Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya

The short answer

Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya is an eight-day sailing cruise on the Nile in Egypt, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Dahabiya cabin

Destinations

Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cabin aboard Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya · Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Sailing on the Nile · Stops at Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan

Best for

Couples · Slow-paced travellers · Nile cruise enthusiasts · Travellers seeking a smaller vessel

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

What lingers

• 01Travel on the River Nile aboard a 5-star dahabiya.
• 02Sail on a smaller vessel type than a large Nile cruise ship.
• 03Experience the slower pace associated with sail-powered Nile travel.
• 04Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise itineraries use larger motor vessels; Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya is a dahabiya, a sailing-boat format.

Both directions

Where this ship sails

This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.

• Aswan to Luxor6 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan6 nights on this shipRead the route guide

Bundled in

• ·Restaurant
• ·Sun Deck
• ·Wi-Fi

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Request the sailing and shore-excursion schedule to check how much time is planned at each archaeological site.

2. 02

   Confirm cabin dimensions, deck access and luggage limits directly against the vessel’s current specifications.

3. 03

   Check whether drinks beyond water with meals are charged separately before setting your onboard budget.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Ask us whether private arrangements, extra sightseeing or a longer stay before or after the cruise can be added to your plans. Availability depends on the cruise schedule and suppliers, so we will confirm the options and any extra costs before booking.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This Nile dahabiya involves uneven surfaces, narrow gangways and low steps between the riverbank and the vessel. Some archaeological sites have stone paths, loose gravel, sand and steps. You should be able to walk short distances on uneven ground, manage 4 to 12 steps without a handrail and step down from a small launch at simple river landings. Wheelchair access is limited on board and at many landing sites, so independent access is not generally possible. If you use a mobility aid, tell us before booking. We can ask the cruise supplier about assistance, transfers and shore visits that may better suit your needs. Service animals require advance notice and are subject to local rules.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The dahabiya uses its sail while travelling between stops, reducing engine use when wind conditions allow. A small auxiliary motor may be needed when the wind is insufficient. Onshore transfers are arranged with local suppliers using air-conditioned minibuses that meet Euro 4-equivalent emissions standards. We work with locally based captains, Egyptian chefs and shore guides. Local site guides and village artisans are paid for visits and demonstrations, directing some visitor spending to the communities visited. Single-use plastics are minimised on board, and kitchen staff source produce from nearby markets when available. These measures do not remove the environmental impact of travel. Tell us when booking if you have dietary or single-use plastic preferences, and we will pass your request to the supplier.

• 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

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

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Edfu TempleRight here
• Kom Ombo TempleRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Sail aboard a vessel without an engine

2. 02

   Choose a slower-paced alternative to large Nile cruisers

3. 03

   Arrange stops along the Esna to Aswan route

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya cruise?

   The Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya holiday lasts 8 days. The exact number of nights aboard and the embarkation and disembarkation points depend on the confirmed itinerary, so check those details on your booking page before arranging flights or other travel.
2. 02How are transfers to the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya arranged?

   Transfers to and from the embarkation points are included in the listed arrangements. Discovery Tours Egypt coordinates them with the cruise booking; the vessel is owned and operated by the cruise line. Check your final documents for the meeting point and transfer timings, as these depend on your confirmed itinerary.
3. 03What is included in the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya holiday?

   The arrangements include accommodation aboard Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya, an Egyptologist for the included tours and entrance fees to included sites. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are provided with meals, along with transfers to and from embarkation points, sailing permits and service charges.
4. 04What is not included in the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya holiday?

   International and domestic flights, visa fees, personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, gratuities for the crew and guide, and optional excursions not listed are excluded. Full Board does not mean all drinks are covered: tea, coffee and soft drinks are included with meals, while alcoholic beverages are not.
5. 05Is the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   The available information does not confirm step-free access or cabin accessibility aboard Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya. Boarding a sailing vessel and visiting ancient sites may involve steps, uneven surfaces or limited handrails. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the specific vessel and proposed visits with the cruise line.
6. 06What is the child policy on the Sonesta Amirat 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. Ask us to confirm the cabin arrangement for your family before booking.
7. 07What should I wear and bring on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya?

   Pack light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and comfortable footwear for shore visits. Bring a light layer for cooler evenings, especially from October to April. Choose modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting temples or mosques, and carry water while sightseeing.
8. 08Can I take photographs on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya and during visits?

   Photography rules vary by site and can change, so follow signs and your Egyptologist’s advice at each stop. Some interiors or displays may restrict photography, and flash may not be allowed. Ask before photographing local people or crew, and check the cruise line’s guidance for photography aboard the vessel.
9. 09When is the best time to sail on the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya?

   October to April usually brings more comfortable temperatures for Nile sightseeing. The Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya operates year-round, and river conditions are described as steady. Summer heat can make outdoor visits tiring, so consider the season and your tolerance for high temperatures when choosing dates.
10. 10What makes the Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya route different from a larger Nile cruise?

    A dahabiya sails at a slower pace than a larger Nile cruiser and can offer access to quieter river stops. The specific route and shore visits for Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya are not detailed in the information available here, so consult the itinerary shown for your dates rather than assuming particular sites are included.