7 Nights / 8 Days ~ Luxor to Aswan

Every river holds a thousand stories. Somewhere among them is yours.

Following the extraordinary experience of our inaugural retreat, Rivers of Story returns to Egypt for a second chapter—an intimate journey of writing, discovery, and creative connection along the timeless banks of the Nile.

We begin in Luxor at Al Moudira, a secluded oasis of shaded courtyards, lush gardens, and candlelit rooms, where the ancient world feels remarkably close. From there, we board a Nour El Nil dahabiya, a beautifully appointed traditional sailing vessel, and surrender to the unhurried rhythm of the river. For five nights, the shifting landscapes of palm groves, desert cliffs, and riverside villages become both inspiration and backdrop to our creative practice.

Between visits to ancient temples, quiet mornings spent writing, and conversations that linger long after dinner, we make space for the unexpected—for new perspectives, untold stories, and the simple pleasure of creating in extraordinary surroundings.

More than a writing retreat, Rivers of Story is an invitation to step away from the familiar, immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Egypt, and discover what unfolds when you give yourself the time and freedom to write.

The Experience

• 2 nights at Al Moudira, Luxor — a refined, timeless retreat before we sail

• 5-night private sail aboard a Nour El Nil dahabiya

• Daily opportunities for writing, reflection, and guided exploration

• Ancient sites visited slowly, often without crowds

• Swimming in the Nile, desert walks, and evenings under the stars

• Thoughtfully curated meals and spaces designed for conversation and quiet

Sail Itinerary

Luxor to Aswan | 250 km

Day 1 — Esna: Where the River Welcomes You

We board our dahabiya in Esna, a lively merchant town 33 miles south of Luxor. Before setting sail, we descend—literally—into history at the Temple of Khnum, sitting nine meters below the modern street. The walk there winds through streets layered with textiles, spices, and daily life, offering our first reminder that Egypt is not frozen in time—it is alive and unfolding.

As the sails lift, the retreat truly begins.

Day 2 — El Kab & Edfu: Cities of Gods and Fishermen

In the morning, we dock at El Kab, once the capital of Upper Egypt. A walk through a fishermen’s village leads us to a dramatic necropolis carved into the mountainside—tombs and temples that feel suspended between desert and sky.

By afternoon, we arrive in Edfu, home to the remarkably preserved Temple of Horus. Horse-drawn carriages carry us through the city to the temple gates, where myth and architecture converge. That evening, we sail on to a quiet island, the river softening as the light fades.

Day 3 — Sail & Swim: The River as Muse

This day belongs entirely to the Nile.

We sail unhurriedly, write between breezes, and stop at an island for a swim or a contemplative walk. As dusk approaches, there may be an opportunity to walk into the desert along a valley marked with ancient hieroglyphs and Stone Age inscriptions—early attempts to leave something behind.

That night, we anchor beside the floodlit temple of Gebel Silsileh, the silence broken only by water and wind.

Day 4 — Gebel Silsileh: Where the Nile Narrows

Here, the river passes between two mountain ranges at its narrowest point. Large cruise ships cannot stop—so often, we are alone.

We explore the small Temple of Horemheb and the sandstone quarries that supplied stone for Egypt’s most iconic monuments. The afternoon is spent sailing, stopping along a picturesque riverbank for lunch and swimming, the desert glowing gold around us.

Day 5 — Kom Ombo: Gods, Crocodiles, and the Bend in the River

After a night beneath the stars, we wake near Kom Ombo, where a striking double temple rises above a curve in the Nile. Built during the Ptolemaic period, it honors Sobek, the crocodile-headed god.

We also visit the Crocodile Museum, home to mummified crocodiles that speak to the reverence—and fear—this creature once inspired. The river continues to carry us forward, steady and eternal.

Day 6 — Aswan: Arrival Without Hurry

We wake to the sight of the desert closing in as we approach Aswan. Here, the sailing portion of our journey comes to an end.

While government regulations require dahabiyas to dock near the Aswan Bridge—less idyllic than our previous anchorages—the spirit of the journey remains intact. You arrive relaxed, grounded, and altered in the quiet way only slow travel allows.

Before We Sail: Luxor at Al Moudira

Our time at Al Moudira offers a gentle threshold between the modern world and the river. Hidden courtyards, shaded gardens, and timeless interiors create space to settle in, write, and begin forming the community that will travel together downriver.

This Retreat Is For You If…

• You believe travel is a form of storytelling

• You crave inspiration that comes from place, not pressure

• You want access—to landscapes, histories, and moments most travelers miss

• You value elegance, intimacy, and unhurried days

• You are ready to listen—to the river, to your work, to yourself

Meet Your Writing Instructor:

Lisa Fugard

Lisa Fugard was born in South Africa and came to the United States in 1980. After a career in theater in New York, London, and South Africa, she turned to writing. Her short stories have been published in Story, Outside, and numerous literary magazines, and her travel writing, essays, and book reviews have appeared in The New York Times.

Her first novel, Skinner’s Drift, a compelling story of family secrets set in rural South Africa, was named a Notable Book of 2006 by the New York Times, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times’ Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, and runner-up for the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

She lives in Southern California, where she runs weekly workshops in Encinitas and is currently at work on her second novel.

What’s Included

• Accommodation

  • 2 nights at Al Moudira, Luxor — historic elegance, serene courtyards, and gardens

  • 5 nights aboard a private Nour El Nil dahabiya with ensuite cabins

• Meals & Dining

  • Daily Breakfast at Al Moudira

  • Welcome dinner at Al Moudira

  • Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners curated on board the ship

  • Specialty dining experiences inspired by local flavors, served with care

• Guided Writing Sessions

  • Daily writing instruction and workshops with award-winning author Lisa Fugard

  • Opportunities for personalized feedback and creative exploration

• Curated Excursions & Experiences

  • Private visits to historic sites including temples, necropolises, and local villages

  • Horse-and-carriage ride in Edfu, desert walks, and river swims

  • Evening stops at less-visited sites for quiet reflection and photography

• Onboard Comforts & Amenities

  • Elegant, quiet cabins with personal storage and lounge spaces

  • Decks for writing, meditation, or simply watching the Nile pass by

  • Air-conditioned cabins

• Local Experts & Crew

  • Professional dahabiya crew and captain ensuring smooth sailing

  • Local guides at key historical sites for richer context and storytelling

• Transfers & Logistics

  • Transfer from Luxor Airport to the Al Moudira Hotel

  • Transport from Al Moudira to the Nour El Nil boarding point

  • All permits and docking fees along the Nile

  • Transport from Nour El Nil to your Aswan mainland hotel

    Not Included

    • International flights to or from Egypt

    • Internal flights to or from Luxor & Aswan

    • Airport transfers in Aswan

    • Meals and tours not specified in the itinerary

    • Tips for hotel and ship staff

    • Alcoholic beverages

~ The Retreat ~

Day by Day

Day 1 - The Moudira Hotel

Guests arrive in Luxor at their own pace and transfer to the Al Moudira, a palace-like hideaway on the West Bank.

Spend the morning resting by the pool, wandering the hotel’s courtyards and salons. This day is designed to soften the landing, allowing jet lag to dissolve and curiosity to awaken before we gather as a group. Those who wish to explore private or group tours can be arranged to Valley of the Kings or Karnak.

Pre-Sail Orientation — The Moudira Hotel - Day 2

Late Afternoon (Approx. 4:30-5:30 PM): Orientation & Opening Circle
As the afternoon light softens, we’ll gather on Al Moudira’s Sunset Terrace, overlooking the hotel’s private working farm, with the golden limestone peaks of the Theban Mountains rising in the distance. Here, over karkadeh tea, we’ll begin getting to know one another, sharing introductions, the stories that brought us to Egypt, and the writing projects we’ve brought along.

Whether arriving with a work in progress, the beginnings of an idea, or simply a desire to explore something new, this first gathering is an opportunity to exchange thoughts, discuss our creative intentions, and begin building the connections that will carry us through the days ahead.

Evening: 7:30 PM Dinner — Moudira Farm Kitchen

Dinner is served in the candlelit Moudira Farm Kitchen, surrounded by the lush greenery of Al Moudira Hotel and overlooking the farm. The Moudira Farm Kitchen offers a unique dining experience in the heart of nature. This shared meal marks the gentle beginning of the retreat—no formal programming, just connection, warmth, and the pleasure of being exactly where you are.

Daily Writing Workshop Rhythm - On Board Nour El Nil Dahabiya

Day 1 — Embarkation Day (Esna)

Late Afternoon (60 minutes):
• Opening workshop block: light instruction + short prompts

Day 2 — El Kab & Edfu

Late Morning (Post–El Kab, Pre-Lunch | 60 minutes):

• This will be our most active touring day, we will schedule a short session after the morning excursion while sailing to Edfu

Evening (At Anchor, After Sunset | 60 minutes):
• Sharing with optional feedback-oriented listening

Day 3 — Full Sail & Swim Day

Late Morning (While Sailing | 60 minutes):
• Focused instruction + writing

• Late Afternoon / Sunset (Optional): Desert Walk & Conversation
As the light cools, we step into a nearby desert valley for a slow, contemplative walk among ancient hieroglyphs and Stone Age inscriptions. Here we talk about mark-making across time—why humans have always felt compelled to leave traces, tell stories, and speak to the future. The conversation bridges observation and writing, inviting reflection on what endures, what erodes, and what it means to add your own voice to a long continuum.

Day 4 — Gebel Silsileh

Late Morning (Post-Exploration, Pre-Swim | 60 minutes):
• Minimal instruction; emphasis on flow and solitude
• Ideal for shaded deck or quiet interior spaces

Evening (After Sunset / Before Dinner | 60 minutes):
• Sharing with optional feedback-oriented listening

Day 5 — Kom Ombo (Closing Day)

Late Morning (After Temple Visit | 60–90 minutes):
• Final instruction + integration writing block

Final Evening (Before Dinner | 60 minutes):
• Closing circle with selected readings and reflections

Guiding Principle

Morning blocks favor clarity and focus. Afternoon sailing invites deeper immersion. Evenings remain gentle—sharing is always optional. The rhythm follows the Nile: unforced, spacious, and attentive to light, heat, and movement.

CABIN SELECTION & PRICING

Cabin Type	Price (Per Person)	Notes	Availability
Writer Sharing (Shared Twin Cabin)	$6650		Multiples
Panoramic Suite (1 King Bed)	Two exclusive panoramic suites offer additional space and sweeping views of the Nile. Available for single or double occupancy. Please inquire for pricing.		2
Single Cabin (Private Cabin & Moudira Suite)	$8650		4

Payment Schedule -$2500 non-refundable deposit due within 7 days of booking. 2nd Payments due February 1st, 2027. Balances due May 1st, 2027.

Contact Us

For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact us:

thecuratedpassenger@gmail.com

+ 1 323.608.8553.

We’re happy to help with cabin selection, itinerary details, or any special requests.