Nile Cruise Package · Esna → Aswan · 5 days · 4 nights
Dahabiya Nile Cruise, 4 Nights, 2 August 2027 Solar Eclipse
Embark in Esna on August 2, 2027, and sail toward Aswan aboard a deluxe 5-star dahabiya with full board
The short answer
Dahabiya Nile Cruise Solar Eclipse 2027 is a 5-day, 4-night trip to Luxor and Aswan: 4 nights on a Nile cruise. Prices start at $5,166 per person, two sharing (Classic).
02Overview
A first look
By early morning at Esna, the Nile carries the soft creak of lateen sails and the scent of warm river air past the landing point. On August 2, 2027, the river becomes part of a rare sky event as a total solar eclipse crosses Egypt, while your dahabiya offers a quieter view than the larger motorized cruisers.
We arrange your shared cabin, full-board sailing, and boarding support through the assigned vessel available at booking. Our representative confirms the precise pier before embarkation, helps with luggage, and explains local security procedures, while our Egyptologists remain available to add context to the villages, riverbanks, and ancient landscapes along the route.
What lingers
- 01Embark at Esna on 2 August 2027, the date of the total solar eclipse visible in Egypt.
- 02Sail aboard a deluxe 5-star dahabiya with traditional lateen sails.
- 03Travel at a slower pace than on larger motorised Nile cruisers.
- 04Reach smaller landing points and quieter riverbanks where local conditions allow.
- 05Stay in a shared-boat cabin with pricing calculated per person sharing.
- 06Receive full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation.
| Comfort level | Per person | Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Classicfrom $5,1665★ hotels | $5,166 |
Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor · Esna · Edfu · Gebel el-Silsila · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- 1
After arrival at Luxor Airport, our driver takes you into Luxor for a morning visit to the Valley of the Kings, where royal tombs were cut into the Theban cliffs. Your Egyptologist explains the Temple of Hatshepsut, built for the female pharaoh on the West Bank, followed by the Colossi of Memnon, two quartzite statues of Amenhotep III.
In the afternoon, visit Karnak Temple, whose Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 columns. You then travel to Esna to board the dahabiya on the Nile.
- 2
Continue south along the Nile toward Edfu, watching villages, cultivated riverbanks, and desert escarpments pass from the deck. At Edfu, your guide explains the reliefs and rituals at the Temple of Horus, a Ptolemaic sanctuary dedicated to the falcon-headed god. Later, visit Gebel el-Silsila, where sandstone quarries supplied building material for monuments including parts of Karnak Temple.
The site also contains rock-cut shrines and inscriptions along the ancient quarry landscape. Timing depends on the sailing schedule and local site access.
- 3
During the morning, your guide leads you through Kom Ombo Temple, a riverside sanctuary dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus. Examine the temple’s reliefs, including the ancient surgical instruments carved on a rear wall. After the visit, continue sailing south along the Nile toward Aswan, watching villages, cultivated riverbanks, and desert terrain pass from the deck.
Your guide can explain how the Nile shaped settlement between Kom Ombo and Aswan.
- 4
In Aswan, your guide leads a morning boat ride to Agilkia Island, where Philae Temple was relocated in the 1970s to protect it from rising Lake Nasser. The sanctuary honors Isis, and its reliefs show Ptolemaic and Roman religious scenes. Later, visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970 and built across the Nile to regulate water flow and generate hydroelectric power.
Your Egyptologist explains how the dam changed agriculture, navigation, and the location of ancient monuments in southern Egypt.
- 5
Your departure transfer begins in Aswan, with our driver collecting you from the designated pickup point for the journey to Aswan International Airport. Your coordinator confirms the departure timing and assists with luggage before you continue to your next destination. The airport serves Aswan and the surrounding Nile Valley, including access to visits such as Philae Temple on Agilkia Island.
Allow extra time for airport procedures, particularly during busy travel periods. No sightseeing is scheduled today, so the morning or afternoon timing depends on your departure schedule.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Four nights aboard a deluxe 5-star dahabiya.
- Shared-boat cabin accommodation, priced per person sharing.
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day.
- Nile embarkation at Esna.
Not included
- Drinks other than water served with meals.
- Gratuities.
- Personal expenses.
- Transfers to or from the Esna embarkation point, unless specifically stated in the booking details.
- Services not specifically stated in the booking details.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can discuss private guiding, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights in Luxor or Aswan, airport transfers, and additional sightseeing where availability permits. Cabin assignment, vessel selection, pier instructions, and optional services remain subject to booking availability, river conditions, and the specific booking details.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults, couples, and families interested in ancient Egyptian temples, river landscapes, and a quieter alternative to large motorized Nile cruisers. It is appropriate for travelers comfortable with walking over uneven temple surfaces, boarding a vessel at a changing pier, and sharing a cabin on a scheduled cruise itinerary.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike larger motorized Nile cruisers, a dahabiya generally travels at a slower pace using traditional lateen sails and may reach smaller landing points when river and security conditions allow. Unlike a cruise-only booking, this package also includes guided sightseeing in Luxor before embarkation and visits to major temples and monuments en route to Aswan. The specific vessel is assigned at booking rather than selected from a named ship in the itinerary.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Shared Dahabiya Nile Cruise with Guided Sightseeing
- Accommodation
- Deluxe 5-Star Dahabiya Cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Esna · Edfu · Gebel el-Silsila · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Four nights in a shared-boat cabin · Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Nile embarkation at Esna · Luxor, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo, and Aswan sightseeing as listed · Egyptologist-guided visits and standard site entrance fees as stated in the booking details
- Best for
- Solar eclipse travelers · History enthusiasts · Couples · Adults seeking a quieter Nile experience · Travelers interested in traditional sailing · Families with older children
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Esna Nile Embarkation PointMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Sun protection, including SPF 50 sunscreen
- Hat with a secure brim
- Refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Insect repellent
- Phone or camera with spare battery
- Certified eclipse-viewing glasses for the August 2, 2027 eclipse
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for changing temperatures
- Comfortable shoes with good grip
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and religious sites
- Swimwear with a cover-up for shared deck areas
- Light sweater or shawl for breezy evenings
Children & families
Children are considered on request because the minimum age, cabin layout, and safety arrangements depend on the specific dahabiya. Child pricing is not stated as a fixed percentage and must be confirmed before booking. Strollers are generally impractical because of steps, narrow passageways, and uneven riverbank landings. High-chair availability is vessel-dependent and should be requested in advance. Children must be supervised on deck and during all shore visits.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires boarding a traditional dahabiya from the Nile bank at Esna, where the landing surface may be uneven and access can change with water levels. Guests should expect steps, narrow passageways, limited handrails, and movement between deck levels. Ancient sites visited during the sailing may involve sand, uneven stone, stairs, and limited shade. A wheelchair may be difficult to use aboard and during shore visits. Guests with reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can confirm the specific vessel, embarkation conditions, and available assistance.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya uses traditional lateen sails and generally travels at a slower pace than large motorized Nile cruisers, although an engine may be used when wind or navigation requires it. Shore visits are arranged through local Egyptian guides, boat crews, drivers, and service providers in the Nile Valley. Smaller landing points may be reached when river and local conditions allow, which can direct spending beyond the main cruise ports. Waste, water use, and onboard operating practices depend on the vessel selected, so we do not make broader environmental claims without supplier-specific evidence.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is a dahabiya Nile cruise?
A dahabiya Nile cruise offers a more intimate sailing experience on the Nile River, using lateen sails rather than large engines. These smaller vessels can access less-visited riverbanks and provide a quieter journey compared to larger, motorized cruise ships. This particular cruise is 4 nights, departing from Esna.02What is included in the price of this dahabiya cruise?
The cruise price includes four nights aboard a deluxe 5-star dahabiya, accommodation in a shared-boat cabin, and full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Nile embarkation at Esna is also included.03What is not included in the dahabiya cruise package?
Excluded from the package are drinks other than water served with meals, gratuities, personal expenses, and transfers to or from the Esna embarkation point. Any services not specifically stated in your booking details are also not included.04What is the embarkation process like in Esna?
Embarkation for the dahabiya cruise is at Esna on August 2, 2027. Our representative will confirm the precise pier and assist with luggage and local security procedures, as boarding instructions can change with river conditions. Transfers to Esna are not included unless specified.05Is this cruise suitable for children or families?
Dahabiya cruises offer a more relaxed pace, which can be enjoyable for families. However, specific suitability depends on the children's ages and interests, as the focus is on historical sites and quiet sailing. There are no dedicated children's programs on board.06What should I wear and bring on a dahabiya Nile cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes for exploring ancient sites, and a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For evenings on board, smart casual attire is appropriate. Modest dress is required for temple visits.07What is the accessibility like on a dahabiya cruise?
Dahabiyas are smaller vessels, which may involve navigating steps to board and move between decks. Excursions to ancient sites often include walking on uneven terrain, sand, and stairs. Travelers with mobility concerns should contact us to discuss specific needs.08What is the photography policy on board and at sites?
Photography is generally permitted on board the dahabiya and at most ancient sites, though some specific tombs or museum exhibits may prohibit it or require a separate photography ticket. Always check for posted signs or ask your Egyptologist guide for clarification.09Why is this cruise scheduled for August 2, 2027?
This particular dahabiya cruise is scheduled for August 2, 2027, to coincide with a total solar eclipse that will be visible in Egypt. The itinerary is designed to offer both the traditional Nile experience and the opportunity to witness this rare celestial event.10What are the typical meal arrangements on the dahabiya?
This cruise operates on a full-board basis, meaning all meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day are included. Meals are typically served on board, offering a mix of local and international cuisine. Water is served with meals, but other drinks are extra.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-NIL-706466