Zahra Dahabiya Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor Tour

( 4.9 / 5 )
From
$ 1,200
per person

Tour Overview & Highlights

From $ 1,200 / per person
Duration 4 days
Starts on monday
Destinations Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor Tours,
Tour Type Private ,
Pickup Location Aswan
Max group size 20

The seamless Zahra Dahabiya Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor Tour starts in the serene Nubian city and concludes in the historical heartland of Thebes, offering a refined, unhurried pace for all major excursions led by an expert Egyptologist. 

Explore Aswan’s key highlights: the Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam. The ship then sails north, stopping to visit the distinctive Kom Ombo Temple (the only dual temple in ancient Egypt) and the magnificently preserved Edfu Temple. 

Pass through the historic Esna Lock before reaching Luxor. The tour culminates with a full day dedicated to Luxor’s monumental treasures: the Karnak Temple on the East Bank and the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank.

Explore the magnificence of ancient Egypt while enjoying deluxe amenities, like an oversized pool deck, tranquil spa, and gourmet dining, coupled with our comprehensive package, which includes private door-to-door transfers and exclusive, expert-led Egyptologist tours, ensuring every moment of your journey is pure relaxation.

What's Included in This Tour

  • Meet and greet service when you arrive and depart.
  • 3 nights / 4 days on Zahra 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 Highlights, Kom Ombo & Bashir Island

Welcome to Aswan; enjoy a smooth pickup service from any point inside Aswan, including Aswan Airport/Aswan train station/a hotel in Aswan. Take your cosy seat in the air-conditioned vehicle to start your tour with the accompaniment of your private Egyptologist. 

Start your explorations from Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering marvel, where you can see from the top Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world—calm, vast, and surrounded by desert scenery.

Proceed to Philae Port, taking a motorboat for a scenic sailing to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the main centre of worship for Isis, the goddess of love, magic, and motherhood, giving the temple a deeply spiritual and emotional atmosphere.

After the tour, transfer to your Dahabiya for check-in and enjoy lunch on board as you begin sailing along the Nile.

Sail towards the north, arriving at Kom Ombo Temple, one of the most unique temples in Egypt—there’s nothing else quite like it. It’s perfectly symmetrical, dedicated to two gods at the same time—Sobek, the crocodile god (power and fertility), and Horus the Elder, the falcon god (protection and kingship).

Explore also the Crocodile Museum with mummified crocodiles discovered around the temple.

Continue sailing to the peaceful Bashir Island, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner.

Day 2: Gebel El Silsila & El Ramady Island

Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to Gebel El Silsila Temple, instead of a grand enclosed temple, you’ll see chapels carved directly into the cliffs, dedicated to gods like Amun-Ra, Sobek, and Hapi.

Return to the Dahabiya and continue sailing along the Nile. Relish your lunch on board while heading toward El Ramady Island, which is all about nature, calm, and real Nile life; it is perfect if you want a peaceful escape.

In the evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner on the island and an overnight stay in this peaceful setting.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 3: Edfu Temple & Sailing to Esna

After breakfast on board, sail toward Edfu. Upon arrival, be ready for an unforgettable experience, riding a horse carriage to the magnificent Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt—and one of the most impressive. The massive pylons, towering columns, and vast courtyards make it feel powerful and majestic from the moment you enter.

Return to the Dahabiya for lunch on board as you continue sailing along the Nile toward Esna, where you will spend the evening on board.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Day 4: Luxor Highlights & Final Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast on board before check-out, marking the end of your serene Dahabiya cruise.

Begin your Luxor tour on the West Bank “Thebes Necropolis” with visits to the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of New Kingdom pharaohs. The tomb walls are covered with vivid scenes from the Book of the Dead, Amduat, and Book of Gates, guiding the king’s soul through the afterlife.

Then, we head to Hatshepsut Temple, built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari; the temple’s terraces, colonnades, and ramps create a perfectly balanced, almost modern design.

Transfer to the Colossi of Memnon before having your lunch at a local restaurant; they are silent giants that guard the West Bank of Luxor. Each statue stands about 18 metres tall, depicting Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne.

Continue your tour by discovering the East Bank with a visit to the impressive Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious complex ever built by humans. More than 30 pharaohs contributed to Karnak, turning it into a vast timeline of ancient Egyptian history.

At the end of the tour, your guide will transfer you privately to your chosen location in Luxor, whether the airport, train station, or hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

Attractions Highlight

What to bring?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Zahra Dahabiya depart?

The Zahra Dahabiya departs every Monday from Aswan for a 4-day journey to Luxor.

How long is the cruise?

This is a 4-day / 3-night Nile cruise sailing from Aswan to Luxor aboard a traditional luxury Dahabiya.

What makes Zahra Dahabiya different from other Nile cruises?

Zahra Dahabiya offers a boutique sailing experience with exclusive stops at peaceful Nile islands such as Bashir Island and El Ramady Island, visits to Gebel El Silsila, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere. It combines gourmet dining, personalized service, and spa-style comfort—far from the crowds of large cruise ships.

Will I have a tour guide during the cruise?

Yes. A professional licensed Egyptologist tour guide will accompany you during all sightseeing tours. We always aim to provide a guide who speaks your language whenever possible (some languages may require a supplement).

Is the Zahra Dahabiya private or sharing?

The Zahra Dahabiya operates mainly on a sharing basis. Prices are based on sharing the boat, with the average rate per person in a double cabin.
However, all sightseeing tours are conducted privately with your own Egyptologist guide.
A full private charter of the Dahabiya is available upon request at an additional cost.

What is the maximum capacity on board?

Most Dahabiyas feature around 9 cabins, accommodating approximately 18 guests. Some may have slightly more cabins, but all maintain an intimate boutique atmosphere (up to 20 guests maximum).

What is the accommodation like?

Zahra Dahabiya features elegant air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms and refined interiors. Guests can relax on the spacious sun deck and enjoy personalized service in a peaceful sailing ambiance.

Are meals included?

Yes. The cruise operates on a full-board basis, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner freshly prepared on board. One of the highlights is a special barbecue dinner on a Nile island (weather permitting), offering a memorable open-air dining experience.

How are transfers arranged?

We provide meet and assist service upon arrival in Aswan and private air-conditioned transfers throughout the trip, ending with a private transfer in Luxor (hotel, airport, or train station).

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Wi-Fi is generally limited due to sailing conditions along the Nile. We can assist you in purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival for better connectivity during your cruise.

Does the cruise pass through Esna Lock?

Yes. Passing through the historic Esna Lock is one of the memorable highlights of the journey, depending on the navigation schedule.

Can I add optional tours such as Abu Simbel?

Yes. Optional tours, including Abu Simbel, can be arranged before your cruise departure from Aswan.

Is this cruise suitable for couples and honeymooners?

Absolutely. Zahra Dahabiya is ideal for couples, honeymooners, families, and travelers seeking privacy, romance, and a slow-paced cultural experience along the Nile.

Are entrance fees and taxes included?

Yes. All entrance fees to the mentioned historical sites, as well as service charges and taxes, are included. Gratuities and personal expenses are not included.

Tour Reviews & Ratings

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Customer Reviews
(5/5)
Excellent private tour with a very knowledgeable , intelligent and tour guide. Ashraf went the extra mile to make sure our two day trip went smoothly and took us to all the best sites in Luxor. He also gave detailed interesting information throughout. He also has a fun character and was fun to talk to outside the tour!
(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)
For a party of five a luxor trip was organized by Akram and his team. With the excellent guide Ashraf in Luxor they made it a unforgettable experience. Thank you for the good organisation of the trip.
(5/5)
We had a good experience Our guide was good and gave us much information He also gave us som time to walk around alone Driving with car from Hurghada to Luxor is to long The driver was good but drived a little to fast we talked to him and it was the much better Our guide was good in english
(5/5)
The luxor 2 day trip was amazing. We have young children who struggled at times, but the guide and driver were fantastic. Everyone enjoyed the historical sites, and the hot air balloon ride was incredible. I would definitely recommend this trip and this company.
(5/5)
Great private tour to see desert and abandoned Roman ruins. Excellent service. We had private jeep, driver and tour guide. Amazing adventure, more than we expected. I strongly recommend this service. They can take you to some cool and unknown places far from main routes. Thank you for the amazing time!
(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)
We had booked airport transfers from Hurgada airport to our resort in May 2022 and our experience was excellent. What sets this company apart was the responsive service we got through WhatsApp messaging. You may not be aware of this but meeting a taxi driver at airport is not so easy or obvious as the security personnel does not allow drivers in or even standing by the entrance. It all was resolved easily by WhatsApp communication. I cannot overstate how important is having a rapid response when something does not go as you would expect. Thank you Ashraf. I am aware this company does much more than airport transfers: while I did not use any during my stay, I wouldnot hesitate to recommend this organisation to plan for your excursion needsin Hurghada.Update April 2023: Used them again for this trip booking through Hoppa, same excellent service.
(5/5)
We went in the Safari and Paradise Island boat trip. Both were very well organised, great activities and the transfer made by driver was on time!I recommend especially the Paradise Island trip! The views on the island are amazing and the boat trip until there has such grest service on the boat (snorkeling, lunch, drinks).
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