A Journey to the Rhythm of the Wind: Dahabeya and Discoveries from Cairo to Aswan
In summary
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Sports
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Duration10 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationEgypt / Cairo
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AgeFrom 1 - 85 years
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CO₂-Emissions747.17 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
In a few words
From Cairo and its New Grand Museum , this journey takes you to the heart of timeless Egypt , between culture , leisurely walks , and fertile nature . The adventure continues with a peaceful sailing trip on a dahabeya , a traditional sailing boat, between Luxor and Aswan , at the rhythm of the Nile and the wind.
As you travel along the river, you'll discover iconic Pharaonic temples , authentic villages , and vast , verdant palm groves , far from the hustle and bustle. Easy walks , accessible to all, allow you to experience local life , observe everyday scenes , and explore major archaeological sites in a serene atmosphere.
This deliberately slow and immersive pace fosters encounters , exchange, and contemplation, while offering a vivid interpretation of Egypt's millennia-old history . Between fertile riverbanks, desert landscapes, and ancient heritage, each stop reveals a new facet of the country.
A harmonious itinerary for travelling differently, between heritage , nature and traditional navigation , in a spirit of authentic discovery .
The highlights
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Traditional sailing dahabeya cruise between Luxor and Aswan
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Walks through villages, palm groves and authentic Nile landscapes
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Egypt's must-sees: Cairo, the Grand Museum and the great Pharaonic temples
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
Management
French
- In Cairo: accompanied by a private French-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Between Luxor and Aswan: accompaniment by a French-speaking Egyptologist guide, shared with the group of participants for this dahabeya cruise departure.
Program
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Arrival in Cairo
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 20km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You will be met and assisted by our local representative upon arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 1 -
The Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 30km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel. Then a visit to the Giza plateau. Visit to the pyramid complex: Khufu, the largest of the three, Khafre, and Menkaure, much smaller than its two sisters, retaining its original casing at its base. Beside it stands the impressive human-headed sphinx (57 m long), whose role was to defend the entrance to the tomb against tomb robbers. Lunch in a typical restaurant, followed by a visit to the GEM Museum.
Day 2 -
Splendors of Ancient Thebes: Valley of the Kings, Queens and Luxor Temple
- Transportation Plane - 01h30 - 800km
- Activity Hiking
- Accommodation 5-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for a visit to the Valley of the Kings, which contains sixty-two tombs (visit to 3 tombs), and the Valley of the Queens, which contains seventy-five (visit to 2 tombs), followed by a visit to the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Lunch at a traditional restaurant, then you will visit the Luxor Temple.
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 3 -
From the Valley of the Kings to the Temples of Karnak, then embarkation on the Nile
- Transportation Boat - 01h30 - 60km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early morning departure for a visit to the Valley of the Kings, which contains sixty-two tombs (we will visit three), followed by a visit to the Karnak Temple: the god Amun reigned supreme over the Egyptian pantheon for nearly 2,000 years. Each ruler wanted to build their own edifice in Karnak to glorify the god. The result is a wealth of elements from different eras, a fabulous page of history… We then sail to Esna, the home port of our sailboats. Welcome aboard! You will be greeted by the crew, given a tour of the boat, and shown to your cabin. Then, we'll set sail at a leisurely pace, letting the wind guide you. You'll begin to relax. Your stop for the night is El Hegz.
Day 4 -
Sacred Navigation: El Kab and the Great Temple of Edfu
- Transportation Boat - 01h - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, we sail to El Kab. Enclosed by a mud-brick wall built between 747 and 332 BC, the city is believed to have been founded as early as the Neolithic period. Enjoy a walk among the rock-cut tombs carved into the mountainside. Savor the view; it's truly beautiful. We resume sailing and have lunch on board. We dock at Edfu to visit the temple dedicated to the god Horus of Behedet, symbolized by a solar disk with falcon wings. It is one of the largest (26m high, 137m long, and 79m wide) and best-preserved temples in Egypt. We continue our journey. Overnight in Fawaza.
Day 5 -
Along the Nile: Bassaw and the sacred cliffs of Jebel el Silsila
- Transportation Boat - 01h - 60km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning sailing, stroll through the charming and very welcoming village of Bassaw.
Lunch and continuation of navigation, we will reach the site of DjabelEl Silsela which was once a quarry used to build several temples in Egypt.
A changing landscape with a backdrop of steep cliffs and a narrowing Nile.
You will discover several small chapels as well as the sanctuary of Horemheb. These places were used for the celebration of the Nile in the Greco-Roman era.
We will discover the flood memorial stones.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 6 -
Kom Ombo, markets and villages of the Nile
- Transportation Boat - 03h - 40km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An early morning sail takes you to Kom Ombo, a town of breathtaking romantic beauty perched on its promontory overlooking the Nile. Dedicated to two deities, Sobek the crocodile and Horus the falcon, the temple boasts perfectly symmetrical architecture. Take your time to admire its beauty! A complete change of scenery awaits you in the village of Daraw, undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. You'll wander through the bustling bustle of the local market, where the colors and aromas of the Orient and Africa blend together like a symphony for the eyes and nose! Return to the ship for lunch, and your sailboat will resume its journey to the village of Herbiab. Herbiab will allow you to discover ancient agricultural methods dating back to the Pharaonic era.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 7 -
Last reflections of the Nile: Aswan and the Temple of Philae at sunset
- Transportation Boat - 03h30 - 25km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast on board and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a last swim on Herbiab beach before reaching the city of Aswan.
Lunch during the sailing to Aswan.
Departure by vehicle to the Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis, located on an island 5km south of Aswan. Its bas-reliefs, frescoes and capitals make it one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Egypt.
You will enjoy a magnificent sunset overlooking the temple while tea is served to you.
on an island.
Farewell dinner and our last night on board.
Day 8 -
Abu Simbel, then flight to Cairo
- Transportation Plane - 01h30 - 1000km
- Accommodation 5-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
(Optional) Early morning,
Excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel by minibus
Visit the great temple built by Ramses II. Then visit the small temple of Queen Nefertari built by her husband Ramses II, and dedicated to the goddess
Return to Aswan
Breakfast on board, free day
Transfer to Aswan airport and flight to Cairo (1 hour 25 minutes flight time)
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9 -
Cairo – End of the adventure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel, depending on your flight schedule transfer to Cairo airport.
Day 10
Accommodation
Located on a private island in the heart of the Nile, the Jolie Ville Louxor offers a peaceful and verdant setting, ideal for relaxing after sightseeing. The hotel features comfortable rooms, several restaurants, a large swimming pool, tropical gardens, and a spa. Its location provides easy access to Luxor's major attractions while allowing guests to enjoy a calm and refined atmosphere on the riverbank.
- Hotel connected to the airport (Terminal 3) via pedestrian walkway, facilitating arrivals and departures.
- Breakfast and meals are available on site.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Visa (For European passports valid for 6 months or more)
- All transfers
- Domestic flights (Cairo - Luxor / Aswan - Cairo)
- Meals according to the program
- The excursions mentioned in the program (Includes entrance fees + Transport)
- French-speaking guide during the visits mentioned, private tour in Cairo and small group tour from Luxor to Aswan (8-12 people)
The price does not include
- International flights
- Usual tips (approx. 3 Euros per person per day)
- Gratuity for the boat and tugboat staff (€35 per employee, there will be approximately 10 in total depending on the size of the boat)
- The rewards guide is left to the discretion of the clients.
- Personal expenses
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
