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
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Nour El Nil Dahabiya is a 5-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 sunrise the lateen sails fill and the Nile breeze brings the smell of coffee and warm timber across the sun deck, while feluccas slip past the banks. Mornings are for stepping ashore onto small landings, afternoons for reading on deck as the river widens and the light changes.
We arrange this weekly sailing between Luxor and Aswan on a traditional dahabiya chosen for its small number of cabins and quieter daytime landings. Our Egyptologists lead the shore visits, and your transfers and embarkation are handled by our team, so you can focus on the pace, the views and the captain’s seamanship.
Background
The facts
Nour El Nil Dahabiya is a traditional Nile sailing vessel used for cruises between Luxor and Aswan. A dahabiya is smaller than the large motor cruisers commonly used on the Nile, which generally means fewer cabins, quieter sailing, and more time available for shore excursions. The vessel is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and used as part of a multi-stop river journey rather than a city hotel stay.
The cruise program connects major Upper Egypt sites on the west and east banks of the Nile. In Luxor, typical excursion sites include Karnak Temple Complex, developed mainly during the Middle and New Kingdom periods, and Luxor Temple, associated with pharaonic worship and later Roman additions. West Bank visits often include the Valley of the Kings, where royal tombs from the 18th to 20th Dynasties were cut into the limestone cliffs.
Southbound or northbound sailing between Luxor and Aswan usually includes stops linked to later temple architecture and river navigation history. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus and built in the Ptolemaic era between 237 and 57 BCE, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Kom Ombo is notable for its double temple layout, while Philae on Agilkia Island preserves the sanctuary of Isis that was relocated after the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s.
The vessel’s onboard arrangement centers on full-board dining, a sun deck, a lounge bar, and a dining room, with cabins graded Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom, and Nile-facing windows or balconies are available where the layout allows. Sailing and shore excursion days alternate, so travelers spend time both on the river and at monuments rather than remaining continuously underway.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who prefer a slower Nile itinerary with fewer passengers and a quieter onboard atmosphere. It is a good match for adults, couples, and families who want guided temple and tomb visits without the pace of a larger motor ship.
What lingers
- 01 Traditional 5-star dahabiya with sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- 02 Full board meals served from embarkation to disembarkation
- 03 Shore excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 04 Cabin classes Standard, Deluxe and Suite, all with en-suite bathrooms and Nile-facing views where available
- 05 Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
- 06 Smaller passenger numbers, quieter sailing and more time ashore compared with larger motor cruisers
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 | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $1,900 | $1,900 |
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
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
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.
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.
Location
On the map
– 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.
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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
-
01 What 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. -
02 What 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. -
03 What 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. -
04 Are 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. -
05 What 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. -
06 Is 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. -
07 What 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. -
08 Are 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. -
09 What 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 What 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.
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-059507
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