This trip combines the two slowest pleasures in Egypt: a few nights under sail on a dahabiya and a few days on a coral coast. Sailing north from Aswan, rather than the more common southbound route, ends the river journey near Luxor, which is only about 3.5–4 hours by road from the Red Sea. You finish the trip relaxed rather than flying back and forth.
The dahabiya is a small two-masted boat with a handful of cabins and an open deck furnished like a living room. Between Aswan and Esna it stops at Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu and El Kab, moors at quiet islands and serves dinner on deck. We choose boats with suites at the stern and an Egyptologist on board, and if you are travelling as a family or group of friends we can charter the whole boat.
On land you stay at Egypt's grand hotels: the Marriott Mena House under the Great Pyramid, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan and the Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor. The Red Sea finale is at Soma Bay, a quiet resort peninsula south of Hurghada with reefs offshore and reliable afternoon wind for kitesurfers.
Journey highlights
- Two nights at the Marriott Mena House with the Great Pyramid in view
- The Grand Egyptian Museum with a private Egyptologist
- A night at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract above the First Cataract
- Four nights on a luxury dahabiya from Aswan to Esna
- Gebel el-Silsila's quarries and the tombs of El Kab, sites the big ships skip
- The Valley of the Kings and Karnak from the Sofitel Winter Palace
- Three nights at Soma Bay with a private boat day on the reefs
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo
You are met inside the terminal, helped with your visa and driven to the Marriott Mena House, at the foot of the Giza Plateau. Dinner in the gardens with the Great Pyramid lit up above you.
- Day2
Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Walk onto the plateau at opening time with your Egyptologist for the pyramids, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx, with time inside the Great Pyramid if you wish (separate ticket). In the afternoon, a private tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamun galleries and the Solar Boat of Khufu.
- Day3
Fly to Aswan, the Old Cataract
Fly to Aswan, about 1 hour 20 minutes, and check in to the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract. Visit Philae Temple by boat in the afternoon, then watch the sun set over the First Cataract from the hotel terrace.
- Day4
Board your dahabiya
A morning at leisure, or a visit to the Nubian Museum. Board your dahabiya around midday, meet the captain, crew and on-board Egyptologist, and set off downstream. Dinner on deck at the first quiet mooring.
- Day5
Kom Ombo and Gebel el-Silsila
Visit the double temple of Kom Ombo early, before the big ships arrive, then sail north to Gebel el-Silsila, the sandstone quarries that supplied Karnak and Luxor's temples, with their rock-cut shrines and the speos of Horemheb. Dinner may be served on the riverbank.
- Day6
Edfu and a village walk
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, timed to avoid the cruise-ship groups where possible. Sail on through the afternoon and moor at an island for a walk through fields and a village.
- Day7
El Kab, sailing towards Esna
Explore the rock-cut tombs of El Kab, including that of Ahmose son of Ebana, whose biography describes the expulsion of the Hyksos. A last afternoon under sail and a farewell dinner on board.
- Day8
Esna, then Luxor's West Bank
Disembark at Esna after visiting the Temple of Khnum and its restored painted ceiling. Drive about an hour to Luxor's West Bank for the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple, then check in to the Sofitel Winter Palace.
- Day9
Karnak, then drive to Soma Bay
Visit Karnak at opening time, then drive about 3.5–4 hours across the Eastern Desert mountains to Soma Bay on the Red Sea, in time for a swim before dinner.
- Day10
Private boat day on the reefs
Spend the day on a private boat with a snorkel guide visiting the reefs off Soma Bay and Safaga, with lunch on board. Divers can arrange guided dives instead.
- Day11
Red Sea at leisure
A free day for the spa, the beach, a kitesurfing lesson in the afternoon wind or a round of golf. We can book anything in advance.
- Day12
Fly to Cairo and depart
Transfer to Hurghada airport, about 40–50 minutes, for the one-hour flight to Cairo and your connection home.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo (Giza), 2 nights | Marriott Mena House or similar |
| Aswan, 1 night | Sofitel Legend Old Cataract or similar |
| Dahabiya, 4 nights | A luxury dahabiya with stern suites, such as Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau or similar |
| Luxor, 1 night | Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor or similar |
| Soma Bay, 3 nights | Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay or similar |
What’s included
- 7 nights in luxury hotels and resorts with daily breakfast
- 4-night luxury dahabiya cruise Aswan to Esna with full board, soft drinks, tea and coffee
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo
- Private Egyptologist guide on land and an Egyptologist on board the dahabiya
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver, including Luxor to Soma Bay
- Standard entry fees to the sites in the itinerary
- Full-day private snorkelling boat with lunch at Soma Bay
- Airport meet-and-assist service and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Alcoholic drinks on the dahabiya and meals on land not listed
- Diving, kitesurfing, golf and spa treatments
- Optional extras such as the Great Pyramid interior, Tutankhamun's tomb or a balloon flight
- Tips for guides, drivers and the dahabiya crew
Destinations on this journey
Cairo & Giza · Aswan · Luxor · Red Sea Coast · Hurghada
Luxury Dahabiya and Red Sea: 12 Days from Mena House to the Coral Coast: FAQs
Why sail north from Aswan rather than south from Esna?
Ending at Esna puts you close to Luxor and the road to the Red Sea, so you don't need to fly back from Aswan. Dahabiyas sail in both directions on set dates; if a southbound sailing suits your dates better, we reverse the order. See our Nile cruise direction guide.
How is this different from your 10-day dahabiya trip?
Our Dahabiya Nile Sailing trip has five nights on board and ends in Aswan. This one uses grand historic hotels throughout, has four nights on board and ends with three nights on the Red Sea.
What is life on a luxury dahabiya like?
Small and personal: around 8–24 guests, a crew who know your name, meals on deck and quiet moorings. There is usually no pool, no lift and little Wi-Fi. Read what to expect on a dahabiya.
Why Soma Bay?
Soma Bay is a quiet resort peninsula about 45–50 km south of Hurghada with reefs, golf and reliable wind. If you prefer a promenade and restaurants, Sahl Hasheesh or El Gouna are good alternatives.
Can we charter the whole dahabiya?
Yes. Chartering is popular with families and groups of friends and lets you shape the timings. Tell us your group size on our plan my trip form.
