10 days, 9 nights
Classic Egypt Under Sail
Giza, three nights on a dahabiya, Luxor’s temples and tombs, and two free days in Cairo.
Luxor, Egypt · Photo: Anthony Chen
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Arrival at Cairo airport, where we meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2
Pyramids of Giza, flight to Aswan
After breakfast, visit the Giza Plateau: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Sphinx, then learn how the ancient Egyptians made papyrus. Transfer to Cairo airport for the flight to Aswan and on to your hotel. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3
Philae, boarding the dahabiya, Kom Ombo
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae, then board your dahabiya for lunch. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, and his brother Haroeris, then continue towards Gebel el-Silsila. First night on board.
Meals: Full board
Optional extra: Early-morning trip to Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, returning to Aswan around midday.
Day 4
Gebel el-Silsila and Edfu
After breakfast, sail past the rock-cut chapels of Horemheb, Seti I, Ramses II and Merenptah and the sandstone quarries of Gebel el-Silsila. At Edfu, ride by horse carriage to the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Sail on to a quiet island for the night, with dinner on board or around a campfire on the riverbank. Second night on board.
Meals: Full board
Day 5
El Kab and Esna
Sail to El Kab, ancient Nekheb, one of the oldest sites on the Nile, and visit its temples and cliff tombs. Return to the boat and sail to Esna. Third and last night on board.
Meals: Full board
Day 6
Esna to Luxor, Karnak and Luxor Temple
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and transfer to Luxor to visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor. Check in at your hotel. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Luxor’s West Bank, flight to Cairo
After breakfast: Visit the Valley of the Kings, where 62 painted royal tombs have been found, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the two giant Colossi of Memnon in front of the temple of Amenhotep III. Transfer to Luxor airport for the flight back to Cairo and on to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional extra: Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the temples and tombs of Luxor’s West Bank.
Day 8
Free day in Cairo
Breakfast and a free day in Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional extra: Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Coptic Cairo with the Church of St Sergius, where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Optional extra: Dinner cruise on the Nile with belly dancing and a whirling dervish show.
Day 9
Free day, optional Alexandria
Breakfast and a free day. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional extra: Day trip to Alexandria, about 3 hours each way: the Roman catacombs, the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site of the ancient Lighthouse, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Day 10
Departure from Cairo
Breakfast and transfer to Cairo airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations must be approved in writing; an unapproved cancellation is treated as a no-show (100% of the price).
- Up to 31 days before arrival: no charge.
- 30 to 15 days before arrival: 50% of the package price.
- Less than 15 days before arrival: 100% of the price.
Children
- Under 2 years: free of charge.
- 2 to 5 years: 25% of the adult price.
- 6 to 11 years: 50% of the adult price.
- 12 years and over: adult price.
- Child rates apply to children sharing their parents’ room (maximum 2 children per room). Airline tickets may carry an extra fee per child.
Plan this tour
Tell us your dates and whether you are arriving or leaving by cruise ship. We reply with hotels, availability and a quote. An enquiry is not a booking.
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