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The “Le Nil en dahabieh” tour at a glance

Le Nil en dahabieh (The Nile by Dahabiya) is an 8-day, 7-night Club Med Discovery tour of Upper Egypt, in the Hidden Routes theme. It starts and ends in Luxor after six nights aboard the Zomoroda, a dahabiya, the traditional Nile sailboat that carries few passengers and drops anchor far from the big boats. You visit the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu and Karnak, then rarely seen sites such as El Kab and the sandstone quarries of Gebel Silsileh, before Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Nubian Museum in Aswan. The return to Luxor is by train, with a last night at the Steigenberger Achti Resort 4*. A French-speaking Egyptologist guides the group. Full board with one soft drink per meal, the visits and tips are included. A Cairo extension is available.

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How do the first days on the Nile unfold?

On the first day, you board the Zomoroda in Luxor and settle in on deck, under the great sails. On the second day, you visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Medinet Habu on the west bank, then Karnak and its giant columns, before the dahabiya anchors at El Hegz for the night. On the third day, you discover El Kab, a site few travellers know, then the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and in the evening you moor at El Fawaza. On the fourth day, after El Ramady, you walk through the sandstone quarries of Gebel Silsileh, where the stones for the great temples came from.

And how does the tour end, from Aswan to Luxor?

On the fifth day, you visit the Ptolemaic temple of Kom Ombo, set on a bend of the river, then reach Aswan. On the sixth day, those who wish leave early for Abu Simbel, as an option, and the whole group meets at the Temple of Isis at Philae, then at the evening sound and light show. On the seventh day, you visit the Nubian Museum, which tells the story of the villages flooded by Lake Nasser, then ride the train back to Luxor, along the river. The last night is at the Steigenberger Achti Resort 4*, and the eighth day is departure day.

What is a dahabiya and why choose this boat?

The dahabiya is the flat-bottomed sailboat on which 19th-century travellers sailed up the Nile. It moves with the wind, carries a small number of passengers and can stop where the big cruise boats pass without slowing down. In the evening, you moor along a quiet bank, and in the morning, you hear birds and boatmen calling before any engines. This slow rhythm is the heart of the trip: you have time to watch the river live, among sugar cane fields, water buffalo and fishermen.

Which sites do you see that other cruises skip?

El Kab and Gebel Silsileh are the two secrets of this tour. At El Kab, you discover the tombs of an ancient provincial capital, painted with scenes of daily life. At Gebel Silsileh, you walk through what was the largest sandstone quarry of ancient Egypt, where you still see the stonecutters' marks and small chapels carved into the cliff. The stops at El Hegz, El Fawaza and El Ramady add moments of village life. You of course keep the great classics: Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes six nights aboard the Zomoroda and one night at the Steigenberger Achti Resort 4*, full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 with one local soft drink per meal, the visits, the French-speaking Egyptologist lecturer, the air-conditioned vehicle, the Aswan–Luxor train and tips. International flights, airport transfers, the visa, the Abu Simbel excursion, available as an option, extra drinks and insurance are booked separately.

Who guides the group and how many travellers are there?

A French-speaking Egyptologist lecturer accompanies the group from the first day to the last. On board, they quickly become the companion of evenings on deck, and their stories bring the day's temples to life. The dahabiya welcomes a small group, which creates the feel of a floating home. Club Med Discovery tours have departures guaranteed from the first booking. With tips included, you enjoy the trip without counting at every stop.

When should you go and how do you get to Luxor from Quebec?

From October to April, days are warm and bright and evenings on deck are mild: it is the best season to sail in Upper Egypt. In summer, the heat is strong, and visits take place in the cool hours. Your advisor tells you which departures are available. From Montreal, you reach Luxor with a connection, often in Cairo. Our Egypt travel page helps you prepare your stay.

Do you need a visa and can you add Cairo?

You need a Canadian passport valid for several months after your return, and a visa for Egypt: your advisor checks the requirements at the time of booking. The 2-day, 2-night Cairo extension shows you the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the necropolis of Saqqara. You stay at the Hyatt Regency Cairo West 5* or the Fairmont Nile City 5*, and a domestic flight links Cairo and Aswan for this extension.

Which other trip can you combine with this tour?

If you want Abu Simbel built in rather than as an option, the Ramsès II tour follows the same route on a 5-star boat, with the flights to Abu Simbel included. Petra and the Wadi Rum desert are close by: the Royaume de Jordanie tour follows on nicely. To end in the sun, see our Club Med resorts in Africa and the Middle East.

Who is this tour made for?

It suits travellers who may have already seen Egypt, or who dream of it differently: slower, more intimate, closer to the river. Couples, friends and solo travellers find a warm setting. All the region's itineraries are gathered on our Club Med tours in Europe, Africa and the Middle East page.

Why book this tour with AquaTerra?

A dahabiya carries few passengers, so it pays to book early. At Voyages AquaTerra, our advisors book the cabin, the flights, the visa and the Cairo extension in a single file, then stay reachable throughout the trip. All our itineraries are on the Club Med Tours page.

Call 1-866-628-6241. You will reach someone who knows this tour and has time for you. We look together at what is available on your dates, we choose the right departure, and we stay on the line throughout your trip. That is the difference between booking alone in front of a screen and travelling with someone behind you.

  • Nile riverbank and Nubian houses near Aswan

    Nile riverbank and Nubian houses near Aswan

  • Traveller by the carved columns of an Egyptian temple

    Traveller by the carved columns of an Egyptian temple

  • Market stall in an Egyptian souk

    Market stall in an Egyptian souk

  • Felucca on the Nile at the foot of the hills

    Felucca on the Nile at the foot of the hills

  • Villagers and a camel in a village by the Nile

    Villagers and a camel in a village by the Nile

  • Giza pyramids at sunset

    Giza pyramids at sunset

  • Avenue of giant columns in an Egyptian temple

    Avenue of giant columns in an Egyptian temple

Meet our Club Med Specialists who can help you plan your trips to any of the Club Med destinations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A dahabiya carries a small number of passengers, far fewer than a standard cruise boat. That is what gives it the feel of a floating home. Your advisor confirms the Zomoroda's exact capacity at booking.
Light, loose clothing, a hat, sunglasses and good shoes for the sites. Add a light sweater for evenings on deck, which are cool in winter. A soft bag stores more easily in a sailboat cabin.
Yes, tips are part of the package, which is rare for a trip to Egypt. There is no envelope to prepare for the crew at the end: it is all taken care of. Tips for personal services remain at your discretion.
The Abu Simbel excursion is available as an option on day six, and your advisor gives you the rate at the time of booking. It includes the flight from Aswan. You rejoin the group in time for Philae.
The Aswan–Luxor train runs alongside the Nile and crosses the Egyptian countryside, far from the tourist roads. It is a different way to see the country, sitting by the window. The ride is included in the package.
The museum tells the story of Nubia, from the black pharaohs to the villages moved when the High Dam was built. You see statues, jewellery and reconstructed Nubian houses. The visit takes place on day seven.
At meals, one local soft drink is included. Other drinks, including beer and wine, can be ordered on board at extra cost. Your advisor details the drinks list at booking.
Families with teenagers curious about history enjoy life on board and the visits with the Egyptologist. The slow pace leaves time to read and watch the river. Your advisor checks the age conditions at the time of booking.
After the train, you spend the night at the Steigenberger Achti Resort 4*. It is a chance for a last stroll along the corniche or a dinner by the river. Departure is the next day.
Yes, the small group and life on board quickly create bonds between travellers. You share meals, evenings on deck and visits. Your advisor explains the conditions for a single cabin.
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