The Esna to Aswan Dahabiya Itinerary, Day by Day
6 min read
The southbound passage from Esna to Aswan is the classic dahabiya voyage — four nights sailing upstream with the prevailing wind, mooring on quiet islands and visiting temples the great cruisers never reach.
Day 1 — Esna and embarkation
Board near Esna or Luxor, settle into your suite, and sail to a first mooring beneath the palms as dinner is served on deck.
Day 2 — El Kab and Edfu
Visit the rock tombs of El Kab, then the magnificent, near-perfect Temple of Horus at Edfu — one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
Day 3 — Gebel el-Silsila
Explore the sandstone quarries and shrine of Gebel el-Silsila, a site closed to the large ships, then swim from the boat as the sun drops.
Day 4 — Kom Ombo and Daraw
The twin temple of Kom Ombo at dusk and the market at Daraw, before a final night at anchor under the stars.
Day 5 — Aswan
Sail into Aswan past Kitchener's Island and disembark after breakfast, with the Nubian city spread before you.
Ready to sail the Nile?
Tell us your dates and party and we'll craft a proposal aboard the Azhar — or take the whole boat privately.
Frequently asked
How many nights is the Esna to Aswan dahabiya cruise?
The classic southbound route is four nights and five days. The northbound Aswan to Esna return is three nights and four days.
Which temples does the route include?
El Kab, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and the twin Temple of Kom Ombo, plus quiet island moorings the large ships cannot use.