Overnight Dahabiya Sail: Esna to Edfu
A traditional two-masted sailboat, a fraction of the size of a standard cruise ship.
A small sailing boat with a step aboard from the bank, riverside village stops on uneven ground, and flat temple walking at Edfu.
About this tour
A dahabiya carries a handful of cabins, not hundreds of passengers, and sails largely under wind power — a genuinely different pace from a standard Nile cruise ship, with village stops a larger vessel simply can't make. A short two-day introduction to dahabiya sailing, Esna to Edfu.
Highlights
- ✦Traditional two-masted dahabiya sailing
- ✦A small, low-passenger-count boat
- ✦Village stops along the riverbank
- ✦The Temple of Horus at Edfu
Itinerary
- 1
Board at Esna
Boarding and an afternoon sailing north toward Edfu.
- 2
Edfu & disembark
The Temple of Horus, then disembarking.
Where You’ll Go
The main stops, in the order you'll visit them.
Included
- ✓Dahabiya cabin accommodation, full board
- ✓Private English-speaking Egyptologist
- ✓Edfu entrance fee
Not Included
- ✕Egypt visa
- ✕Transport to/from Esna and Edfu
- ✕Tips
- ✕Personal spending
Before You Book
The things travelers ask us most about this tour.
Yes — Edfu entrance fee for the sites on this itinerary are in the price, so there is nothing to buy at the gate. What you would still pay for separately are your Egypt visa, transport to/from Esna and Edfu, tips and personal spending.
Private. It runs for your group alone — private English-speaking Egyptologist — so the pace is yours and nobody waits on a coach filling up. We do not merge bookings into larger groups.
Prefer to join a small group? See Weekly Trips →A fair amount, but nothing strenuous. A small sailing boat with a step aboard from the bank, riverside village stops on uneven ground, and flat temple walking at Edfu. If someone in your group has limited mobility, tell us before you book — we can usually adjust the route or the pace rather than have you find out on the day.
It runs 2 days / 1 night across 2 bases — Luxor and Edfu. The day-by-day breakdown is on this page, and start times flex around your flights and how early you like to begin.
Yes — every tour here is a starting point rather than a fixed package. Swap a site, add an experience or a photoshoot, change the pace, or extend it by a day and we will rebuild the schedule around you.
Customize this tour →What travellers said
Reviews of Egypt Eye from travellers who did something similar.
“The Pyramid and Sphinx tour with our photographer absolutely incredible from start to finish. Our photographer provided deep and engaging insights about the Pyramids, temples, and Sphinx throughout the tour, bringing ancient history to life with passion and clarity. He went above and beyond—not just as a guide, but even helping us negotiate with local vendors, which made the experience even more enjoyable and stress-free. The itinerary was…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Rohan
1 Day Giza Tour
“The all inclusive Pyramids and Sphinx experience with our guide (and Ru) was exceptional! Communication about pick up and itinerary of activities were clear and timely. Also, entrance to the sites was very easy and efficient. No hassle or waiting in long lines! Ru was an exceptional guide! She’s very knowledgeable and speaks excellent English, which made the exchange of information very fluid and easy. I learned SO much! Additionally, they were…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Bernard
1 Day Giza Tour
“This tour exceeded all my expectations and provided a truly exceptional experience. On the day I originally booked, I wasn’t feeling well, but the team was incredibly understanding and accommodated me by rescheduling for the following day. Their flexibility and kindness set the tone for the rest of the experience. The private nature of the tour made it even more enjoyable, as everything was tailored to my pace and preferences. My guide, our…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Thien
1 Day Giza Tour
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