info@mintravel.net +20 100 620 0717 Ministry of Tourism licence 593 (A) · since 1986 · Nasr City, Cairo
Egypt Solar Eclipse

7-Night Dahabiya from Luxor to Luxor: Witness the Solar Eclipse 2027

8 Days 7 Nights Private tour 1.0 reviews

Tour Overview

Seven nights on a traditional wooden Dahabiya turn the Nile itself into the heart of the holiday. Sailing quietly and in small numbers, you trade crowds for a personal, unhurried encounter with Egypt's landmarks, from the temples of Luxor and mighty Karnak Temple to the graceful Temple of Philae at Aswan. As the boat glides along, the calendar delivers its rarest gift: the 2027 Solar Eclipse, seen from the water.

Each day brings a fresh chapter, whether that is:

  • Standing among the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings
  • Wandering peaceful Nubian villages
  • Simply relaxing on deck as the riverbank rolls past

Fine excursions, restful accommodation and the timeless pull of one of the world's oldest civilisations combine into a voyage unlike any ordinary tour.

Tour Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights
Tour Type: Private Tour
Availability: Every Day
Pick up: Airport

Why You'll Love This Trip

Give yourself over to an 8-day passage along the Nile aboard a luxurious Dahabiya, where the scale is small and the experience feels entirely your own. The route links the pyramids and the temples of Luxor with the quiet beauty of the Nile Valley, and it saves its most extraordinary moment for the 2027 Solar Eclipse above the great courts of Karnak Temple. Add the ancient burial halls of the Valley of the Kings and a genuine encounter with Nubian culture, and whether you are out exploring or resting on board, the days add up to an adventure you will not forget.

  • Visit the iconic Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut
  • Discover the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the dual-temple of Kom Ombo
  • Explore the breathtaking Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
  • Enjoy an authentic visit to a Nubian village and a relaxing Felucca boat ride
  • Experience the magical Solar Eclipse 2027 at Karnak Temple
  • Relax aboard a traditional Dahabiya, drifting along the Nile in style

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Luxor International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our friendly representative who will assist with your transfer to the dock. During the drive, you'll catch glimpses of the lush Nile Valley. Once you reach the Dahabiya, you’ll be escorted to your luxurious cabin, where you can settle in and admire the stunning views of the Nile River, dotted with palm trees and ancient monuments.

The boat is a traditional wooden vessel, designed for comfort and elegance, providing a serene and intimate cruising experience. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on board, with freshly prepared local delicacies, as the Dahabiya begins its journey along the Nile.

Meals: Welcome dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya, drifting gently along the Nile.

After a delightful breakfast on board, set out for an unforgettable exploration of Luxor's West Bank. Your first stop is the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs lie hidden in the cliffs. You'll visit the tomb of Tutankhamun, famous for its incredible treasures, and other royal tombs adorned with vivid hieroglyphics and murals.

Next, journey to the awe-inspiring Temple of Hatshepsut, the mortuary temple of Egypt’s only female pharaoh. This remarkable temple is carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari and is an architectural marvel. You’ll also pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that once stood at the entrance of a temple built by Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Return to the Dahabiya for lunch, followed by some downtime on deck to enjoy the peace and serenity of the Nile. The boat will sail to a tranquil location on the river where you can relax and enjoy the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya at a peaceful location on the Nile.

After breakfast, begin your journey to Edfu. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples. This massive structure, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, features towering pylons, well-preserved reliefs, and an immense hypostyle hall. The temple gives you a vivid sense of the power and majesty of ancient Egyptian religion.

From Edfu, continue south to Kom Ombo, where you’ll visit the unique dual-temple dedicated to Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. The temple is split into two symmetrical halves, each one dedicated to a different deity, and is beautifully situated on a high dune overlooking the Nile. The site also features well-preserved reliefs depicting ancient Egyptian medicine and surgery.

Enjoy lunch on board and relax as you sail southward, passing through the tranquil landscapes of the Nile Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya, cruising through the serene waters of the Nile.

Arrive in Aswan, a city renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and historical significance. After breakfast, you’ll visit Philae Temple, one of Egypt’s most picturesque temples, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple is located on Agilkia Island and is accessible by boat. Here, you’ll explore ancient Egyptian architecture and the beautiful island surroundings.

Next, visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel built in the 1960s to control the Nile’s annual flooding. The dam has transformed Egypt's agriculture and power generation, providing a modern contrast to the ancient sites you’ve explored.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch on board before relaxing for the rest of the day. As the sun sets, you can unwind on the deck, taking in the peaceful beauty of Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya docked in Aswan.

Today, you’ll immerse yourself in the Nubian culture by visiting a traditional Nubian Village. After a short boat ride, you’ll land on the shores of the Nile and be greeted by the warm hospitality of the Nubian people. The village is known for its brightly painted houses and friendly residents, offering you an authentic glimpse into the daily life of one of Egypt’s most ancient cultures. You’ll have time to explore the village and learn about Nubian traditions, including music, dance, and local crafts.

After your visit, enjoy a Felucca boat ride on the Nile, the traditional wooden sailboat that has been used for centuries. Relax as the boat drifts along the river, giving you a unique perspective of the Nile’s natural beauty.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya, cruising peacefully back toward Luxor.

As you sail back north to Luxor, enjoy a visit to the grand Karnak Temple, Egypt’s largest and most important religious complex. The temple is dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, and its vast, open courtyards and towering pylons leave a lasting impression.

It’s here that you’ll witness the Solar Eclipse 2027, an event that will add an extra layer of magic to your visit. As the moon partially obscures the sun, the temple’s shadowy corridors and towering obelisks will create a truly mystical atmosphere, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya, docked near Luxor.

Today, explore Luxor Temple, located in the heart of the modern city. This temple, dedicated to Amun-Ra, is known for its majestic avenue of sphinxes, towering columns, and beautifully preserved reliefs depicting royal ceremonies. The temple is particularly striking at night when it is illuminated by floodlights, creating an ethereal glow.

After your visit, return to the Dahabiya for lunch and relaxation. You’ll have time to reflect on the highlights of the journey and enjoy your last evening on board before disembarking the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.

Overnight: Stay aboard the Dahabiya.

On your final morning, enjoy a farewell breakfast as the Dahabiya is docked in Luxor. Afterward, you’ll disembark and be transferred to Luxor International Airport for your departure, marking the end of your extraordinary Nile cruise. As you leave, you’ll carry with you unforgettable memories of Egypt’s ancient wonders, beautiful landscapes, and the rare Solar Eclipse.

Meals: Breakfast on board.

What's Included & Excluded

Included

  • Meet and Assist Service by our representatives
  • 7 Nights Full-board Dahabiya cruise Accommodation
  • Experienced English Speaking tour guide throughout
  • Private Air Conditioned Transport
  • Entrance Fees to all Mentioned sites on Itinerary
  • All Service Charges and Taxes

Not included

  • Egypt Entry Visa
  • Any items not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tipping

Travel Policy Guide of Min Travel

Every figure you see on our site is expressed in US Dollars (USD) by default, but paying in your home currency is never a problem. Whether you settle up in Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), or another widely traded currency, we simply apply the official exchange rate in force on the day your payment clears.

Because the travel market shifts with the seasons and with what suppliers can actually deliver, the rates we advertise are not permanent and can be revised at any moment without advance warning. The reassuring part: the second we receive your deposit or your payment in full, that figure is frozen and protected for the rest of your booking.

Here is what a Min Travel package typically puts in your hands:

  • Comfortable lodging exactly as laid out in your itinerary
  • Transport arranged privately or as part of a group
  • Licensed, professional guides accompanying you
  • Breakfast each morning, plus any additional meals noted in your plan
  • Admission charges for the attractions we include
  • Domestic flights or transfers wherever the trip calls for them
  • Round-the-clock, 24/7 assistance from our team on the ground

For the precise list of what is and is not covered, always refer to the confirmation and itinerary tied to your own reservation.

Holiday Supplement: Trips and Nile Cruises falling over Christmas, New Year, or Easter carry a 25% surcharge, a reflection of how heavily these peak dates are booked.

How much you pay upfront to lock in a Min Travel booking comes down to what you are reserving, so our terms are grouped by service type:

  • Day Tours & Excursions: the entire cost (100%) is settled at the moment you book, which confirms your spot.
  • Multi-Day Tour Packages & Nile Cruises: a 30% deposit holds your reservation, with the remaining balance due no later than 15 days before you arrive.
  • Christmas, New Year & Easter Bookings: these high-demand windows call for a larger 50% deposit to secure your place.

The instant your payment goes through, we email you a written confirmation, a personalized itinerary, and your travel documents, and every payment you make comes with its own receipt.

Life doesn't always go to plan, and we get that. Here is how a cancellation is handled, measured against your arrival date:

  • 30 days or more before arrival: you get everything back, less whatever your bank or the transaction charges
  • 15 to 29 days before arrival: a fee of 25% of the total tour cost applies
  • 7 to 14 days before arrival: the cancellation fee rises to 50%
  • Fewer than 7 days before arrival, or a no-show: the full 100% is charged

Where money is owed back to you, expect it within 14 business days from the day we receive your cancellation in writing. Do keep in mind that individual hotels and certain cruises enforce tougher rules of their own, and any such condition will be spelled out plainly in your itinerary.

Families are always welcome aboard our tours, and we price younger travelers on a sliding scale:

  • Infants under 2 years: travel free
  • Children 2–5 years: pay 25% of the adult rate
  • Children 6–11 years: pay 50% of the adult rate
  • Children 12 years and above: charged the full adult rate

These reduced rates hold only where a child shares a room with two adults who are each paying in full. Bear in mind that a handful of luxury hotels and Nile Cruises set their own conditions for younger guests, and any such restriction that touches your trip will appear in your itinerary.

Beyond the standard package there are a number of extra experiences you can choose to add. Reserve them ahead of time or sort them out on the spot once you are there, availability permitting. A few of the favorites travelers pick up:

  • Stepping inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu and other tombs
  • Evening Sound & Light Shows at the Giza Pyramids, Karnak, or Philae Temples
  • A sunrise hot air balloon flight above Luxor
  • Camel rides or a horse-drawn carriage through the old quarters
  • Private photography sessions at the great landmarks

You can pay for these add-ons in either USD or Egyptian pounds (EGP). Booking early is wise, all the more so when you are traveling in the busy season.

Our packages cover a great deal, but a few costs fall outside them and are worth setting money aside for:

  • Anything you buy for yourself, from souvenirs to snacks
  • Drinks at mealtimes, unless your plan states otherwise
  • In-hotel extras such as the minibar, room service, or laundry
  • Your Egyptian entry visa, which is normally paid when you land
  • SIM cards or internet access, unless we've arranged it for you
  • Tips and any optional experiences you decide to add

It helps to keep a little Egyptian currency (EGP) on hand as you go, particularly for tipping and for picking things up in the local markets.

In Egypt, tipping (known as "baksheesh") is simply how good service is acknowledged. No one is obliged to tip, but the gesture goes a long way and is warmly received. As a rough guide:

  • Tour guide: $15–$20 per day for the group
  • Driver: $5–$10 per day for the group
  • Nile Cruise crew: $5–$10 per person each night, pooled among the staff
  • Hotel porters and housekeeping: modest tips of $1–$2

Gratuities sit outside your package price, so it's worth keeping a few small USD or EGP notes within easy reach for the moments they're called for.

FAQ

Egypt is at its most welcoming in the winter, roughly November to February, when mild temperatures make wandering around the pyramids and temples a pleasure rather than an endurance test. It's wise to steer clear of high summer (June to August), when the mercury can climb past 40°C (104°F) across much of the country.

Before you arrive, make sure the following are sorted:

  • Passport: must remain valid for a minimum of six months from your entry date.
  • Visa: requirements hinge on your nationality; some travellers arrange one ahead of time, others obtain it on arrival, and certain nationalities qualify for an e-visa.
  • Travel Insurance: not compulsory, but strongly advised to cover medical emergencies and other surprises.
  • Vaccinations: none are mandatory for entry, though it's sensible to ask your healthcare provider about any recommended shots.

By and large, yes. Egypt puts considerable effort into protecting visitors, particularly at major attractions and in the larger cities, so tourists are generally well looked after. As with any trip abroad, it's still smart to review your government's current travel advisories and keep an eye on local news before and during your visit.

Pulling an Egypt trip together is straightforward once you work through it step by step:

  • Set your dates and budget: pin down when you'd like to travel and what you're comfortable spending; this shapes your choices for flights, hotels, and tours.
  • Map out your itinerary: from Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza to Luxor, Aswan, a Nile Cruise, Alexandria, and the Red Sea resorts, decide which places make the cut and how long you'll linger at each.
  • Pick a trustworthy operator: whether that's a local Egyptian company, an international agency, or a specialist online platform, lean on reviews and ratings to confirm they're reliable.
  • Choose a package or build your own: ready-made packages bundle flights, hotels, transport, and guided tours, or you can tailor everything to your own interests and budget.
  • Reserve your spot: once you've settled on a plan, contact the operator to confirm availability, share your details, and pay either a deposit or the full amount as their policy requires.
  • Get your documents in order: check your passport's validity, apply for an Egyptian visa if you need one, and print your itinerary, hotel vouchers, and tour confirmations.
  • Pack smart: dress for the weather and your planned activities, and don't overlook comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and travel adapters.
  • Enjoy the journey: once you land, follow your itinerary, stay in touch with your guide or agency, and soak up Egypt's history and culture.

No, gratuities aren't built into the tour price. Tipping, known locally as "baksheesh," is woven into everyday life in Egypt, and it's customary to reward guides, drivers, and hotel staff directly. A sensible approach is to let the quality of service guide you, generally in the region of 10-15% of the bill or service cost.

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