Cruises are becoming increasingly popular, as they combine culture with nature in a unique way and also have a certain nostalgic flair. However, you will not find any cruises with floating cities in our offer, as this type of standardized all-inclusive vacation with largely “standardized” itineraries does not fit into our vacation concept. We are much more interested in providing you with authentic travel experiences so that you return home from the destination of your choice with a wealth of lasting impressions.
The large cruise ships on the Nile often leave a bitter aftertaste. These floating palaces do indeed have their flair when they are on the water and glide slowly along the magnificent banks of the Nile. However, this idyllic picture quickly loses its charm when half the fleet anchors next to each other in a very confined space at the numerous attractions and crowds of visitors sometimes walk from one boat to another to get ashore. It is often a matter of luck whether you can see the landscape or the temples from the sun deck or the neighboring boats. The sightseeing programs of the large cruise ships are also largely identical in terms of content and schedule, so it can sometimes get quite crowded and the tour guides are hard to understand.
We therefore offer Nile cruises on Dahabeyas. These traditional, two-masted sailing boats have only five to ten cabins and offer authentic travel experiences, far away from any mass tourism. The ships, equipped with modern amenities, are flexible in their itinerary and anchor at the most beautiful spots along the banks of the Nile, where you also come into contact with the local villagers (the large cruise ships can only anchor at very specific spots due to their draught). The sightseeing programs in small groups are tailor-made and designed in such a way that there are as few large cruise ships as possible at the visited landmarks. Experience the Nile as Agatha Christie once did when she was inspired to write her famous novel "Death on the Nile" on board Dahabeyas.
You will experience the solar eclipse of the century on August 2, 2027 under optimal conditions, near the center line of the totality zone, where the duration of the total phase will be a spectacular 6 minutes & 22 seconds.
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The journey to Aswan is usually by domestic flight via Cairo. Arrival in Aswan and transfer to the booked Dahabeya. Over the next few days, you will experience the Nile and the landscape on this traditional Egyptian sailing boat as the pharaohs once did. Enjoy the wonderful contrast of desert landscape and water as well as the wonderful sunrises and evening moods in the open air. The day is at your disposal. Relax on the deck of the ship or visit the interesting Nubian Museum and the lively bazaar in Aswan.
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After breakfast, land transfer near the old dam to cross over to the small island of Angelikia, where you will have the opportunity to visit the cult site of the goddess Isis with the picturesque temple of Philae. The temple complex was originally located on the now flooded Nile island of Philae. However, it was relocated at the end of the 1970s to protect it from the rising waters of the Nasser Reservoir. The temple was mainly dedicated to the goddess Isis and was an important religious center in ancient Egypt, especially during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple complex includes several smaller temples and shrines, which display impressive reliefs and hieroglyphs dealing with the gods and Egyptian mythology. The architecture of the Temple of Philae is famous for its beauty and complexity. A highlight is the large pylon and the Temple of Isis, which is particularly well preserved and known for its architectural details and ornate reliefs. The temple complex of Philae has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
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The Dahabeya then begins its journey to Kom Ombo. There you will have the opportunity to visit the double temple, which is unique in its construction. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic dynasty (180 - 47 BC) and is particularly remarkable because it combines two parallel temple complexes for two different gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon god. The architecture of the Kom Ombo temple is unique, as the two halves of the temple are arranged symmetrically and as mirror images. It is located directly on the west bank of the Nile and impresses with well-preserved reliefs of crocodiles and medical instruments, among other things. The temple once served not only religious purposes, but also as an important sanctuary for the local population. In honor of Sobek, countless crocodile mummies were buried here and their well-preserved bodies can be admired in a small museum. The journey continues to Jebel el Silsila, where the Dahabeya anchors overnight.
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The sandstone hills of Jebel el Silsila served as a huge storehouse of raw materials for many of Egypt's pharaonic temples. Tons of stone were quarried here and numerous ritual buildings were erected. For example, the famous Speos of Pharaoh Haremhab or the fascinating Nile Chapels from the New Kingdom, which were once destined to be flooded by the Nile flood every year.
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After exploring the area, we continue to Edfu. We pass a particularly beautiful section of the Nile and gain an insight into life on the river: cows graze on small islands, mangoes, bananas, citrus fruits and sugar cane grow in the fields, small villages lie on the banks, only the minarets or mosques rise above the palm trees. The Dahabeya reaches Edfu. Visit to the imposing temple complex with one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. It was dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus and was built between 237 and 57 BC during the reign of the Ptolemies. The temple is 137 meters long and 79 meters wide and is aligned in a north-south direction. Originally, a thick brick wall, which is still partially preserved today, surrounded the outer walls of the temple. The pylon at the southern entrance to the temple consists of two massive towers that frame the main portal. During the Ptolemaic period, numerous festivals were celebrated here as part of the Osiris and Horus cult. Just north of Edfu, the Dahabeya anchors overnight.
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After breakfast, the Dahabeya continues its journey downstream. In Esna, visit the Ptolemaic-Roman temple dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum not far from the shore. The only surviving part of the temple is the pronaos, the vestibule of the actual temple. This hall consists of 24 columns that support the still intact roof and stands in the middle of the city of Esna, about 200 meters west of the riverbank and almost ten meters lower than the current ground level. The column capitals are gilded and decorated with exotic flowers, plants and hieroglyphic cartouches. The ceiling paintings depict the cosmos known at the time with the sun, moon and stars. The Dahabeya passes the Esna lock and finally anchors for the night not far from Luxor.
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After breakfast, the Dahabeya reaches Luxor. You will first visit the temple complex of Karnak on the east bank of the Nile. The Temple of Karnak in Luxor is the largest temple complex in Egypt and one of the most impressive buildings of antiquity. Extended for over 2,000 years, it was the most important sanctuary of the god Amun. The centerpiece is the Great Hall of Columns with 134 monumental columns up to 23 meters high. The complex includes several temples, obelisks and sacred lakes. The huge pylons and finely chiseled reliefs are particularly impressive. The temple was a spiritual and political center of ancient Egypt and still impresses today with its enormous architecture and detailed art. The temple complex of Karnak has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
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The tour then continues along the west bank to the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings lies a few kilometers west of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, and was the burial site of many Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom (ca. 1539-1075 BC). It is famous for its richly decorated burial chambers, which were carved deep into the mountains. A total of 64 tombs have been found here, including Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. The tombs in the Valley of the Kings are known for their impressive and very well-preserved wall paintings, which contain scenes from the lives of the deceased as well as religious depictions. The Valley of the Kings has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. You will visit three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including the magnificent Tomb of Ramses V & VI and the Tomb of Seti I, probably the most beautiful of all the tombs.
We continue about five kilometers north of Luxor, where the Dahabeya anchors on the western shore to observe the solar eclipse. The spot is close to the center line of the totality zone, where the duration of the total phase is 6 minutes & 22 seconds, only one second less than at the spot of the maximum of the eclipse in the desert, southeast of Luxor.
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After breakfast, you will first visit the magnificent temple complex of Medinet Habu, which was built in honor of Ramses III. The mortuary temple of Ramses III in Medinet Habu, near Luxor, is one of the best-preserved temples of the New Kingdom. It impresses with huge reliefs depicting the victories of Ramses III over the "Sea Peoples". The temple follows the classic pattern of Egyptian mortuary temples with monumental pylons, a spacious courtyard and richly decorated columned halls. The well-preserved colors of the reliefs and the detailed depictions of rituals and battles are particularly noteworthy. The surrounding palace complex also features royal living quarters. Among other things, the pharaoh's bathroom can be visited. Medinet Habu was not only a cult center, but also a fortified complex that served as an administrative center. A fascinating testimony to ancient Egyptian architecture.
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You then take a small boat to the east bank to Luxor City and visit the Luxor Museum. It houses numerous high-quality exhibits that were found during the excavations around Luxor. Finally, you will visit the Mummy Museum. It provides an interesting insight into the technique of mummification and houses numerous animal mummies as well as the mummy of the high priest Masaharta. Both museums are visited without a tour guide.
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Today is marked by the longest total solar eclipse until the year 2114. The duration of the total phase at the anchorage of the Dahabeya, which is about 5 kilometers north of Luxor, is an extraordinary 6 minutes & 22 seconds and begins shortly after 13:00 local time with the sun almost vertical (81 degrees). The event will last approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes from the start of the partial eclipse.
Experience this astronomical phenomenon of the century on the deck of the Dahabeya or on the west bank of the Nile, in a garden rented exclusively for our guests, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the anchorage.
Eye protection: Observing a solar eclipse without protective filters (solar eclipse glasses) can lead to serious and permanent damage to the eyes, including blindness. HERE you will find expert tips on how to protect your eyes.
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Transfer to Luxor airport or to a hotel in Luxor. Alternatively, you also have the option of extending your trip at the Red Sea or in Cairo.
Services included in the price: Transfer from the airport or a hotel in Aswan to the ship & from the ship to the airport or a hotel in Luxor, 7 nights on board in a double cabin, meals: full board, afternoon tea, non-limit water, tea, coffee, soft drinks (except fresh juices), sightseeing and excursions as described in the program, all entrance fees, English or German speaking tour guide*, re-usable water bottle, Eclipse T-shirt or Eclipse cap, solar eclipse glasses, individual assistance by Beluga staff on site, insolvency insurance.
*Typically, an English-speaking tour guide will accompany the guests. If a ship is exclusively occupied by guests speaking a specific other language, a tour guide speaking this other language may also be used.
Price per person: from € 2.349,- to 4.349,- depending on the Dahabeya (you can find the prices on the ships' pages).
On site, plus tips.
Single occupancy and suite on request.
An extension of your trip to the Red Sea is possible on request.
We are also happy to offer you a flight to Egypt & back (flight schedules are expected to be published in September 2026).
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The tour operator for all trips listed on this website is Beluga Reisen GmbH.
