Trip summary: a Dahabiya cruise in Egypt, planned for you

Whether you search for a luxury Dahabiya, a boutique Nile cruise or a quiet way to see the Nile, this 9-day trip gives you Cairo and a Dahabiya cruise in Egypt in one plan. You spend four nights in Cairo, then four nights on a Dahabiya boat, sailing between Luxor and Aswan with stops at Esna, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo. It is a slow, intimate way to sail a Dahabiya on the Nile, ending in Aswan before you fly back to Cairo. If you are comparing a Nile river cruise Dahabiya with a larger ship, the main difference is pace: here, the river is the point, and the days move slowly.

  • 9 days · Dahabiya cruise
  • Cairo + Nile (Dahabiya) + Luxor + Aswan

Cairo hotels (5-star)

Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo, Ramses Hilton, Cairo Zamalek Residences or similar

19 meals

9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

On the Nile

4 nights on a Dahabiya, full board

From $3,650 per person

Winter (Oct to Apr), double occupancy. $3,485 in summer (May to Sep).

9 days

Cairo, Nile (Dahabiya), Luxor, Aswan

Included

Entry visa on arrival, domestic flights and entrance fees

Tour Route

Cairo, Luxor,Esna,Edfu,Kom Ombo,Aswan,Cairo

  1. Cairo
  2. Luxor
  3. Esna
  4. Edfu
  5. Kom Ombo
  6. Aswan
  7. Cairo

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Cairo: Meet & Assist

Meals: Welcome drink

Your representative meets you at Cairo Airport before immigration, holding a sign with your name, and assists you with your entry visa. A transfer takes you to your hotel, where you check in and review the itinerary. Enjoy a welcome drink and rest in Cairo.

Arrival in Cairo: Meet & Assist — picture 1 Arrival in Cairo: Meet & Assist — picture 2 Arrival in Cairo: Meet & Assist — picture 3 Arrival in Cairo: Meet & Assist — picture 4
Day 2

Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Sakkara

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Visit the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, with a camel ride on the Giza Plateau. The Solar Boat at Cheops is optional, with an extra ticket bought on the spot. After lunch, visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser and its complex at Sakkara, and Memphis, the Old Kingdom capital and necropolis. Overnight in Cairo.

Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Sakkara — picture 1 Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Sakkara — picture 2 Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Sakkara — picture 3 Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Sakkara — picture 4
Day 3

Cairo: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Start at the Egyptian Museum, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore Islamic Cairo and the Khan El Khalili bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.

Cairo: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili — picture 1 Cairo: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili — picture 2 Cairo: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili — picture 3 Cairo: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili — picture 4
Day 4

Fly to Luxor and Board Your Dahabiya

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast and check-out, fly to Luxor. You are met, assisted and transferred to your Dahabiya, with lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit Luxor Temple, with its colossal statues and colonnades, and Karnak Temple, with expert guides. Dinner and overnight are on the West Bank.

Fly to Luxor and Board Your Dahabiya — picture 1 Fly to Luxor and Board Your Dahabiya — picture 2 Fly to Luxor and Board Your Dahabiya — picture 3 Fly to Luxor and Board Your Dahabiya — picture 4
Day 5

Valley of the Kings and Sailing to Esna

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast on board. On the West Bank, visit the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut's tomb, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch is on board. Then sail to Esna, with tea on the sun deck, and dinner while sailing. You overnight beside an island.

Valley of the Kings and Sailing to Esna — picture 1 Valley of the Kings and Sailing to Esna — picture 2 Valley of the Kings and Sailing to Esna — picture 3 Valley of the Kings and Sailing to Esna — picture 4
Day 6

Esna Lock, Edfu Temple and Al Ramady Island

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast while crossing the Esna lock. Sail to Edfu, with lunch during the sail, and visit the Temple of Horus. Then sail to Al Ramady Island, where you have dinner and overnight beside the island.

Esna Lock, Edfu Temple and Al Ramady Island — picture 1 Esna Lock, Edfu Temple and Al Ramady Island — picture 2 Esna Lock, Edfu Temple and Al Ramady Island — picture 3 Esna Lock, Edfu Temple and Al Ramady Island — picture 4
Day 7

Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sail early to Gebel el-Silsila, with breakfast on board. Visit Kom Ombo Temple. Then sail to El Sheikh Fadl Island, with lunch during the sail. Tea time and dinner are on the island. After dinner you sail to Aswan and overnight on board.

Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo — picture 1 Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo — picture 2 Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo — picture 3 Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo — picture 4
Day 8

Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam and Flight to Cairo

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive in Aswan early, around 6:00 a.m. After breakfast, disembark and visit Philae Temple and the High Dam. Transfer to Aswan airport and fly to Cairo, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam and Flight to Cairo — picture 1 Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam and Flight to Cairo — picture 2 Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam and Flight to Cairo — picture 3 Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam and Flight to Cairo — picture 4
Day 9

Final Departure

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for your departure.

Final Departure — picture 1 Final Departure — picture 2 Final Departure — picture 3

What's Included — and What's Not

The price includes

  • Meet-and-greet at airports
  • Entry visa for Egypt provided on arrival at Cairo Airport
  • 4 nights Cairo (5★), daily breakfast
  • 4 nights on Dahabiya, full board
  • 19 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Domestic flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo
  • All sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan per itinerary
  • Entrance fees as on itinerary
  • Local expert tour guides

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Optional tours
  • Drinks from the bar (extra)
  • Tipping (crew, guide, drivers)

Travelers Who Took This Trip

Angie

Angie

October 6, 2025 · ★★★★★

We spent 9 unforgettable days in Egypt with Expedition Egypt, and it was the trip of a lifetime. From the moment we landed in Cairo until our departure, everything was handled flawlessly. Amgad designed a beautifully paced itinerary that allowed us to explore the highlights — the Pyramids, Sakkara, Luxor, Aswan, and even time to relax along the Red Sea — without ever feeling rushed. What makes Expedition Egypt different is the personal touch. Amgad’s deep knowledge of Egyptology and his experience in hospitality truly set this trip apart. Every guide felt like a storyteller, not just someone reciting facts. We gained a deeper appreciation for the culture, history, and people of Egypt. The hotels were excellent, the Nile cruise was romantic and serene, and every detail — from airport assistance to restaurant recommendations — was thoughtfully arranged. If you’re considering Egypt, don’t do it alone. Trust Expedition Egypt. It made all the difference.

Margaret Wilson

Margaret Wilson

October 16, 2026 · ★★★★★

The combination of Cairo’s historic sites and a peaceful Dahabiya cruise made this trip special. I especially loved sailing along the Nile and visiting the ancient temples. The itinerary offered a lovely balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Copy sample

Patricia Bennett

Patricia Bennett

October 16, 2026 · ★★★★★

I expected to love the Pyramids, but the smaller moments became just as meaningful. Exploring local markets, seeing beautiful temples, and watching daily life along the river gave me a deeper appreciation for Egypt. It was a wonderfully varied itinerary.

James Parker

October 16, 2026 · ★★★★★

Egypt had been on my travel list for years, and seeing it this way would make for a memorable adventure. The mix of archaeological sites, comfortable hotel stays, and several nights sailing the Nile is a compelling way to discover the country. Copy sample

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Egyptian visa, and what does it cost?

1) The entry visa is not included in the trip price. Your representative meets and assists you when you arrive at Cairo International Airport. Americans need a visa to enter Egypt. A single-entry tourist visa is commonly reported at $25, which you can apply for online on the official e-visa portal, or buy on arrival at the airport, and it is valid for up to 30 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Please confirm the current fee and rules on the official Egyptian e-visa portal before you travel.https://visafeecalculator.com/egypt/tourist-visa/united-states/

2) Can I add extra nights or change the trip?

Yes. This is our suggested trip, and changes to days, hotels or cities are available on request. For example, you can ask for extra nights in Cairo before or after the trip, or more days by the Red Sea. You can also design your own trip with our trip builder. Request a free consultation, and our team goes through the itinerary with you and fits it to your dates, your pace and your budget. No booking or payment is required to enquire.

3) What if my plans change? Can I cancel or change my booking?

Your plans can change, and we plan for that. You can cancel free of charge up to [__] days before your arrival date and receive a [full / %] refund. If you cancel later than that, [refund terms]. If you would rather keep your trip, you can **change your dates once at no charge up to [] days before arrival**, subject to availability. Your domestic flights and Nile cruise cabin are reserved in your name, so [state whether they are refundable or have their own terms]. To start, call +1 (615) 337-2658 or message us on WhatsApp, and our team handles the details. A consultation request is not a booking, so you can talk to us first with no obligation.