Dahabiya Nile Journey
Sail between Luxor & Aswan in intimate style — unhurried, elegant, and handcrafted by Holy Kemet.
Overview
This handcrafted journey pairs the grace of a traditional dahabiya with scholar‑led touring at Egypt’s most storied sites. Mornings along the river, afternoons among temples and tombs, and golden evenings on deck—balanced, unhurried, and deeply informed.
The Holy Kemet Advantage
Where scholarship meets hospitality: thoughtful pacing, deep context, and the quiet grace of sailing the Nile by dahabiya.
- Private dahabiya with dedicated crew and chef — your floating home on the Nile
- Scholar‑led encounters that weave archaeology, history, and faith
- Serene village moorings and authentic river life between temple visits
- Flexible, unhurried days tailored to your interests and pace
- Unobtrusive service and refined dining grounded in local traditio
- Private dahabiya with expert crew & chef
- Scholar‑led visits linking archaeology, history & faith
- Quiet moorings and village encounters
- Flexible touring at your pace
- Refined service & dining
Your Holy Kemet specialist tailors the pacing, focus, and accommodations—from boutique Cairo stays to private moorings between Luxor and Aswan—so the experience suits your group perfectly.
Your Dahabiya
Sail the Nile aboard a classically styled dahabiya—a graceful, shallow‑draft yacht designed for quiet waters and intimate journeys.
With just a handful of cabins, your party enjoys privacy, flexibility, and unhurried days shaped to your interests by our specialist team.
Meals are prepared by your private chef, sunsets are best from the upper deck, and moorings reveal river life few travelers ever see.
This is Nile sailing at its most personal—calm, scholarly, and beautifully serviced.
Cabins
5–8 en‑suite cabins; ideal for families, friends, or faculty cohorts
Decks & Salon
Shaded upper deck and cozy salon for briefings, readings, and stargazing.
Crew & Service
Captain, sailors, chef, and attendants; attentive yet unobtrusive service.
Tenders
Motorboat escorts for flexible moorings and temple transfers.
Connectivity
Wi‑Fi where available; charging points onboard.
Safety
Life jackets, navigation lights, permits and procedures handled in advance.
7-Night / 8-Day Dahabiya Journey — Luxor to Aswan and Return
Day 1 | Luxor — Embarkation and Sail Toward Esna
• Meet your Holy Kemet representative in Luxor and transfer to your private Dahabiya.
• Welcome tea and introduction to your crew and chef.
• Begin your leisurely voyage south, watching the city give way to peaceful countryside.
• Lunch on deck as the Dahabiya glides through palm-lined villages.
• Dinner and overnight near Esna.
Day 2 | Esna — El Hegz Island
• After breakfast, visit Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed creator god, beautifully preserved below the modern town.
• Return on board and begin sailing toward El Hegz Island.
• Enjoy a welcome drink as the sails rise and silence settles over the river.
• Moor amid serene fields and groves.
• Dinner on deck beneath the stars; overnight in calm waters.
Day 3 | Edfu — Fawaza Village
• Morning sail south to Edfu, where you visit the grand Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s most intact sanctuaries, reached by horse-drawn carriage through the town.
• Return for lunch and continue sailing toward Fawaza Village.
• Afternoon walk through the village, meeting local families and experiencing daily life along the Nile.
• Dinner and overnight at a peaceful mooring.
Day 4 | Besaw Island — Farmers’ House Visit — Kom Ombo
• Breakfast on deck while sailing toward Besaw Island, a tranquil landscape of farmland and palms. • Visit a local farmer’s house, share tea, and glimpse authentic Nile traditions. • Continue to Kom Ombo, the striking twin temple of Sobek and Haroeris rising above the river bend. • Explore the Crocodile Museum, then enjoy dinner and overnight near Kom Ombo.
Day 5 | Aswan — Philae Temple & High Dam — Afternoon Sail North
• Morning sail to Aswan, jewel of the south. • Visit the magnificent Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, and the High Dam, gateway to Lake Nasser. • Lunch on board, then enjoy an afternoon sail back north toward Kom Ombo. • Sunset tea and dinner on deck; overnight near Kom Ombo.
Day 6 | Edfu — Countryside Sailing
• Breakfast as you sail through open stretches of Nile scenery. • Relax on deck, read, or photograph timeless river life — farmers, herds, and feluccas passing by. • Optional walk through a riverside hamlet for tea with locals. • Dinner and overnight near Esna.
Day 7 | Esna Lock — Return to Luxor
• Morning passage through the Esna Lock, an experience of classic Nile navigation. • Continue sailing north toward Luxor. • Afternoon leisure on deck, followed by a farewell dinner with your crew. • Overnight moored near Luxor’s West Bank.
Day 8 | Disembark in Luxor
• Breakfast on board.
• Disembark and transfer to your hotel or onward flight, carrying with you the calm and beauty of the Nile.
Highlights
• Private Dahabiya with 5–8 en-suite cabins and dedicated crew.
• Elegant, unhurried sailing between Luxor and Aswan
• Visits to Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple
• Authentic encounters in Nile villages and farmhouses
• Gourmet dining, sunset tranquility, and personalized service
5-Night Dahabiya Journey — Esna to Aswan
Day 1 | Esna — El Hegz Island
• Meet your Holy Kemet representative in Luxor and transfer south to Esna.
• Embark your elegant Dahabiya—your floating home for the coming days.
• Enjoy a welcome drink and meet the crew as the sails rise and the boat glides quietly away from the modern world.
• Begin sailing toward El Hegz Island, surrounded by serene fields and palm groves.
• Dinner on deck beneath the stars; overnight mooring in calm waters.
Day 2 | El Kab — Edfu — Fawaza Village
• Early-morning sail to El Kab, ancient Nekheb, one of Egypt’s earliest capitals with remarkable rock-cut tombs and walls carved with the earliest hieroglyphs.
• Continue south to Edfu and visit the grand Temple of Horus, the best-preserved in Egypt, reached by horse-drawn carriage through the village.
• Return to the Dahabiya for lunch as you sail toward Fawaza Village.
• Afternoon walk through the village, meeting local families and observing traditional life along the Nile.
• Dinner and overnight at a peaceful riverside mooring.
Day 3 | Besaw Island — Farmers’ House Visit
• Breakfast while sailing toward Besaw Island, a tranquil oasis of fertile farmland.
• Visit a local farmer’s house, sharing tea and stories that reveal Egypt’s enduring rural rhythms.
• Enjoy a slow afternoon sail through open stretches of river framed by desert cliffs.
• Sunset on deck; refined dinner served by candlelight.
Day 4 | Kom Ombo — Aswan Outskirts
• Morning sail to Kom Ombo, the unique twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, beautifully overlooking the Nile’s bend.
• Visit the small Crocodile Museum, then continue sailing toward Aswan.
• Arrive by late afternoon and dock near Aswan, where the desert meets the water in quiet grandeur.
• Farewell dinner on board, celebrating the journey with your crew.
Day 5 | Disembark in Aswan
• Leisurely breakfast on deck as the morning sun touches the domes and palms of Aswan.
• Disembark and transfer to your hotel or onward flight, carrying with you the serenity of the Nile’s ancient rhythm.
Highlights
• Private Dahabiya with 5–8 en-suite cabins and dedicated crew
• Elegant slow sailing between temple towns and timeless villages
• Encounters with local life on islands and farms rarely visited by others
• Guided visits to El Kab, Edfu, and Kom Ombo
• Gourmet dining, golden-hour scenery, and refined tranquility on the Nile
