Itinerary
DAY 1
Esna – Al Hegz.
You will board your dahabiya and become acquainted with the crew in Esna, which is 33 kilometres south of Luxor.
Esna, a flourishing commercial centre, is most known for the diminutive ancient Temple of Khnum, which is located nine metres beneath the town's streets.
A temple in Esna was devoted to several gods, including Khnum, Neith, and Heka.
The construction of this temple began in Ptolemaic times, but the majority of its still-existing components date from the Roman era.
Khnum is occasionally portrayed as a crocodile-headed deity. Khnum's two main consorts were Nebt-uu and Menhit, and his eldest son and successor was Heka. In the texts at Esna, Khnum and Neith are both alluded to as creator deities.
There are references to Neith as the "mother of the mothers" and Khnum as the "father of the dads." They later give birth to Ra, who is also known as Khnum-Re.
A short walk to the temple and a stroll through shops lined with exquisite fabrics and other exotic things will mark the start of your journey.
Sail to Al Hegz village, stopping for lunch along the way. We stop by the village before dinner so you can see how traditional Egyptians live. You can observe ladies making bread, cultivating fields, and village elders playing dominoes and smoking shisha. We shall stay in Al Hegz overnight.
DAY 2
Edfu – Bissa Island – Gabal as-Silsila
City of Edfu
The temple of Nekhbet and a string of intriguingly painted tombs cut into the side of the mountains may still be found in El Kab, which is on the East Bank of the Nile and was formerly the capital of Upper Egypt.
You will set out on a lovely walk through a small fishermen's village after docking to visit the necropolis.
The boat will arrive in Edfu, where there is a Greek and Roman temple for the god Horus, in the afternoon. Of all the Egyptian temples, this one is one of the finest preserved. You will be transported to the temple by horse and carriage via the congested city streets. You'll board the boat once more and head for a stunning island.
Bissa island
Lunch awaits you on board.
DAY 3
Gabal as-Silsila – Bashir Island
Your route will take you to the island of Bissa, where you can admire small fishing boats, old houses and farms with their livestock.
Ǧabal as-Silsila Sandstone Quarry
Then you head for Gabal as-Silsila and can enjoy the beautiful view of the banks of the Nile.
Gabal as-Silsila was the most important sandstone quarry in Egypt and is an archaeological site on both banks of the Nile. At this point the Nile narrows to a width of less than 400 meters and is overlooked by the steep sandstone cliffs.
Arriving in Gabal as-Silsila, enjoy your dinner in front of the breathtaking backdrop of the illuminated Horemheb Temple. Overnight in Jabal as-Silsila.
DAY 4
Gabal as-Silsila – Bashir Island
The Nile is at its narrowest here when it passes between two mountain ranges. Since major Nile cruise ships are not permitted to stop here,
you will typically be the sole visitor to this intriguing location.
You will visit a charming café to drink tea and shisha after seeing the little temple of Horemheb and strolling through the sandstone quarries where the ancient Egyptians cut stone for several of their most well-known structures .
After that, you'll sail to a charming riverside where you'll stop for lunch and a swim.
Gabal as-Silsila – Bashir Island
The Nile is at its narrowest here when it passes between two mountain ranges. Since major Nile cruise ships are not permitted to stop here, you will typically be the sole visitor to this intriguing location. You will visit a charming café to drink tea and shisha after seeing the little temple of Horemheb and strolling through the sandstone quarries where the ancient Egyptians cut stone for several of their most well-known structures . After that, you'll sail to a charming riverside where you'll stop for lunch and a swim.
Faris coffee shop
You'll sail to the traditional Faris Coffeeshop, a local coffeehouse where residents drink coffee and tea, smoke the famous shisha and play dominoes. Together you will experience a piece of traditional Arabic life.
Bashir Island
During lunch we continue to Bashir Island, an island that invites to swim and walk. Hope you have your swimwear with you. After dinner under the twinkling stars, taste the delicious Gabana, the freshly hand-ground mountain coffee. Celebrate a traditional festival with the crew and islanders and stay overnight at Bashir Island.
DAY 5
Aswan
Temple of Philae
Another highlight after breakfast is a visit to the Temple of Philae (Temple of Isis), which is praised as the "Pearl of the Nile" and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
It is incredible to think that the entire complex was dismantled from 1977 to 1980 on Philae Island, which is now flooded, and then rebuilt 600 meters away and thus brought to safety.
Nile cruise Luxor Aswan
A bus takes you to the banks of the Nile, from where you can take motor boats to the island.
You can take your time when you visit this extremely impressive temple complex, which was converted into a Christian place of worship around 535.
Dam and unfinished obelisk
On the way back there is the opportunity to visit the new dam and the unfinished obelisk. After lunch you will be spoiled for choice as Aswan has a lot to offer. You can visit a Nubian village, visit a perfume shop or stroll through the lively, colourful souk with its wide range of spices. But you can also sit back and relax on the sun deck, enjoy the peace and sweeten it with tea or coffee and cake. The decision is up to you!
Farewell party
In the evening, a happy farewell party takes place on the Dahabiya, lovingly prepared and carried out by the crew, before you spend one last night on board.
DAY 6
Aswan
Wake up to the stunning vista of the river at Aswan Bridge being surrounded by the desert. Your cruise ends at this point. In the morning, you'll leave us feeling calm and renewed.