Egypt: Slow Boat to Aswan (New Year Departure)
Egypt: Slow Boat to Aswan (New Year Departure)
10 Days Starting and ending in LUXOR
Visiting: Luxor, West Bank Luxor Boat booking Dahabiya Nile cruise, Esna, El Hegaz Street, Edfu, Kom Umbu, Aswan, Daraw, Abu Sinbil, Abu Simbel
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EGY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
As the sun sets on the distant horizon, a vessel glides gently across the calm waters towards the shore, its sails reflecting the warm glow of the afternoon sun, a scene as timeless as the Nile itself.
This incredible journey down the River Nile is a voyage of discovery in the truest sense of the word, encompassing not only the magnificent monuments of the ancients, but also the less explored heritage of the ordinary Egyptians. Travelling in style aboard a private sandal or dahabiya (traditional houseboats), we follow the fertile ribbon of the Nile as it weaves from the ancient city of Thebes, deep into the southern boundaries of Upper Egypt. We follow in the wake of European adventurers, exploring tombs in the Valley of the Kings, visiting the temple complexes of Karnak and Edfu and the bustling markets of Aswan. But more than this, we will also get a chance to explore something of the ‘real’ Egypt, making the most of our flexibility and freedom to escape the tourist trail and visit the remote villages and out-of-the-way historic sites that line the banks of the Nile.
This is an Egypt that has essentially remained unchanged for millennia, its people living their lives much as their ancestors did centuries ago. This is an Egypt that the tomb raiders couldn’t steal.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation: Pavillon Winter or similar
Accommodation Name: Pavillon Winter or similar
Our journey begins in Luxor, Homer’s ‘City of 100 Gates’ and once the power-base of the New Kingdom pharaohs. Those on the suggested group flights will arrive in Luxor in the late evening and transfer to our hotel for the rest of the night.
Day 2: Luxor – Nile Crossing To West Bank: Valleys Of The Kings & Queens, Dr Carter’S Home - Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation: Pavillon Winter or similar
Accommodation Name: Pavillon Winter or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will cross the River Nile and visit the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. We will then visit the home of Dr Carter, the British archaeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the tomb of 18th Dynasty Pharaoh, Tutankhamun in 1922. After lunch at a local restaurant we will explore the Valley of the Queens, the extraordinary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the haunting figures of the Colossi of Memnon. In the evening we’ll return to the east bank and our hotel to relax for the rest of the evening.
Day 3: In Luxor: Dendera, Museums & Temples
Location: Luxor, West Bank Luxor Boat booking Dahabiya Nile cruise, Luxor
Accommodation: Pavillon Winter or similar
Accommodation Name: Pavillon Winter or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading north by road this morning, we follow the Nile Valley towards the Greco-Roman temple of Dendera, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. Built during the Ptolemaic period, the complex is dominated by the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the Egyptian goddess of love and motherhood and built by the later rulers of Egypt to legitimise their claim over the pharaonic crown. The temple’s famous zodiac map, which dates back to the 1st century BC and now resides in the Louvre, was a victim of Napoleonic treasure hunters in the early years of the 19th century. Returning to Luxor we will visit the Luxor Museum in the afternoon. Notably better laid out than the Cairo Museum this forms a great introduction to the fascinating culture we’ll experience on this trip. We’ll end the day at the magnificent Luxor Temple, an awesome testament to the power and wealth of the ancient pharaohs.
Day 4: Luxor, Sunrise At Karnak – Esna River Departure - El Hegz
Location: Esna, Luxor, El Hegaz Street
Accommodation: Private sandal or dahabiya
Accommodation Name: Private sandal or dahabiya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Waking early to enjoy sunrise at Karnak offers the chance to explore this vast and hugely impressive temple before the crowds arrive. Returning to our hotel for breakfast we’ll then drive south towards Esna, which brings us to Egypt’s famed locks and the beginning of our journey by river into Upper Egypt. Evoking a time of long passed elegance, our sandal/dahabiya affords us an intimacy and freedom denied to those aboard the larger riverboats and, as we slip our moorings and head lazily into the current, we’ll be transported back to the graceful days of 19th century exploration. Our first destination is the island of El Hegz, just to the north of Edfu, a journey that will take around 4 to 5 hours. During the journey we will enjoy lunch on board while watching the Nile valley landscapes pass us by - and gaze upon rural settings that have remained almost unchanged for centuries. Depending on overall group size we will use either a sandal or a dahabiya.
Day 5: River Cruising Along The Nile Valley: Edfu, Besaw & Fawza
Location: Edfu
Accommodation: Private sandal or dahabiya
Accommodation Name: Private sandal or dahabiya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Over the coming days we will spend our time enjoying the serene atmosphere of life on board our vessel as we sail south, through landscapes that provide us with the perfect backdrop to our journey. The aim is to divide our time between visiting some of the most important sites along the Nile Valley, whilst enjoying interacting with the local villages. This morning we will pay a visit to the remarkably well-preserved temple at Edfu, which after Karnak is the largest in the Nile Valley. Supposedly built on the site of the final battle between the Gods Horus and Seth, the temple was built in the 3rd century BC and lay buried under sand for centuries before being unearthed by the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 1860s.
Day 6: Quarries Of El Silsila, Horemheb’S Temple - Faris
Location: Edfu
Accommodation: Private sandal or dahabiya
Accommodation Name: Private sandal or dahabiya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To the Ancient Egyptians the Nile was simply the ‘Great River’. Its moods and movements affected all aspects of their lives along its fertile banks. Indeed the Greek historian Herodotus described Egypt itself as ‘a gift of the Nile’. This morning we'll visit a small island where we'll wander through local farmland and meet the villagers. Our journey then takes us towards the ancient sandstone quarries of El Silsila, where the great stones that were used to build the temples at Edfu, Thebes and Karnak were cut. One of the principal sites for the worship of the river God Hapi, this region also marked the boundary between Egypt and what was then the ancient kingdom of Nubia. Local tradition has it that a giant chain was strung across the river here to stop the Nubian ships sailing further down the Nile into Egypt. We will also visit the rock-cut temple of the pharaoh Horemheb, the last ruler of the 18th Dynasty, a man whose humble beginnings saw him rise to lead the armies of Tutankhamen before ascending to the throne of Egypt itself. This afternoon we will then visit the box makers in Faris, and learn about the importance of their work to local trade and the supply chain going south along the river.
Day 7: Riverside Temple Of Kom Ombo - Daraw – Sailing To Aswan
Location: Kom Umbu, Aswan, Daraw
Accommodation: Private sandal or dahabiya
Accommodation Name: Private sandal or dahabiya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll moor up close to the riverside temple of Kom Ombo, the only temple in the Nile Valley that is dedicated to two gods - Haroeris and Sobek. After visiting here we’ll make our way to the town of Daraw. Returning to our boat we will continue on our journey towards Aswan. The slow pace of our days provide the perfect opportunity to gain a little more understanding of the rich culture and ancestral heritage of this great land: learn some Arabic, or perhaps some hieroglyphics from our informative local guide. There is also the opportunity for some bird watching, spotting the Pied Kingfishers or the Marsh Harrier. Depending on the river and the weather we should arrive into Aswan by the late afternoon in time for dinner.
Day 8: Aswan - Abu Simbel: Temple Of Rameses Ii
Location: Abu Sinbil, Aswan
Accommodation: Nubian Guesthouse or similar
Accommodation Name: Nubian Guesthouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast on our sandal/dahabiya we will take to the road and drive south to Abu Simbel, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll head out for a tour of the impressive Temple of Rameses II and the accompanying (but more modest) temple built for his favourite wife, Queen Nefertari. Originally sculpted into the rock face, amazingly these vast temples were cut into pieces, relocated to higher ground and then reconstructed during the reign of President Nasser - so to prevent them being lost to Lake Nasser when the land flooded after the construction of the Aswan high dam further north. In the evening we will enjoy the sound and light show at the temple (subject to demand) before spending the night in a traditional guesthouse.
Day 9: Abu Simbel – Aswan: Temple Of Isis & Farewell Dinner
Location: Aswan, Abu Simbel
Accommodation: Movenpick hotel or similar
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Al Nouba Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we’ll drive back to Aswan. We should arrive in time for lunch, after which we will visit the beautiful island temple of Isis on Philae, as well as the colossal unfinished obelisk in Aswan’s nearby stone quarries. It was unfortunately abandoned when a flaw was found, but had the obelisk been completed it would have reached a height of nearly 36 metres and weighed in at a hefty 1,320 tons. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner overlooking the great cataracts of the Nile and the old Aswan Dam.
Day 10: Tour Ends In Aswan
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Those on the suggested group flights will transfer to the airport in time for their return flight.
What's Included
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MEALS
9 x Breakfasts8 x Lunches8 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
Minibuses, tuk tuks and a privately chartered traditional boat known as a sandal or dahabiya, depending on its size.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Egypt.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 06, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.