Nour El Nil | Nile Egypt Boat Tours

Overview

Where the Nour El Nil story began

Built in 2005, Assouan is where the Nour El Nil story began. As our very first dahabiya, she holds a special place in our history and remains a living link to the origins of our fleet.

More intimate in scale than our newer vessels, Assouan reflects an earlier era of Nile cruising. With fewer cabins and more compact spaces, she is less spacious than our later dahabiyas, yet thoughtfully maintained to preserve her classic lines and traditional craftsmanship. Her atmosphere is warm, relaxed, and unmistakably authentic.

Life on board Assouan feels personal and quietly nostalgic, offering a slower, more intimate way to experience the Nile. Guests who value character, heritage, and simplicity over size and modern expansiveness often find her especially appealing. While she does not feature the large suites or generous layouts of our more recent boats, Assouan offers something equally meaningful: a genuine sense of history and a direct connection to the original spirit of Nour El Nil.

For travelers seeking charm, authenticity, and a glimpse into where our journey began, Assouan remains a timeless and heartfelt choice.

Panoramic Room

1 King Bed

2 guests

9.70 m2

Defined by their panoramic windows, these rooms offer uninterrupted views of the Nile and a strong sense of connection to the river. Natural light and an open outlook give the space an airy, uplifting feel, complemented by traditional finishes, comfortable bedding, and en-suite bathrooms. Ideal for guests who prioritize views and light, they provide a serene and immersive onboard experience.

Cabin

2 Twin Bed

or 1 King Bed

2 guests

8 m2

These are the smallest cabins in our fleet and reflect the proportions of an earlier era of Nile cruising. More compact and simply laid out, they are thoughtfully maintained and feature traditional finishes, comfortable bedding, and en-suite bathrooms. Ideal for guests who value charm and authenticity, these Cabins offer a cozy and intimate stay on the Nile.

Day 1: Esna

Esna, located some 33 miles south of Luxor, is where you will board your dahabiya and meet the crew. A thriving merchant town, Esna is best known for the small ancient Temple of Khnum, which sits 9 meters below street level. Your trip will begin with a brief walk to the temple and a stroll through streets filled with beautiful textiles and other exotic goods.

Day 2: El Kab & Edfu

El Kab, on the East bank of the Nile, was once the capital of Upper Egypt and is still home to the temple of Nekhbet, as well as a row of fascinating decorated tombs carved into the slope of the mountains. Upon docking, you will embark on a beautiful walk through a small fishermen village to visit the necropolis.

In the afternoon, the boat will arrive at Edfu, home to the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the god Horus. This is among the best preserved of all Egyptian temples. Horse and carriage will take you to the temple through the busy city streets. After returning to the boat, you will set sail for a beautiful island.

Day 3: Sail & Swim

This is a day devoted to the river: immediately after an optional morning walk and breakfast, you will set sail. In the afternoon, you will stop at an island for a stroll or to swim in the Nile. As dusk begins, there may be an opportunity to walk into the desert along a valley lined with boulders covered in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and stone-age inscriptions. These images mark the beginning of the shortest trail through the desert to Libya (28 days in ancient times). At night, the boat will tie up the foot of floodlit temple of Gebel Silsileh.

Day 4: Gebel Silsileh

Day 4: Gebel Silsileh

Here, the Nile, flowing between two mountains ranges, is at its narrowest. You will often be the only visitors at this fascinating site, as large Nile cruisers are not allowed to stop here. After visiting the small temple of Horemheb and walking through the sandstone quarries, where ancient Egyptians cut stone for many of their most famous temples, you will sail for the remainder of the day. We then sail to a picturesque riverbank where you will stop for lunch and swimming.

Day 5: Kom Ombo

Day 5: Kom Ombo

After a night on the water and beneath the stars, the morning trip will take you to the town and temple of Kom Ombo. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period on the site of an older temple and at one of the most beautiful locations, on a bend on the river. The temple was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. After enjoying the temple, you will visit the new Crocodile Museum, which contains many mummified crocodiles, attesting to the importance the creature played in this region in ancient times.

Day 6: Aswan

Day 6: Aswan

Awake to the beautiful sight of the desert closing in on the river at Aswan Bridge. Here your cruise comes to an end. You will leave us relaxed and refreshed in the morning.

Please note: The government requires all dahabiyas to overnight in a dock beside the Aswan bridge. Unfortunately this location is less idyllic than our other stops, but it is a legal requirement.

Day 1: Esna

LUXOR / ASWAN

5 Nights
6 Days
250 KM

"But if, like me, you prefer to travel at a gentler pace, to spend more time on the river and see more sights along the way, you need to board a dahabiya, and there are none better than the boats operated by Nour el Nil."
Condé Nast Traveller | 2014

"Nour El Nil was the most amazing trip we have taken as a family. We loved every second and cannot stop recommending it. There are few trips that can be done twice in life, this is the kind of trip you never want to leave."
Sima D. | 2015

"I just wanted to email you to thank you for such a wonderful week aboard the dahabiya. It really was such a wonderful trip. Your lovely crew was just fabulous, and took care of us so well. They were delightful."
Gillian P. | Jan. 2015