Princess Donia Dahabiya
Luxor to Aswan aboard a traditional dahabiya
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
The short answer
Princess Donia Dahabiya is a one-day Nile cruise in Egypt, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Princess Donia Dahabiya is a one-day dahabiya cruise on the Nile in Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- N/A
- Destinations
- Nile River, Egypt
- Includes
- Nile sailing aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya · Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Best for
- Dahabiya sailing · Slow-paced Nile travel · Travellers visiting Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
- The available product details identify the cruise as a one-day dahabiya sailing.
What lingers
- 01Dahabiya-style Nile travel rather than a large motorised cruise ship
- 02Sail-powered river travel, characteristic of traditional dahabiyas
- 03A Nile cruise product named Princess Donia Dahabiya
- 04Route and shore visits to be confirmed in the booking details
02Overview
A first look
Princess Donia is a traditional sailing dahabiya on the quiet stretch of the Nile between Esna and Aswan — a handful of cabins, meals on deck, and moorings at islands, quarries, and villages the big cruisers pass by.
Background
The facts
Princess Donia Dahabiya is a one-day Nile cruise aboard a dahabiya, a traditional style of sail-powered river vessel. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.
The Nile is the river that links Upper and Lower Egypt.
The duration is one day. Cruise arrangements are made through Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Named in this entry
Princess Donia Dahabiya·Nile River·Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Princess Donia Dahabiya may suit adults and older teenagers who value a quiet, sail-powered Nile journey and have time for a multi-night cruise. It is worth considering for couples, friends or solo travellers who prefer an intimate boat to a large cruise ship.
Maybe not, if
- The stated duration is one day, which does not match the usual multi-night dahabiya format, so confirm the actual sailing dates and itinerary before booking. Choose another option if you need confirmed step-free access, child facilities or a detailed excursion plan before committing.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Sail-powered dahabiya format rather than a large cruise ship
- A quieter setting without a nightclub or disco
- Potential for a more personal onboard experience
- Selected and arranged by a licensed Egyptian tour operator
Things to Consider
- One-day duration needs confirmation against sailing dates
- Cabin capacity and onboard facilities are unconfirmed
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Nile cruises use larger motor vessels; a dahabiya is sail-powered.
The route
Esna and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
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
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Your stay aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bottled water, tea and soft drinks
- An expert Egyptologist guide
- Admission to every site listed
- Transfers between the Dahabiya and your destinations
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Flights to and from Egypt
- Personal spending
- Gratuities for the crew and guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm the departure time and return point directly from the booking itinerary.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask whether the sailing can be arranged privately, as an exclusive charter, and whether the stated one-day duration refers to a full sailing or a shorter cruise. Request the confirmed route, shore visits, cabin options and any meal upgrades before booking; these details are not supplied here.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Princess Donia Dahabiya can form part of a wider Nile itinerary, paired with time in Luxor or Aswan and a visit to Cairo.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A dahabiya cruise involves boarding from a river quay, usually by gangway, and moving around wooden decks that may have steps and uneven surfaces. Shore visits can include soft sand, uneven stone, narrow paths and temple steps without handrails. Wheelchair access is limited: the assigned vessel may not have a ramp or lift, and cabins can be compact, with a step into the bathroom. We can ask about assistance for transfers and boarding if you tell us about mobility needs before booking. Access varies by vessel and landing point, so we will check what can be arranged for your booking rather than assume independent access.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A lateen sail can provide propulsion on a dahabiya, with an auxiliary engine used when needed; actual fuel use depends on wind, river conditions and the assigned vessel. We arrange the cruise with a locally supplied vessel and crew, but the boat is owned and operated by its supplier. Egyptian crew and cooks may work on board, though staffing varies and should be confirmed for the vessel assigned to your booking. Shore visits can support local guides and businesses where these are part of the confirmed programme. We do not have verified vessel-specific information about wastewater handling, plastic reduction or refill facilities for this product, so we will not make claims about those practices without confirmation.
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 and booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- SPF50+ sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Light daypack for water and essentials
- Reusable water bottle, if refills are available on board
- Prescription medicines and basic first-aid supplies
- Small torch for poorly lit quayside paths
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm days
- Long sleeves and trousers or a longer skirt for sun protection and temple visits
- A light layer for cooler mornings and evenings
- Comfortable shoes with grip for decks, quays and uneven paths
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Swimwear for use on board or at accommodation, not for temple visits
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children need their own cabin. Strollers are difficult to use on quay steps, temple approaches and soft sand. High chairs and babysitting are not guaranteed; we can ask the vessel supplier about availability and any extra charge.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin you have in mind.
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
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Sail between Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan
02
Choose a sail-powered alternative to larger Nile cruisers
03
We arrange your place aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Princess Donia Dahabiya trip?
The Princess Donia Dahabiya trip is one day. Dahabiya arrangements can vary, and the embarkation and disembarkation schedule determines which meals are covered.02What is included on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?
The listed arrangements include accommodation aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya, meals, bottled water, tea and soft drinks, an Egyptologist, entrance fees to listed sites, transfers to and from the vessel, taxes and service charges. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Confirm the meal schedule against your final itinerary.03What is not included in the Princess Donia Dahabiya arrangement?
International flights, personal expenses, tips for the crew and Egyptologist, alcoholic drinks and optional tours not listed in the itinerary are excluded. Drinks beyond the listed water, tea and soft drinks may also be chargeable. Check your final itinerary for any optional visits and confirm their costs before you travel.04How are Princess Donia Dahabiya cabin prices calculated for solo travellers?
Pricing is based on two people sharing a cabin, and a single supplement applies to a solo traveller. The amount depends on the selected dates and final arrangement, so check the price shown for your booking. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arranges the sailing with the vessel’s cruise line.05What is the route on the Princess Donia Dahabiya, and does it visit El Kab?
El Kab and Gebel Silsila are among the smaller sites explored on this sailing. These sites are part of the Nile’s archaeological landscape.06Is the Princess Donia Dahabiya accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
Accessibility details for Princess Donia Dahabiya are not provided, so suitability depends on the vessel and the planned shore visits. Boarding a boat and walking around archaeological sites can involve steps, uneven ground and limited handrails. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the arrangements with the cruise line.07Can children travel on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?
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. Families should confirm cabin availability for their chosen dates before booking.08What should I wear and bring for the Princess Donia Dahabiya?
Bring sun protection, a hat, light clothing and comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground at archaeological sites. Temperatures can be high, particularly in the warmer months, and shade may be limited ashore. Choose modest clothing when visiting religious sites. Pack any personal items you need, as personal expenses are excluded.09Can I take photographs on the Princess Donia Dahabiya and at its stops?
Rules can differ by location, and some tombs or museum spaces restrict photography or require a separate permit. Check signs at each site and ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, especially where local staff are present.10When is the best time to sail on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?
October to April is the stated preferred period for this Nile sailing. Conditions are generally cooler than in the hottest summer months, though daytime sun remains strong. Dahabiyas have limited availability, so dates can be constrained. Confirm sailing dates and the exact itinerary before arranging flights or other travel.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-473710
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