Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
The short answer
Akhnaton is a 5-Star Standard 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 $1,314 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile turns silver beside the shaded deck, and the riverbank slips past at a pace that lets you notice palms, fishing boats, and village life. Between sailing, you explore ancient sites on foot, from the columns of Karnak Temple to the quiet stones of the Valley of the Kings, with time to absorb each setting rather than rush through it.
This is a more intimate alternative to large Nile cruise programs, with space to read, watch the river, or share a meal in the dining room. We arrange the Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise, shore visits, and licensed Egyptologists so your days feel organized without losing the calm of the river.
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 | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Esnaembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,314double cabinsingle cabin $1,958 | May – September: from $1,247double cabinsingle cabin $1,847 | Peak dates: from $1,558double cabinsingle cabin $2,381 |
| 4 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,659double cabinsingle cabin $2,518 | May – September: from $1,570double cabinsingle cabin $2,370 | Peak dates: from $1,985double cabinsingle cabin $3,081 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. 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.
What lingers
- 01Overnight moorings at small Nile villages – fewer tourist boats, calmer light for photography and short evening walks.
- 02Our Egyptologist-led walks at Luxor West Bank include the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
- 03Sail sections scheduled mid-morning to early afternoon – quieter river banks and longer on-shore visits than typical day-cruise.
- 04We stop at Kom Ombo for the double temple and Edfu for a guided visit after the motor boats leave.
- 05Embark or disembark in Luxor or Aswan; transfer and luggage handling are arranged by our team.
On property
What's here
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Spa
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- Beach access
- Airport shuttle
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
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 program
- 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 (including water)
- Optional extras such as hot-air balloon flights or private transfers
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
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 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.
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.
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,291 per person
- Three Pyramids Dahabiya
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,346 per person
- Bens Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,346 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
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
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
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. On board, children under 6 travel free sharing their parents' cabin, and children 6 to 11 pay 50% of the adult rate on an extra bed, with a maximum of one child per cabin. From 12, the adult rate applies.
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.
– 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 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
01What is the Akhnaton Dahabiya?
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?
Embark and disembark times, and the number of overnight stays, can vary by departure–please confirm exact embark/disembark ports when you book.03What is included in the Akhnaton Dahabiya fare?
Inclusions vary by charter; contact us for the Akhnaton Dahabiya's precise fare inclusions. 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.05
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.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-372244
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Standard
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