Nile Cruise – Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya

The Sonesta Amirat is a luxury and exclusive vessel, it is the perfect way to explore all of the ancient sites along the Nile. The Sonesta Amirat will take you, and a small group of fellow travellers, along the Nile at a leisurely pace visiting small islands, local villages, and Pharaonic sites that are often missed by the larger Nile cruises, enabling you to experience an Egypt that has long been removed from the tourist radar.

With its 5 cabins and 2 suites is one of the most stylish dahabiyas sailing the Nile and has a decor inspired by the vessels of a 100 years ago. Offering 7 night cruises between Luxor and Aswan (and vice versa) the Sonesta Amirat will take you, and a small group of fellow travellers, along the Nile at a leisurely pace visiting small islands, local villages, and Pharaonic sites that are often missed by the larger Nile cruises, enabling you to experience an Egypt that has long been removed from the tourist radar.

All of the 5 standard cabin are twin bedded (15 sq.m including bathroom) and feature private direct-dial telephones, individual climate control, hairdryers, mini-bar, safe deposit boxes, plasma televisions and movie channels. The 2 suites (27 sq.m including bathroom and terrace) feature double beds and offer attractive private terraces at the bow of the boat.

On board facilities include an open air oriental-style Jacuzzi, spacious sundeck and stylish common lounge. A la carte dining; and a crew to guest ratio of greater than one to one. It is also possible for families and small groups of friends to charter the Sonesta Amirat dahabiya for an exclusive private cruise experience.

Itinerary 

Day 1: Saturday- Aswan:
Fly via Cairo to Aswan arriving late evening. Transfer and embark on Dahabiya. Overnight, the ship moors on the Nile banks of Aswan

Day 2: Sunday – Philae Temple: 
Today you will visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971, and the Old Dam, completed in 1902. You will also visit the Philae Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. This structure was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam’s construction. Afternoon sailing towards Kom Ombo and moor in that area for overnight.

Day 3: Monday – Kom Ombo:
Visit the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus, god of the morning sun. Overnight moored at a Nile island.

Day 4: Tuesday – Edfu: 
This morning you will sail to Edfu to visit the wonderfully preserved Temple of Edfu. This Ptolemaic temple was dedicated to Horus and is the most completely preserved temple of the ancient world. Overnight beside an island in the Nile.

Day 5: Wednesday – Esna:
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely day of sailing to Esna. Today there is plenty of time to relax on the deck and take in the scenery or to catch up with your fellow passengers at the bar. In ancient times Esna was best known for its temples, today however it has the added attraction of a lively night bazaar. Overnight near Esna.

Day 6: Thursday – Luxor:
Sail to Luxor and visit the temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak, followed by the imposing Luxor Temple which dates from the 28th Dynasty. Overnight near Luxor.

Day 7: Friday – Luxor:
Take an excursion to the West Bank to visit the burial place of the Pharaohs – the Valley of the Kings. See where Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 before continuing to the adjacent Valley of the Queens, to see the Temple of Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. Overnight moored near Luxor.

Day 8: Saturday – Disembarkation:
After breakfast disembark and transfer to airport or next destination.

Departure Dates