Princess Farida Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Day 1 – Arrival in Luxor & Explore East Bank Temples

Step off your flight or leave your hotel and be welcomed by our professional team, ready to ensure a seamless start to your journey aboard the luxurious Princess Farida Dahabiya. After resting and settling into your private suite, enjoy your first delicious lunch while taking in the majesty of the Nile.

In the afternoon, meet your expert Egyptologist guide to explore the East Bank of Luxor, including the magnificent Luxor Temple, dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship, and the sprawling Karnak Temple Complex, the largest open-air religious site in the world, developed over centuries by around 30 pharaohs.

Witness the incredible architecture, towering columns, and sacred spaces while learning about their historical and spiritual significance. End your day with afternoon tea, a delightful dinner on board, and an overnight stay near Luxor West Bank.

Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner

Overnight: Luxor West Bank

Day 2 – Discover the West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon

After breakfast on board, disembark for a guided tour of Luxor’s West Bank, starting with the legendary Valley of the Kings, home to the elaborate tombs of pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. Continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning architectural masterpiece built for Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and finish at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that have stood guard for over 3,000 years.

Return to your Dahabiya and sail leisurely along the Nile, crossing the famous Esna Lock, enjoying the scenic river views. Spend the evening reflecting on the day’s wonders, savoring dinner on board, and overnight on a peaceful island near Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner

Overnight: An Island near Edfu

Day 3 – Edfu Temple & Kom Ombo Adventure

Start your morning with a relaxed breakfast aboard the Dahabiya as you sail toward Edfu. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride through the town before exploring the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus.

Return to your Dahabiya for lunch while sailing toward Gebel El Silsela, an ancient quarry with chapels, tombs, and stunning cliffside views. Continue sailing to Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder.

Explore its twin halls and visit the Crocodile Museum, home to mummified crocodiles and ancient artifacts. Relax on board for the evening dinner and overnight stay on a serene island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner

Overnight: An Island

Day 4 – Aswan Highlights: High Dam & Philae Temple

Begin your day sailing toward Aswan with breakfast on board. Upon arrival, visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel controlling the Nile and generating hydroelectric power, offering panoramic views of Lake Nasser.

Next, take a scenic boat ride to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, relocated to Agilkia Island to save it from the rising Nile. Explore its grand halls, intricate carvings, and picturesque island setting.

Return to the Dahabiya for lunch, enjoy afternoon tea, and spend the evening relaxing while taking in Aswan’s enchanting river scenery. Dinner is served on board before an overnight stay in Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Cake, Dinner

Overnight: Aswan

Day 5 – Farewell to the Nile & Departure

After breakfast on board, disembark from the Dahabiya and transfer to your next destination in Aswan, whether it’s the airport for your departure or a hotel for an extended stay.

Reflect on the unforgettable experiences, breathtaking sights, and rich history encountered during your Nile journey.

Meals: Breakfast

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.

Most itineraries run between 4 and 7 nights, shaped by the route you choose:

• The classic sail linking Luxor and Aswan generally spans 5-7 nights.
• Tighter schedules can be met with shorter 3-4 night options.

That leisurely rhythm is the whole point: a Dahabiya never hurries. It pauses at little-visited temples, tranquil riverbanks, and unspoilt countryside, giving you a deeper and altogether more relaxed encounter with the Nile.

It certainly is, particularly for families after something calmer, safer, and more personal than a big-ship holiday.

• The boat's modest size lets children explore in safety.
• You get a private, home-like setting free of crowds.
• Crew members tend to be genuinely warm with younger guests.
• It suits families who value cultural immersion, nature, and real bonding time.

That said, families with very young children (under 4 years old) may find the open deck and quiet surroundings a little harder to manage, so much depends on your own comfort level and supervision.

Plan your sailing for the October to April window, when the weather is at its kindest for slow cruising, outdoor sightseeing, village strolls, and lazing on deck.

• October-November: warm and comfortable, wonderful for photography.
• December-February: cool and pleasant, and the busiest, most popular stretch.
• March-April: sunny with excursion-perfect conditions.

Summer (May-September) turns hot, yet some travellers still relish a Dahabiya thanks to shaded decks, breezy sailing, and onboard cooling.

Expect cabins that feel snug, characterful, and thoughtfully finished, delivering comfort within a traditional frame.

• Private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and elegant wooden décor come as standard.
• Many rooms open onto large windows framing the Nile.
• Suites may add a balcony or a private seating nook.
• Throughout, old-world charm meets modern luxury: soft bedding, warm lighting, and handcrafted touches.

They won't rival the sheer size of cabins on the big cruise ships, but they feel warm, intimate, and perfectly in keeping with the easygoing spirit of Dahabiya sailing.