Merit 1 Dahabiya Nile Cruise

The short answer

Merit 1 Dahabiya is a traditional Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Seven-day Merit 1 Dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan – sail the Nile at a slower pace, moor overnight in quiet villages.
• 02 Daily shoreside visits commonly include Luxor West Bank, Esna lock transit, Edfu and Kom Ombo temples.
• 03 Philae and Aswan quayside time allows extended two-hour visits; we arrange felucca detours and bookings.
• 04 Small-ship atmosphere: no large coaches, reduced disembarkation queues, more time ashore than usual motor cruises.
• 05 Meals prepared aboard reflect Nilotic produce; we can arrange dietary adjustments on request.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 What is a dahabiya and how does it differ from a Nile cruise?

   A dahabiya is a small, traditionally rigged Nile sailing boat offering slow, private cruising over several days. They usually have fewer cabins and quieter decks than large motor cruisers, and itineraries favour longer stops and village landings. We operate dahabiyas rather than group buses, so you should expect a relaxed pace and smaller passenger numbers.
2. 02 What is included in the Merit 1 Dahabiya 7-day price?

   Standard inclusions are accommodation aboard the dahabiya, meals, local transfers and guided visits; entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise. Pyramid interiors and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and crew gratuities are excluded unless you ask us to include them. We can tailor cabin arrangements and add our Egyptologist for excursions at extra cost; we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate Merit 1 locally.
3. 03 How physically demanding is a 7-day dahabiya holiday?

   A dahabiya holiday involves moderate physical demands: short transfers, boarding a small boat and walking on uneven ancient sites. Expect cobblestones, temple steps and occasional sandy banks; sightseeing days include standing and short uphill walks. If mobility is limited we can arrange assistance and shorter shore excursions–tell us at enquiry.
4. 04 Will there be air‑conditioning, electricity and Wi‑Fi on Merit 1 Dahabiya?

   Many dahabiyas have limited electricity and intermittent Wi‑Fi; air‑conditioning varies by vessel and season. We supply exact technical specifications for Merit 1 on enquiry, so you can plan battery packs and device charging. Expect lower bandwidth than hotels–download maps and reading material before you board.
5. 05 When is the best time of year to cruise the Nile on a dahabiya?

   The most comfortable months are October to April when temperatures are milder for daytime touring. May–September is much hotter and can make midday walking uncomfortable; we schedule early starts to avoid heat. During Ramadan some sites and restaurants change opening hours, so we may adjust itineraries accordingly.
6. 06 Can a seven-day itinerary visit Luxor and Aswan and still include Kom Ombo and Edfu?

   Yes–seven days typically covers Luxor to Aswan or vice versa with scheduled stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Dahabiya pace means longer daytime stops but fewer overnight moves than motor cruises, so you see key temples without rushing. Ask us for a sample day‑by‑day schedule and exact transfer times from your hotel or cruise ship.

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