Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise

The short answer

Adelaide Dahabiya is a six-day Nile cruise covering sites between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury
• Cultural
• Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Cabin aboard Adelaide Dahabiya

Destinations

Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cabin as booked · Full-board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Captain and onboard crew, including chef · Guided shore excursions and landings in the vessel's programme where included · Use of lateen sails and onboard facilities · Standard site entrance fees

Best for

Slow-paced Nile travellers · Couples · Small groups · Travellers interested in lesser-visited Nile sites

What lingers

• 01Seven-day Adelaide Dahabiya cruise between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
• 02Guided visits led by our Egyptologists to the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple; standard site fees included.
• 03Traditional dahabiya sailing, mooring each night at village quayside, offering quieter pace than motorised Nile cruises.
• 04All meals on board prepared locally; cabins are en suite with shaded deck spaces for afternoon reading.
• 05We limit day schedules to cooler hours: temple visits arranged mornings and late afternoons to avoid midday heat.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise itineraries use larger motor cruisers and focus on established stops. Adelaide Dahabiya is a smaller, sail-powered alternative, with fewer than twelve cabins and access to narrower or shallower river sites such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab.

The route

Where this ship sails

The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.

• Esna to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide

Bundled in

• 🍽Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Ask whether the sailing direction changes the order of named sites before choosing an embarkation date.

2. 02

   Pack footwear with a firm sole for landings and uneven ground at archaeological sites.

3. 03

   Keep small notes for personal purchases and gratuities, which are not included.

4. 04

   Check the excursion schedule for the Valley of the Kings before deciding whether to add a premium tomb.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The cruise sails weekly in both directions, so you can choose to embark at Luxor or Aswan. Ask us about optional site surcharges, premium tomb visits and transfers to or from the embarkation port. A longer Nile itinerary can be arranged as a separate enquiry.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The Adelaide Dahabiya requires moderate mobility. Boarding and disembarkation use a low gangway with three to six steps and may be uneven; some landings are onto riverbank terrain with soft sand or uneven stone. Cabins are reached by interior staircases, there is no lift between decks, and narrow corridors restrict wheelchair manoeuvrability. Onboard toilet doorways and cabin bathrooms are typically narrower than modern hotel standards. Tender landings and shore excursions often involve steps, cobbles or compacted sand and short walks of up to 200 metres. If you use a wheelchair, electric scooter or need a ramp, tell us at booking so we can advise whether the specific sailing can reasonably accommodate you. We can arrange an able-bodied companion or recommend alternative sailings or shore-based options where full accessibility is not feasible.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Adelaide Dahabiya sails using traditional lateen sails with an auxiliary diesel engine for manoeuvring and river-traffic passages. The vessel employs locally recruited Egyptian seafarers and the chef sources much produce from markets in Luxor and Aswan, supporting nearby suppliers. Shore excursions use small local boats or short onshore landings, and guides are typically local Egyptologists and community guides hired per landing. The vessel provides guest water refill stations to reduce single-use plastic bottles and handles laundry onboard to limit fuel use for offsite transfers. We prioritise suppliers who employ local staff and pay standard local wages, and we can supply the current supplier list on request.

• Licensed Egyptologist guides

  State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs

• Local teams, real help

  Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

Before you go

What to pack & wear

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday

15–30 days

50% back, or 75% kept as credit

7–14 days

25% back, or 50% kept as credit

2–6 days

Nothing back; 25% kept as credit

Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up

No refund and no credit

Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Valley of the KingsRight here
• Gebel SilsilaRight here
• Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Enjoy chef-prepared meals aboard a vessel with fewer than twelve cabins

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How many days does the Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise last?

   The Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise lasts six days, with the exact embarkation and disembarkation dates confirmed when you book. The programme sails between Luxor and Aswan, or in the reverse direction, with time for shore visits as well as sailing. The vessel’s weekly departures run in both directions.
2. 02How can I reach the Adelaide Dahabiya, and are transfers included?

   Transfers to and from the embarkation ports are not included unless your booking says otherwise. We can advise on the arrangements once your sailing dates and arrival details are confirmed. The route begins or ends in Luxor or Aswan, so allow time to reach the correct port and check your final embarkation instructions before travelling.
3. 03What is included in the Adelaide Dahabiya cruise?

   Your booking includes the cabin selected, full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and the shore visits listed in the programme. A captain, onboard crew and chef are also provided by the vessel’s operator. Standard site entrance fees are included unless the booking states otherwise; premium tombs and optional surcharges are extra.
4. 04What is excluded from the Adelaide Dahabiya cruise?

   Drinks beyond still water served with meals, gratuities, flights, airport taxes and personal expenses are not included. Transfers to or from the embarkation ports are excluded unless stated in your booking. Premium tomb entries, including Tutankhamun’s tomb or Seti I’s tomb, and optional site surcharges also cost extra. Check the cancellation terms shown on the page before booking.
5. 05Is the Adelaide Dahabiya suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   Access may be difficult for travellers with limited mobility because boarding can involve steps or a gangplank, while shore visits may cross uneven ancient ground. The vessel’s intimate layout does not remove these physical demands. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the planned access arrangements and discuss which visits may be manageable.
6. 06Can children travel on the Adelaide Dahabiya?

   Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% and those aged 12 or over pay the adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child in each cabin. Two or more children need their own cabin.
7. 07What should I pack for the Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise?

   Pack light clothing for warm weather, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for uneven ground at shore sites. Bring modest clothing for visits to temples and mosques, covering shoulders and knees. A light layer can help on cooler evenings. Still water is served with meals, but other drinks are not included.
8. 08Can I take photographs during the Adelaide Dahabiya shore visits?

   Photography is allowed at many sites, but rules can differ between locations and some areas may restrict cameras or charge an additional fee. This can apply inside tombs as well as at temples. Ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs at each stop, and follow any signs or instructions from site staff.
9. 09When is the best time to take the Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise?

   The cooler months, broadly October to April, are generally more comfortable for shore visits in Upper Egypt. From May to September, daytime heat can make walking around exposed sites more demanding, particularly near Luxor. Whichever season you choose, plan for strong sun and carry water when ashore.
10. 10Which sites can the Adelaide Dahabiya reach that larger Nile cruisers may miss?

    Its lateen sail and shallow-draught design allow the Adelaide Dahabiya to visit smaller Nile stops such as Gebel Silsila, El Kab and Hagar Salsala quarry. The shore programme also includes major sites such as Karnak Temple, Edfu and Philae. The precise order of visits depends on the sailing direction and the vessel’s programme.