Name: egypt tour packages
Price range: $

3-Night Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Aswan–Esna

Overview

Traveling through Upper Egypt aboard the 3-Night Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Aswan–Esna isn’t just a tour; it’s a quiet reclamation of time.

While massive cruise ships churn past the Nile’s secrets, this traditional twin-masted sailing vessel offers an intimate, wind-swept journey between Aswan and Esna that feels deeply authentic.

The magic lies in the Dahabiya’s ability to dock where the “big ones” cannot. You aren’t just visiting monuments; you are drifting into the rhythm of Egyptian riverside life.

You’ll wander through the chaotic, dust-filled energy of the Daraw camel market, stand in the shadows of the monumental sandstone quarries at Gebel El Silsila, and explore the hauntingly beautiful El Kab rock-cut tombs—all without the roar of an engine or the push of a crowd.

With only a handful of cabins, the experience is defined by hushed mornings on deck and starlit dinners on remote riverbanks. It is a sophisticated, slow-motion odyssey designed for the traveler who prefers the whisper of the sail to the rush of the itinerary.

Details

Duration: 4 Days 3 Nights
Tour Location: Aswan–Luxor
Tour Availability: Upon request
Pickup & Drop Off: Aswan–Luxor
Tour Type: Private
Suitable for: Couples, families, and solo travelers
Wheelchair: Accessible

Tour Highlights

Aswan High Dam
Philae temple | Isis temple
Draw Camel Market
Kom Ombo temple
Gebel El Silsila
Edfu temple
Valley of Kings
Hatshepsut’s temple
Colossi of Memnon
Karnak temple

Inclusions

Meet and assist service upon arrival and departure
All transfers in a modern air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodation on board a 5-star Dahabiya on a full-board basis
All sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary
Entrance fees to all sites between Luxor and Aswan
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Professional Egyptologist guide for all excursions
All service charges and applicable taxes

Exclusions

Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses
Gratuities (tipping)

What to take

Valid Passport for 6 months starting from the flying day
Warm clothes in winter
Comfortable shoes
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat or Scarf
Umbrella

Itinerary

Day 1, Morning: Engineering Marvels and Island Sanctuaries

Your journey begins where the ancient and modern worlds collide. Upon your arrival at Aswan Airport (or your preferred location in the city), your private guide will meet you to begin an exploration of Aswan’s most significant landmarks.

We start at the Aswan High Dam, a massive feat of 20th-century engineering that reshaped the Egyptian landscape. Standing atop its crest, you’ll witness the vast expanse of Lake Nasser stretching toward the horizon.

Next, we take a short boat ride to Agilkia Island, the new home of the Philae Temple of Isis.

Walking through its colonnades, it is hard to believe this entire complex was meticulously moved block-by-block from its original, submerged site on Philae Island—a testament to the enduring power of the Goddess of Magic.

Life on the Nile

After your morning tour, we drive to the riverbank to check into the Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya. As you settle into your cabin, a fresh, locally sourced lunch will be served on deck.

We then begin our first gentle sail toward Daraw.

This is where the pace shifts; while others speed by, we dock at Daraw Island to visit the legendary camel markets. It is an unfiltered look at a trade route that has existed for centuries, filled with the sights and sounds of desert caravans.

Under the Stars

Returning to the Dahabiya, we continue our journey north toward Kom Ombo. As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the palm-fringed banks, you’ll enjoy your first dinner on board.

We will drop anchor near the riverbank for a quiet overnight stay, lulled by the soft lap of the Nile.

Waking up to the gentle lap of the Nile against the hull, Day 2 transitions from the bustling markets of Aswan to the profound silence of Egypt’s ancient industrial heart.

Day 2: Symmetries and Sobek

After breakfast on deck, we step ashore at Kom Ombo. This is Egypt’s only perfectly symmetrical “double temple,” a unique architectural feat designed to satisfy a divine rivalry.

One half is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Horus the Elder, the falcon-headed sky god.

As you explore the reliefs, look for the famous “medical instruments” carving—often cited as the world’s oldest depiction of surgical tools.

Afterward, the nearby Crocodile Museum offers a fascinating, if slightly eerie, look at dozens of mummified crocodiles that once lived within the temple walls as living embodiments of Sobek.

The Mountain of the Chain

We then set sail for Gebel El Silsila, where the Nile narrows to its slimmest point. This is a site most travelers only see from a distance, but the Dahabiya’s small size allows us to dock directly at its rocky shore.

This was the great sandstone quarry of the New Kingdom. You will walk through the massive “canyons” left by ancient stonemasons who cut the very blocks used to build the towering pylons of Luxor and Karnak.

We’ll explore the Speos of Horemheb, a rock-cut temple carved directly into the cliffside, and the small royal shrines of Seti I and Ramses II that overlook the water.

The Deep Silence

Lunch is served as we leave the quarries behind. The rest of your day is dedicated to the art of “slow travel.”

As the Princess Cleopatra catches the wind, you can relax on the sun deck, watching the timeless tableau of farmers tending their fields.

We will anchor in a secluded spot by the Nile bank for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay under a canopy of desert stars.

Day 3, The Legend of Horus

After a relaxed breakfast on deck, we arrive at Edfu. We’ll take a traditional horse-drawn carriage through the town to reach the Temple of Horus.

Because it was buried under protective desert sand for nearly two millennia, it remains the most perfectly preserved cult temple in Egypt.

As you walk through the massive pylon entrance—guarded by two magnificent granite falcons—you aren’t just looking at ruins; you are stepping into a complete ancient space.

Your guide will walk you through the “Library,” the “Laboratory” where sacred perfumes were mixed, and the Holy of Holies, where the granite naos (shrine) of the Pharaoh Nectanebo II still stands in the shadows.

The Art of the Sail – Princess Cleopatr Dahabiya

Back on the Princess Cleopatra, the afternoon is yours. As we sail north, this is the perfect time to enjoy the “slow” in slow travel.

Watch the landscape transition from the golden sands of the south to the lush, emerald-green banks of the north.

Whether you’re reading a book in a shaded lounge or chatting with the crew about the nuances of the Nile, this is the soul of the Dahabiya experience.

A Night of Egyptian Spirit

As we approach Esna, the deck transforms for a Galabeya Party. Tonight is about immersion:

We invite you to wear a traditional, flowing galabeya for a night of comfort and laughter, immersed in the rhythmic beats of the darbuka and the melodic strings of the rababa.

While the folkloric music fills the air, you will enjoy a typical Egyptian feast prepared by our chef, featuring authentic local specialties like mahshi and savory grilled meats.

We will anchor near Esna for the night, celebrating the final stretch of our journey together.

Day 4, Final departure

After your final breakfast on board, check out and begin the one-hour drive to Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum.

Your exploration starts on the West Bank in the legendary Valley of the Kings, where you will descend into the intricately painted tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.

After that, a visit to the striking, terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set against a backdrop of towering limestone cliffs.

After a brief stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have stood guard for millennia, we cross to the East Bank of the Nile.

There, you will marvel at the sheer scale of the Karnak Temple Complex, famous for its incredible forest of towering columns within the Great Hypostyle Hall.

Once you have soaked in the grandeur of ancient Thebes, your guide will provide a private transfer to your hotel, the airport, or any location of your choice in Luxor.

Note:

Kindly feel free to share your thoughts on the itinerary by adding or removing anything to better meet your needs.

Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Facilities

Large windows with a panoramic view
Private WC
A/C rooms
Hair dryer
Elegant fine dining room and lounge
Electronic fire and smoke detection
Chaise-longue chairs on the sun deck
WIFI on the deck

3-night Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Aswan to Esna Price

Adult Price = 1050 €

Kids 5-11 years = 50% of the adult price

Kids 0-5 years = free of charge

Booking

You can book your 3-Night Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Aswan–Esna via WhatsApp or send us an email, and you will receive the confirmation on the spot.

WhatsApp: +201000852186

[email protected]

Payment

You can pay in Egyptian pounds, $, €‎ , or £
Reservations should be made as early as possible to book your Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Deposit payment should be 50 % during the Christmas and New Year holidays
The deposit counts as part of your final payment
The deposit can be made by bank wire transfer or sent via link

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests should be sent via WhatsApp or emailed to provide the company with written confirmation that your reservation should be canceled.