Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Gordon Pacha Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to smaller Nile shore stops.
The short answer
Gordon Pacha is a dahabiya. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Rates are on request: send us your dates for a live price.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the lateen sail catches the Nile breeze and the riverbank turns gold, while the only sounds are water against the hull and birds in the reeds. From Gordon Pacha Dahabiya, you watch villages, palms, and limestone cliffs pass at a measured pace, then step ashore where larger Nile boats cannot reach.
Our Egyptologists bring the landscape into focus, from ancient quarries to quiet temple remains, while the captain adjusts the sail and the chef prepares meals aboard. We arrange the vessel, shore visits, private transportation, and knowledgeable local support, so your time on the Nile feels unhurried without leaving you to manage the details.
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this ship works.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
We don't have current published rates for this ship. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a live price for the cabin you want.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
On arrival at Luxor airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a full day of sightseeing in Luxor: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. In the afternoon you're driven to Esna to board your dahabiya, welcomed aboard by the crew for your first night moored at Esna.
- 2
Breakfast at leisure as the dahabiya sails towards Edfu, arriving around midday. Visit the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then browse the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
After lunch on board, continue sailing towards the temple at Gebel el-Silsila, with dinner served in the temple grounds, on a nearby island, or on the sun deck.
- 3
Breakfast at leisure, then sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman double temple shared equally between the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Continue sailing towards Aswan, watching river life along the banks — water buffalo, donkeys and birdlife — and moor for the night close to the city.
- 4
After breakfast on board, spend the day exploring Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam — with time to wander the Aswan bazaar. Return to the boat for your final evening and overnight in Aswan.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport or train station for your onward departure.
- 1
On arrival at Aswan airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a day of sightseeing in Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam, with time to browse the Aswan bazaar. In the afternoon you board your dahabiya and enjoy lunch on deck as the boat sets sail for Kom Ombo, mooring there for the night.
- 2
Breakfast at leisure, then visit the Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo — a perfectly symmetrical double temple with matching halls and sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Sail on to the quieter temple at Gebel el-Silsila, mooring alongside the rock-cut Speos of Horemheb; dinner is served in the temple grounds or on the sun deck, weather and mood allowing.
- 3
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then explore the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
The dahabiya moors at a quiet island for a themed Egyptian evening: dinner by the riverbank or on the sun deck, Arabic music, and the option to dress in a gallabeya for the occasion, before sailing on gently towards Esna overnight.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and drive to Luxor for a sightseeing day — the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple — before your transfer to Luxor airport or train station for departure.
Bundled in
- Beautifully designed en-suite cabins with Nile views
- Air conditioning
- Modern bathrooms
- Spacious sun deck with loungers and shaded seating
- Elegant dining salon and lounge
- Onboard bar serving soft drinks and tea/coffee
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation onboard Gordon Pacha Dahabiya
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All sightseeing tours with a licensed Egyptologist
- Entrance fees to included sites
- Transfers from Luxor or Aswan
- Sailing permits and taxes
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Gratuities for crew and guide
- Additional beverages (alcoholic drinks)
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Queen Nefeer Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,390 per person
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,434 per person
- Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
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The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any necessary visas
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with grip
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Lightweight daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle for refill stations
- Light rain jacket or windbreaker for cooler mornings
- Any personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves and trousers for strong sun protection
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirt/trousers for temples and mosques
- A warm layer for early mornings and evenings on deck
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical onboard only when folded, as cabins and gangways are compact; child safety around open railings and on gangways requires constant adult supervision. High chairs and baby equipment are not typically available on dahabiyas, so traveling families should bring any essential items.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise requires moderate mobility, due to narrow gangways, cabin steps and uneven landing stages at smaller sites. Boarding and disembarking often use a low gangplank or zodiac-style tender rather than a fixed pier, so you should be comfortable with single-step climbs and brief balance adjustments. Many shore sites including El Kab, Gebel Silsila and Hagar Salsala have uneven ancient stone, short steep staircases, and sand approaches. Wheelchair users will find access very limited; folding travel wheelchairs may be manageable for shore transfers but full wheelchair access is not available on most dahabiyas. If you use a mobility aid, please contact us in advance so we can advise on the specific vessel assigned and prepare assistance on arrival. Service animals are generally accepted but must be declared before travel.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This itinerary uses an intimate, sail-powered dahabiya, a traditionally rigged vessel which reduces engine fuel consumption while sailing between sites. For auxiliary movements and safety the vessel may use a small diesel tender; we request operators minimise powered transfers where possible. We source provisions locally for chef-prepared meals, buying fresh produce from Luxor and Aswan markets to support local farmers and vendors. Housekeeping uses concentrated detergents and a linen-reuse policy to reduce water and chemical use. We work with locally employed crews and licensed Egyptologists, and we encourage respectful purchases from village artisans at stops such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila so income remains in local communities.
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
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-739523
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
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