5-Night Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and First Moments on the Nile

Arrival and welcome aboard Ibis.

Settle into your cabin and ease into the quiet rhythm of the river. From the very first moments, the dahabiya invites you to slow down — to notice the light, the silence, and the subtle beauty of life along the Nile.

Depending on your point of embarkation and arrival time, the first evening may be devoted simply to rest, a first sail, or an atmospheric introduction to the journey ahead.

If beginning in Luxor, the evening may include the Karnak Sound & Light Show — a poetic and memorable first encounter with ancient Egypt.

If beginning in Aswan, the first impressions are softer: islands, feluccas, granite, and southern light.

Optional: Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor

Day 2 : Among the Great Monuments

The day opens onto some of Upper Egypt’s most remarkable sites, where ancient architecture, sacred symbolism, and the landscape itself come together in striking harmony.

If beginning in Luxor, visits may include the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Valley of the Kings — places of majesty, mystery, and enduring silence.

If beginning in Aswan, visits may include Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Monastery of Saint Simeon, offering a rich contrast between Pharaonic Egypt, early Christianity, and the timeless beauty of the southern Nile.

The day ends back on board, where the calm of the dahabiya restores the gentle tempo of the journey.

Day 3 : The River Unfolds

As the dahabiya glides onward, the Nile reveals its most intimate face — palm-lined banks, mud-brick villages, cultivated shores, and long stretches of silence broken only by birdsong or the sound of water against the hull.

Visits may include Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, or Kom Ombo, depending on the route and pace of sailing.

This is also where the true spirit of the journey begins to emerge: unhurried lunches on deck, time to read or simply observe, and the quiet impression of travelling through a world that still belongs to the river.

Day 4 : Between History and Atmosphere

The journey continues between moments of discovery and the simple pleasure of being on the Nile.

Temples rise unexpectedly from the shore. Small boats cross the current. Children wave from the riverbanks. The changing light becomes part of the experience, from the softness of morning to the golden stillness of late afternoon.

In Aswan, a particularly elegant interlude may include a stop at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel for tea or coffee — a moment to enjoy one of Egypt’s most iconic settings, suspended between history, literature, and river views.

Visits during this stage may include Kom Ombo, Philae, the Monastery of Saint Simeon, or other cultural stops according to the chosen direction of navigation.

Day 5 : The Southern Light / The Grandeur of Thebes

As the journey draws closer to its final chapter, the Nile once again changes character.

Approaching Aswan, the atmosphere becomes softer and more luminous, shaped by islands, granite outcrops, and the unmistakable elegance of Upper Egypt.

Approaching Luxor, the river leads back toward the monumental world of ancient Thebes, where the scale of temples and tombs offers a powerful conclusion to the voyage.

Depending on the route, the final visits may include some of the most emblematic sites of the journey, while leaving ample space for what remains most precious: the sensation of having travelled slowly, beautifully, and well.

Optional: Abu Simbel

Day 6 : Departure

After breakfast, disembark with the feeling of having experienced not simply a route, but a way of inhabiting the Nile.

This is not simply a journey between Luxor and Aswan.

It is a passage through time, silence, and story.

3-Night Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival and First Impressions

Arrival and welcome aboard Ibis.

Settle into your cabin and ease into the quiet rhythm of the river. From the very first moments, the dahabiya invites you to slow down — to notice the changing light, the stillness of the water, and the beauty of beginning a journey shaped by grace rather than haste.

If embarking in Luxor, the evening may include the Karnak Sound & Light Show — a poetic and memorable first encounter with ancient Egypt.

If embarking in Aswan, the atmosphere is gentler: islands, feluccas, granite, and southern light create a softer introduction to the Nile.

Optional: Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor

Day 2 : Temples and the Living River

The day unfolds between cultural discovery and the quiet pleasure of sailing.

If beginning in Luxor, visits may include the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Valley of the Kings, where the grandeur of ancient Thebes still speaks through stone, scale, and silence.

If beginning in Aswan, visits may include Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Monastery of Saint Simeon, revealing a rich dialogue between sacred history, landscape, and memory.

As the dahabiya continues its journey, the Nile reveals a more intimate Egypt — villages along the banks, palm groves, cultivated shores, and a pace of life that still belongs to the river.

Day 3 : Between History and Atmosphere

As the journey continues, the Nile becomes more than a route: it becomes an experience of stillness, beauty, and time unfolding differently.

Depending on the chosen direction and pace of navigation, visits may include Edfu, Kom Ombo, or Gebel el-Silsila, each offering its own perspective on the spiritual and historical landscape of Upper Egypt.

In Aswan, an elegant pause may also include tea or coffee at the legendary Old Cataract, a timeless setting suspended between history, literature, and the river itself.

Optional: Abu Simbel

Day 4 : Departure

After breakfast, disembark with the feeling of having experienced not simply a journey, but a different way of moving through the world.

This is not simply a journey between Luxor and Aswan.

It is a passage through time, silence, and story.

Cultural Highlights

Depending on the chosen itinerary, visits may include some of Upper Egypt’s most extraordinary sites:

• The Valley of the Kings
• The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• The Colossi of Memnon
• Edfu Temple
• Gebel el-Silsila
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Philae Temple
• The Unfinished Obelisk
• The Monastery of Saint Simeon

Optional experiences may also include:

• Karnak Sound & Light Show
• Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor
• Tea or coffee at the legendary Old Cataract
• Abu Simbel

Closing Section

There are journeys that impress through abundance.

And there are journeys that remain because of how they make you feel.

Aboard Ibis, the Nile is not rushed. It is contemplated. The experience is not defined by movement alone, but by atmosphere — the softness of evening on deck, the elegance of a passing sailboat, the hush of desert light, the memory of a temple at dawn.

This is a voyage of intimacy rather than spectacle, of depth rather than speed.

A journey for those who seek not only to see Egypt, but to feel its continuity, its mystery, and its quiet grandeur.

Private departures and tailor-made itineraries may be arranged on request.

More than an itinerary, this is a way of inhabiting the Nile.

Slowly, deeply, and beautifully.

Optional experiences 

• tea or coffee at the Old Cataract
• a gentle village or orchard walk
• a private Egyptian cooking moment
• a felucca at sunset in Aswan