HomeSonesta Amirat Dahabiya
The Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya brings back the golden age of Nile travel. Long before big cruise ships, travelers explored Egypt on dahabiyas, which are wooden sailboats with just a few cabins. Today, this boat mixes that classic style with modern comfort.
Your 8-day trip starts every Saturday, from Luxor or from Aswan. You visit Karnak Temple and its huge hall of 134 columns, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. You also see Edfu Temple, the best-kept temple in Egypt, and Kom Ombo Temple, built for a crocodile god and a falcon god. In Aswan, you visit the High Dam, the Old Dam and Philae Temple. An English-speaking guide leads every tour.
Life on board is easy. Breakfast and lunch are served as buffets, and dinner is served à la carte. Some nights you have dinner on a quiet Nile island. You can also order in-cabin dining until midnight. Spend your free time on the sun deck, in the lounge or in the Jacuzzi.
Memphis Tours has helped travelers see Egypt since 1955. We are a licensed Egyptian travel company, and we handle your booking from start to finish, so you can simply enjoy the river.
Ready to sail? Contact us today to check dates and reserve your cabin on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya.
- Pick up service & return from Aswan or Luxor to your Dahabiya Nile Cruise
- Accommodation on first class Sonesta Dahabiya Nile Cruise for 07 nights including all taxes
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on your cruise
- All sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to the mentioned historical places
- English speaking guide during your tours
- All service charges & taxes
- Any extras and personal expenses
- Tipping kitty
Additional fees will apply if you confirm your booking with less than three weeks to the embarkation day.
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11:00 AM: Get on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya in Luxor. A dahabiya is a traditional Nile sailboat. It is smaller and quieter than a big cruise ship.
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1:30 PM: After lunch, visit Karnak Temple. It has a huge hall with 134 giant stone columns.
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Then visit Luxor Temple, which is more than 3,000 years old.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Luxor
Walking note: Medium. You will walk for about 2 to 3 hours on flat, sandy ground. There is not much shade.
Good to know: Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen. It can get hotter than 100°F in summer.
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7:00 AM: Visit the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut's tomb was found in 1922.
- Then see the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, two giant stone statues.
- Around noon: The boat sails toward Esna.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat near Esna
Walking note: Harder. You will walk for about 3 to 4 hours, with hills and steep steps inside the tombs.
Good to know: We start early to beat the heat and the crowds. King Tut's tomb needs an extra ticket. Bring water.
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7:00 AM: After breakfast, the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya sails to Edfu.
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Around 6:00 PM: Arrive in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat by an island near Edfu
Walking note: None. This is a rest day.
Good to know: Relax on the deck and watch farms, palm trees and small villages go by.
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8:00 AM: Visit Edfu Temple, the best-kept temple in Egypt.
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Evening: Have dinner on Maneeha Island.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner on the island)
Overnight: On the boat by Maneeha Island near Kom Ombo
Walking note: Easy. You will walk for about 1 hour on flat ground.
Good to know: Bring a light jacket for dinner, because nights can be cool in winter.
- 8:00 AM: Visit Gebel El Silsila, an old stone quarry. This visit is optional.
- 1:00 PM: Visit Kom Ombo Temple. It was built for two gods: a crocodile god and a falcon god.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat by an island near Aswan
Walking note: Silsila is medium, on rocky ground. Kom Ombo is easy, with about 1 hour on flat ground.
Good to know: Next to Kom Ombo Temple there is a small museum with mummified crocodiles.
10:30 AM: The Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya sails slowly into Aswan and stops near the Aswan Bridge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat near the Aswan Bridge
Walking note: None. This is a rest day.
Good to know: Aswan is one of the prettiest parts of the Nile, with rocky islands and desert views.
- Visit the Aswan High Dam (opened in 1971) and the Old Dam (finished in 1902).
- Take a short boat ride to Philae Temple. It was moved piece by piece to save it from flooding.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Aswan
Walking note: Easy to medium. You will walk for about 2 hours, with some steps to get on and off the small boat.
Good to know: The boat ride to Philae is short and calm, and the view is great for photos.
Have breakfast on the boat, then leave the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya.
Meals: Breakfast
Walking note: None
Good to know: Many travelers stay an extra night in Aswan or take a day trip to Abu Simbel.
11:00 AM: Get on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya in Aswan and get settled.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Aswan
Walking note: None
Good to know: Take time to unpack, meet the crew and enjoy the view from the deck.
- Morning: Visit the Aswan High Dam (opened in 1971) and the Old Dam (finished in 1902).
- Take a short boat ride to Philae Temple. It was moved piece by piece to save it from flooding.
- 1:30 PM: The boat sails toward Kom Ombo.
- Evening: Have dinner on the island.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner on the island)
Overnight: On the boat near Kom Ombo, at Baloula Island or Hardiab
Walking note: Easy to medium. You will walk for about 2 hours, with some steps at Philae.
Good to know: Bring a light jacket for dinner, because nights can be cool in winter.
- 7:30 AM: The boat sails to Kom Ombo.
- 9:00 AM: Visit Kom Ombo Temple, built for a crocodile god and a falcon god.
- 1:00 PM: Visit Gebel El Silsila, an old stone quarry. This visit is optional.
- Around 6:30 PM: Arrive in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat by El Saraj Island near Edfu
Walking note: Kom Ombo is easy, with about 1 hour on flat ground. Silsila is medium, on rocky ground.
Good to know: Don't miss the small crocodile museum next to Kom Ombo Temple.
- 8:00 AM: Visit Edfu Temple, the best-kept temple in Egypt.
- 10:00 AM: The boat sails toward Esna.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat by a Nile island
Walking note: Easy. You will walk for about 1 hour on flat ground.
Good to know: Going early means cooler weather and better light for photos.
- After breakfast, the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya goes through the Esna lock and sails on to Luxor.
- Around 6:00 PM: Arrive in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Luxor
Walking note: None. This is a rest day.
Good to know: Watching the boat pass through the Esna lock is fun from the deck.
- Morning: Visit Karnak Temple and its huge hall of 134 giant columns.
- Then visit Luxor Temple, which is more than 3,000 years old.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Luxor
Walking note: Medium. You will walk for about 2 to 3 hours on flat, sandy ground, with little shade.
Good to know: Wear a hat and sunscreen and bring water. It can get hotter than 100°F in summer.
- Visit the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut's tomb was found in 1922.
- Then see the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: On the boat in Luxor
Walking note: Harder. You will walk for about 3 to 4 hours, with hills and steep steps inside the tombs.
Good to know: King Tut's tomb needs an extra ticket. Start early to beat the heat.
Have breakfast on the boat, then leave the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya.
Meals: Breakfast
Walking note: None
Good to know: Many travelers stay extra nights in Luxor. A hot air balloon ride over the West Bank is a popular extra.
- All cabins have large, panoramic windows
- Facilities include 5 cabins and 2 suites
- Open air oriental-style Jacuzzi
- A private direct-dial telephones
- Individual climate control, hairdryers
- Mini-bar,
- Safe deposit boxes
- Non-smoking
- Plasma televisions and movie channels.
- Bathrooms equipped with full size tubs
- Laundry service & housekeeping
- Accompanying motorboat to pull it in case wind is calm.
- Sun Deck
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