Egypt’s Hidden Charms, along the Nile by Dahabeya

As soon as you step off the plane, your guide greets you and welcomes you to Egypt. Your driver takes you to your hotel to settle in. This first evening is an invitation to soak up Luxor's unique energy at your own pace. You have free time to explore the surroundings and choose a local restaurant for dinner. This first night at the heart of Luxor marks the beginning of your pharaonic adventure.

After breakfast, you set off to explore the west bank to discover the secrets of the royal necropolises. Your guide takes you deep into the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens before heading to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. After a typical lunch, you devote your afternoon to visiting Luxor Temple, majestically set on the banks of the Nile. Enjoy a free evening to wander the town's lively streets or rest at your hotel. This day marks your last night on land before you head to the river.

The morning begins with a visit to the Karnak Complex, where every pharaoh left their mark in glory of the god Amun. You wander through this profusion of columns and obelisks before taking the road to Esna. Here your crew awaits for boarding aboard your dahabeya. After settling into your cabin, the sailboat unfurls its sails for a silent, peaceful sail at the rhythm of the winds. You savour your first moments of relaxation as the boat drops anchor at El Hegz for the night.

In the early morning, your dahabeya stops at El Kab to visit its ancient city and rock-cut tombs. You discover this little-known historic site before resuming your peaceful sail towards Edfu. Lunch is served on deck as you admire the landscapes slowly drifting by. The afternoon is devoted to exploring the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved buildings of ancient Egypt. At the end of the day, the boat moves away from the bustle to a quiet bank near Bassaw island for the night.

Your sailboat continues towards the impressive quarries of Gebel Silsila, where builders extracted sandstone for the temples of Luxor. You explore this spectacular site on foot before returning aboard for lunch. The sail continues gently towards Kom Ombo, where you visit the double temple dedicated to the gods Haroeris and Sobek.

After a morning's sail, you stop at the village of Daraw for total immersion in the bustle of its local market. It's a unique opportunity to discover colourful stalls and the scents of the East amid local daily life. You then continue aboard your sailboat for lunch heading towards Herdiab village. There, you observe ancestral farming methods that have endured along the riverbanks since pharaonic times. This day ends with a peaceful dinner on board as you draw closer to Aswan.

You enjoy your final moments sailing with a swim at Herdiab beach before reaching Aswan for lunch. Your driver then takes you to the Temple of Philae, a jewel dedicated to the goddess Isis, located on an island south of the town. You admire the finesse of its bas-reliefs and frescoes before enjoying tea facing the sunset. To mark the end of this sailing journey, a farewell dinner is organised aboard your dahabeya. You spend your last night on board your sailboat.

You can choose to start your day with an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramesses II on the shore of Lake Nasser. For travellers staying in Aswan, you have a free morning to wander the town's streets or its colourful souk. After lunch, your driver takes you to Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival, you head to your hotel located near the airport, making your departure the next day easier.

Your morning is devoted to exploring the Giza plateau, where you admire the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. You also discover the Sphinx, the iconic figure carved from rock to protect the royal necropolis. After a lunch of local flavours, your guide accompanies you on a visit to the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) to appreciate the richness of its ancient collections.

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver takes you to Cairo Airport according to your flight time. This is where your Egyptian journey comes to an end, from discovering the pyramids to your stay on the peaceful Nile aboard a dahabeya. Safe travels home after this immersion into pharaonic heritage and life on the river.