Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A five-star dahabiya offering full-board accommodation, panoramic windows, Nile-view balconies, sun deck, lounge bar, and an Egyptologist-guided shore-excursion programme, sailing weekly between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Meroe 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 early evening the Nile light softens and the dahabiya's sun deck becomes a warm, quiet place to read, watch the riverbank cornfields, and hear the boat's gentle glide. Cabins range from compact Standard cabins with panoramic windows to larger Suites with private balconies, while the lounge bar and dining room are where full board meals and late-evening conversation happen.
We arrange a paced shore-excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, and one of our Egyptologists joins the land visits. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we handle embarkation and disembarkation formalities so your time on the Nile is straightforward.
Background
The facts
Meroe Dahabiya is a five-star dahabiya-style Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan and typically sails weekly in both directions on the Nile river route used by classic Upper Egypt cruises.
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor’s West Bank. These visits connect sites from the New Kingdom period through the Greco-Roman era, including major monuments such as the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and the rock-cut royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Accommodation is in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin classes, with many cabins offering Nile views or private balconies. On board facilities include a sun deck for river viewing, a lounge bar, and a dining room. The board basis is full board, meaning lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with water during meals typically included and other drinks usually extra.
Compared with tightly scheduled short Nile cruises, a dahabiya-style vessel generally provides a slower pace and more time for guided shore visits and relaxed sailing between stops. It is suited to travellers who want a smaller-ship atmosphere and a classic river-journey format rather than a large-ship resort experience.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This vessel is well suited to travellers who want a slower Nile itinerary, especially couples, small groups, and independent-minded visitors who prefer a quieter onboard atmosphere. It also fits history-focused travellers who want Egyptologist-led visits to major temple and tomb sites without the pace of a large cruise ship.
What lingers
- 01 Cabin classes in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, many with Nile views or private balconies
- 02 Sun deck for daytime lounging and panoramic river views while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- 03 Lounge bar and dining room serving full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 04 Shore-excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, guided by an Egyptologist
- 05 Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions
- 06 A paced alternation of sailing and full excursions, unlike tightly scheduled short cruises that rush shore visits
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 to September | October to April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
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 aboard Meroe Dahabiya
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, tea
- All sightseeing entrance fees
- Professional Egyptologist guide
- Airport/hotel transfers to and from the Dahabiya
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Tips for crew and guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional tours not listed in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
The dahabiya has steps between decks and cabins, and some cabins are reached via two or three narrow staircases; there is no guarantee of lift access to lower cabins. On board, public areas such as the sun deck and lounge have level surfaces but may become crowded during peak times. Shore excursions include walking on uneven ancient stone, temple steps and compacted sand, and some landing stages use small ramps or gangways. Wheelchair users with full mobility in transfers may access the main public areas with assistance, but independent wheelchair access to most archaeological sites is limited. Please tell us about mobility needs when you book so we can advise which cabin class and shore visits are most practical, arrange additional assistance where possible, and note realistic limits at specific sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Philae.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and visa documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle
- Light daypack for excursions
- Copy of travel insurance and emergency contacts
- Small torch or headlamp for uneven lighting at sites
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light layer for cool evenings on the Nile
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with ankle support
- Wide-brim hat or cap for sun protection
- Swimwear for the sun deck or ship pool if available
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 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. Strollers fold and store easily on board, but large pushchairs are not practical when embarking or during site landings. High chairs are limited, so please request them in advance and we will arrange them where available.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is a low-wake, shallow-draft Nile cruiser that sails under its own power between Luxor and Aswan, using diesel engines typical for river vessels. On-shore excursions are conducted by local coaches with air conditioning; we work with the same coach companies across seasons to reduce supplier churn and improve vehicle maintenance records. Meals are prepared on board using locally sourced produce where available, including vegetables and fish from regional markets, and the crew disposes of organic waste separately from recyclables according to the vessel’s programme. We contract licensed Egyptologists and local guides from the Luxor and Aswan communities, which supports local livelihoods and keeps visitor numbers at each site within the pace and group sizes agreed with site authorities. We recommend travellers bring refillable water bottles to reduce single-use plastics; bottled water is provided on board for safety.
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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
-
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
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-285497
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