Storia The Dahabeya Nile Cruise
An intimate 5-star dahabeya with lateen sails, Nile-view cabins, shaded deck space, and full-board dining between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 1 days · 0 nights
- Embarks
- Daily
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Storia The Dahabeya is a boutique Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
Storia is a traditional sailing dahabiya on the quiet stretch of the Nile between Esna and Aswan, carrying a handful of cabins, dining on deck, and moorings at islands and villages the big ships pass by. Cabin rates and departures for this vessel are confirmed on request — let us know your dates and we will check availability and pricing directly with the operator.
Background
The facts
Storia The Dahabeya is a Nile river cruise vessel designed in the traditional dahabeya style, with cabins arranged for river views and a quieter onboard atmosphere than larger motorised cruise ships. It sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at those ports. The vessel is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the cruise itself is operated by the third-party cruise line.
The included shore excursion program typically covers major Upper Egypt sites along the Nile corridor: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings on the west bank, and the temples of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae near Aswan. These are among the best-known Pharaonic and Greco-Roman monuments in southern Egypt. Standard site entrance fees are included unless a premium area or special ticket is requested separately.
Onboard facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining saloon, and full board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast. Dahabeya cabins typically offer Nile-view windows or small balconies where available, and the smaller guest count creates a more intimate crew-to-guest ratio than on larger cruise vessels. Short sailing periods on the river are part of the experience, especially around sunset and while moving between excursion stops.
The cruise route connects Luxor and Aswan, two cities roughly 220 km apart by river, with navigation arranged around the vessel program and local sailing conditions. The dahabeya format is traditionally associated with slower river travel on the Nile and is often chosen by travelers who want a smaller-ship environment rather than a large floating hotel.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who prefer a quieter, boutique river experience with fewer guests and a slower pace. It is a strong fit for couples, mature travelers, and history-focused visitors who value Egyptologist-guided sightseeing and comfortable onboard dining.
What lingers
- 01Traditional dahabeya cabins with Nile-view windows or small balconies where available
- 02Shaded sun deck for relaxation and short sunset sailings on the river
- 03Lounge bar and dining saloon serving full board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast
- 04Guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 05Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation/disembarkation at those ports
- 06Intimate passenger capacity, suited to travelers preferring a relaxed, small-ship atmosphere
The route
Esna and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
4 nights / 5 days · Esna to Aswan
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £3,617 | £8,033 |
| Double cabin | £2,273 | £4,769 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Esna
| Cabin | Low seasonMay – September | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £2,784 | £6,096 |
| Double cabin | £1,776 | £3,648 |
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.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals, from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- Scheduled guided shore excursions as per the vessel program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae
- Services of an English-speaking Egyptologist for shore excursions
- Use of onboard facilities: sun deck, lounge bar and public lounges
- Port and harbour taxes
Not included
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, unless stated otherwise
- Gratuities for crew, Egyptologist and guides
- Private or optional excursions not listed in the vessel program
- Entrance fees for premium optional sites not included in standard shore excursions (for example, pyramid interiors where applicable)
- International and domestic flights to embarkation/disembarkation ports
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya programme requires a moderate level of mobility. Expect uneven riverbank paths, cobbles at some landing sites, short gangplanks to board and disembark, and stone steps at ancient sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo. Many shore visits include walking on uneven, worn stone and short staircases without handrails. The vessel has single-level cabins in most cases but some cabins require steps down from the deck; ask us for a cabin close to the deck if you have limited mobility. Wheelchairs can be accommodated only with advance notice and depending on the assigned vessel and port facilities; some landing sites and smaller quays are not wheelchair accessible. If you use a mobility scooter, please contact us before booking so we can confirm access and safe storage ashore. Our Egyptologists and crew can assist with short transfers between the quay and the vessel, but we cannot guarantee technical lifting assistance.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport with at least six months validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with tread for uneven stone
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Lightweight daypack for water, camera, and personal items
- Reusable water bottle to refill on board
- A small torch or headlamp for uneven quay areas at night
- Any personal medications plus a photocopy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves and long trousers for sun and mosquito protection at dusk
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple and mosque visits
- A warm layer for early-morning and evening breezes on the river
- Non-slip shoes for boarding and walking on wet quays
Children & families
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. Strollers are practical on the quays and at larger ports but may be difficult to use when boarding via gangplank; please plan to carry infants at some embarkation points. The vessel has no childcare facilities; parents are responsible for supervising children during shore excursions and while on deck.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This dahabiya uses sail propulsion supplemented by a small auxiliary engine for manoeuvring; the sailing profile reduces fuel consumption compared with larger engine-powered Nile cruisers. Transfers to and from Luxor and Aswan use modern air-conditioned minibuses that meet local emissions standards, and we work with locally owned transport companies whenever possible. Shore excursions employ certified local Egyptologists and community guides who are paid at local market rates, which supports village economies along the Nile. The onboard team sources fresh produce from markets in Luxor and Aswan, supporting small-scale farmers and suppliers. Compared with larger 5-star cruisers, the dahabiya’s low passenger count reduces per-person resource use and allows visits to smaller quays and archaeological sites that do not require large infrastructure. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we request guests follow site rules: take all litter with you, avoid removing artefacts or stones, and ask permission before photographing people in village settings.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
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
Product ID: CRU-NIL-404494
You Might Also Like
Luxor6 Nights
Abundance Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Abundance Dahabiya is a traditional sail-powered dahabiya offering an intimate, slower-paced way to travel the Nile. The vessel uses lateen sails and carries a professional captain and crew; chef-prepared meals are served on board and Full Board is provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The dahabiya typically sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan and reaches secluded moorings such as Hagar Silsala and Gebel Silsila. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, has carefully selected and arranges this cruise as part of your trip.
From £1,776
NileAbydos Dahabiya
Embark in Luxor and disembark in Aswan on a five-day dahabiya that calls at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel El Silsila and Kom Ombo. The Abydos Dahabiya typically accommodates 8–14 guests, so the pace is intimate and unhurried. Our Egyptologists lead every excursion, explaining inscriptions, temple architecture and local history at each stop. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers in Luxor and Aswan. Unlike larger motor cruises, this route gives extended shore time at Gebel El Silsila and El Kab, and evenings often include riverside meals near quiet village landings. Trade-offs: cabins are compact and the programme is deliberately relaxed, so this is not a party vessel but a small-guest sailing experience focused on archaeology and village riverside life.
Nile5 Nights
Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile aboard the Adelaide Dahabiya for seven days, cruising at a slower, sail-influenced pace that prioritises time ashore. This is a small-boat alternative to four-night motor-ship cruises; the slower schedule lets you visit quieter riverbanks and villages. We arrange private Egyptologists and short road transfers rather than large coach movements. Expect smaller cabins and fewer onboard facilities than a large river cruise ship, and variable sail timings when wind conditions change. We operate Adelaide Dahabiya as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and provide local crew, fuel-powered backup, and all on-shore logistics.
From £1,875