Merit Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Traditional dahabiya with Standard cabins, full-board dining, sun deck, shaded lounge bar, panoramic windows and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Merit Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a traditional dahabiya Nile cruise vessel operating weekly between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
02 Overview
A first look
At dawn the Nile's surface takes on a metallic sheen outside Luxor, and palm shadow lines slide past the cabin's panoramic windows as the sun lifts. The dahabiya's sun deck and shaded lounge bar feel like living rooms with a river view, where mornings are for watching banks pass and afternoons for short, salt-scented walks ashore at temple quays.
We arrange the excursions so sailing days alternate with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we handle embarkation formalities and your on-board hospitality, and one of our Egyptologists accompanies the programme.
Background
The facts
Merit Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a traditional Nile river vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation handled at those two cities. Dahabiyas are smaller sailing craft than the large motorized cruise ships on the Nile, which gives them a quieter onboard atmosphere and a more limited number of cabins.
The vessel’s excursion programme alternates sailing days with shore visits to major Upper Egypt sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are among the best-known monuments of ancient Egypt, covering New Kingdom, Ptolemaic, and Greco-Roman periods, with Luxor and Aswan serving as the main river gateways.
Standard cabins are the entry cabin class on the vessel, with Nile views through panoramic windows or a Nile-view balcony where specified. On board, the layout includes a sun deck, a shaded lounge bar, and a dining room; meals are served on a full-board basis from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Summer-season departures are quoted case by case and may not operate every week, so availability should be checked in advance before confirming travel plans.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suitable for travelers who want a smaller, more traditional Nile sailing experience rather than a large hotel-style cruise ship. It suits couples, mature travelers, and history-focused visitors who are comfortable with scheduled shore excursions and relaxed time on the river.
What lingers
- 01 Traditional dahabiya atmosphere, with a shaded sun deck for Nile views
- 02 Standard cabins with Nile-view windows or private balconies where specified
- 03 Shaded lounge bar and separate dining room serving all meals on board
- 04 Shore-excursion programme calling at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05 Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions
- 06 Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
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.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation onboard Merit Dahabiya (full board)
- All sightseeing and guiding by a certified Egyptologist
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sights
- Tea, coffee, bottled water, and soft drinks
- All ground transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Felucca ride (if available)
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- International airfare
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Any personal expenses
- Optional tours not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Before you go
What to pack & wear
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.
Location
On the map
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-LUX-042612
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