4-Night / 5-Day Program: Esna / Aswan

Morning visit with your guide to the monumental Temples of Karnak (100+ hectares), focusing on the Temples of Seti II and Ramses III, the colossal Hypostyle Hall with 134 giant sandstone columns, Sacred Lake, and open-air museum. Cross the Nile to the Theban Necropolis on the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings and visit three of the most beautiful royal tombs. Afternoon 30-minute countryside drive south to Esna, home port of Dahabieh NUBA NILE. Welcomed with rose-scented towels, chilled hibiscus Karkadé, and fresh lemon-mint juice. Settle into cabins as sailing begins with lunch on board. Reach El Kab, a 5,000-year-old city (747-332 B.C., Neolithic era), ancient meeting place of Horus and Hathor during the feast of "the Beautiful Union". Relaxing evening sail to El Hegz for first night on board with dinner on deck.

Breakfast served on deck while sailing in the soft morning breeze. Sail toward Edfu to visit after lunch. The highlight of Edfu is the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, revealing a clear vision of a Greco-Roman era sanctuary. Departure for the visit is by horse-drawn carriage. Resume navigation to reach the Island of Fawaza. In the evening, a lovely barbeque dinner is served on the island amidst the palm grove, followed by a traditional show of Nubian dances and songs performed by the crew.

Breakfast served while enjoying the magical landscape, with an opportunity for a morning dip in the Nile before sailing to the Village of Basaw. Explore Basaw village, famous for unique house drawings depicting the journey to Mecca. Watch local fishermen in small boats, try throwing the traditional net, and enjoy a fresh fish lunch selected by the chef accompanied by traditional Nubian dishes. Sail to Gebel El Silsila, where steep sandstone cliffs narrow the Nile. Discover ancient quarries that built Egypt's temples, small chapels, and the cliffside Sanctuary of Horemheb. Dinner on board moored near Beshir Island.

Sail to Kom Ombo during breakfast. Dock at the foot of the site for a 1.5-hour visit of the Temple of Sobek (Crocodile God). Discover intact crocodile mummies, ancient surgical instruments reliefs (scalpels, curettes, forceps), and Egyptian calendar reliefs. Visit Daraw, the capital of camel trade in Egypt, where camel caravans arrived from Sudan along the historic "Trail of the Forty Days" (Darb el-Arba'in). Lunch served on deck while sailing to Herbiab village. Discover millennial agricultural methods dating back to Pharaonic times and enjoy a swim on the beach of Herbiab. Dinner served on deck.

Breakfast on board before final departure. Visit the Island of Agilika where the enchanting Temple of Philae stands, dedicated to Goddess Isis and saved from the rising waters. Continue to Aswan, a serene and welcoming Nubian city on the Nile. End of voyage services.