Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Five-star dahabiya with sun deck, lounge bar and dining salon; panoramic-window or Nile-view balcony cabins, full-board dining and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
02 Overview
A first look
By first light the lateen sails whisper and the Nile sharpens into consecutive thumbnails of temple façades, village quays and palm groves. Onboard the Malouka Dahabiya mornings are for guided visits ashore, afternoons for the sun deck or your cabin’s panoramic window, evenings for dinner in the dining salon while the river lights slide past.
Our Egyptologists lead the shore visits and explain what you see; we select and book this five-star dahabiya for you as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Unlike larger cruisers, a dahabiya can tie up at shallow quays and call at quieter sites, and we arrange the practical details for your stay aboard.
Background
The facts
Malouka Dahabiya is a five-star Nile cruise vessel designed in the traditional dahabiya style, with low-slung lines, a sun deck, a lounge bar, and a dining salon. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with features that may include panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies depending on the cabin type.
The cruise program links the Luxor and Aswan corridor, with embarkation and disembarkation in either city. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These sites represent some of the most important Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Ptolemaic monuments on the Upper Nile.
Karnak Temple on the East Bank of Luxor was developed over many centuries, mainly from the Middle Kingdom through the New Kingdom, while Luxor Temple dates largely to the reigns of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. On the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs cut into the limestone hills; the best-known burial is that of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. In Aswan, Philae Temple was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO Nubia campaign to save it from rising waters after the Aswan High Dam project.
Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and was built in the Ptolemaic period, beginning in 237 BCE. Kom Ombo is a double temple associated with the gods Sobek and Horus the Elder, and it stands directly on the Nile’s east bank north of Aswan. The cruise format allows structured sightseeing between sailing days, with time ashore focused on monument visits rather than long road transfers.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is best suited to travelers who want a comfortable Nile itinerary with guided visits to major temples and tombs, especially couples, adult friends, and first-time visitors. It also suits travelers who prefer a slower pace than a large cruise ship and value smaller-boat atmosphere over heavy entertainment programming.
What lingers
- 01 Five-star dahabiya with a sun deck, lounge bar and dining salon
- 02 Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies
- 03 Shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 04 Calls at Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae as part of the excursion programme
- 05 Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor and Aswan
- 06 The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
The route
Esna and Aswan
Choose your direction
- Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | May–September | October–April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on board the Malouka Dahabiya, in your chosen cabin class
- Full board dining, from lunch on the day you embark through breakfast on the day you disembark
- Guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Visas and travel insurance
- Drinks other than water with meals, unless otherwise stated
- Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists, unless requested
- Premium entrance fees such as pyramid interiors or special-ticket tombs, unless requested
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Malouka Dahabiya requires reasonable mobility. Boarding and disembarkation use a narrow gangway with one or two steps, so wheelchair users will need assistance and may be limited to shore visits where a landing stage is level. On board there are steps between decks and cabins are reached by short staircases, not lifts. Shore excursions involve uneven ancient stone, temple steps, and sand; some tombs at the Valley of the Kings have steep steps and low passages. We can arrange porter assistance at embarkation and some sites, and we recommend guests with limited mobility contact us before booking so we can assess which shore visits will be practical.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any relevant visas
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- Sun protection, SPF50+ sunscreen and sunglasses
- Lightweight hat and a lightweight scarf for sun and temple visits
- Reusable water bottle for refill at the vessel’s water stations
- Small daypack for camera, guidebook and personal items
- Any personal medication, plus a small first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light layer for cooler early mornings on the Nile
- Comfortable closed walking shoes with grip
- Smart-casual outfit for evening dining on board
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with parents. Children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare, and those 12 years and over 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. Cabins have limited space for strollers; folding buggies are more practical. Child safety equipment such as high chairs is not guaranteed on board, so please request details at time of booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Malouka Dahabiya is a small-capacity sailing cruiser, which reduces the number of large ships visiting the same quays and therefore local congestion. The vessel uses a modern, fuel-efficient auxiliary engine maintained under the owner’s service programme to reduce fuel consumption while manoeuvring. Provisions are purchased from markets in Luxor and Aswan, supporting local suppliers and traders. On board, the crew separates recyclable waste and returns it to shore disposal facilities; single-use plastics are minimised where possible and bottled water is provided with refill points for personal bottles. We select this dahabiya because its size allows more direct calls to smaller landing stages, which helps local landing communities benefit from passenger spending.
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Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
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Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
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Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
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Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
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01 What is the duration of the Malouka Dahabiya Nile cruise?
The Malouka Dahabiya Nile cruise is a 7-day journey, sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. This allows for a more relaxed pace and visits to several significant ancient sites along the Nile River. -
02 What is included in the Malouka Dahabiya cruise fare?
Your cruise fare includes accommodation aboard the Malouka Dahabiya, full board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and guided shore excursions to sites like Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. -
03 What is not included in the Malouka Dahabiya cruise fare?
Exclusions typically cover international or domestic flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities for crew and Egyptologists, and premium entrance fees for certain tombs or pyramid interiors. -
04 What is the accessibility like on the Malouka Dahabiya?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate experience, but access involves gangplanks to board and stairs between decks. Shore excursions may include walking on uneven ancient stone or sandy paths. Travellers with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us. -
05 What is the policy for children on the Malouka Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the 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. -
06 What should I wear and bring for the Malouka Dahabiya cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, modest attire for religious sites, and comfortable walking shoes. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and any personal medications. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jacket is advisable. -
07 What kind of meals are served on board the Malouka Dahabiya?
The Malouka Dahabiya offers full board meals, which typically include a mix of Egyptian and international cuisine, prepared by the onboard chef. Meals are served in the dining salon, with fresh ingredients sourced locally. -
08 What is the difference between a dahabiya and a larger Nile cruiser?
A dahabiya like the Malouka is a smaller, sail-powered vessel, offering a more intimate and slower-paced experience. It can access unique sites larger cruisers cannot reach, such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, providing a more exclusive journey. -
09 Can I arrange a private charter of the Malouka Dahabiya?
Yes, the Malouka Dahabiya can be arranged for exclusive private charters, offering a personalised itinerary for families or groups. This allows for greater flexibility in shore excursions and sailing schedules, subject to availability. -
10 What is the best time of year to take a Malouka Dahabiya Nile cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper 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
Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-175389
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