Egypt | Nile Dahabiya Tour

The Egypt of today is still a wonder to behold, from the Pyramid complex of Giza and the Valley of the Kings in ancient Thebes, to the Temple of Abu Simbel and the Nile itself, the longest river in the world. Flowing through a timeless landscape, dotted with the ghosts and memories of its long and glorious past, this majestic river affords a unique glimpse into the land of the ancient Pharaohs, and what better way to explore it than in a style so beloved of the nobility of yesteryear.

Ideal for Solo Travellers

This small group adventure holiday is ideal for solo travellers, as it allows you to meet and travel with other like-minded people. They are also extremely flexible, and allow plenty of free time for personal exploration. Travelling in a small group is also much safer then travelling alone - the additional security of travelling with an organised group with a tour leader should not be under-estimated. The ratio between solo travellers and couples (whether partners or friends) is generally 50/50, so don't worry, you won't be the only person travelling solo in the group. Generally the split between women and men travelling solo on our holidays is 60/40 so you won't feel outnumbered. There is a great mix of people of all ages on our tours, ranging from 25 to 65+.

As all rooming on tour is based on adults of the same sex sharing, you won't have to pay a compulsory single supplement. However, if you'd rather have the guarantee of a room to yourself, the option to pay that little bit extra for a single room is available.

Trip Details

GROUP SIZE:  Approx. 14 to 18

From Cairo to Ancient Thebes

In Cairo we stay at the Amarante Hotel close to the Giza Pyramids. We explore the Pyramids first, and then witness the glittering treasures of the pharaohs in the Egyptian Museum before we catch the overnight sleeper train to Luxor, the ancient capital Thebes.

Luxor & Nile Dahabiya

On arrival we check into our Dahabiya, before visiting the awe-inspiring temple complex at Karnak. The following day, we take a donkey trek to Hatshepsut Temple -and visit the Valley of the Kings to see the tombs of the Pharaohs. We begin a leisurely seven night journey southwards up the Nile towards Aswan, via Edfu, Silsila and Kom Ombo. Our Dahabiya is an elegant wooden vessel with twin masts and lateen sails. With a capacity of just 18 in beautifully appointed en-suite cabins, the Dahabiya combines the comforts of the finest Nile cruisers with the gentler pace and intimate atmosphere of a Nile felucca.

Aswan & Abu Simbel

From Aswan, the attractive and laidback gateway to Nubia, there's the chance to visit the majestic rock cut temples of Abu Simbel, or ride a camel to the Monastery of St Simeon, surrounded by desert sands. Finally we fly back to Cairo and enjoy our last day and overnight in the country's capital.

Day 1. Join tour Cairo

Overnight The Hotel Amarante Pyramids - a unique five-star luxury hotel with a paradise-like setting. The tropical swimming pool is surrounded by exotic gardens, palm trees, and waterfalls and offers an exclusive, friendly, and magical atmosphere. Built in the early 1940's, the original building was the residence of the famous actor and founder of the Egyptian theatre, Youssef Bey Wahby. It was comprised of two villas, a billiard place and a private cinema, which was quite unique at that time. Located in the heart of the Giza district, The Hotel Amarante Pyramids offers the ideal starting point to discover Cairo and its unique blending of Egypt's great civilisation and warm hospitality.

Day 2. Full day sightseeing of the Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum

In the 12th century an Arab historian wrote, "...all things fear time, but time fears the Pyramids". Today we visit this last remaining wonder of the ancient world, the magnificent Pyramids of Giza. Sandwiched between the sprawling mass of Cairo and the open plains of the desert, even today the mighty Pyramids can evoke awe and wonder in the newly arrived visitor. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, the largest of the group, originally 145m high and measuring 232m at its base, dominates the plateau. It was built over a period of some 20 or so years, in about 2600 BC, using only the simplest implements and without the aid of draught animals or even the wheel! Second in size is the Pyramid of Chephren, whilst the smallest of the trio is that of Mykerinos. You can opt to venture inside, or visit the magnificent Solar Boat, designed to transport the Pharaoh's soul to the afterlife (both these visits are optional). The complex also includes the splendid Granite Temple and the enigmatic and mysterious Sphinx, the Father of Terror, a crouching lion with a human head, carved from a single piece of solid rock.

From the Pyramids we head for the Egyptian Museum, via a papyrus institute, where you can learn something of the ancient methods of paper making in the Egypt of the pharaohs. The museum itself is a spectacular repository of some 120,000 items encompassing all aspects of the world of the Ancient Egyptians, from ornate jewellery and towering granite statues, to mummified remains and, of course, the treasures of Tutankhamun himself. Later this evening we will transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train south, following the fertile ribbon of the Nile Valley into Upper Egypt, towards the once ancient city of Thebes. Overnight sleeper train (Included meals: B, D)

Day 3.  Arrive Luxor; PM visit to Karnak Temple by calesh

Described by Homer as the ‘city of a hundred gates' and the capital of Egypt under some of its most famous and powerful pharaohs; Ramses, Tuthmose, Akhenaten and, of course, Tutankhamun, Thebes, or Luxor as it is now known, is situated on the east bank of the Nile. It is a vibrant mix of the traditional and the modern, where the daily bustle sees horse drawn carriages (caleshes), goats and splendidly robed Egyptians sharing the streets with the trappings of modern life. Arriving this morning we will transfer to the Al Moudira
Hotel and a morning to relax and freshen up after our train journey. The hotel's traditional design is very much in tune with its surroundings along with individually crafted Arabian styled rooms decorated with furniture and murals.

This afternoon we travel by calesh, to visit the stupendous Temple of Amun at Karnak, built under the watchful eyes of numerous pharaohs. Dating from around 2000 BC, the scale and grandeur of the site is amazing, covering an area the size of 10 European cathedrals. An avenue of silent sphinxes leads up to the entrance, where the Temple Precinct encloses the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis and the Hypostyle Hall, built with 134 towering pillars carved with scenes of the life of the ancient King worshipping Amun (the principle God of Egypt at the time of the Middle Kingdom). We visit Hatshepsut's obelisks, explore a myriad of chambers and temples, and gaze across the Sacred Lake. In the Court of the Cachette an upstanding stele documents a pact between Ramses II and the Hittite king and is one of the first international treaties ever recorded. After our guided tour of the principal sites of the temple we return to our hotel.

7 nights Dahabiya Africa - Evoking the serene elegance of a bygone age, but retaining the luxuries so beloved of the discerning traveller, this beautiful sailing vessel combines the very best of tradition and comfort, to present an unsurpassed experience of the majestic Nile. Following in the footsteps of the european elite of the early 20th century, the Africa offers en suite convenience and tasteful sophistication, to afford the finest in Nile cruising. Intimate, sedate and offering the selectivity of mooring sites away from the crowds, it captures a little something of the golden age of Nile exploration. (included meals: B, L, D)

Day 4. Donkey trek to Hatshepsut Temple and visit the Valley of the Kings

Rising very early this morning, we cross the Nile to enjoy an adventurous donkey trek passing through an enchanting landscape of irrigated farmland and mud brick villages en route, pausing to view the famous Colossi of Memnon, the last remains of the once mighty temple of Amenhotep III then on to the extraordinary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's only female Pharaoh, who usurped the throne from her son, the future Tuthmoses III. The scale of the temple and its magnificent setting are breathtaking, but perhaps even more remarkable are the details - look out for the fine carving of the ‘Expedition to the Land of Punt'.

We then take a short taxi ride to the Valley of the Kings' to explore some of the more important sites made famous in 1922 by the discovery of the tomb of  Tutankhamun by Howard Carter. We visit three tombs with a local guide. This afternoon is free to indulge as you wish, perhaps to spend it exploring the magnificence of Luxor Temple, lying besides the banks of the Nile, offering another view of phaoronic splendour, or perhaps wandering the halls of Luxor's impressive museum, considered by many to be the best in the country. (Included meals: B).

Note: Donkeys to Hatshepsut Temple The comfort and safety of both donkeys and their riders is of great importance to us. Given this, donkeys are available to travellers of 85kg/13st, or under. We shall provide taxi transfers to the site for nonriders, or indeed anyone preferring to make the journey by road.

Day 5. Sail to El Fouza Island via Edfu

Continuing along the Nile Valley today we set sail for the small town of Edfu, Our fist port of call will be the small town of Edfu, home to a magnificent Ptolemaic temple that, after Karnak, is the largest in the Nile Valley. Dating back to the 3rd-1st centuries BC, according to legend it is built on the site where the god Horus met and vanquished Seth, the murderer of his father Osiris. A sacred falcon-headed god, almost perfectly preserved, guards the dark entranceway into the Temple of Horus, once only accessible by the pharaoh and the high priests themselves. The massive Pylon, or Gateway, is 79m wide by 35m high and covered with intricate carvings attesting to the might and power of the ancient kings and the temple  is one of the best preserved in Egypt, thanks largely to the fact that it lay buried beneath the desert sands for centuries, until it was excavated by the French in the 1860s. Indeed you can still find the odd bits of graffitti left by Napoleon's troops amongst the upper reaches of the high walls. Setting sail once more we then head for the island of El Fouza, where we will moor up for the night and enjoy dinner besides the tranquil banks of the Nile. (included meals: B, L, D)

Day 6. Sail to Gebel el Silsila

Our journey up river continues today, towards the ancient stone quarries of Gebel el Silsila, once famed throughout ancient Egypt for their finest quality sandstone. Workers toiled in these riverside quarries for centuries, cutting stone for Thebes and Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo. The great Stele of Akhenaten came from here and it is believed that some 3,000 workers laboured amidst these desert landscapes to produce the stone that went into the building of the Ramesseum. This also marked the boundary between Egypt and ancient Nubia and it was one of the prime centres for the worship of Hapy, the god of the river, who was believed to inhabit a cave close to the Nile cataracts, from where he controlled the  yearly innundations of the River Nile.

We plan to moor up on the west bank, opposite the workings and close to the rock cut temple of Horemheb, the last pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. If possible, dinner this evening will be served in the grounds of the illuminated temples, or else on the upper deck of the Princess Donia, affording us a quite spectacular setting overlooking the tranquil waters of the Nile. (Included meals: B, L, D).

Day 7. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit temple, then continue to island mooring

As we journey along the river this morning we pass Nubian villages and fishing boats, the banks awash with papyrus and beyond them fields of sugar cane. From the distant shores we may hear a donkey bray, or the laughter of children playing in the life giving waters of the Nile. Our destination are the magnificent ruins of the Ptolemaic temple at Kom Ombo, built around a symmetrical central axis and unique in that it is dedicated to not one, but two gods: Horus, the falcon headed god and Sobek the crocodile god, a useful deity to have on your side given that this stretch of the river was inundated with crocodiles until the early years of the last century! In a small museum close to the entrance there still remain some mummified crocodiles that were recovered from the nearby necropolis.

After visiting the temple we head for our final mooring, a small island setting, where we shall enjoy an intimate gala dinner and a final opportunity to truly experience the hypnotic majesty of this great river. (Included meals: B, L, D).

Day 8. Sail to Aswan; PM optional camel trek to St Simieon's Monastery

Finally reaching the southernmost point of our journey later this morning we then have the afternoon free to explore something of the city at your leisure. Aswan was traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt, sited on the east bank, just below the first Cataract and it is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and black Africa, presenting us with a fascinating city of vibrancy and colour.

One option for this afternoon is a camel trek to the Monastery of St Simeon on the west bank. One of the Simeon's was built in the  eventh century and finally abandoned in the thirteenth, after the constant attempts to keep it supplied with water and the endless attacks from Bedouin nomads finally became too much for the hard pressed monks. It now sits in splendid isolation at the end of a desert valley, an impressive sight indeed, looking more like a desert fortress than a place of worship, and what better way to approach this imposing edifice than on the back of a camel. After the visit you transfer back to the east bank, where there should be time to wander through the streets of this fascinating town and explore the excellent souq, reflecting the fusion between Arab and African cultures.(Included meals: B, L, D).

Day 9. AM optional visit to Abu Simbel. PM free

There is the option this morning to take an early morning bus or flight across the desert to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel, a major highlight of any tour to this region. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61m to save it from inundation by the artificial lake created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20m high statues represent Ramses II, known as the Great Builder and one of the most powerful Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Those of you not wishing to travel down to Abu Simbel may like to spend your free time exploring the mystical island temple of Philae, or perhaps enjoying Aswan's  bustling spice markets.

Another alternative is a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries of the ancient pharaohs, which includes the immense unfinished obelisk, a huge pillar of granite said to weigh over 1300 tons and which was abandoned in situ when a crack appeared as it was being hacked out of thye surrounding stone. You may prefer to spend your time cruising amongst its river islands by traditional felucca, perhaps visiting the impressive botanical gardens on Kitchener Island. This evening there may be an opportunity to visit Philae once more for the spectacular Son et Lumiere Show (optional). (Included meals: B)

Day 10. Fly Cairo

Today we take a flight back to Cairo where you will have the afternoon free to explore. You may use this time to visit the (optional) Saqqara and Dasher Pyramids or explore Islamic and Coptic Cairo including the citadel and famous khan el kilil bazar. Overnight hotel (included meals: B)

Day 11. Tour ends Cairo

(Included meals: B)

Other Sightseeing

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided in GBP (UK Sterling, not Egyptian pounds) below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants.

• LUXOR Balloon flight £90.00, Valley of the Queens £23.00, Villages calesh ride £6.00, Tutankhamun's Tomb £9.00.
• ASWAN Camel trek to St. Simeon's Monastery £10.00, Philae Temple £15.00, Felucca cruise £5.00; Dinner in Nubian Village £6.00.
• ABU SIMBEL Excursion from Aswan by bus £40.00 or by air £125.00.

RAMADAN 2010 - 11th August - 9th September

Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day in most countries. 

Inclusions

• 2 nights at Amarante Hotel in Cairo, 1 night sleeper train, 7 nights aboard Dahabiya
• 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
• Tour Leader, captain and crew of the Dahabiya, some local guides
• Transport - Bus/Train/Dahabiya sailboat /Donkey trek/Flight 

What's Not Included

• Some sights have either a Film fee of up to $5 or Video fee of up to $50
• tips

Terms & Conditions

Click here for our Terms & Conditions

For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

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