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 2nd, 2027 under top conditions, along the central 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 typically 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 the Nile, as well as the wonderful sunrises and evening moods under the open sky.
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After breakfast, land transfer close to 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. Surrounding the main temple are other smaller buildings, such as the Kiosk of Nektanebos I, the Trajan Kiosk, the small Temple of Hathor, the Temple of Harendotes, the Kiosk of Psammetich II, Hadrian's Bastion, the Temple of Imhotep, the Chapel of Mandulis and the Temple of Arensnuphis-Dedun.
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The Dahabeya then begins its journey to Kom Ombo. There you have the opportunity to visit the double temple, which is unique in its construction. It consists of two symmetrical halves and was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and to Horus. In honor of Sobek, countless crocodile mummies were buried here, and their impressively 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 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. The Dahabeya anchors overnight just north of Edfu.
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After breakfast, the Dahabeya continues its journey downstream. In Esna, visit the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum not far from shore. The Dahabeya passes the Esna lock and eventually anchors overnight 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. It was the religious center of Ancient Egypt for over 2000 years and is the largest temple complex of its kind in the world. Afterwards, you will head to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank, where you will visit five magnificent tombs, including the magnificent Tomb of Ramses V & VI and the Tomb of Seti I, probably the most beautiful of all the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Finally, you will visit the famous rock temple of Hatshepsut, probably the most important building on the west bank.
Continue to the vicinity of the Nile island Gezirat Gabr, about 15 kilometers to the northeast of Luxor, where the Dahabeya will anchor to observe the solar eclipse. The spot is located directly under the central 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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Today is at your disposal. On request (and for an extra charge), we will be happy to put together a sightseeing program for you with interesting attractions that are not likely to be too crowded. The Luxor Museum with its numerous high-quality pharaonic exhibits and the Mummification Museum would be a good choice. Both museums can also be easily visited without a guide. We will be happy to advise you.
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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, by Gabr Island on the Nile, is an extraordinary 6 minutes & 22 seconds and begins shortly after 10:00 am UT (1:00 pm 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 phenomenon of the century on the upper deck of the Dahabeya or on the small Nile island at the ship's anchorage, where we will provide a suitable spot exclusively for our guests.
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 € 1.995,- to 3.990,- depending on the Dahabeya (you can find the prices on the respective pages of the ships).
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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