – 60 m × 8 m – 24 passengers Roman – 59 m × 9 m – 24 passengers |
begin your journey now
Take advantage of our highly personalised advice, inspiration and experience