A Nordnile journey
Nile Soul Voyage
Five days on a traditional dahabiyya from Luxor to Aswan, with yoga at sunrise and meditation at dusk.
Two departures 23–27 October 2026 26–30 March 2027
The journey
A Nile Journey
With Depth
A five-day yoga retreat and river journey, built around slow travel, quiet practice, and the temples of the Nile valley reached before the crowds.
- Five days aboard a traditional two-masted dahabiyya.
- Yoga at sunrise and meditation at dusk, led by an Egyptian teacher.
- Temple visits guided by a licensed Egyptologist.
- Moorings the large cruise ships cannot use.
- All meals aboard, every cabin en-suite.
- Practice as much or as little as you like.
Why a dahabiyya
Most travellers see the Nile from a deck of three hundred. You will see it from a deck of twenty on a traditional two-masted sailing boat that moors where the large ships cannot.
Quiet mornings on the water, temples reached before the crowds, and evenings anchored under open sky. It is the difference between passing through Egypt and spending time with it.
Twenty places each departure
Two Ways To Sail
The journey is the same on both departures. October ends under a full moon over the river. March sails through the Easter weekend, in the days after the spring equinox. Same boat, same route, same price.
The way we travel
How We Sail
We run this journey at the river's pace, on a boat small enough to moor where the cruise ships cannot, with a daily practice available to anyone who wants it.
Slow Travel
A traditional dahabiyya keeps the journey intimate and unhurried. Twenty guests at most, and moorings the large ships cannot use.
Practice On The Water
Yoga on deck as the sun comes up, meditation as it goes down. Led by an experienced Egyptian teacher who sails with the boat.
Cultural Depth
Temples visited with a licensed Egyptologist, in the cool early hours, with the time to understand what you are looking at.
Take It As You Like
Every practice is included and none is required. All levels are welcome, and the deck chair is always an option.
The fourth night
The Closing Evening
On the fourth night the boat drops anchor and stays. Dinner is served on deck, followed by a long, slow closing practice under open sky. It is the quiet centre the whole journey moves toward, a moment to gather the week before the last sail to Aswan.
In October that night falls under a full moon over the river. In March it falls in the days after the spring equinox, a turning point Egypt has marked since the Old Kingdom, when the date was fixed by the alignment of the sun against the pyramids at Giza.
Life on board
Your Home On the Nile
A traditional two-masted sailing boat with modern comforts. Every cabin is en-suite and air-conditioned, with quiet decks where the river landscape becomes part of the day.
Tap any photo to zoom
Journey schedule
Detailed Itinerary
Five days from Luxor to Aswan. The route is the same on both departures.
Day 1 Embarkation and overnight in Luxor
Welcome and embarkation in Luxor. Settle into your cabin, meet the crew and your fellow travellers, and join an opening practice on deck as the sun goes down.
The boat stays moored in Luxor overnight as we ease into the rhythm of the river.
Day 2 Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Medinet Habu
Yoga on deck at sunrise, then a full day on the West Bank of Luxor. The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced temple of Hatshepsut, and the quieter, layered Medinet Habu.
Back to the boat for lunch on the water. Meditation and dinner aboard in the evening.
Day 3 Edfu Temple, Gebel el-Silsileh and Bassaw Island
A sailing day. We visit the remarkably preserved Edfu Temple, then continue to Gebel el-Silsileh, the sandstone quarries on the riverbank that the cruise routes pass by.
The boat moors at Bassaw Island for the night.
Day 4 Kom Ombo and the closing evening
Morning practice, then the dual temple of Kom Ombo, shared between Sobek and Haroeris.
In the evening the boat anchors and stays. Dinner on deck, then a long closing practice under open sky. In October this night falls under a full moon.
Day 5 Philae Temple, a Nubian village and farewell in Aswan
A closing sunrise practice, then arrival in Aswan. The island temple of Philae and a Nubian village before a farewell lunch.
Disembarkation in the afternoon. Onward arrangements available.
Retreat essentials
What's Included
Included
- Domestic flights.
- All accommodation aboard the dahabiyya.
- Daily yoga and meditation with an Egyptian teacher.
- Temple visits with a licensed Egyptologist.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Yoga equipment throughout.
- Transfers connected to the programme.
- Support from the Nordnile team, before and during.
Arranged separately
- Visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel insurance.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Personal expenses and gratuities.
- Optional add-ons or extra nights.
- Any expenses not listed in the itinerary.
Before or after your journey
A Few Days in Cairo
Many travellers begin or end in Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, an old city best walked slowly. It is an easy hour's flight from Luxor. If a few days there would round out your journey, we arrange them with the same care as everything else. Mention it when you reserve.
Twenty places each
Choose Your Departure
Same boat, same route, same price. The difference is the season and what the last night brings.
23–27 October 2026
Friday to Tuesday · 4 nightsWarm days and cool evenings on the water. On the fourth night a full moon rises over the river, with the boat at anchor beneath it.
Booking open
26–30 March 2027
Friday to Tuesday · 4 nightsThe Easter weekend, and the valley at its greenest. We sail in the days after the spring equinox, the turning point Egypt has marked since the Old Kingdom.
Booking open
Prices are per person, charged in USD. A deposit secures your place, with the balance due before departure. Full payment terms are confirmed at booking.
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do the yoga?
No. Every practice is included in the price and none is required. Some guests join both sessions every day, others join one, others sit on deck with a book and watch the river. The journey works either way.
What level of yoga is required?
All levels are welcome. Sessions are built to feel open and supportive, with options and pauses offered throughout. If you have any concerns or injuries, tell us at booking and we will pass them to the teacher ahead of the journey.
Which departure should I choose?
The journey is identical. October brings warm days, cool evenings, and a full moon on the fourth night. March brings the Easter weekend, milder temperatures, and the valley at its greenest. If you travel from the UK or Ireland, March costs you one day of annual leave rather than several.
What is the cancellation policy?
A deposit secures your place at booking. Cancellation windows and refund terms are confirmed in your booking documents and we walk you through them before any payment is taken. We strongly recommend independent travel insurance.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most visitors require a visa, obtainable on arrival at Luxor or Cairo airports or in advance through Egypt's e-visa portal. Requirements vary by nationality, so please check your country's official guidance before travel.
Can I travel solo? Will I have a roommate?
Many of our guests travel solo. Shared cabins are double occupancy and we pair you with a roommate of the same gender. If you would rather have your own space, the private cabin option is available on both departures.
What should I pack?
Light, breathable clothing for warm days, layers for cooler mornings on the water, modest covering for temple visits, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and a swimsuit. A full packing list is sent ahead of departure.
What meals are included? Are dietary needs accommodated?
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages aboard are included. Vegetarian, vegan and most common dietary requirements are easily accommodated. Let us know at booking.
How do I get to Luxor? Are transfers included?
Luxor has its own international airport with direct flights from several European cities, and frequent domestic flights from Cairo. Transfers between Luxor airport and the boat are included on arrival and departure days.
Practical
Your Nordnile Contact
Jessica Linback
Guest experience · United States
Based in West Virginia. She handles your booking, answers questions before you travel, and is aboard for the journey.
Jessica Linback
Guest experience, United States
Jessica is a yoga practitioner with a 500 hour teacher training, and holds an MA in International Cultural Heritage Management from Durham. That combination gives her an unusual view of how travel can support inner work while respecting the places and people who host it.
Based in West Virginia, she connects North American guests with Nordnile's partners in Egypt, and travels with the group.
On this journey she will:
- Handle registrations and answer questions before you travel.
- Coordinate the daily rhythm of practice with the teacher.
- Be on hand throughout, and follow up afterwards.
Twenty places each departure
Reserve Your Place
If you would like help choosing between the two departures, picking a cabin, or shaping a longer journey around it, we are glad to talk it through first.