Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Storia The Dahabeya Nile Cruise
A 5-star sailing vessel with cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar and dining saloon, plus guided shore excursions at major Nile sites.
The short answer
Storia The is a 5-Star Luxury dahabiya. Board in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Fares start from £4,214 per person, two sharing a double cabin, with full board, guided sightseeing and transfers included.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile shifts from grey to gold beyond the sun deck, and palm groves pass at river pace. Inside Storia The Dahabeya, traditional cabins and a dining saloon give the day a quieter rhythm between time ashore and the return to the water. At Karnak Temple, carved columns bring the scale of ancient Thebes into view; later, the lounge bar offers a place to sit as the river moves past.
Unlike larger motorised cruisers, a dahabeya is a sailing vessel with a more intimate onboard atmosphere. We arrange your booking and the vessel’s shore-excursion programme, with an English-speaking Egyptologist to explain the sites. Full board runs from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast; drinks are not included, even with meals.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and fares
Fares are per person in GBP, based on two sharing a double cabin. Each fare includes the full cruise, the guided sightseeing programme on the way, and transfers between the boat and the local airport or railway station at both ends.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Esnaembarks Fridays | October – April: from £4,214double cabinsingle cabin £6,996 | May – September: from £2,087double cabinsingle cabin £3,232 |
| 4 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £5,546double cabinsingle cabin £9,255 | May – September: from £2,709double cabinsingle cabin £4,237 |
Pick your cruise and date in the booking panel to see the exact fare.
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.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days 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
- 01Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on guided shore excursions.
- 02Explore the Valley of the Kings with an English-speaking Egyptologist.
- 03See the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple.
- 04Visit Philae, an island temple complex in the Nile near Aswan.
- 05Relax on the sun deck or in the lounge bar between excursions.
- 06Travel by dahabeya, a sail-powered Nile boat rather than a large motorised cruiser.
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Scheduled guided shore excursions in the vessel’s programme to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae
- An English-speaking Egyptologist for shore excursions
- Use of onboard facilities, including the sun deck, lounge bar and public lounges
- Harbour and port charges
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew, Egyptologist and guides
- Private or optional excursions not listed in the vessel’s programme
- International and domestic flights to the embarkation and disembarkation ports
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin category is available if a Nile-view window or small balcony matters to you.
- 02
Check the current sailing schedule before booking flights, as departures are weekly in each direction.
- 03
Carry small notes for gratuities, which are not included in the cruise price.
- 04
Ask whether any requested premium site ticket is separate from the standard excursion entrance fees.
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
Cabin features vary, so request a Nile-view window or small balcony when enquiring; availability is not guaranteed. Private or optional excursions are not part of the scheduled programme and can be discussed separately.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Storia The Dahabeya suits couples, mature travellers and history-focused adults who value quieter sailing and guided visits to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae. It is a good match for travellers who prefer a smaller vessel to a large motorised Nile cruiser and are comfortable with regular walking at archaeological sites.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a larger motorised cruiser if you want extensive onboard entertainment or a faster-paced sailing experience. The shore visits are not suited to travellers who need step-free access or find uneven stone and stairs difficult.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Smaller passenger capacity offers a quieter onboard setting.
Things to Consider
- Uneven stone and steps at several archaeological sites.
- Hot, exposed conditions at temples from May to September.
- Drinks (including water) cost extra.
- Gratuities for crew and guides are not included.
Where it fits
Storia The Dahabeya links Luxor and Aswan, so it can sit between time in either city and onward travel by road or domestic flight. Its shore programme covers major Nile Valley sites, including Karnak Temple, Edfu and Philae.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most large Nile cruisers are motorised; Storia The Dahabeya is presented as a quieter, smaller-scale sailing experience. Unlike a shore-based sightseeing itinerary, its scheduled excursions link Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae along the river route.
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.
- Minya Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From £2,831 pp
The route
Esna and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Dahabeya
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Full-board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Scheduled shore excursions to Karnak and Luxor Temple · Scheduled visit to the Valley of the Kings · Scheduled visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo · Scheduled visit to Philae · English-speaking Egyptologist for shore excursions · Use of the sun deck, lounge bar and public lounges · Harbour and port charges
- Best for
- Travellers seeking a quieter Nile cruise · Couples · Small groups · Guests interested in guided temple visits
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any required visa
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
- High-factor sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Small torch for dimly lit quays
- Personal medication and prescription details
What to wear
- Breathable, lightweight clothes for the heat during the day
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun protection
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- A warm layer for breezy mornings and evenings
- Non-slip shoes for gangplanks and quays
Children & families
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50%; those 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 require their own cabin. Strollers may be difficult to manage on gangplanks and uneven landing sites. There are no childcare facilities, and parents are responsible for children on board and during shore visits.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile dahabeya programme involves moderate physical activity. Boarding and leaving the vessel may require using a short gangplank, and landing sites can have uneven paths, sand or cobbled surfaces. Shore visits include worn stone and steps at places such as the Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo; some steps have no handrails. Wheelchair access cannot be confirmed across all quays and sites, so please contact us before booking to discuss your needs and the vessel assigned to your sailing. Crew may be able to help with short transfers, but lifting assistance is not guaranteed. Strollers can be awkward on gangplanks and uneven paths.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabeya is sail-powered, using its lateen sail while travelling on the Nile. We arrange shore visits with English-speaking Egyptologists and work with local suppliers for services on the route. Onboard meals are full board, and fresh produce may be sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan, depending on availability. Transfers to or from the ports may use air-conditioned road vehicles; the vehicle type and supplier depend on the arrangements for your booking. Please take litter with you, do not remove stones or artefacts, and ask permission before photographing people.
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 Storia The Dahabeya Nile cruise?
Please check the dates and itinerary shown for your chosen departure before booking, as the listed duration does not explain the full sailing programme. The cruise begins and ends at the ports named in your final arrangement.02Where do I board Storia The Dahabeya, and how do I reach the port?
Storia The Dahabeya embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan. Flights to and from those cities are not included. We can confirm the relevant port and any separately arranged transport once your sailing dates and direction are settled.03What is included in the Storia The Dahabeya cruise?
Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The vessel programme includes guided visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with an English-speaking Egyptologist for shore excursions. Port taxes and access to the sun deck and public lounges are also included.04What is not included in the cruise fare?
Flights, gratuities, drinks (including water) and private or optional excursions are excluded. Entry to premium optional sites is also not included where it falls outside the standard shore programme. Check the final itinerary for any site-specific entry arrangements, and refer to the cancellation terms shown on the page for the applicable conditions.05Would Storia The Dahabeya work well for travellers with restricted mobility?
The information provided does not confirm step-free access or mobility assistance aboard Storia The Dahabeya. Boarding a river vessel and visiting ancient sites can involve steps, uneven ground and walking outdoors. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and planned shore visits rather than assume access is suitable.06Can children travel on Storia The Dahabeya?
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. Pricing is per person sharing, and a single supplement applies when an adult occupies a cabin alone.07What should I wear and bring on the Nile cruise?
Bring sun protection, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing for the deck and shore visits. Temperatures can be high, while evenings may feel cooler. Choose modest clothing for visits to religious sites, including covered shoulders and knees. A refillable water bottle is useful.08Can I take photographs during the shore excursions?
Photography rules vary between sites, and some tombs or museum areas may restrict cameras or charge an additional fee. Ask your Egyptologist before photographing inside the Valley of the Kings or at any other site. Be considerate when photographing local people, and do not use flash where signs or staff prohibit it.09When is the best time to sail between Luxor and Aswan?
The cooler months from November to March are generally more comfortable for visiting temples and walking outdoors. Summer brings stronger heat, particularly during midday shore visits.10Which sites can I visit on the Storia The Dahabeya route?
The scheduled shore programme names Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The route runs between Luxor and Aswan, with visits dependent on the vessel’s programme for your departure. Entry to optional premium sites, such as certain tombs, may require a separate ticket.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-404494
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Luxury
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