Egypt Discovery
Nile CruiseEsna → Aswan

Jasmine Dahabiya

Seven-day Luxor to Aswan dahabiya cruise

At a glance

Length
5 days · 4 nights
Embarks
Wed, Sat
Board
Full Board

Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.

The short answer

Jasmine Dahabiya is an eight-day sailing cruise on the Nile in Egypt, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Jasmine Dahabiya is an eight-day cruise on the Nile aboard a sail-powered dahabiya.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
Dahabiya cabin
Destinations
Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Nights aboard Jasmine Dahabiya · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Sailing on the Nile · Route through Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan
Best for
Slow-paced travellers · Couples · Culture-focused travellers · Travellers seeking a smaller boat
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

What lingers

  • 01Travel on the Nile by dahabiya, a smaller sailing boat.
  • 02A more intimate alternative to larger Nile cruise ships.
  • 03Dahabiyas can reach river stops that larger vessels may not access.
  • 04The specific vessel and sailing programme are confirmed at booking.

02Overview

A first look

Jasmine 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. Sailings depart Luxor on Saturdays southbound and return from Aswan on Wednesdays.

Background

The facts

Jasmine Dahabiya is an eight-day Nile cruise aboard a dahabiya, a traditional sailing-boat style used for river travel in Egypt. The vessel is owned and operated by its cruise supplier; Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the booking through a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

Dahabiyas use sails, including the lateen sail, and are generally smaller than large Nile cruise ships. Dahabiyas typically have up to 8–12 cabins.

The cruise lasts eight days. We'll confirm accessibility details.

Named in this entry

Jasmine Dahabiya·Nile River·Egypt·Nile Valley·Upper Egypt·Lower Egypt·Nile Delta·lateen sail

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Jasmine Dahabiya suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who prefer a quiet, slower Nile holiday over a large-ship atmosphere. It will appeal to travellers interested in sailing, quieter river stops and a more personal onboard setting.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a larger Nile cruiser if you want extensive onboard entertainment, or a faster itinerary with little time spent sailing. It may not suit travellers who find steps, uneven landing points or limited access to shore sites difficult.

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Lateen-sail travel offers a quieter alternative to engine-led cruising.
  • A small-vessel setting can feel more personal than large cruisers.
  • Sailing pace leaves time to watch river life pass.
  • Smaller boats can reach quieter Nile-side sites.

Things to Consider

  • Sailing depends on wind and can take longer than motor cruising.
  • Small vessels offer fewer facilities than larger Nile cruisers.
  • Shore landings may involve uneven ground and steps.
  • Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most large Nile cruise ships use engines and follow routes shaped by their size; dahabiyas are sail-powered and can offer a smaller-vessel format. We arrange Jasmine Dahabiya through its cruise supplier, rather than owning or operating the vessel.

The route

Esna and Aswan

  1. EsnaThe temple & the river lockEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

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.

On board

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

Bundled in

  • Sun Deck
  • Restaurant

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Stay aboard the Jasmine Dahabiya
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
  • Guided visits accompanied by a licensed Egyptologist
  • Admission charges for the attractions mentioned
  • Tea, coffee and soft drinks served with meals
  • Transfers to and from Luxor or Aswan
  • Sailing permits, taxes and service charges

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Egyptian entry visa
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips for the crew and Egyptologist
  • Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Personal spending

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask for the confirmed route and embarkation point before comparing Jasmine Dahabiya with other Nile cruises.

  2. 02

    Request the vessel’s confirmed cabin count and cabin layout, as the typical dahabiya range is not a Jasmine-specific fact.

  3. 03

    Ask whether shore visits are included or separately priced, since no excursion programme was supplied.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Ask us whether a private charter or changes to the sightseeing programme can be arranged for your dates. Add-on sites, meal upgrades and extensions are not confirmed for this cruise, so we would check availability and any extra costs before confirming.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

Jasmine Dahabiya can form the Nile-sailing part of a wider Egypt itinerary, paired with time in Cairo and visits to Luxor or Aswan. Confirm the sailing route and embarkation point before arranging connecting stays.

Accessibility

Who can join this

A dahabiya has narrow gangways, low companionways and steps into the cabins, which can make boarding and moving around difficult for wheelchair users. Decks may be uneven, and transfers from the quay can involve a short gangway or a step up. Some Nile landings have sand, dirt or uneven stone, while temple visits may include steps and ancient paving. We can arrange an accessible transfer to the main embarkation quay in Luxor and ask the local team about porter help with luggage. Access cannot be adapted at every site. Please tell us before booking about mobility needs, oxygen use, recent surgery or pregnancy so we can discuss practical options and suitability.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered, so it uses less engine fuel while sailing than a motor-powered Nile cruiser. The vessel has a small auxiliary engine for manoeuvring and a generator for onboard electricity. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges locally owned boats with Egyptian captains and crew, and local guides and Egyptologists support visits ashore. Provisions are bought from regional markets when available, bringing custom to suppliers in Luxor and Aswan. Waste is separated on board, with larger waste handed to port facilities in Luxor or Aswan. These arrangements do not remove the impact of boat travel. You can help limit waste by bringing a refillable bottle and declining daily linen changes.

  • 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

What to bring

  • Passport and any required visa
  • Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven temple stone
  • Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen
  • Light layers for warm days and cooler evenings
  • A compact day rucksack and a reusable water bottle
  • Motion-sickness remedies if needed
  • Prescription medicines in their original packaging

What to wear

  • Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
  • Long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt for sun protection and temple visits
  • Covered shoulders when visiting mosques or conservative villages
  • Closed-toe walking shoes with a good grip
  • Light jacket or fleece for breezy mornings and evenings

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. A lightweight, foldable stroller may be manageable on the quay and deck, but uneven landings and short steps can make shore visits difficult. High chairs are not standard; request one in advance and we will check whether one can be arranged.

Cabin pricing

Rates on request

There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin you have in mind.

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

Location

On the map

Esna and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserEsnaEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Luxor TempleRight here
  • Karnak TempleRight here
  • Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Eight days on the Nile, with time for a slower pace

  2. 02

    A sail-powered dahabiya rather than a large river cruiser

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Jasmine Dahabiya cruise?
    The Jasmine Dahabiya programme lasts eight days. Your exact embarkation and disembarkation times, and the order of shore visits, depend on the final itinerary. Check those details before booking, particularly if you are arranging separate flights or onward travel.
  2. 02What is included in the Jasmine Dahabiya cruise?
    The package covers your stay aboard Jasmine Dahabiya, guided excursions with a licensed Egyptologist, admission fees for the attractions named in the itinerary, and transfers to or from Luxor or Aswan. Full Board starts with lunch on embarkation day and ends with breakfast on disembarkation day. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are provided with meals.
  3. 03What is not included in the cruise?
    International and domestic flights, an Egyptian entry visa, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, optional tours not listed in the itinerary and personal expenses are excluded. Drinks beyond those specified with meals may cost extra. Review the itinerary and booking terms for the precise shore-visit programme and any optional arrangements.
  4. 04How do transfers and shore visits work?
    Transfers to or from Luxor or Aswan are included in the arrangement. Shore visits follow the confirmed itinerary, with guided sightseeing led by a licensed Egyptologist. The embarkation city, meeting details and visit sequence depend on your selected dates, so check the final arrangements before travelling.
  5. 05Is the Jasmine Dahabiya suitable for children and families?
    Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 or over 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. Ask us to confirm the cabin arrangement before booking.
  6. 06How physically demanding is a dahabiya sailing holiday?
    A Nile dahabiya holiday includes getting on and off the vessel and walking during shore visits. Ancient sites may have uneven stone paths, steps and limited shade. Accessibility varies by stop and cannot be confirmed without reviewing your itinerary and mobility needs with us before booking.
  7. 07What should I wear and bring on the Jasmine Dahabiya?
    Pack sun protection, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing suited to warm weather. Bring a modest outfit covering shoulders and knees for visits to temples and mosques. A light layer can be useful on deck in the evening, when conditions may feel cooler.
  8. 08Can I take photographs during the cruise and shore visits?
    You can photograph the Nile and the vessel, but rules vary at individual archaeological sites and inside specific monuments. Follow posted signs and your Egyptologist’s advice, and ask before photographing people. Some sites restrict cameras or charge separately for photography; confirm the rules at each stop.
  9. 09When is the best time to sail on the Nile?
    October to April is generally the most comfortable period for Nile sailing. Jasmine Dahabiya operates throughout the year, but summer heat can make midday shore visits demanding. Your Egyptologist can advise on practical timing for the confirmed itinerary and seasonal conditions.
  10. 10How is a dahabiya different from a larger Nile cruise?
    A dahabiya uses a lateen sail and travels at a slower pace than larger Nile cruisers. Its smaller scale can allow access to quieter river stops that larger vessels cannot reach, depending on the itinerary and conditions. The captain adjusts the sailing to the river, so timings can vary.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-740497

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