river-cruise

Solar Eclipse of the Ages over Ancient Egypt

From $9,995 per person

14 days

1 countries

Ship: Laila

SST Exclusive Voyages

SST Exclusive Voyages

14 days · 13 nights·Ship: Laila·1 country
From
$9,995
per person
The boat behind the journey

What is a dahabiya?

The traditional Egyptian sailing boat behind an intimate, small ship Nile cruise: averaging 16 guests from Aswan to Luxor, not a floating hotel.

A dahabiya is the traditional Egyptian Nile sailing boat: a wooden hull, a shallow draft, and the tall lateen sail that has worked this river for centuries. The Azhar and other similar boats carry an average of 16 guests, against the 80 or more on a standard river ship.


If you searched for a luxury Nile cruise or a private Nile cruise, you have probably seen 80-100 passenger floating hotels at the top of the results. A Nile dahabiya is something different: an Egyptian boat with one Egyptologist guide who stays with your group the whole way, anchoring at quiet villages the big ships pass by.

That is the case for a dahabiya over a large ship: the same Nile, far fewer people, and visits and unique sites a floating hotel cannot give you. For the full story on the boat and how it compares to a regular Nile cruise, read our guide What is a Dahabiya?

About 16 guests, not 80+

Approximately 16 guest dahabiya, against 80 or more on a standard Nile river ship.

Private English-Speaking Egyptologist

Your own Egyptologist guide stays with for the entire trip, never shared across a larger crowd.

A small group, real access

A small group Nile cruise reaches El Kab, Gebel El Silsila, Besaw Island and other similar quiet stops the big ships cannot access.

A genuine Egyptian boat

Built in the heritage of Egyptian boats with modern amenities. A boutique Nile cruise booked and operated by Small Ship Travel, not a motor ship dressed for any river.

Journey summary · at a glance

14 days, 13 nights.

Journey summary

Itinerary highlights

Egypt

  • Witness the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027 from Qena — over six minutes of totality, among the longest of the century
  • Explore Cairo's Great Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx
  • Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to King Tutankhamun's treasures
  • Discover the Citadel of Saladin, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, and Coptic Cairo
  • Fly to Aswan and embark the elegant Dahabiya Laila for an extended eight-night cruise
  • Discover Aswan's Philae Temple, the High Dam, and a Nubian Village
  • Explore Kom Ombo's twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus
  • Visit the hidden sandstone quarries at Gebel El Silsila and Edfu's Temple of Horus
  • Tour the Temple of Hathor at Dendera on the morning of the eclipse
  • Explore Abydos and the Temple of Seti I, home to the famed Abydos King List
  • Discover Luxor's Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings
  • Optional excursion to the breathtaking grandeur of Abu Simbel

Jordan Post-Tour Extension

  • Fly to Amman and enjoy a city tour
  • Explore the Roman ruins of Jerash
  • Visit Mount Nebo, Madaba, and the rose-red city of Petra
  • Full day exploring Petra's monuments, including the Treasury and Royal Tombs
  • Float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea
Day by day

Your journey, ashore & afloat.

Fourteen days. Open any day for the full narrative and that day's highlights.

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Dates & Prices

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Showing1 departure · July 2027

Cabin categories

* Per double occupancy. Some pricing may reflect single traveler rate.

** Double asterisk - for reverse direction indication

Pre- & Post-Cruise

Extend your stay.

Add extra days in Cairo or Jordan before or after your cruise.

Post-cruise

Jordan Post-Tour Extension with Petra

5 nights

The Jordan post-tour extension enriches your journey with guided visits to the historic capital of Amman and the remarkably preserved Roman ruins of Jerash. Traveling along the scenic King's Highway, you'll experience biblical and cultural landmarks before reaching the legendary rose-red city of Petra, where carved temples and tombs emerge from sandstone cliffs. The extension concludes with time to relax and float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, blending profound history with natural wonder for a memorable finale to your Middle Eastern adventure.

From$2,995
Optional

Optional excursions.

All prices are per person.

Abu Simbel Temple Complex

Abu Simbel Temple Complex

This incredible journey is to one of Egypt's most awe-inspiring ancient sites. Rated among the most remarkable archaeological treasures in the world, the twin rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel stand as a testament to the power and vision of Pharaoh Ramses II.

Your day begins with a scenic early-morning flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel, ensuring a comfortable and time-efficient transfer. Upon arrival, your expert guide will lead you through the monumental Great Temple and the adjacent Temple of Queen Nefertari, offering illuminating commentary on their construction, symbolism, and historical significance.

Highlights of the Experience

  • Great Temple of Ramses II – Admire the colossal seated figures carved into the sandstone façade and explore the intricately decorated interior chambers celebrating the pharaoh's military victories and divine status.
  • Temple of Hathor (Nefertari) – Dedicated to Ramses II's beloved queen, featuring exquisitely preserved reliefs and vivid wall scenes.
  • Expert Guided Tour – Led by an experienced Egyptologist who brings the site's history to life.
  • Return Flight to Aswan – Relax on your return flight and continue your Nile cruise or itinerary.

This all-inclusive optional excursion is designed for travelers seeking a premium, stress-free way to visit Abu Simbel, combining ease of logistics with a profound historical experience.

From$495
Your ship

The Laila.

Sail the world in unparalleled luxury aboard the Laila, a masterpiece of design and comfort.

Laila
20Guests
2026Launched

The Dahabiya Laila is a beautifully crafted, boutique sailing vessel that brings the romance of nineteenth-century Nile travel into the modern era. Elegantly designed with a timeless aesthetic, the Laila combines classic charm with contemporary comfort, offering a more intimate and personalized way to explore Egypt's iconic river.

With a maximum of only 10 cabins (6 staterooms and 4 suites with balconies), each thoughtfully appointed with plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms and tasteful decor, the vessel ensures privacy and space for relaxation. The shaded deck invites leisurely afternoons with panoramic views of the Nile, while cozy indoor lounges provide comfortable spaces for socializing, reading, or enjoying briefings from your expert Egyptologist. Onboard dining showcases freshly prepared Egyptian cuisine, highlighting local ingredients and regional flavors in an intimate, elegant setting.

Unlike larger cruise ships, the Laila glides quietly along the Nile, allowing guests to experience the river's serene beauty, observe daily life along its banks, and moor at quieter, less-visited sites. Every detail — from attentive service by the dedicated crew to the soft lapping of the river under the stars — contributes to a truly unforgettable and immersive Nile adventure. As with all dahabiyas on the Nile, the Laila is accompanied by her own dedicated tug, which provides navigation and power: it handles the locks, the tight passages and the windless stretches, and when the wind serves, the sails go up.

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Accommodation · ashore

Where you stay.

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

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*$250 credit applies to a non-cruise portion of your booking and is only available to new clients who have not previously booked with Small Ship Travel.

From$9,995
per person
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