Neptune Tours Egypt - Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise Specialist
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★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 · 127 verified guest reviews

Only 10 Cabins.
One Unforgettable Nile.

Sail Luxor to Aswan aboard the Akhenaton Dahabiya — a handcrafted wooden sailing boat with all-inclusive meals, private Egyptologist guiding and zero crowds. This is the Nile the way it was meant to be seen.

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Reply within 24 hours · No payment needed to enquire · Free cancellation up to 90 days

4 or 5 DaysLuxor ↔ Aswan
Max 20 Guests10 cabins total
All-InclusiveMeals & tours
6+ TemplesGuided visits
4.9 / 5127 reviews
Licensed Egyptian tour operator Qualified Egyptologist guides Best-price guarantee 24/7 guest support Free cancellation up to 90 days
✦ Why the Akhenaton

A Private Nile, Not a Floating Hotel

While the big ships rush between locks with 150 passengers, the Akhenaton quietly anchors at islands where you'll be the only boat on the water. That difference is what guests remember for the rest of their lives.

Only 20 Guests Onboard

Never a queue at the buffet, never a scramble for deck chairs. The crew knows your name — and your coffee order — by day two.

Sails, Not Engines

When the wind allows, the captain raises the sails and the engine goes silent. You hear birds, water and nothing else.

Stops the Big Ships Can't Make

Gebel El-Silsila, El Kab, Besaw Island, Maniha — quiet archaeological sites and river islands reserved for small vessels.

Real Egyptian Cooking

Fresh from local markets, served on deck, plus barbecue dinners on island shores under the stars.

Akhenaton Dahabiya wooden sailing boat on the Nile near Luxor, Egypt
✦ See it before you book

90 Seconds on the Akhenaton

✦ The Full Program

Your Day-by-Day Voyage

Every meal, every temple and every overnight stop — laid out hour by hour so you know exactly what you're booking. Choose the direction that suits your flights.

5 Days / 4 Nights Esna → Edfu → Silsila → Kom Ombo → Aswan 4 nights onboard 5 guided site visits
DAY 1 · MON

Luxor Pickup · Boarding in Esna · Temple of Khnum

Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: El Kab

  • 10:00Private pickup in Luxor — air-conditioned transfer to Esna (approx. 1 hour). Your guide meets you at your hotel.
  • 11:30Welcome aboard the Akhenaton. Cold towel, karkadeh welcome drink, cabin check-in and safety briefing from the captain.
  • 13:00Lunch on the sun deck — first taste of the chef's Egyptian menu while the boat slips away from the bank.
  • 15:00Guided visit: Temple of Esna (Khnum Temple) — the beautifully restored hypostyle hall with its 24 painted columns, followed by a walk through the lively Esna market.
  • 17:30Set sail for El Kab. Tea and pastries on deck as the Nile widens and the palms thin out.
  • 20:00Dinner onboard — three courses, freshly cooked. Afterwards, the sundeck opens for stargazing.
DAY 2 · TUE

Rock Tombs of El Kab · Temple of Horus at Edfu · Island Campfire

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: Ramadi Island

  • 07:30Breakfast on deck — fresh bread, eggs, foul, fruit and Egyptian coffee.
  • 09:00Guided visit: El Kab (ancient Nekheb) — rock-cut tombs with vivid scenes of daily life, plus the remains of the mudbrick town walls. One of Egypt's least-visited gems.
  • 11:00Sail to Edfu. Relax on the sundeck; the crew serves chilled drinks.
  • 13:00Lunch onboard while moored at Edfu.
  • 15:00Guided visit: Temple of Horus, Edfu — the best-preserved temple in Egypt, reached by traditional horse carriage. Your Egyptologist decodes the 2,000-year-old reliefs.
  • 17:30Sail to Ramadi Island. Optional swim stop in a calm stretch of the Nile.
  • 20:00Barbecue dinner on Ramadi Island — grilled meats and vegetables served on a candlelit shore, with a campfire and music.
DAY 3 · WED

Gebel El-Silsila Sandstone Quarries · Sailing to Maniha

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: Maniha

  • 07:30Breakfast onboard as the boat casts off.
  • 10:00Guided visit: Gebel El-Silsila — the vast sandstone quarries that built Luxor's temples. See the rock chapels of Seti I and Ramesses II carved directly into the cliff face.
  • 13:00Lunch while sailing south. The captain raises the sails if the wind is right — pure silence.
  • 16:00Free afternoon. Sundeck, jacuzzi, a book, or a swim in the Nile's cleanest stretch.
  • 19:30Dinner at Maniha — a quiet riverside mooring with nothing but desert and stars.
DAY 4 · THU

Kom Ombo Double Temple · Sunset at El Herdiab Island

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: El Herdiab (Aswan)

  • 07:30Breakfast on deck while sailing towards Kom Ombo.
  • 11:30Guided visit: Kom Ombo Temple — the unique double temple of Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god, right on the riverbank. Includes the Crocodile Museum.
  • 13:30Lunch onboard as the Akhenaton continues north.
  • 16:30Sail to El Herdiab Island — sunset drinks on the sundeck with panoramic Nile views.
  • 20:00Farewell campfire dinner on the island — the signature evening of the cruise. Grilled dinner, lanterns, and the crew's traditional songs.
DAY 5 · FRI

Disembarkation in Aswan · Transfers

Breakfast  ·  End of services

  • 07:30Final breakfast onboard with views of Aswan's granite islands.
  • 09:00Disembarkation and farewell from the crew.
  • 09:30Private transfer to Aswan Airport, your hotel, or the train station.
  • OptionalExtend your stay: Abu Simbel day trip, Philae Temple, Nubian village visit or a felucca sunset sail — ask us for add-on rates.

※ Times are indicative and may shift slightly with Nile navigation and lock schedules. All mentioned sites remain included regardless of order.

Check Dates for This Program
4 Days / 3 Nights Aswan → Kom Ombo → Silsila → Edfu → Esna 3 nights onboard 4 guided site visits
DAY 1 · FRI

Meet in Aswan · Kom Ombo Double Temple · Sail to Gebel El-Silsila

Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: Gebel El-Silsila

  • 09:00Meet & assist in Aswan — our representative collects you from your hotel, the airport or the train station.
  • 10:00Board the Akhenaton with a welcome drink and full introduction to the boat and crew.
  • 11:30Set sail north towards Kom Ombo.
  • 13:00Lunch onboard on the sun deck.
  • 15:00Guided visit: Kom Ombo Temple — the double temple of Sobek and Horus, plus the Crocodile Museum.
  • 17:00Sail to Gebel El-Silsila — sunset on deck with tea and pastries.
  • 20:00Dinner and overnight near Gebel El-Silsila.
DAY 2 · SAT

Temple of Horus at Edfu · Barbecue on Besaw Island

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: Besaw Island

  • 07:30Breakfast while sailing to Edfu.
  • 09:30Guided visit: Temple of Horus, Edfu — Egypt's best-preserved temple, reached by horse carriage.
  • 12:30Lunch onboard as the boat continues north.
  • 15:00Free afternoon — sundeck, jacuzzi, or a swim stop in a calm Nile channel.
  • 19:30Barbecue dinner on Besaw Island — campfire, grilled food and a sky full of stars.
DAY 3 · SUN

Rock Tombs of El Kab · Esna Temple & Market

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Overnight: Esna

  • 07:30Breakfast on deck.
  • 10:00Guided visit: El Kab (Nekheb) — rock-cut tombs with scenes of daily life and the ancient town walls.
  • 12:30Lunch en route to Esna.
  • 15:00Guided visit: Temple of Esna (Khnum) and a walk through Esna's bustling local market.
  • 20:00Farewell dinner onboard — the chef's signature menu and a final evening on the sundeck.
DAY 4 · MON

Disembark in Esna · Transfer to Luxor

Breakfast  ·  End of services

  • 07:30Final breakfast onboard.
  • 09:00Disembarkation in Esna.
  • 09:30Private transfer to Luxor (approx. 1 hour) — hotel, airport or train station.
  • OptionalAdd Luxor sightseeing: Karnak, Valley of the Kings, hot-air balloon at sunrise — ask us for add-on rates.

※ Times are indicative and may shift slightly with Nile navigation and lock schedules. All mentioned sites remain included regardless of order.

Check Dates for This Program
✦ Transparent Rates

One Price. Almost Everything Included.

No hidden extras for temple tickets, meals or transfers — those are the costs that surprise travellers on other cruises. Here they're already in the price.

Most Booked

5 Days / 4 Nights

Esna → Aswan · Departs every Monday

$1,290USD

per person · double occupancy · low season

  • 4 nights in a Twin Deluxe cabin
  • Full board — breakfast, lunch & dinner daily
  • 5 guided site visits with Egyptologist
  • All entrance fees to mentioned sites
  • Private transfers Luxor pickup → Aswan drop-off
  • Unlimited tea, coffee & soft drinks
Check Availability

4 Days / 3 Nights

Aswan → Esna · Departs every Friday

$980USD

per person · double occupancy · low season

  • 3 nights in a Twin Deluxe cabin
  • Full board — breakfast, lunch & dinner daily
  • 4 guided site visits with Egyptologist
  • All entrance fees to mentioned sites
  • Private transfers Aswan pickup → Luxor drop-off
  • Unlimited tea, coffee & soft drinks
Check Availability

Indicative low-season rates for guidance only. Final price depends on travel dates, cabin category and group size. Request your exact quote — it's free and takes 60 seconds. Single supplement, suite upgrades and peak-season (Oct–Apr) rates available on request.

✦ No Surprises

Exactly What You Pay For

Included in your rate

  • Meet & greet on arrival and departure
  • All transfers in air-conditioned deluxe vehicles
  • Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Complimentary tea, coffee & soft drinks all day
  • Guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Entrance fees to every site mentioned in the program
  • All service charges and local taxes
  • 24/7 support from our Aswan & Luxor ground team

Not included

  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Gratuities for crew and guides (customary, not compulsory)
  • International and domestic flights
  • Egyptian entry visa
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Optional activities not listed in the program

Optional Add-Ons

Extend your trip around the cruise — we arrange everything.

Abu Simbel day trip Philae Temple Luxor hot-air balloon Nubian village Felucca sunset sail
✦ Onboard

Cabins & Suites

Ten cabins only — each with panoramic opening windows, en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and handcrafted wooden furnishings.

Cabin Type Size Occupancy Key Features Availability
Twin Deluxe 17 m² 2 guests Large twin beds · panoramic opening windows · en-suite shower · Smart TV · mini bar · tea & coffee station 9 cabins
Panoramic Suite 21 m² 2 guests Private terrace · separate living area · bathtub · uninterrupted Nile views · highest deck position 2 suites
Single Deluxe 17 m² 1 guest All Twin Deluxe amenities · panoramic window · en-suite bath · ideal for solo travellers 1 cabin
Sun deck with heated jacuzzi aboard the Akhenaton Dahabiya, Nile cruise Egypt
✦ Life on Board

Small Boat. Big Comfort.

  • Sun deckHeated Jacuzzi & shaded loungers
  • DiningOpen-air deck restaurant
  • ConnectivityFree WiFi · 24h electricity
  • EntertainmentSatellite TV · stargazing lounge
  • SwimmingNile swim stops on calm stretches
  • CrewCaptain, chef, guides & service team
  • Guest capacityMaximum 20 passengers
✦ Guest Reviews

127 Reviews. 4.9 Average.

★★★★★

"An unforgettable experience! The Akhenaton was the highlight of our Egypt trip. The crew treated us like family and the island barbecue dinner was magical."

ST
Sarah ThompsonUnited Kingdom · 5-day cruise
★★★★★

"We've done the big Nile cruises before — this is a completely different world. No crowds, no queues, and our guide made every temple come alive."

MK
Markus KellerGermany · 4-day cruise
★★★★★

"Booking with Neptune Tours was effortless. Everything was organised perfectly, from the Luxor pickup to the Aswan transfer. Worth every dollar."

LC
Laura ChenCanada · 5-day cruise
✦ Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a Dahabiya?
A Dahabiya is a traditional wooden sailing boat used on the Nile long before modern cruise ships. It carries a small number of guests, sails silently whenever the wind allows, and can moor at quiet islands and small archaeological sites that large vessels simply cannot reach. The Akhenaton is one of the finest examples afloat.
How many cabins does the Akhenaton have?
Ten cabins in total: 9 Twin Deluxe, 1 Single Deluxe, and 2 Panoramic Suites with private terraces. Maximum 20 guests onboard — which is why October to April departures typically sell out three to four months in advance.
What is included in the cruise price?
All meals, guided excursions with an Egyptologist, entrance fees to every site mentioned in the program, private transfers, and unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages, gratuities, flights and the Egyptian visa are not included.
Is the Akhenaton suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. The calm Nile waters make swimming enjoyable for all ages, and the crew happily prepares kid-friendly meals. Because there are only 20 guests, families get far more attention than on a large cruise ship.
Which direction should I choose — Esna to Aswan, or Aswan to Esna?
It depends mainly on your flights. The 5-day Esna → Aswan program departs Mondays and finishes in Aswan (ideal before flying out of Aswan or continuing to Abu Simbel). The 4-day Aswan → Esna program departs Fridays and finishes near Luxor. Both cover the same highlights — just in reverse order and with one extra day on the 5-day route.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities require a tourist visa. You can usually apply for an e-visa online before travel, or obtain a visa on arrival at major airports. Our team is happy to advise based on your nationality.
What should I pack?
Lightweight breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes for temple visits, a swimsuit, and a camera. Add a light jacket for cooler evenings between November and February.
How do I book, and how do I pay?
Send us an enquiry using the form below or message us on WhatsApp. We'll confirm availability and send a personalised quote within 24 hours. A deposit secures your cabin; the balance is due before departure. Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 90 days before sailing.
✦ Reserve Your Cabin

Check Dates & Get Your Quote

Only 10 cabins per departure. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm availability, exact pricing and cabin options within 24 hours — free and with no obligation.

1

Send your dates

Fill in the form — it takes about 60 seconds. No payment details required at this stage.

2

Get a personal quote in 24 hours

We reply with live availability, exact rates for your dates, and cabin recommendations.

3

Confirm with a deposit

Secure your cabin with a deposit. Free cancellation up to 90 days before departure.

Prefer to talk right now?

WhatsApp +20 104 030 0396 — our team answers 24/7 in English, German and Arabic.

Request Your Quote

Free · No obligation · Reply within 24 hours

Or email us directly at info@neptunetours.com · WhatsApp +20 1040 300396

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From $1,290 pp 5 days · all-inclusive · 10 cabins
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