Egypt Discovery
Nile Cruise5-Star DeluxeEsna → Aswan

Nour El Nil Dahabiya Nile Cruise

A 5-star sail-powered dahabiya with sun deck, lounge bar, chef-prepared full-board meals from embarkation to disembarkation, and guided shore excursions.

At a glance

Length
6 days · 5 nights
Embarks
Mon
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.

The short answer

Nour El Nil Dahabiya is a six-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Nour El Nil Dahabiya sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with a programme of visits to six named sites. Edfu Temple, one stop on the route, was built between 237 and 57 BCE during the Ptolemaic period.

  • Archaeology & history
  • Luxury
  • Cultural
Best for
  • Seniors·
  • Solo traveller·
  • Couples

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
5-Star Dahabiya
Destinations
Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · En-suite Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin · Sun deck access · Lounge bar and dining room access · Scheduled shore excursion programme · Daily housekeeping and crew service
Best for
Couples · Nile cruise travellers · Travellers seeking quieter sailing · Guests who value time ashore
Guide languages
English · French · German · Italian · Others
  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The cruise is scheduled weekly in both Luxor-to-Aswan and Aswan-to-Luxor directions.

What lingers

  • 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan on a 5-star dahabiya
  • 02Choose from Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom
  • 03Visit sites on the scheduled programme, including Karnak Temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo
  • 04Spend time on the sun deck or use the lounge bar and dining room
  • 05Compare the quieter pace of a sailing vessel with larger motor cruisers

02Overview

A first look

Nour El Nil is the fleet that made dahabiya travel famous again — hand-built sailing boats with linen-draped decks and long communal tables, sailing one celebrated route: five nights from Esna to Aswan, departing every Monday, mooring at islands and temples the cruise ships never touch.

Background

The facts

Nour El Nil Dahabiya is a six-day Nile cruise aboard a traditional dahabiya sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise-line supplier.

The excursion programme connects sites in Luxor and along the river, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Sailings run weekly in both directions.

Karnak Temple developed over several centuries, with major construction during the Middle and New Kingdom periods. Tombs in the Valley of the Kings date mainly from the 18th to 20th Dynasties. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, was built during the Ptolemaic period, from 237 to 57 BCE. The Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, including sites in Luxor, is a UNESCO World Heritage property.

Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, with en-suite bathrooms and Nile-facing windows or balconies where the layout allows. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Excursion schedules and site opening hours can vary; we’ll confirm the arrangements for your sailing before travel.

Named in this entry

Nour El Nil Dahabiya·Nile·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple·Kom Ombo·Philae·Horus·Ptolemaic period·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·UNESCO World Heritage List

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This six-day Nile cruise suits couples, solo travellers and families with school-age children who prefer quieter sailing and guided visits to temples and tombs. Choose it over a larger motor cruiser if time on deck and a less hurried pace matter more than extensive onboard entertainment.

Maybe not, if

  • It is not suited to travellers who need step-free access at archaeological sites or want the facilities and entertainment of a large motor ship. Summer heat and uneven stone surfaces can also make sightseeing demanding.

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Quieter sailing and fewer passengers than on larger motor cruisers

Things to Consider

  • Uneven ancient stone and steps at several archaeological sites
  • Limited shade during some outdoor visits, especially in warmer months
  • Drinks beyond bottled water with meals cost extra
  • Port transfers are not included unless booked separately

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruises use larger motor ships; this traditional dahabiya has fewer cabins and offers quieter sailing. We arrange this vessel for travellers seeking a smaller-scale river journey, rather than the facilities and passenger capacity of a large motor cruiser.

The route

Esna and Aswan

  1. EsnaThe temple & the river lockEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

Choose your direction

  • →Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
  • →Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current

The route

Where this ship sails

The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.

On board

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

  6. 6

Bundled in

  • Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full board meals, from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day
  • En-suite cabin accommodation, choice of Standard, Deluxe or Suite
  • Access to the dahabiya's sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
  • On-board shore excursion programme as scheduled
  • Daily housekeeping and crew service

Not included

  • Drinks beyond bottled water served with meals, unless otherwise stated
  • International and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
  • Transfers to or from embarkation and disembarkation points, unless separately booked
  • Entrance fees for optional premium sites such as pyramid interiors, and any site-specific charges unless stated as included
  • Gratuities to crew and local guides, unless these are pre-paid
  • Any personal expenses not listed in the itinerary or inclusions

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask which cabin layouts have a balcony, as Nile-facing balconies are not available in every layout.

  2. 02

    Check which drinks are included before sailing; drinks beyond bottled water with meals are extra unless stated otherwise.

  3. 03

    Confirm whether transfers to the embarkation and disembarkation ports have been arranged separately.

  4. 04

    Budget separately for crew and local-guide gratuities unless these have been prepaid.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Choose between Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, subject to availability, and select a Luxor-to-Aswan or Aswan-to-Luxor sailing. Transfers can be booked separately, while premium site visits and their fees should be confirmed before travel.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

This six-day sailing fits between time in Cairo and a stay in Luxor or Aswan, with the route linking the two Nile cities. It can also follow a Cairo visit before you continue south to Abu Simbel from Aswan.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The Nour El Nil Dahabiya has steps, narrow companionways and cabins accessed by a short gangway from the quay; this presents moderate mobility demands. On board there are several companionway steps between the sun deck, lounge and dining areas, and some cabins have steps into the bathroom and a raised threshold at the doorway. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, loose sand and steps at temple entrances; many sites do not have ramps or lifts. Wheelchairs can be carried on and off the vessel with assistance, but the vessel is not suitable for independent wheelchair users who cannot manage steps. If you use a mobility aid, require a cabin with easy access, or need a crew member to assist with embarkation, please tell us at booking so we can coordinate help and the most suitable embarkation port. For guests with sensory or cognitive needs, crew briefings and routine schedules are available on request, and quieter cabin locations can be requested in advance.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The Nour El Nil Dahabiya is a small-river cruiser that sails on the Nile. Smaller dahabiyas typically have lower fuel consumption and a shallower draft than large motor cruise ships, which reduces wake and fuel use on inland waterways. The vessel relies on conventional marine diesel engines and on-board generators; fuel and waste are handled according to the cruise lines routine procedures. We work directly with the cruise line and local suppliers to favour seasonal local produce for the dining room and to employ local crew and guides when calling at towns along the route. Shore excursions are organised with licensed Egyptologists and licensed local guides, with entry fees paid locally; where possible we encourage visits to community-run projects and markets that provide direct income to villages on the Nile. If you have specific sustainability concerns, for example single-use plastic avoidance or dietary sourcing, tell us at enquiry and we will confirm what the chosen departure can provide.

  • 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

Before you go

What to pack & wear

What to bring

  • Valid passport with at least six months validity
  • Sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Lightweight refillable water bottle
  • Small daypack for shore excursions
  • Comfortable closed shoes for temple steps and uneven stone
  • Adaptor plug (Type C or F) and basic medication
  • Printed or digital copies of flight details and insurance

What to wear

  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
  • Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
  • A light fleece or sweater for cooler evenings on deck
  • Comfortable, closed walking shoes with good grip
  • Sun hat and a thin scarf for extra sun protection

Children & families

Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with parents. Children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers are practical on quay and larger temple sites but may be difficult on temple stone and sandy paths; cabins do not typically have baby-specific equipment such as cots or high chairs, so request these before travel and we will confirm availability with the cruise line.

Cabin pricing

Pricing & seasonal rates

Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.

5 nights / 6 days · Esna to Aswan

CabinHigh seasonOctober – April
Double cabin£2,270

Cabin allocation

  • Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
  • Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
  • Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.

Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days
75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday
15–30 days
50% back, or 75% kept as credit
7–14 days
25% back, or 50% kept as credit
2–6 days
Nothing back; 25% kept as credit
Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up
No refund and no credit

Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Location

On the map

Esna and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserEsnaEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Karnak TempleRight here
  • Luxor TempleRight here
  • Valley of the KingsRight here
  • Temple of EdfuRight here
  • Kom Ombo TempleRight here
  • Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Sail between Luxor and Aswan in either direction

  2. 02

    Visit Philae and riverside sites on the scheduled programme

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is a dahabiya and how does it differ from larger Nile cruise ships?
    A dahabiya is a traditional, sail-powered Nile boat, offering an intimate and quieter sailing experience compared to larger motor vessels. With typically 8 to 12 cabins, it provides a more personalised journey and can access smaller, off-the-beaten-path sites that larger ships cannot reach.
  2. 02What is the best time of year to take a Nour El Nil Dahabiya cruise?
    The most pleasant weather for a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, offering cooler temperatures for sightseeing. However, the Nour El Nil Dahabiya operates year-round, with summer months providing warmer conditions and fewer crowds.
  3. 03What is included in the full board meal plan on the dahabiya?
    Your full board plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. Snacks are also provided, and bottled water is included with meals.
  4. 04Are shore excursions and entrance fees included in the cruise price?
    Yes, the scheduled shore excursion programme, led by a private Egyptologist guide, is included. This covers all listed archaeological sites and their standard entrance fees as detailed in your itinerary.
  5. 05What should I wear and bring for a dahabiya cruise in Egypt?
    Pack light, comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather, including modest attire for temple visits. Essential items include sun cream, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, and any personal medications.
  6. 06Is the Nour El Nil Dahabiya cruise suitable for families with children?
    Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, and those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin. The intimate setting is generally suitable for families.
  7. 07What is the cabin configuration on the Nour El Nil Dahabiya?
    The vessel features a small number of cabins, available in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite grades. All cabins include en-suite bathrooms and offer Nile-facing windows or balconies where the layout permits, ensuring privacy and comfort.
  8. 08Are transfers to and from the embarkation and disembarkation ports included?
    Yes, transfers to and from your embarkation and disembarkation points in Luxor and Aswan are included as part of your cruise package. Please confirm specific timings with our team before travel.
  9. 09What types of drinks are included with meals on board?
    Bottled water is included with all meals. Soft drinks, tea, and coffee are also provided. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard package and can be purchased separately on board.
  10. 10What is the policy on gratuities for the crew and guides?
    Gratuities for the dahabiya crew and your local Egyptologist guide are not included in the cruise price. We recommend budgeting for these separately, or you can arrange pre-payment with us if preferred.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-059507

You Might Also Like

Hadeel Dahabiya Nile CruiseNile

5 Nights

Hadeel Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Hadeel Dahabiya is a sail-powered boat for a slower Nile journey, with lateen sails and fewer than a dozen cabins. Its shore programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with visits to Gebel Silsila and El Kab when conditions permit. Compared with larger motor cruisers, a dahabiya can reach quieter stretches of the river and smaller landing places. Full Board meals run from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise and locally guided shore excursions. Sailings operate between Luxor and Aswan in both directions.

From £1,459

Adelaide Dahabiya Nile CruiseNile

5 Nights

Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Sail the Nile aboard the Adelaide Dahabiya for seven days, cruising at a slower, sail-influenced pace that prioritises time ashore. This is a small-boat alternative to four-night motor-ship cruises; the slower schedule lets you visit quieter riverbanks and villages. We arrange private Egyptologists and short road transfers rather than large coach movements. Expect smaller cabins and fewer onboard facilities than a large river cruise ship, and variable sail timings when wind conditions change. We operate Adelaide Dahabiya as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and provide local crew, fuel-powered backup, and all on-shore logistics.

From £2,177

Assouan DahabiyaNile

5 Nights

Assouan Dahabiya

Assouan Dahabiya sails from Luxor to Aswan, visiting Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Philae. You travel with a licensed Egyptologist from our team who leads visits to Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The dahabiya follows quieter channels and often moors privately beside cliffs such as Gebel El Silsila, allowing direct walks and time at sites larger cruise ships cannot reach. Unlike large Nile cruises, this itinerary includes calls at El Kab and Kom Ombo without a rushed schedule. Evenings are spent on deck watching village life pass and the river light change. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we coordinate the on-the-ground arrangements for the voyage.