Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A 5-star lateen-sail dahabiya with fewer than a dozen cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to narrow Nile sites.
The short answer
Adelaide is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Prices start at $3,050 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beside the Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise, and the lateen sail lifts quietly as the river narrows beyond the larger cruise routes. From the shaded deck, you can watch mud-brick villages, palm groves, and limestone banks pass at an unhurried pace, then step ashore at places such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab where a larger vessel cannot dock.
Our Egyptologists bring the ancient sites into focus without rushing the day, while the captain and chef keep the atmosphere calm aboard. We select and arrange this intimate sailing, with your embarkation details, shore visits, and on-the-ground support confirmed before you travel.
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 prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Esnaembarks Fridays | October – April: from $3,050double cabin |
| 4 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,968double cabin |
Choose your cruise and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
On arrival at Luxor airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a full day of sightseeing in Luxor: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. In the afternoon you're driven to Esna to board your dahabiya, welcomed aboard by the crew for your first night moored at Esna.
- 2
Breakfast at leisure as the dahabiya sails towards Edfu, arriving around midday. Visit the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then browse the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
After lunch on board, continue sailing 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. Continue sailing towards Aswan, watching river life along the banks — water buffalo, donkeys and birdlife — and moor for the night 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 wander the Aswan bazaar. Return to the boat for your final evening and overnight in Aswan.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport or train station for your onward departure.
- 1
On arrival at Aswan airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a day of sightseeing in Aswan — 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 enjoy lunch on deck as the boat sets sail for Kom Ombo, mooring there for the night.
- 2
Breakfast at 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 allowing.
- 3
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then explore 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 for the occasion, before sailing on gently towards Esna overnight.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and drive 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 train station for departure.
The ship
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya
- Cabins
- 10
What lingers
- 01Moor at Luxor West Bank after sunset for quieter visits to tombs; avoids large-cruise afternoon crowds.
- 02Pass through Esna Lock by day; sail between villages, offering close views of Nile agriculture and riverside life.
- 03Unlike large Nile cruise ships, the Adelaide uses nimble moorings in village harbors for less crowded shore access.
- 04We schedule visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu when operational hours and crowds allow; optional Abu Simbel transfer available.
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Adelaide Dahabiya, in the cabin booked
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Professional captain and onboard crew, including a chef
- Guided shore excursions and landings listed in the vessel’s program where included
- Use of the vessel’s sailing equipment (lateen sails) and onboard facilities
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for crew, guides and Egyptologists
- Entrance fees for premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I, and any optional site surcharges
- International and domestic flights, airport taxes and transfers to or from embarkation ports unless stated
- Personal expenses, laundry and optional extras
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suited to adult travelers, couples, and small groups who prefer a quieter Nile experience with fewer cabins and a slower pace. It also appeals to history-focused visitors who want access to major temple sites and smaller Nile landings rather than a large-ship program.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Abundance Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $2,835 per person
- Princess Farida Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $2,835 per person
- Merit 1 Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Esna
From $2,665 per person
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
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport plus photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunhat and UV-protection sunglasses
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and lip balm
- Lightweight daypack for excursions
- Reusable water bottle, refillable on board
- Any personal medication in original packaging
- Compact flashlight for uneven paths at night
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for heat
- Long sleeves and long trousers for sun and mosques
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light fleece for cooler evenings on deck
- Sturdy closed shoes for temple stone and landing sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; 12 years and older 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 usable on broader riverbanks but are impractical for many smaller landings and temple approaches due to steps and uneven surfaces. High chairs are not standard on dahabiyas; request assistance in advance and we will advise whether the vessel assigned for your sailing can provide one.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Boarding and disembarking the dahabiya involves a gangplank and one or two short ladder-style steps, which may be unstable in strong current or wind. Shore landings at smaller sites use short launches or stepping across low boats onto riverbanks, often over sand, pebbles, or uneven stone. Major temple sites such as Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo have uneven ancient stone, steps and limited continuous ramps; Philae has a short boat transfer then level paths with some thresholds. Wheelchairs are not practical for many shore excursions; folding travel wheelchairs that can be lifted by crew may be possible but require advance notice. If you use a mobility aid, please contact us when booking so we can assess each landing and arrange additional staff assistance when feasible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will provide a named representative at arrival to discuss accessibility needs and any alternative arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Adelaide dahabiya route uses sail power as the primary propulsion when wind conditions permit, reducing fuel use during sailing days on the Nile. When motoring is required for safety or schedule needs, the vessel uses inboard diesel engines typical of small Nile craft. Transfers to and from airports are by modern, air-conditioned minibuses that meet local emissions and safety standards. We work with the same small crew teams and local suppliers year to year, which supports predictable income for captains, sailors and cooks in Luxor and Aswan. Shore excursions use local Egyptologists and licensed guides from the communities visited, and crew tips and local landing fees go directly to the local workforce.
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 early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
This allows for a more in-depth exploration of both well-known and less-visited sites along the Nile.02What is included in the Adelaide Dahabiya cruise price?
The cruise includes accommodation aboard the Adelaide Dahabiya, full board meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, and guided shore excursions as listed in the vessel's program. You will also have a professional captain and crew.03What is not included in the Adelaide Dahabiya cruise?
Excluded from the cruise price are drinks (including water), gratuities for the crew and guides, and entrance fees for premium tombs like Tutankhamun's. International and domestic flights, airport transfers, and personal expenses are also not included.04What kind of vessel is the Adelaide Dahabiya?
The Adelaide Dahabiya is a traditional, intimate Nile cruiser with lateen sails, typically featuring fewer than a dozen cabins. It is designed for a more personalised experience, reaching unique sites like Gebel Silsila that larger motor cruisers cannot access.05What is the typical itinerary for the Adelaide Dahabiya cruise?
The onboard program alternates sailing days with guided shore excursions. You will visit sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings, alongside less-frequented locations like El Kab and Gebel Silsila.06Is the Adelaide Dahabiya suitable for children?
Children 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a dahabiya Nile cruise?
We recommend bringing light, comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather and modest attire for temple visits. Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions are essential. A light jacket may be useful for cooler evenings.08What are the accessibility considerations for the Adelaide Dahabiya?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate experience, but access to the vessel and shore excursions may involve steps, gangplanks, and walking on uneven ancient terrain. Guests with mobility concerns should discuss their specific needs with us to ensure suitability.09Are there opportunities for photography during the cruise?
Photography is generally permitted at most sites, though some tombs or specific areas may have restrictions or require an extra fee for cameras. Your Egyptologist will advise on site-specific photography rules during excursions.10What is the best time of year to take a dahabiya Nile cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best time for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, especially for daytime excursions.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-941842
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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