Dahabiya Nile Cruise | Discovery Tours Egypt
A 5-star sail-powered dahabiya with an intimate three-deck layout, full-board dining, panoramic river views, and space for up to 20 guests.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
The short answer
This intimate sail-powered dahabiya is a small-capacity Nile cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise supplier.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Dahabiya cruise accommodation in the booked cabin category
- Destinations
- Nile River · Egypt · Quiet Nile river locations and smaller archaeological sites, subject to the confirmed route
- Includes
- Accommodation in the booked cabin category · Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Service from the vessel’s 11-person crew
- Best for
- Small-ship sailing enthusiasts · Travellers seeking a slower Nile experience · Photography and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples and families comfortable with stairs and deck access
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Cruise arrangements can be coordinated with Egyptologist-guided sightseeing, transfers and wider Egypt programmes.
- The confirmed booking specifies the cabin category, inclusions, optional services and applicable cancellation terms.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
02Overview
A first look
By mid-morning, the Nile slips past at an unhurried pace, its palms, cultivated banks and low desert ridges changing almost imperceptibly beyond the rail. Under sail, Nour El Din Dahabiya brings a quieter rhythm than a large Nile cruiser, with time to watch village life, listen to the water and reach smaller archaeological sites such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila.
Aboard, the atmosphere is intimate rather than theatrical. You can sit on deck between shore visits, speak with the captain and let our Egyptologists explain the landscape without turning every moment into a lecture. We arrange your cabin, sailing programme and connections as part of your wider Egypt holiday. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we also make clear that the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise supplier.
Background
The facts
This dahabiya is a 45-metre sailing vessel on the Nile River in Egypt, designed for up to 20 guests and supported by an 11-person crew. Its 8-metre beam and three-deck arrangement include two cabin decks, creating a smaller-scale setting than large Nile cruise ships.
As a dahabiya, the vessel uses lateen sail power for much of its journey and follows a slower sailing rhythm. Its smaller size may allow access to quieter stretches of the Nile and archaeological locations that larger vessels cannot reach, subject to navigation conditions and the confirmed shore-excursion programme.
Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Water served with meals is included; other drinks are generally extra. Gratuities, optional excursions and services not listed in the confirmed booking are excluded.
Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise as part of an Egypt travel programme. The vessel is owned and operated by its cruise supplier, while Discovery Tours Egypt coordinates the booking and associated travel arrangements.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Egypt·dahabiya·lateen sail·El Kab·Gebel Silsila·Hagar Salsala quarry·Nile Valley·Upper Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suited to adults and older children who prefer intimate river travel, sailing, quieter landscapes and a slower pace over the entertainment and larger capacity of conventional Nile cruisers. It is particularly appropriate for travellers interested in small-ship experiences, photography and less-visited river locations.
What lingers
- 0145-metre dahabiya with capacity for up to 20 guests
- 0211-person crew supporting a small-ship sailing experience
- 03Three-deck layout with two cabin decks
- 04Sail-powered Nile travel at a slower pace than larger cruisers
- 05Access to quieter river locations that larger vessels may not reach
- 06Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike large Nile cruisers, this dahabiya accommodates up to 20 guests and uses sail power for much of its journey, creating a quieter and slower-paced experience. Its smaller dimensions may allow visits to less-accessible river locations, although the exact route and shore excursions depend on the confirmed sailing programme and navigation conditions.
The route
Esna and Aswan
Choose your direction
- Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
4 nights / 5 days · Esna to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,978 | £2,170 |
| Double cabin | £1,113 | £1,305 |
| Triple cabin | £1,113 | £1,305 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Esna
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,553 | £1,697 |
| Double cabin | £905 | £1,049 |
| Triple cabin | £905 | £1,049 |
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Aboard
Meet the Dahabiya Nile Cruise | Discovery Tours Egypt
A 45-metre, 8-metre dahabiya carrying up to 20 guests, crewed by 11.
- Length
- 45m
- Width
- 8m
- Guests
- Up to 20
- Crew
- 11
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Nile cruise accommodation in the cabin category selected at booking
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day until breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Service from the vessel’s 11-person crew during the cruise
Not included
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions or services not included in the confirmed booking
Tailor it
Make it yours
The cruise can be arranged as part of a wider private Egypt programme with airport transfers, guiding and pre- or post-cruise accommodation where requested. Travellers may request a specific cabin category, a single supplement, additional shore excursions or optional services, subject to availability and the confirmed booking.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A dahabiya is less accessible than a modern river cruiser. Boarding may involve a gangway, uneven riverbank surfaces, steps and changes in water level. The three-deck layout requires stairs between cabin decks and public areas. Shore visits can include sand, unpaved paths, ancient stone, narrow passages and stairs at archaeological sites. Wheelchair users and guests with significant mobility limitations should contact us before booking so we can confirm current boarding arrangements, cabin access and shore conditions. We cannot guarantee wheelchair access at every landing or archaeological site. Strollers may also be difficult to manage on gangways, decks and uneven paths.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF50+
- Reusable water bottle
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- Small day bag for shore visits
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Breathable layers for cooler mornings and evenings
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes
- Modest clothing for temples and villages
- Covered shoulders and knees at religious sites
- Swimsuit with a cover-up for shared deck areas
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children 12 and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. No minimum age, stroller policy or high-chair provision has been confirmed. Strollers may be impractical on gangways, decks, stairs and uneven shore paths, so please ask us before booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This 45-metre dahabiya uses lateen sails for much of its travel on the Nile. The cruise supplier remains responsible for propulsion, onboard operations and crew management. With capacity for up to 20 guests and an 11-person crew, it has a smaller operating model than large Nile cruisers, although fuel, water, waste and shore-service impacts still apply. We arrange the cruise with local suppliers and crew, keeping accommodation, meals, navigation and onboard service within Egypt's tourism economy. Guests can reduce avoidable waste by carrying a refillable bottle where practical and following crew instructions for rubbish and water use. No emissions certification or named community programme has been supplied for this product.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·In summary
This dahabiya Nile cruise includes accommodation in the booked cabin category, full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and service from the vessel’s 11-person crew. Drinks beyond water served with meals, gratuities and optional excursions are not included.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is a dahabiya cruise?
A dahabiya is a traditional, sail-powered Nile boat, offering a more intimate and slower-paced experience than larger cruise ships. The Nour El Din Dahabiya is 45 metres long, accommodating up to 20 guests with an 11-person crew. It stops at smaller, less-visited archaeological sites along the Nile.02What is the duration of the Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise?
The Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise is typically four days in duration. This allows for a relaxed pace between Luxor and Aswan, with ample time to enjoy the river and shore excursions at a leisurely pace.03What meals are included on the Nour El Din Dahabiya?
Full board is included, covering lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water served with meals are generally not included and are available for an additional charge.04What is the typical itinerary for this dahabiya cruise?
The Nour El Din Dahabiya sails between Luxor and Aswan, visiting key sites like Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, along with unique stops such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila. The specific route and daily activities are detailed in your confirmed itinerary.05What is the cabin capacity and crew size on the Nour El Din Dahabiya?
The Nour El Din Dahabiya accommodates up to 20 guests in its cabins and is served by an 11-person crew. This ratio ensures personalised service and an intimate atmosphere throughout your journey on the Nile.06Is the Nour El Din Dahabiya suitable for children?
Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear on a dahabiya cruise?
Comfortable, lightweight clothing is recommended for daytime excursions and relaxing on board. For visits to religious sites, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is appropriate. A hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes are also advisable.08What is the best time of year to take a Nile dahabiya cruise?
The best time for a Nile dahabiya cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.09Are gratuities included or expected on the Nour El Din Dahabiya?
Gratuities for the crew and guides are not included in the cruise price. It is customary to tip for good service, and guidelines for recommended amounts are usually provided closer to your departure date.10How does a dahabiya differ from larger Nile cruise ships?
The Nour El Din Dahabiya is sail-powered and significantly smaller, offering a more exclusive and tranquil experience. Unlike larger ships, it can access quieter stretches of the Nile and smaller archaeological sites, providing a distinct perspective on ancient Egypt.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRU-NIL-298629
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