Nile Dahabiya · Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan
Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya: 7 Night Nile Cruise Luxor & Aswan
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- Licence No. 121
Tour Overview
The Sonesta Amirat is a small dahabiya, the traditional Nile sailing boat with tall sails that carries far fewer guests than a standard cruise ship. Delta Tours Egypt books it on a week-long trip between Luxor and Aswan. Because the boat moves under sail, the schedule includes whole days on the water rather than a rush from one temple to the next.
You can sail in either direction. The southbound trip leaves Luxor every Saturday and ends in Aswan. The northbound trip leaves Aswan every Saturday and ends in Luxor. Both last eight days and seven nights, and both cover the same main sites in reverse order.
What the week covers
In Luxor you see Karnak and Luxor Temple, then spend a day on the West Bank. That day takes in the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. Between the two cities the boat stops at Edfu, the sandstone quarries and shrines of Gebel el-Silsila, and Kom Ombo. In Aswan the plan includes the High Dam, the Old Dam and Philae Temple. One evening is set aside for dinner on a Nile island.
The fare covers your cabin for seven nights, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board, and transfers between the boat and Luxor or Aswan. Sightseeing with an English-speaking guide and entry tickets to the listed sites are also part of the package, along with service charges and taxes. Tips and personal extras are not included.
This trip suits travelers who want a quieter week on the river, with time for less-visited sites such as Medinet Habu and Gebel el-Silsila. It works well for couples, families and small groups who prefer a slow pace. The fare is quoted on request and depends on your dates and the cabin you choose. Send us your travel dates and the number of guests, and we will reply with availability and a price.
Photos: Reliefs at Gebel el-Silsila. Photo: Institute for the Study of the Ancient World from New York, United States of Ame / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Rock shrines at Gebel el-Silsila. Photo: Institute for the Study of the Ancient World from New York, United States of Ame / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Tour Highlights
7 nights under sail between Luxor and Aswan
Departs every Saturday from Luxor or from Aswan
Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu included
Stops at Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo
Dinner on a Nile island during the week
Tour Packages
8 Days / 7 Nights — Luxor to Aswan (Saturdays)
You board the Sonesta Amirat in Luxor and settle into your cabin. With your guide you then visit Karnak, the largest temple complex of ancient Thebes, and Luxor Temple on the east bank.
Accommodation: On board
A full day on the West Bank begins at the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried. You continue to the Valley of the Queens and to Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramses III.
The last stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues of Amenhotep III. The boat then moves on toward Esna.
Accommodation: On board in Esna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is a full day on the river. The dahabiya sails south toward Edfu, and you can spend the hours on deck watching village life and farmland along the banks.
Accommodation: On board
Your guide takes you through Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. In the evening, dinner is served on an island in the Nile.
Accommodation: On board
The morning stop is Gebel el-Silsila, an ancient sandstone quarry with rock-cut shrines on the river bank. Later you visit Kom Ombo Temple, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris.
Accommodation: On board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A relaxed day of sailing brings the boat to Aswan, where the river narrows between granite rocks and islands.
Accommodation: On board in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You visit the High Dam, completed in 1970, and the older Aswan Dam built under British rule. The day ends at Philae Temple, the island sanctuary of Isis that was moved to its present site to save it from the rising water.
Accommodation: On board in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you leave the dahabiya, and your transfer takes you onward from Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast
8 Days / 7 Nights — Aswan to Luxor (Saturdays)
You join the Sonesta Amirat in Aswan and spend the first evening on board, getting to know the boat and crew.
Accommodation: On board in Aswan
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
The day starts at the High Dam and Philae Temple, the island sanctuary of the goddess Isis. The boat then sails north to Kom Ombo, where you see the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris.
Dinner tonight is served on an island in the Nile.
Accommodation: On board in Kom Ombo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your guide shows you Kom Ombo Temple before the boat continues to Gebel el-Silsila, an ancient sandstone quarry with shrines cut into the cliffs. Sailing on, you reach Edfu Temple, built for the falcon god Horus.
Accommodation: On board in Edfu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You visit Edfu Temple, one of the most complete temples from the Ptolemaic period. The dahabiya then continues north toward Esna.
Accommodation: On board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is a quiet day of sailing to Luxor. Once the boat arrives, the rest of the day is free.
Accommodation: On board in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With your guide you tour Karnak, the vast temple complex of Amun, and Luxor Temple in the center of the modern city.
Accommodation: On board in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On the West Bank you explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. You also see Medinet Habu, the temple of Ramses III, and the Colossi of Memnon.
Accommodation: On board in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you leave the dahabiya, and your transfer takes you onward from Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast
Hint: Your journey should be as unique as you are. Share your ideas, and we'll craft a bespoke itinerary around your preferences.
Inclusions
- Transfers between the dahabiya and Luxor or Aswan at the start and end of the cruise
- Seven nights on board the Sonesta Amirat, taxes included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the cruise
- All sightseeing listed in the itinerary
- Entry tickets to the sites listed in the itinerary
- English-speaking guide on all tours
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Extras and personal spending
- Tipping kitty for the crew
Important Notes
👨👩👧 Delta Tours Child Policy:
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (except for flight tickets where airline rules apply).
- 2 – 5.99 years: Pay 25% of adult price (if there is a flight tickets).
- 6 – 11.99 years: Pay 50% of adult price (sharing parents’ room/cabin).
- 12 years and above: Considered an adult and pay full price.
Notes:
- Child discounts apply when sharing a room/cabin with two full-paying adults.
- If a child requires a separate room, the full adult rate applies.
- Some tours, cruises, or hotels may have different rules; in that case, the stricter policy applies.
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Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya: Common Questions
The price is quoted on request. It depends on your travel dates, the season and the cabin you choose, so send us your dates for an exact quote.
Both trips last seven nights and see the same main sites. Pick the direction that fits your flights: finish in Aswan if you plan to continue to Abu Simbel, or finish in Luxor if you fly home from there.
A dahabiya is a traditional Nile houseboat with large sails. It carries a small number of guests and moves at a slower pace than a cruise ship.
The Luxor to Aswan trip starts every Saturday in Luxor. The Aswan to Luxor trip starts every Saturday in Aswan.
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on board, as are entry tickets to the sites in the itinerary and an English-speaking guide.
Our Clients Feedback
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DebbieMel
“Our Egypt trip was perfectly organized with excellent guides, smooth transfers, and constant support from arrival until departure.”
Luciano M
“Professional service, knowledgeable guides, and excellent communication made our experience smooth, enjoyable, and completely stress-free throughout."”
Deepam L
“The customized itinerary matched exactly what we wanted, with attentive staff and outstanding service during every part of our trip.”
Isadora R
“Every detail was handled professionally, from airport assistance to transportation, making us feel comfortable and cared for every day.”
Maria S.
“Excellent organization, punctual drivers, and friendly staff created an unforgettable experience across Cairo, Luxor, and the Nile Valley”
Peter D.
“Knowledgeable Egyptologists and carefully planned sightseeing tours made every destination fascinating, educational, and easy to explore comfortably”
Laura C
“Private transportation, responsive support, and flexible arrangements helped create a relaxing journey that exceeded all our expectations completely.”
Read Before You Go
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