Honeymoon by dahabiya in 8 days

Overview

Two nights in Cairo, a dawn balloon over Luxor, then four nights on a small sailing dahabiya from Esna to Aswan with a private dinner on a sandbank.

1. Day 1Arrive in Cairo+

   Your greeter meets you inside the terminal with your name, walks you through visa and passport control and waits with you at the baggage belt. Your driver takes you to your hotel, and your coordinator messages you on WhatsApp so you have one number for the whole trip. The rest of the day is yours.

2. Day 2The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum+

   An early start at Giza, before the heat and the coaches: the Great Pyramid, the panorama point and the Sphinx with your Egyptologist. After lunch, the Grand Egyptian Museum next door, including the Tutankhamun galleries and the Grand Staircase. Your guide paces the museum to your interests rather than walking every hall.

3. Day 3Fly to Luxor: Karnak and a riverside evening+

   A morning flight to Luxor and Karnak in the afternoon. Your first evening is a private sunset dinner on the terrace of a Luxor hotel above the Nile.

4. Day 4Balloon at dawn, West Bank, and board at Esna+

   A private-basket balloon flight over the West Bank at sunrise, then the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. In the afternoon, drive to Esna to board your dahabiya.

5. Day 5Sailing to El Kab+

   Dahabiyas carry a handful of cabins and moor where big ships cannot. Today, the rock tombs of El Kab, and an evening moored at a quiet island.

6. Day 6Edfu and a private dinner on a sandbank+

   The Temple of Horus at Edfu in the morning. At dusk the crew sets a table for two on a sandbank, lit by lanterns.

7. Day 7Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo+

   The sandstone quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, where most of the great temples were cut, then Kom Ombo at sunset.

8. Day 8Aswan and departure+

   Disembark in Aswan after breakfast. A flight to Cairo connects with your journey home, or stay on for Abu Simbel.

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