Luxury Egypt Sailing Adventure: Luxor to Aswan - 7 Days

Day 2: Luxor East Bank Tour, Board Luxury Sailboat 

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll hop over to Luxor's East Bank for a private tour of the highlights on that side of the city. Start at the Karnak Temple complex, the second-largest ancient religious site in the world and once the most significant religious complex in ancient Egypt. Founded in the Middle Kingdom, it's now one of Egypt's largest surviving temples. From its massive decorated pillars to the obelisks, statues, and kiosks, the complex, which took around 2,000 years to finish, will astound you.

Then, continue to the famed Luxor Temple, built during the New Kingdom around 1400 BCE and dedicated to Amun Ra. Walk down the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor with Karnak, guarded by the giant statues of Ramesses II.

After a busy day of tours, you'll gather your things, transfer to the port, and board your own private dahabiya. These traditional two-masted sailboats have been plying the Nile waters since the 19th century, and yours has been redesigned to offer luxury accommodations. It features just four staterooms, and due to the yacht's smaller size, it can dock on Nile islands that are otherwise inaccessible to larger ships. Take your pick of the luxury rooms featuring picture windows and private patios, then head back up to the deck to catch the sunset while the ship's chef whips up a dinner of your choosing.

Day 5: Sail to Kom Ombo via Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo Temple Tour

If you like, wake up early to watch the sunrise before enjoying another breakfast on deck. Eventually, the boat will stop in Gebel el-Silsila, a quarry site active during Egypt's New Kingdom period approximately 3,500 years ago. The sandstone produced here was used in many of Egypt's most famous temples and monuments, including Karnak and Luxor.

Over the course of lunch, the ship will continue sailing to the Temple of Kom Ombo, which was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 180-47 BCE. Dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and the falcon-god Horus, the temple features duplicate halls and sanctuaries for each deity, creating a harmonious layout. During a tour, you can admire the intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics that narrate stories of ancient rituals and medical practices.

The ship will dock for the evening at a peaceful river island near Kom Ombo. Once there, you'll disembark and enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner on the Nile before retiring to your cabin.

Day 6: Sail to Aswan, Disembark Sailboat, Aswan Highlights Tour

This morning, you'll cruise to the final stop on this river adventure: Aswan, a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located on the Nile, Aswan is renowned for its idyllic setting, with palm-fringed islands, granite outcrops, and shimmering waters creating a picture-postcard backdrop.

After docking at the port, say goodbye to the ship and transfer into the city to your hotel. The 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan is a historic marvel sitting on a pink granite cliff overlooking the world's longest river. Dating to the 19th century, the Old Cataract has a legendary guest list that includes royals, dignitaries, and authors (Agatha Christie even sipped cocktails in its chic lounge). While here, you'll enjoy world-class hospitality and a spa, pool, and neo-Byzantine-style suites overlooking the Nile out to Elephantine Island. It's a place ideal for both romantic getaways and Egyptian adventures.

Later, you'll meet a local guide for a private sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Temple of Philae, an island temple complex that dates to the fourth century BCE and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, continue to Egypt's engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam, to admire the sweeping views. You'll also stop at the Unfinished Obelisk. This massive granite monolith measures 138 feet (42 m), making it the world's largest known ancient obelisk.

Day 7: Fly to Cairo, Depart