Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Karnak Dahabiya
Luxor to Aswan on a slow dahabiya
The short answer
Karnak is a dahabiya. Board in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Fares are quoted on request for your dates.
02Overview
A first look
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this ship works.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
On arrival at Luxor airport or railway station, your Egyptologist guide takes you sightseeing in Luxor for the day: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. You're then driven to Esna to board your dahabiya, welcomed by the crew for your first night moored there.
- 2
Breakfast at your leisure as the dahabiya sails towards Edfu, arriving around midday. Visit the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn caleche — among Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance guarded by two granite falcon statues — then wander the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
After lunch on board, sail on towards the temple at Gebel el-Silsila, with dinner served in the temple grounds, on a nearby island, or on the sun deck.
- 3
Breakfast at leisure, then sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman double temple, shared equally between the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Carry on sailing towards Aswan, taking in river life along the banks — water buffalo, donkeys and birdlife — mooring overnight close to the city.
- 4
After breakfast on board, spend the day exploring Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam — with time to browse the Aswan souk. Return to the boat for your last evening and overnight in Aswan.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport or railway station for your onward departure.
- 1
On arrival at Aswan airport or railway station, your Egyptologist guide takes you sightseeing in Aswan for the day — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam, with time to browse the Aswan bazaar. In the afternoon you board your dahabiya and take lunch on deck as the boat sets sail for Kom Ombo, mooring there overnight.
- 2
Breakfast at your leisure, then visit the Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo — a perfectly symmetrical double temple with matching halls and sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek.
Sail on to the quieter temple at Gebel el-Silsila, mooring alongside the rock-cut Speos of Horemheb; dinner is served in the temple grounds or on the sun deck, weather and mood permitting.
- 3
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-drawn caleche — among Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance guarded by two granite falcon statues — then browse the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
The dahabiya moors at a quiet island for a themed Egyptian evening: dinner by the riverbank or on the sun deck, Arabic music, and the option to dress in a gallabeya, before sailing gently on towards Esna overnight.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and travel to Luxor for a sightseeing day — the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple — before your transfer to Luxor airport or railway station for departure.
What lingers
- 01Travel on the Nile aboard a five-star dahabiya.
- 02A smaller sailing-boat format, distinct from large Nile cruise ships.
- 03Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- 04The specific vessel and sailing programme are assigned at booking.
Bundled in
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- A stay aboard the Karnak Dahabiya
- All meals served on board
- Excursions accompanied by a licensed Egyptologist
- Admission to the sites listed
- Private transport in Luxor and Aswan
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- International and domestic air travel
- Tips for the crew and Egyptologist
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Personal spending
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask for the embarkation point and sailing direction before arranging transport to the boat.
- 02
Request the confirmed shore-visit list; the name Karnak Dahabiya does not confirm a Karnak Temple visit.
- 03
Confirm departure time directly against your travel plans; no sailing timetable is supplied.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
After you disembark
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
Add-on sites, meal changes and a longer itinerary also require confirmation before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- It is most relevant to couples, solo travellers and small family groups who enjoy slower travel and can manage access on and off a boat.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a longer itinerary if you want time for several shore visits or a multi-night dahabiya experience. It may not suit travellers who need step-free access
- ask us about boarding before booking.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A dahabiya offers a sailing-focused alternative to larger river cruisers.
- The Nile setting keeps the journey on a river, not open water.
Things to Consider
- Boarding may involve steps; access details are not supplied.
- The route and shore visits have not been specified.
Where it fits
Use the Karnak Dahabiya as a Nile cruise element within a wider Egypt holiday, paired with time in Luxor or Aswan.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most large Nile cruise ships use motor power and follow routes designed for larger vessels. A dahabiya is sail-powered and typically offers a smaller-scale style of river travel, though this product’s cabin count and specific route are not supplied.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest fares. Fares are per person, two sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Queen Nefeer Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,023 pp
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,056 pp
- Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,072 pp
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Dahabiya cabin
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Nile sailing aboard Karnak Dahabiya · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Small parties · Travellers seeking a sailing-led experience
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and emergency contact details
- Walking shoes with a firm grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Light layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- Small daypack and refillable water bottle
- Insect repellent for dusk
- Personal medication and prescription copies
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun protection
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Light jumper or fleece for early-morning sailing
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be cumbersome on gangplanks and at shore landings; a lightweight folding model is more practical. Child-sized life jackets can be requested on board.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile dahabiya involves boarding by gangplank, climbing steps between the deck and cabins, and walking on soft sand and uneven ancient stone at shore sites. El Kab and Gebel Silsila have irregular ground; some tombs also have low doorways, narrow passages and steep steps. The vessel has no lift, and many shore landings require steps or a small ramp. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters may not be practical for transfers or temple approaches. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss the route and possible assistance. A folding wheelchair may be available on request, subject to availability; requests should be made at least 21 days before departure.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya uses a lateen sail as its main means of propulsion, although the amount of engine use can vary with sailing conditions and operational needs. Its smaller size, usually 8 to 12 cabins, creates less wake than a large Nile cruiser, but this does not remove the impact of river travel. We arrange the cruise with a locally crewed vessel, with Egyptian captains, chefs and crew, and provisions sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan where available. For village visits and community workshops, local guides and hosts may be involved, with agreed fees paid for their services. Waste separation and recycling depend on facilities at each port, so these cannot be guaranteed throughout the route.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Karnak Dahabiya cruise?
The cruise itinerary and sailing dates determine the actual time aboard, so check the selected departure details before booking. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.02How do transfers and embarkation work for the Karnak Dahabiya?
Private transfers in Luxor and Aswan are included. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the vessel and ground transport, while the cruise line owns and operates the boat. Embarkation and disembarkation details depend on your selected itinerary; check your booking documents for the confirmed meeting arrangements.03What is included on the Karnak Dahabiya cruise?
The booking includes accommodation, all onboard meals, guided visits with a licensed Egyptologist and entrance fees to the listed sites. Private transfers in Luxor and Aswan are provided. Full Board starts with embarkation-day lunch and ends with disembarkation-day breakfast.04What is not included in the Karnak Dahabiya booking?
International and domestic flights, crew and guide gratuities, alcoholic drinks, personal spending and optional tours not listed in the itinerary are excluded. Drinks other than the listed refreshments may incur an extra charge. Check the booking details for the exact shore visits included in your chosen itinerary.05Is the Karnak Dahabiya suitable for children?
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. Ask us to confirm cabin availability before booking.06How physically demanding are the Karnak Dahabiya shore visits?
Expect walking on uneven ground and ancient stone at archaeological sites, with limited shade in some areas. The exact demands vary by stop, and access may involve steps or difficult surfaces. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the planned visits and discuss what may be manageable.07What should I wear and bring on the Karnak Dahabiya?
Bring sun protection, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing suited to warm weather. A modest outfit covering shoulders and knees is appropriate for temples and other religious sites. A light layer can be useful on the river after sunset, particularly during the cooler months from October to April.08Can I take photographs during the Karnak Dahabiya excursions?
Photography rules depend on the site and the area being visited. Some locations restrict photography indoors or require a separate permission or ticket, and flash may be prohibited. Follow signs and your Egyptologist’s guidance; ask before photographing local people, staff or other travellers.09When is the best time to sail on the Karnak Dahabiya?
October to April is the most popular period for Nile cruising, while the vessel operates year-round. Winter offers milder daytime temperatures for archaeological visits; summer brings stronger heat and makes early starts more important. Sailing conditions and excursion arrangements can vary by date.10Which quieter sites may be visited on the Karnak Dahabiya route?
The route may include El Kab and Gebel Silsila, alongside visits listed in the selected itinerary. These quieter Nile stops differ from the main temple visits at Karnak Temple and other major sites. The captain selects a course, but the exact stops depend on the departure and river conditions.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-430976
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
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