A Nordnile retreat
Nile Soul Voyage
A five-day yoga journey aboard a traditional dahabiyya on the Nile.
Retreat highlights
A Nile Journey
With Depth
A curated five-day retreat shaped around yoga, culture, comfort, and a memorable closing evening.
- 5 days aboard an intimate traditional dahabiyya on the Nile.
- Daily sunrise and sunset yoga with Marlon Powell.
- Guided cultural excursions woven into the retreat rhythm.
- Personal support from Jessica Linback and the Nordnile team.
- A nourishing vegan dinner by Marlon, with local ingredients.
- A full moon closing ceremony with Maria Shibley.
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 without crowds, and evenings anchored under open sky. It is the difference between passing through Egypt and spending time with it.
Twenty places only
Reserve Your Place
Reserve your place aboard the Nile Soul Voyage. If you'd like help choosing a cabin or shaping a custom journey, the Nordnile team is glad to talk it through.
Your guides on the Nile
Meet Your Hosts
A small team holding the yoga, hospitality, sightseeing, and cultural logistics together — so your journey feels smooth, meaningful, and well cared for.
Marlon Powell
Yoga instructor & guest chef
Marlon leads the daily yoga practice aboard the Nile Soul Voyage, combining a calm, accessible style with deep attention to alignment. His sessions are designed to feel open and supportive for every body and every experience level.
Trained in Vinyasa and Yin, with additional study in breathwork and mindful movement, Marlon has taught retreats across Europe and North Africa for the past eight years. On this retreat he also takes one evening as guest chef, preparing a vegan dinner with fresh local ingredients on the night of the full moon.
You'll find him on deck before sunrise most mornings, setting up mats and watching the light change over the river.
Maria Shibley
Closing ceremony & sound guide
Maria holds the closing ceremony of the retreat — a gentle stretch and a chakra-aligning sound bath beneath the full moon on the fourth night.
A practitioner of sound healing and energy work for over a decade, Maria draws from Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, and gong work. Her ceremonies are designed as quiet centres — moments for the week's experiences to settle and integrate.
She lives between Cairo and the Mediterranean coast, and joins the Nordnile team for select retreats throughout the year.
Jessica Linback
Retreat & guest experience director
Jessica is the person on the ground holding every detail of your retreat together — from the moment you land in Luxor until the farewell in Aswan.
With a background in hospitality and cultural travel spanning more than fifteen years, she has built Nordnile's on-the-ground experience around small touches: the right cushion at the right moment, the temple visited in the right light, the quiet word with a guest who needs it.
Originally from Stockholm, Jessica has lived in Cairo since 2018 and speaks Swedish, English, and conversational Arabic.
Khaled ElSamman
Managing director
Khaled founded Nordnile to offer travellers a slower, more ethical way to experience Egypt — one that respects local communities, the environment, and the pace of the river itself.
Born in Cairo and trained in Egyptology and sustainable tourism, Khaled has spent twenty years guiding visitors through the country's archaeological and cultural landscape. He works personally with every dahabiyya crew, temple guide, and Nubian host who joins our retreats.
He believes the best journeys are the quietest ones, and that Egypt is best understood by spending time, not collecting sights.
A Nordnile retreat
The Retreat Concept
Nile Soul Voyage blends yoga, river travel, and cultural immersion in a calm, intimate setting, far from large cruise ships and mass tourism.
Slow Travel
A traditional dahabiyya keeps the journey intimate, unhurried, and far removed from large-scale cruising.
Yoga With Atmosphere
Practice on deck or by the river, where the Nile and surrounding landscapes become part of the experience.
Cultural Depth
Temple visits and guided context are woven into the journey with intention, never as a checklist.
All Levels Welcome
Designed to feel open, supportive, and accessible, with options and pauses offered throughout practice.
October 26 · A full moon on the Nile
The Closing Evening
On the fourth night, the boat anchors as the full moon rises over the river. The evening opens with a vegan dinner prepared by Marlon from fresh local ingredients, and closes with Maria's ceremony, a gentle stretch and a chakra-aligning sound bath beneath the moon. It is the quiet centre the whole journey moves toward: a moment to gather everything the week has offered before the sail to Aswan.
With Marlon Powell & Maria Shibley
Retreat rates
Three Ways
To Reserve
All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. A deposit secures your place.
Best value
Shared cabin · per person
Private cabin $4,195
Until July 31, or after 6 bookings
Standard
Shared cabin · per person
Private cabin $4,595
August 1 – October 6
Final places
Shared cabin · per person
Private cabin $4,895
October 7 – October 20
Charged in USD. EUR amounts are approximate, shown for reference only. Full payment terms are confirmed at booking.
Choosing between options? Talk to the Nordnile team
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 view full size
Retreat essentials
What's Included
Included in your retreat
- All accommodation aboard the dahabiyya.
- Daily yoga practices with Marlon Powell.
- Guidance from Jessica Linback and the Nordnile team.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Scheduled sightseeing and temple visits.
- Yoga equipment provided throughout.
- Transfers connected to the retreat programme.
Arranged separately
- Flights.
- 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.
Journey schedule
Detailed Itinerary
A five-day Nile journey with temple visits, river time, sunrise and sunset yoga, and a full moon closing evening on October 26.
Day 1 · Oct 23 Embarkation & overnight in Luxor
Welcome and embarkation in Luxor. Settle into your cabin aboard the dahabiyya, meet the team and your fellow travellers, and join an opening sunset yoga practice on deck.
The boat remains moored overnight in Luxor as we ease into the rhythm of the river.
Day 2 · Oct 24 Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Medinet Habu
Sunrise yoga on deck, then a full day exploring the West Bank of Luxor — the royal tombs at the Valley of the Kings, the terraced temple of Hatshepsut, and the quiet, layered Medinet Habu.
Return to the boat for lunch on the water; evening practice and dinner aboard.
Day 3 · Oct 25 Edfu Temple, Gebel el-Silsileh & Bassaw Island
Sailing day. We visit the well-preserved Edfu Temple, then continue to Gebel el-Silsileh — sandstone quarries on the riverbank, far from the cruise routes.
The boat moors at Bassaw Island for the night.
Day 4 · Oct 26 Kom Ombo & full moon closing evening
Morning practice and a visit to the dual temple of Kom Ombo, shared between Sobek and Haroeris.
In the evening, the full moon rises over the river. Marlon prepares a vegan dinner with local ingredients; Maria leads the closing ceremony — a gentle stretch and a chakra-aligning sound bath beneath the moon.
Day 5 · Oct 27 Philae Temple, Nubian village & farewell in Aswan
A closing sunrise practice, then we arrive in Aswan. Visits to the island temple of Philae and a Nubian village before a farewell lunch.
Disembarkation in the afternoon. Optional onward arrangements available.
Before you book
Frequently
Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before booking your Nile retreat.
What fitness or yoga level is required?
All levels are welcome. Practices are designed to feel open and supportive, with options and pauses offered throughout. If you have any concerns or injuries, share them with us at booking and we will coordinate with Marlon ahead of the retreat.
What is the cancellation policy?
A deposit secures your place at booking. Cancellation windows and refund terms are confirmed in your booking documents — we will 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, which can be obtained on arrival at Luxor or Cairo airports, or in advance through Egypt's e-visa portal. Requirements vary by nationality — 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 will pair you with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer your own space, the private cabin option is available at every rate tier.
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.
Is travel insurance required?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical care, and personal belongings. It is your responsibility to arrange this before travel.
What meals are included? Are dietary needs accommodated?
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages aboard the dahabiyya are included. Vegetarian, vegan, and most common dietary requirements are easily accommodated — let us know at booking. One evening features a vegan dinner prepared by Marlon with fresh local ingredients.
How do I get to Luxor? Do you offer airport transfers?
Luxor has its own international airport with direct flights from several European cities. From Cairo, there are frequent domestic flights. Transfers between Luxor airport and the dahabiyya are included on arrival and departure days.
Twenty places only
Reserve Your Place
Reserve your place aboard the Nile Soul Voyage. If you'd like help choosing a cabin or shaping a custom journey, the Nordnile team is glad to talk it through.