Gordon Pacha Dahabiya
Luxor to Aswan aboard a traditional Nile dahabiya
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
02Overview
A first look
Gordon Pacha is a traditional sailing dahabiya on the quiet stretch of the Nile between Esna and Aswan — a handful of cabins, meals on deck, and moorings at islands, quarries, and villages the big cruisers pass by. She carries the name of the Victorian era’s most famous governor-general — fitting for a boat built around slow, old-fashioned river travel.
The route
Luxor and ASWAN
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 Luxor and disembarkation in ASWAN.
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Bundled in
- Beautifully designed en-suite cabins with Nile views
- Air conditioning
- Modern bathrooms
- Spacious sun deck with loungers and shaded seating
- Elegant dining salon and lounge
- Onboard bar serving soft drinks and tea/coffee
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation onboard Gordon Pacha Dahabiya
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Tea, coffee, and soft drinks throughout the day
- All sightseeing tours with a licensed Egyptologist
- Entrance fees to included sites
- Transfers from Luxor or Aswan
- Sailing permits and taxes
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Gratuities for crew and guide
- Additional beverages (alcoholic drinks)
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours not mentioned in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise requires moderate mobility, due to narrow gangways, cabin steps and uneven landing stages at smaller sites. Boarding and disembarking often use a low gangplank or zodiac-style tender rather than a fixed pier, so you should be comfortable with single-step climbs and brief balance adjustments. Many shore sites including El Kab, Gebel Silsila and Hagar Salsala have uneven ancient stone, short steep staircases, and sand approaches. Wheelchair users will find access very limited; folding travel wheelchairs may be manageable for shore transfers but full wheelchair access is not available on most dahabiyas. If you use a mobility aid, please contact us in advance so we can advise on the specific vessel assigned and prepare assistance on arrival. Service animals are generally accepted but must be declared before travel.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any necessary visas
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with grip
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Lightweight daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle for refill stations
- Light rain jacket or windbreaker for cooler mornings
- Any personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves and trousers for strong sun protection
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirt/trousers for temples and mosques
- A warm layer for early mornings and evenings on deck
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical onboard only when folded, as cabins and gangways are compact; child safety around open railings and on gangways requires constant adult supervision. High chairs and baby equipment are not typically available on dahabiyas, so travelling families should bring any essential items.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This itinerary uses an intimate, sail-powered dahabiya, a traditionally rigged vessel which reduces engine fuel consumption while sailing between sites. For auxiliary movements and safety the vessel may use a small diesel tender; we request operators minimise powered transfers where possible. We source provisions locally for chef-prepared meals, buying fresh produce from Luxor and Aswan markets to support local farmers and vendors. Housekeeping uses concentrated detergents and a linen-reuse policy to reduce water and chemical use; single-use plastics are limited and water refill stations are provided for guests to top up reusable bottles. We work with locally employed crews and licensed Egyptologists, and we encourage respectful purchases from village artisans at stops such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila so income remains in local communities.
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
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-739523
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