Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Roi Farouk Dahabiya
Sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a dahabiya
The short answer
Roi Farouk is a dahabiya. Board in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Fares are quoted on request for your dates.
02Overview
A first look
Roi Farouk 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. Named for Egypt’s last king, she plays up the 1940s royal-yacht styling.
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this ship works.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
On arrival at Luxor airport or railway station, your Egyptologist guide takes you sightseeing in Luxor for the day: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. You're then driven to Esna to board your dahabiya, welcomed by the crew for your first night moored there.
- 2
Breakfast at your leisure as the dahabiya sails towards Edfu, arriving around midday. Visit the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn caleche — among Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance guarded by two granite falcon statues — then wander the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
After lunch on board, sail on towards the temple at Gebel el-Silsila, with dinner served in the temple grounds, on a nearby island, or on the sun deck.
- 3
Breakfast at leisure, then sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman double temple, shared equally between the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Carry on sailing towards Aswan, taking in river life along the banks — water buffalo, donkeys and birdlife — mooring overnight close to the city.
- 4
After breakfast on board, spend the day exploring Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam — with time to browse the Aswan souk. Return to the boat for your last evening and overnight in Aswan.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport or railway station for your onward departure.
- 1
On arrival at Aswan airport or railway station, your Egyptologist guide takes you sightseeing in Aswan for the day — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam, with time to browse the Aswan bazaar. In the afternoon you board your dahabiya and take lunch on deck as the boat sets sail for Kom Ombo, mooring there overnight.
- 2
Breakfast at your leisure, then visit the Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo — a perfectly symmetrical double temple with matching halls and sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek.
Sail on to the quieter temple at Gebel el-Silsila, mooring alongside the rock-cut Speos of Horemheb; dinner is served in the temple grounds or on the sun deck, weather and mood permitting.
- 3
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-drawn caleche — among Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance guarded by two granite falcon statues — then browse the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
The dahabiya moors at a quiet island for a themed Egyptian evening: dinner by the riverbank or on the sun deck, Arabic music, and the option to dress in a gallabeya, before sailing gently on towards Esna overnight.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and travel to Luxor for a sightseeing day — the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple — before your transfer to Luxor airport or railway station for departure.
What lingers
- 01Sail the Nile on a dahabiya, a smaller sailing boat rather than a large motorised cruiser.
- 02A gentler sailing pace than larger Nile cruise ships.
- 03Potential access to smaller riverside sites that larger vessels cannot reach, depending on the confirmed itinerary.
- 04Full Board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Bundled in
- Dining room
- Lounge
- Sun deck with shaded seating
- Wi-Fi in public areas
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Stay aboard the Roi Farouk Dahabiya
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Egyptologist guide
- Admission to every site listed
- Ground transport in Luxor and Aswan
- Service fees and taxes
Not included
- Tips for the crew and Egyptologist
- Personal spending and souvenirs
- Optional excursions and activities
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Domestic air travel, if needed
- Travel and medical insurance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask for the embarkation point and departure time before arranging transport to the boat.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
After you disembark
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
We'll confirm the route, shore-visit programme, drinks arrangements and any meal upgrades before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Roi Farouk Dahabiya may suit couples, solo travellers and older children who want a quieter Nile sailing experience rather than the facilities of a large cruise ship. Choose it if you value time on the river and a more intimate setting
- the available details do not specify its route or shore visits.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a larger cruiser if you need extensive onboard facilities or a confirmed programme of shore visits.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A smaller-scale Nile sailing experience than a large cruise ship
- Sailing on the Nile rather than travelling by road
- A quieter onboard setting without nightclub-style entertainment
Things to Consider
- Drinks (including water) are typically extra
- A smaller vessel may offer fewer facilities than larger cruisers
Where it fits
Roi Farouk Dahabiya can add a sailing on the Nile to a wider Egypt holiday. Confirm the embarkation point and sailing route before arranging connections with Cairo, Luxor or Aswan.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most large Nile cruise ships rely on engines and follow established ports; a dahabiya is a sailing-boat format. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges Roi Farouk Dahabiya, while the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest fares. Fares are per person, two sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Queen Nefeer Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,023 pp
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,056 pp
- Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £1,072 pp
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Dahabiya cabin
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Nile sailing · Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Standard site entrance fees
- Best for
- Couples · Small groups · Nile cruise travellers · Travellers seeking a smaller vessel
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and a photocopy
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Closed walking shoes with good grip
- Light layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication and prescription details
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Light jacket for breezy evenings on the river
- Robust, closed-toe footwear for archaeological sites
- Wide-brimmed hat and UV-protection sunglasses
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children aged 12 years and above 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 require their own cabin. Strollers may be used on board but can be awkward on sandy or cobbled landings. High chairs are not guaranteed, so request one in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise includes movement between the vessel and shore, where gangways may be narrow and can move with the river. Guests should be able to step up and down a gangway, sometimes without a handrail, and walk short distances over uneven stone, cobbles or soft sand. Temple approaches may include steps and steep ramps. Wheelchair users may need assistance with transfers and may not be able to access every shore visit independently. Crew can assist with embarkation and disembarkation, but access varies by landing point and site. Please tell us about mobility needs, including wheelchair or scooter dimensions, before booking so we can check what is practicable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya uses its sail as its principal means of travel on the Nile. This product context does not confirm the vessel's engine arrangements, fuel use or onboard waste measures, so we cannot make claims about emissions or plastic reduction. The cruise is arranged with a local vessel operator and Egyptian crew; the boat and its operator are not run by Discovery Tours Egypt. Shore visits may reach smaller sites such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila and Hagar Salsala, where local guiding and purchases can support nearby communities. Exact suppliers, transport arrangements for shore visits and food sourcing depend on the departure. We can confirm these details for your sailing before you book.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Roi Farouk Dahabiya experience?
Ask us to confirm the embarkation and disembarkation dates before booking. Dahabiya itineraries are often longer than a day, so do not assume the listing describes a complete Nile sailing.02Are transfers included with the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan are included in the listed arrangement. We confirm the transfer plan against your final embarkation and disembarkation details. Domestic flights are not included, and any additional transport outside the stated transfer arrangements depends on your booking.03What is included in the Roi Farouk Dahabiya booking?
The listed arrangement includes accommodation aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya, meals, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to listed sites, ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan, service charges and taxes. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.04What is not included in the Roi Farouk Dahabiya booking?
Alcoholic drinks, gratuities, personal spending, souvenirs, optional activities, domestic flights where needed, and travel and health insurance are excluded. A single supplement applies when a cabin is booked for one traveller; confirm its amount for your dates. Check the page’s cancellation terms before booking.05How physically demanding is a Roi Farouk Dahabiya sailing?
Shore visits can involve walking on uneven archaeological ground, and access may include steps or unpaved paths. The exact demands vary by site and landing point, including at El Kab and Gebel Silsila. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check what can be arranged.06Can children travel on the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, children aged 6–11.99 pay 50%, and children aged 12 or over pay the 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.07What should I wear and bring on the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream and comfortable shoes for uneven ground during shore visits. A light layer is useful on breezier sailing stretches. Choose modest clothing for religious sites, covering shoulders and knees, and carry any personal medicines you may need.08Can I take photographs during the Roi Farouk Dahabiya sailing and site visits?
You can photograph the Nile, villages and archaeological sites where local rules allow. Restrictions can differ between monuments and individual tombs, so check signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures indoors. Do not photograph people without their permission, and follow any instructions from site staff.09When is the best time to sail aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
October to April is the stated peak season for this sailing. Nile temperatures and conditions vary through the year, with stronger heat outside the cooler months. Cabin availability is limited, so check your dates early. The actual sailing schedule and shore visits depend on the confirmed cruise arrangement.10Which sites can the Roi Farouk Dahabiya visit that larger Nile cruisers may miss?
The described route can include El Kab and Gebel Silsila, quieter archaeological stops that larger vessels may not reach. Hagar Salsala quarry is also named in the dahabiya route context. The confirmed shore programme varies by sailing, so check which sites are scheduled for your dates.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-628448
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
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