Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Five-star dahabiya with panoramic windows, sun deck, lounge bar, full-board dining and guided shore excursions, sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
This seven-day itinerary sails the Nile on a traditional dahabiya, stopping at temples and riverside villages. We handle embarkation, crew, daily breakfasts and guided shore visits; premium tomb fees are extra.
Background
The facts
Akhnaton Dahabiya is a dahabiya-style Nile cruise vessel used for sailing between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River in Upper Egypt. Dahabiyas are smaller sailing craft than large cruise ships, and this format is typically chosen for a quieter onboard atmosphere, fewer passengers, and more time focused on the riverfront landscape between port calls.
The vessel’s excursion programme includes major sites along the Luxor-Aswan corridor. In Luxor, shore excursions commonly cover Karnak Temple, begun in the Middle Kingdom and expanded for centuries, and Luxor Temple, which was built largely during the New Kingdom and later modified by Roman rulers. West Bank visits may include the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs on the Theban hills.
Further south, the sailing programme includes Edfu, where the Temple of Horus is one of the best-preserved Ptolemaic temples in Egypt, and Kom Ombo, a double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. In Aswan, visits may include Philae Temple, which was relocated after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to preserve it from rising waters. Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation in those two cities.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This vessel suits adult travelers and older children who want a slower-paced Nile journey with guided sightseeing rather than a large-group coach format. It is a strong fit for history-focused visitors, couples, and small groups who value cabin comfort, Nile views, and a quieter onboard environment.
What lingers
- 01We sail a seven-day dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae.
- 02Overnight moorings at small Nile villages – fewer tourist boats, calmer light for photography and short evening walks.
- 03Our Egyptologist-led walks at Luxor West Bank include the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
- 04Sail sections scheduled mid-morning to early afternoon – quieter river banks and longer on-shore visits than typical day-cruise.
- 05We stop at Kom Ombo for the double temple and Edfu for a guided visit after the motor boats leave.
- 06Embark or disembark in Luxor or Aswan; transfer and luggage handling are arranged by our team.
The route
Esna and Aswan
Choose your direction
- Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
5 Days / 4 Nights · Esna to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $919 | $957 | $1,094 |
| Suite | $1,182 | $1,257 | $1,269 |
| Single Cabin | $2,032 | $2,157 | $2,632 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Esna
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $784 | $812 | $915 |
| Suite | $981 | $1,037 | $1,046 |
| Single Cabin | $1,618 | $1,712 | $2,068 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- air-conditioning
- restaurant
- room-service
- spa
- non-smoking
- wifi
- beach-access
- airport-shuttle
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Akhnaton Dahabiya
- Full board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Guided shore excursions led by licensed Egyptologists as per the vessel programme
- Onboard use of public areas: sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Onboard amenities listed by the vessel: air-conditioning, WiFi where available, room service, spa access
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Gratuities for cabin crew, Egyptologists and local staff
- Premium alcoholic and bottled drinks beyond water with meals
- Optional extras such as hot-air balloon flights or private transfers
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Akhnaton Dahabiya has stairs between decks, narrow cabin doorways, and gangways that may be steep when the vessel is alongside a riverbank. Public areas include the sun deck and a lounge accessed by steps; there is no wheelchair lift. Guests who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility should contact us before booking so we can assess specific cabins and shore excursion routes. Shore excursions often involve uneven stone, short stretches of sand, and stairs at temple entrances such as Karnak and Luxor Temple. We arrange assistance on embarkation and disembarkation where possible, but full step-free access cannot be guaranteed.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed booking voucher
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack and refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses and a small first-aid kit
- Camera with extra batteries or charger
- Any essential medication, with prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves or a light shawl for sun and temple visits
- Trousers or skirts that cover the knee for religious sites
- A light sweater for cooler mornings and air-conditioned interiors
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for temple steps and uneven surfaces
Children & families
Children under 2 years typically travel free when sharing a cabin with parents, subject to cabin capacity limits; older children pay the applicable child fare, which varies by cabin class. The vessel has limited space for cots and does not provide childproofing; please request a cot when booking and we will confirm availability. Strollers are practical on the quayside but can be awkward on gangways and during shore visits, where carriers or compact folding strollers are easier. Family cabins are limited so early booking is recommended.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Akhnaton Dahabiya is a small, traditionally styled Nile sailing craft that uses low-wake diesel engines for manoeuvring and river transits; fuel use is lower than that of larger motor cruise ships because of the vessel's size. We work with the vessel's management to minimise single-use plastics aboard, and the crew follows local waste-segregation practices where shore disposal facilities permit. Shore excursions use small, air-conditioned coaches or launches owned by local suppliers; we favour partners who employ local Egyptologists and crew from the surrounding communities. Portions of passenger tips and some shore-excursion income support local boat crews and guides on the Luxor and Aswan sections, and we encourage guests to buy crafts directly from community artisans at scheduled stops.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the Akhnaton Dahabiya?
The Akhnaton Dahabiya is a seven-day Nile dahabiya operated by us, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. It is a sailing-style houseboat used for slow-paced cruises along the Nile, typically calling at river towns and monuments. We operate the Akhnaton as private charters rather than large-group coach-linked cruises, so itineraries are more flexible but quieter. Trade-offs include more open decks and less engine power than motor cruises, which means calmer travel but limited shade at midday.02How long is the Akhnaton Dahabiya cruise?
The published duration for the Akhnaton Dahabiya is seven days. Embark and disembark times, and the number of overnight stays, can vary by departure–please confirm exact embark/disembark ports when you book. Compared with common 3–4 night motor cruises, a seven-day dahabiya gives more time ashore and fewer rushed visits to sites.03What is included in the Akhnaton Dahabiya fare?
Inclusions vary by charter; contact us for the Akhnaton Dahabiya's precise fare inclusions. As a rule, standard site entrance fees are included unless we explicitly state otherwise; pyramid interiors, premium tombs (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I), and gratuities are normally excluded. We arrange agreed transfers and local Egyptologist guiding where specified, and we will list any extras before you confirm.04Is the Akhnaton Dahabiya suitable for elderly travelers or people with mobility issues?
It depends on the individual's mobility and support needs; boarding a dahabiya requires stepping over a gangway and walking on uneven surfaces. There are usually steps between decks, limited handrails, and riverside moorings that can involve short walks on uneven ground or sand. We can advise cabin placement, arrange extra assistance ashore where feasible, and recommend alternatives if you need full wheelchair-accessible facilities.05What should I pack for a seven-day dahabiya cruise on the Nile?
Bring sun protection, light layers, sturdy closed shoes, personal medications, and a small daypack for shore visits. Temples and mosques require modest dress (shoulders and knees covered), so pack a lightweight scarf or long-sleeve shirt. Also include a universal plug adapter, any preferred toiletries, and motion-sickness remedies if you are sensitive to gentle boat movement.06How is food handled onboard and can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Meals are prepared aboard or provided ashore depending on the itinerary; we can usually accommodate common dietary requirements with advance notice. Please tell us about allergies, vegetarian, halal, or gluten-free needs at booking so we can plan provisioning and chef instructions. Note that on longer stretches between towns, availability of specialty ingredients can be limited, so advance notice improves options.
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
Last updated 18 May 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-372244
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