Relive the journeys of the pharaohs by cruising down the Nile in a luxurious dahabiya; a golden sailboat imbued with romance and mystery. Serene and salubrious, this 11-day Egypt cruise tour connects the legendary wonders of the Nile with the charming sights of Nubian villages and palm-studded islands. You disembark into astonishing temples and tombs, float on into a realm of old-world grandeur, and recreate the authenticity of ancient Egypt.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Cairo – Old-World Opulence Overlooking the Pyramids
The last remaining wonder of the ancient world greets you from your hotel. Stretching over 150 meters into the sky, it’s the Pyramid of Khufu that dominates the desert landscape. The Khafre and Menkaure pyramids stand like younger siblings, equally resplendent as the sun bounces off their dusty facades. More accurately, these smaller pyramids were the ones that young tyrant Khufu was determined to outdo. Your hotel looks over the scene, and if you peer close enough, you’ll see the sphinx, the gatekeeper to this ancient world. Built in the 19th century, your accommodation combines its location with an old-world grandeur. You’ll be greeted at the airport and assisted through customs and immigration, before the journey to your hotel and the glorious vistas of the pyramids of Giza.
What's Included:
Day 2
Cairo – The Enchantment of Memphis, Saqqara, and Giza
Day 3
Cairo – An Intimate Perspective on Old Coptic Cairo and Egyptian History
Day 4
Nile River – Astonishing Temples of Luxor and Karnak
Day 5
Nile River – Valley of the Kings and Hidden Nile Islands
Day 6
Nile River – Through the Lock to Egypt’s Best Preserved Temple
Day 7
Nile River – The Palm-Studded Islands and Gardens of the Nile
Day 8
Nile River – Sleepy Nubian Villages and an Ambient Desert Oasis
Day 9
Nile River – The Crocodile and Sun Gods
Day 10
Nile River – Relaxed Day of Cruising Along the Nile
Day 11
Cairo – Hot Air Balloon Above the Valley of the Kings and Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend eight days sailing up and down the Nile in a traditional dahabiya golden boat, an elegant vessel that celebrates the old-world ambiance and romance of the river
- Dock right next to ancient temples and disembark onto some of the world’s most exquisite historical sites
- Cruise through the lush palm-studded islands and gardens of the Nile, then jump off to explore exotic souks and serene Nubian villages
- Admire all the life along the riverbank, with mud brick houses juxtaposed with memoirs to the pharaohs
- Discover the fabulous remains of the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, the world’s greatest City of the Dead
- Journey through the mystical temples of Luxor and Karnak, where intricate details come together on a staggering scale
- Gaze over the pyramids of Giza and discover the other famous monuments around Cairo, such as Memphis and Saqqara
- Hot air balloon above the Valley of the Kings and take in the remarkable scale of Luxor’s West Bank
Detailed Description
The world’s contemporary opulence has its roots in the Egyptian pharaohs and kings. These rulers redefined notions of luxury, building extravagant tombs laced with gold and treasures, extravagantly dreaming the pyramids. They traveled in golden sail boats, which would later be known as dahabiya (an Arabic word for “golden boat”). When archaeologists and noblemen began exploring Egypt in the 19th century, they also used these historic vessels for transportation. And in the 21st century, the old-world dahabiya has been rediscovered, offering a unique insight into the atmosphere and legends of the River Nile.
This exclusive tour celebrates the time of the pharaohs. Cruise up and down the Nile in a luxurious dahabiya, the vessel of old-world nobility brought up to date with modern comforts and amenities. Your journey along the banks of the ancient waterway, past mud-brick houses and three-millennia-old temples, donkey carts, and memoirs to the country’s magnificent past. Using wind power, you cross to palm-studded islands and Nubian villages along the banks, onwards past opulent tombs to remarkable oases seemingly frozen in time. A journey along the River Nile always takes visitors back in time. With a dahabiya, the journey really celebrates the grandeur of yesteryear and evokes the ambiance of Egypt’s ancient rulers.
Start with three nights at a hotel overlooking the pyramids in Giza. You explore the unforgettable sights in and around Cairo, such as enchanting Memphis, the first pyramid of Saqqara, and the surreal collection in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Fly to Luxor and board the dahabiya for lunch, before an intimate tour of the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The next day features the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, completing the discovery of Luxor’s astonishing open-air museum. For mystical temples and intricate details, there is nowhere in the world quite like the monuments of Luxor.
It takes three days to cruise upriver to Aswan. A dahabiya is smaller than the modern luxury ships, enabling it to dock in places that most cruises have to miss out. You disembark straight into the astonishing temples and spend the night besides tiny island frozen in time. You’ll spend two nights docked in Aswan, visiting sleepy villages and immersing yourself in its exotic atmosphere. There’s serenity in this desert oasis, one that complements the rhythm of the cruise. Set off back to Luxor, stopping at a new collection of iconic sights and historical monuments. With the dahabiya as your vessel, the delights of the Nile really come to life, and you uncover an Egypt that’s far beyond the typical tour bus trail.
Starting Price
$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 453 reviews.
I loved my trip to Egypt and Jordan, planned by Zicasso's tour company! The tours were well run, the guides were fantastic, and the history and scenery were absolutely breathtaking. Every day brought something beautiful and unforgettable. Highly recommend!
Reviewed By Toni W.
Zicasso's tour operator took care of everything. All we had to do was show up. Our tour guides in Cairo and Luxor were great and very knowledgeable. They took very good care of us. I would definitely recommend this company. We saw everything we hoped for in four short days.
Reviewed By Onika W.
Everything from the airport meet in Cairo to the airport departure from Cairo was perfect. Each guide was an expert, engaging, and excited to discuss and describe our various sightseeing adventures. The hotels were also fabulous. We could not have expected any more.
Reviewed By douglas M.
Through no fault of Zicasso's tour company, we were not able to do the Jordan portion of our trip due to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel, Iran, and then the US. When learning Jordanian airspace was closed, the company jumped into action to provide us with immediate alternatives to the Jordan portion of the trip, including a full refund for that portion if so desired. But because they had done such a fabulous job on the Egypt portion of the trip, we decided to extend our Egypt trip and spend several days in Alexandria and out in the desert at an oasis.
My wife and I cannot say enough good things about the job Zicasso's travel company did for us. We received first-class service, travel, and accommodations, with help, from the moment we deplaned in Cairo until we went back to the airport to leave Egypt 15 days later.
My wife and I travel each summer to Europe and beyond, and most often do our trips entirely on our own. However, Egypt and Jordan are places I believe American tourists need help with at most stages of the journey ,and our travel company provided that help in an extraordinary way. I would personally recommend this company to all of my traveling friends, as well as anyone else interested in my opinion.
Reviewed By James L.
Our journey through Turkey and Egypt in May 2025 with Zicasso's travel company was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we landed until our final departure, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, making the experience seamless, immersive, and truly unforgettable.
What set this trip apart was our exceptional tour guides. In both countries, the guides were not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also passionate, warm, and attentive. They brought the rich histories of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Cairo, Luxor, and beyond vividly to life. Whether we were exploring ancient ruins or navigating vibrant bazaars, our guides made every moment engaging and meaningful.
A special mention must go to our tour organizer. His behind-the-scenes coordination, quick responsiveness, and personal care were evident throughout. He ensured every transition was smooth, every need was anticipated, and every traveler felt individually looked after. His dedication and professionalism elevated the entire experience.
We returned home with a deeper appreciation of these remarkable destinations, lasting memories, and a strong desire to travel again with our travel company. We highly recommended them for anyone seeking a thoughtfully curated, high-touch travel experience.
— Dr. Vishnu P.
Reviewed By Vishnu P.
This trip was a trip of a lifetime, and Zicasso's travel company made sure we did everything on our bucket list, from going inside a pyramid to a Nile cruise, the Valley of the Kings, and a couple of days of relaxing at a resort on the Red Sea. They stayed within our budget by listening to us and tweaking the trip (over and over and over, they were so patient with me). I have already referred them to two friends and I can't say enough good things about this travel company. Thanks, Zicasso, for always vetting the best companies!
Reviewed By Tracie C.