Iris Dahabiya Nile Cruise: 4 Days Aswan to Luxor

( 4.9 / 5 )
From
$ 1,250
per person

Tour Overview & Highlights

From $ 1,250 / per person
Duration 4 days
Starts on friday
Destinations Aswan,
Tour Type Sharing ,
Max group size 20

Escape to a realm of timeless tranquility aboard the Iris Dahabiya Nile Cruise: 4 Days Aswan to Luxor, where the elegance of a bygone era meets modern luxury. This magnificent, intimate sailing yacht offers a serene alternative to larger vessels, ensuring a personalized and peaceful cruise along the legendary river. 

Onboard, you’ll find beautifully appointed, air-conditioned accommodations, a sprawling sun deck perfect for sunbathing and enjoying the river vistas, and a commitment to exceptional service with freshly prepared, fine dining at every meal. 

The heart of your adventure lies in the majestic wonders of the Nile Valley. From Aswan, you’ll explore the serene island home of the Philae Temple and witness the monumental Aswan High Dam. Sailing north, the Dahabiya’s small size allows access to quiet stretches and stunning temples away from the crowds. You will discover the unique, dual-deity Temple of Kom Ombo and take a charming horse-carriage ride to the perfectly preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu. 

The climax of your journey is Luxor, where the colossal Karnak Temple Complex, the royal secrets of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon  await your exploration. 

Enhance your journey with our premium services designed for seamless exploration. A dedicated, expert Egyptologist elevates your cruise. Furthermore, we guarantee a seamless journey from beginning to end by providing complimentary door-to-door transportation, which streamlines all transfers from the airport to the boat and back. Aswan awaits—answer the call of history and secure your place on this extraordinary, luxurious sailing dream today!

What's Included in This Tour

  • Meet and greet service when you arrive and depart.
  • 3 nights / 4 days on the Iris Dahabiya, with all meals included.
  • An expert, licensed Egyptologist guide for your tours.
  • Entrance tickets to all the historical sites listed in the itinerary.
  • All transportation in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
  • All service fees and taxes

Exclusions from this tour

  • Optional tours.
  • Personal spending.
  • You should also consider leaving tips for the cruise crew.

Day-by-Day Egypt Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Aswan's Treasures & Sailing to Kom Ombo

Your private Egyptologist and driver meet you upon your arrival at Aswan, whether in the airport, train station, or bus station, for a guided tour of Aswan's main sites. 

Arrive at The Aswan High Dam. Marvel at this modern engineering feat, representing a pivotal, dramatic clash between modern engineering and ancient history, which resulted in one of the greatest archaeological rescue missions ever undertaken.

By motorboat, relish a calm sailing to Philae Temple,  a masterpiece of preservation and relocation, a stunning, complete testament to the later period of Ancient Egyptian worship, dedicated to the powerful goddess Isis.

Transfer to the Dahabiya, check in to your cabin, and enjoy your first gourmet lunch onboard. Begin a serene sail north along the Nile, arriving at Kom Ombo, where your Dahabyia is docking. The Dahabiya typically moors along a quiet Nile island. Enjoy your time; dinner is served onboard. 

Meals Included: 

Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Kom Ombo Temple & Tranquil Sailing

Relish your breakfast on board while entertaining with the Nile view. 

Next, head towards the uniquely lit Temple of Kom Ombo, perfectly symmetrical, mirrored architecture, designed to serve two distinct gods with duplicate chambers, halls, and sanctuaries dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Haroeris (falcon god). 

Return to Dahabiya and continue sailing north toward Edfu. Lunch is served onboard.

The yacht docks on the Edfu shore to spend your calm night amid amazing scenes while savoring your dinner on board. 

Meals Included: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Edfu Temple & Sail to Esna Lock

After breakfast, take a charming horse-drawn carriage to visit the monumental Temple of Horus (Edfu Temple), exploring one of Egypt's most complete and best-preserved temples. 

Return to Dahabiya and continue sailing north toward Esna. Lunch is served onboard.

The Dahabiya passes through the historic Esna Lock (time permitting). Relax on the sundeck as you sail towards Luxor, where the yacht docks to spend your night there. 

Meals Included: 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Luxor East and West Banks Exploration

Start your last day in the  Dahabiya Nile Cruise: 4 Days Aswan to Luxor with a tasty breakfast on board, and check out after saying goodbye to the expert team of the Dahabiya. 

Launch to Karnak Temple, the largest religious structure ever built in the world, developed over more than 2000  years by dozens of successive pharaohs, making it a living "library in stone" of ancient Egyptian history.

Then, cross to the West Bank, arriving at the Valley of the Kings, which served as the principal burial place for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (approximately 16th to 11th century BC), where you visit up to 3 royal tombs teeming with the inscriptions and mysteries of ancient Egypt. 

Proceed to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the most perfectly preserved example of classical New Kingdom funerary temple design, featuring three massive terraced levels rising dramatically out of a cliff face.

See the massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, the Colossi of Memnon, and then enjoy a final lunch on land (often at a local house) before your transfer to Luxor Airport or any point you select in Luxor. 

Meals Included: 

Breakfast and Lunch.

Attractions Highlight

What to bring?

  • Your Passport
  • Comfortable shoes and clothes
  • Sunglasses, a hat, and Sun cream
  • Jacket in winter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Iris Dahabiya Nile Cruise: 4 Days Aswan to Luxor?

The Iris Dahabiya is an intimate, luxury sailing yacht offering a 4-day, 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor along the Nile. Unlike large cruise ships, this elegant vessel carries fewer guests for a personalized, peaceful experience, with air-conditioned cabins, a spacious sun deck, fine dining, and a dedicated Egyptologist guide throughout the journey.

What is the difference between a Dahabiya and a regular Nile cruise ship?

A Dahabiya is a small, traditional sailing yacht that accommodates far fewer passengers than a standard Nile cruise ship. Its compact size allows it to dock at quiet islands and reach lesser-visited temples away from the crowds, delivering a more serene, exclusive, and authentic sailing experience.

Which temples and sites are included in the 4-day Aswan to Luxor itinerary?

The itinerary covers the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, the Temple of Kom Ombo, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Karnak Temple Complex, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon — a comprehensive tour of the Nile Valley's most iconic monuments.

What is included in the Iris Dahabiya Nile Cruise package?

The package includes meet-and-greet service on arrival and departure, 3 nights aboard the Iris Dahabiya with all meals, a licensed expert Egyptologist guide, entrance tickets to all listed sites, private air-conditioned transportation, and all service fees and taxes.

What is not included in the cruise price?

The price excludes optional tours, personal spending, and gratuities for the cruise crew. Tipping the crew and guide is customary in Egypt and appreciated, though entirely at your discretion.

How many people does the Iris Dahabiya accommodate?

As an intimate sailing yacht, the Iris Dahabiya hosts a small number of guests, ensuring a quiet, personalized atmosphere. This limited capacity is what allows for attentive service, flexible mooring at secluded spots, and a far more relaxed pace than larger vessels.

Does the Aswan to Luxor cruise include a private Egyptologist guide?

Yes. Every tour is led by an expert, licensed Egyptologist who brings the history of each temple and tomb to life. Your guide accompanies you across all sites, offering deep context on ancient Egyptian culture, architecture, and mythology.

Is airport transfer included with the Iris Dahabiya cruise?

Yes. The package provides complimentary door-to-door transportation in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Transfers are arranged from Aswan Airport (or train/bus station) to the boat and from the boat to Luxor Airport or your chosen drop-off point in Luxor.

What is the best time of year to take the Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise?

The most popular season runs from October to April, when temperatures are mild and ideal for sightseeing. Summer cruises are also available for travelers who don't mind the heat and prefer fewer crowds and lower prices.

How do I book the Iris Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

You can reserve your spot directly by selecting your preferred travel dates and confirming your booking online. Early reservation is recommended, especially during peak season, as Dahabiya yachts have limited cabins and tend to sell out quickly.

Tour Reviews & Ratings

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Customer Reviews
(5/5)
Great experience for going in the Eastern Desert of Egypt! Very easy and fast booking, good price even if it was just me, not a group. Then the beduin-driver and the guide really nice persons! The car was good, safe trip, special places, some of them out of usual touristic tours, wich was also great! I recomand!!
(5/5)
We booked a tour with Golavita, Mr Akram was very quick to respond to our questions and checked in with us daily to see how the tour was going.Waleed, the tour guide, was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The bottles of water to keep us hydrated was also a very nice addition.The private transport was top class, modern air conditioned vehicles and friendly and helpful drivers.
(5/5)
Our experience on the Dahabiya with Golavita was absolutely fantastic. We had a very professional guide, Mohamed Nagdy who spoke excellent Spanish, and we learned about the fascinating history of Ancient Egypt in a relaxed and enjoyable way. The Dahabiya Iris is truly recommended, a perfect combination of comfort and culture.
(5/5)
Great experience from the start to finish. Golavita excelled on all fronts from good customer service, customer care and eager to provide customer excellence.They organised a simple, cost effective and efficient service with their Luxor trip package.The van was almost brand new, great drivers, couple stops for refreshments and got us bang on time to Luxor. It was a 12 seater van with just 8 tourists leaving plenty of space for everyone to stretch and be comfortable. I have long legs and so I had requested specific seats which was booked for me in advance and I didn't get any hassle by drivers or other co passengers.The guide was Sherriff and I really really enjoyed the way he delivered the site seeing experience. Sheriff spoke fluent in English and with a Masters in Egyptology and 4 decades of experience there couldn't have been a better guide. I highly recommend Sherriff as a guide and Islam and Ahmed as the drivers of fellow Brits tourists.Above all I want to thank Golavita for organising this incredible journey.
(5/5)
We spent three days and four nights on a Dahabiya cruise with our guide Abdullah — it was an amazing experience, both fascinating and relaxing. The whole crew went above and beyond to make us comfortable, the boat was beautiful, and Abdullah’s tours were clear, engaging, and often funny. We had a wonderful time and now recommend this cruise to all our friends!
(5/5)
Wow my time in Egypt was beyond and it would never have been as good without my guide. I’m beyond grateful for his effort and all the energy he spent making my tips once in a lifetime. I know I’ll be back one day, and I look forward to see people I now call my friends.
(5/5)
We had an exceptional and one of the best trips with family friends on Dahabiya, Nile cruise covering gems of Egypt - Aswaan and Luxor.The trip was beautifully planned by Go Lavita. I highly recommend them. From the initial planning stage to the final day, everything was handled with professionalism, care, and customized to our needs and wants.They were constantly available and took into consideration all our requests as a big group.The staff, tour guide, all operators we met were warm and professional. Dahalbiya itself was elegant and very well maintained.The itinerary was very well curated. This dahabiya cruise was the highlight of our Egypt trip, combining luxury, authenticity, and cultural depth. We highly recommend Go Lavita to anyone seeking a personalized and unforgettable Nile experience.
(5/5)
We arranged the tour a few weeks in advance before arriving in Egypt. Akram presented us with a complete private tour program, starting in Hurghada, visiting Cairo, the Black and White deserts, Alexandria and finally returning to Hurghada. Everything run smoothly, from the different drivers, who picked us up and dropped us off, always punctual and safe (especially Hamada, 'Medo'!) to the guides, in particular Reeham in Cairo who was just outstanding and Ahmed in the desert tour who welcomed us in his home together with his family before taking us and preparing our dinner in the desert! The overnight stays were all planned in great detail. It was definitely an incredible experience during these 4 days! A huge thank you to Akram!
(5/5)
A very beautiful experience which made our stay in Egypt unforgettable; Luxor with a caring guide and Cairo with Ismaël; a very cultured guide who listens to the happiness of customers.I would recommend this agency without hesitation
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