Sail slowly
Long periods with time to read, rest and watch river life unfold.
Signature Nile Journey
The Nile Breeze
A southbound passage from ancient Thebes into the quieter landscapes of Upper Egypt.
5 days / 4 nightsDuration
Luxor to AswanRoute
LuxorEmbarkation
Soft all-inclusiveBoard
The Journey
The Nile Breeze
A southbound journey from the great temples of ancient Thebes into the quieter landscapes of Upper Egypt. Over four nights aboard Fatima Dahabeya, the journey combines Luxor’s major archaeological sites with time under sail, agricultural islands, village life and the changing landscapes of the Nile before reaching Aswan. The pace is deliberately balanced: the principal monuments remain central to the journey, while the smaller scale of the dahabeya allows time to experience the river between them.
Why You Will Love It
Depth, time and a closer relationship with the river.
Step beyond the famous
Smaller archaeological places and village landscapes enrich the major monuments.
Explore with an expert
A licensed Egyptologist turns architecture and inscriptions into connected human stories.
Live close to the river
Open-deck meals, intimate service and an atmosphere shaped by wind and water.
Journey Rhythm
01Luxor
02Royal Thebes & Esna
03Edfu & Bassaw
04Kom Ombo & Hor Diab
05Aswan & Philae
Your Journey
Day by day aboard Fatima.
The order may adjust according to navigation, site opening times and local conditions.
Day 01
The Temples of Thebes
Arrival in Luxor · Karnak · Luxor Temple
Arrive in Luxor and receive a warm welcome aboard Fatima Dahabeya. After settling in, begin the exploration of ancient Thebes with Karnak Temple, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, monumental gateways, courts and sacred spaces. Continue to Luxor Temple beside the Nile, historically connected to Karnak through the ceremonial avenue of sphinxes. Return aboard for dinner and the first evening on the Nile.
- Welcome aboard Fatima Dahabeya
- Karnak Temple
- Great Hypostyle Hall
- Luxor Temple
OvernightLuxor
MealsLunch & dinner
Day 02
Royal Thebes & the Journey to Esna
Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Rejoin Fatima at Esna
After breakfast, explore Luxor’s West Bank. Visit the Valley of the Kings with selected standard-programme tombs, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Guests then travel south by private air-conditioned vehicle toward Esna while Fatima progresses south. Rejoin Fatima at Esna and continue according to navigation and Esna Lock conditions. No fixed lock-crossing time is promised.
- Valley of the Kings
- Queen Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
- Transfer through Upper Egypt to Esna
- Rejoin Fatima at Esna
- Southbound sailing
OvernightEsna area / south of Esna according to navigation
MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 03
Edfu & Life on Bassaw Island
Temple of Horus · Nile Sailing · Bassaw Island
Continue south toward Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temple complexes. Return aboard Fatima and continue sailing. Later, reach Bassaw Island for a respectful walk through the island community and cultivated landscape, focusing naturally on agriculture, fields, palms, village life and the relationship between contemporary Upper Egyptian communities and the Nile.
- Edfu Temple
- Temple of Horus
- Nile sailing
- Bassaw Island
- Agricultural landscapes
- Contemporary village life
OvernightBassaw Island area / nearby suitable Nile mooring
MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 04
Kom Ombo & Hor Diab Island
Kom Ombo Temple · Nile Landscapes · Hor Diab Island
Continue south toward Kom Ombo and visit its unusual double temple, associated principally with Sobek and Horus the Elder (Haroeris). Return aboard and continue toward Hor Diab Island. When river conditions, weather, navigation and the captain’s judgement permit, guests may have an opportunity to swim. Swimming remains conditional and is never guaranteed.
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Sobek
- Horus the Elder
- Southbound Nile sailing
- Hor Diab Island
- Possible Nile swimming when conditions permit
OvernightHor Diab / Aswan area according to navigation
MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 05
Aswan & the Island of Isis
Check-out · Philae Temple · Farewell
Enjoy breakfast aboard and check out from Fatima. Continue by motorboat to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. Explore the cult of Isis, the complex’s Egyptian, Ptolemaic and Roman history, and the international rescue campaign that relocated Philae. After the visit, continue with onward arrangements in Aswan. The High Dam is not part of this canonical four-night itinerary.
- Final breakfast aboard
- Check-out
- Motorboat to Philae
- Temple of Isis
- Agilkia Island
- Farewell in Aswan
OvernightJourney ends in Aswan
MealsBreakfast
Navigation note: A dahabeya journey follows the rhythm of the Nile rather than a rigid mechanical timetable. Wind, water levels, river traffic, lock operations and local conditions can occasionally affect sailing times and overnight mooring points. The captain and onboard team may adjust the sailing programme when necessary while protecting the journey’s principal visits and overall character wherever conditions allow.
Your Floating Home
Life aboard Fatima Dahabeya.
Only twelve cabins, attentive service and generous open-air spaces create the intimacy of a private home on the Nile.
The vessel
- 10 comfortable cabins
- 2 panoramic suites
- Private bathroom facilities
- Shaded upper deck
- Dining spaces and dipping pool
Soft all-inclusive
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Snacks and seasonal fruit
- Tea and coffee
- Water, juices and soft beverages
- Housekeeping and crew service
A thoughtful note: Alcohol is not served onboard. Guests may bring their own alcoholic beverages, subject to responsible consumption and local regulations.
Planning Your Journey
What is included—and what is not included.
Cruise package
- Accommodation aboard Fatima
- Cabin or panoramic suite according to booking
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Fresh snacks and seasonal fruit
- Tea, coffee, bottled water, juices and soft beverages
- Crew service and housekeeping
- Scheduled dahabeya stops
Included excursions and guiding
- Excursions described in the confirmed itinerary
- Entrance fees for the sites named in the itinerary
- Licensed Egyptologist guide
- Air-conditioned transportation within the confirmed program
Not included
- Flights and visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities and extensions
- Extra or special tomb tickets
- Crew and Egyptologist gratuities
- Personal expenses
Before You Travel
Practical notes and frequently asked questions.
Pricing varies by season, cabin category, shared departure or charter, guest numbers, sightseeing package and extensions. Your quotation will separate these elements clearly.
Where does Fatima embark?
Embarkation depends on the selected Journey. Some southbound programmes begin aboard in Luxor, while others may meet or rejoin Fatima at Esna; northbound journeys begin in Aswan. Exact meeting points and times are confirmed before travel.
What is included?
All journeys include accommodation aboard Fatima, soft all-inclusive meals and non-alcoholic refreshments, crew service, housekeeping, the excursions described in the confirmed itinerary, entrance fees for the sites named in that itinerary, a licensed Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned transportation within the program.
Is alcohol served?
No. Alcohol is not served aboard Fatima. Guests may bring their own alcoholic drinks, subject to responsible consumption and local regulations.
Can children travel?
Yes, subject to the selected journey and cabin arrangements. Parents should consider open decks, gangways, uneven archaeological terrain and the quiet character of dahabeya travel.
Is the itinerary guaranteed exactly as written?
The route and principal experiences are carefully planned, but wind, water level, Esna lock schedules, permissions and site opening times may change the exact order. The team protects the journey’s quality and key visits wherever possible.
Is Fatima wheelchair accessible?
Fatima is a traditional river vessel with gangways, steps and variable shore access. Many sites also involve uneven ground. Guests with limited mobility should speak with the team before booking so practical requirements can be assessed honestly.
Plan Your Journey
Sail deeper into the Nile.
Share your dates and preferred cabin. We will confirm availability, guiding, transfers, extensions and one transparent price.