Altesse Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to quieter Nile shore sites.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile is quiet except for the creak of rigging and the soft pull of the lateen sail. From the deck of Altesse Dahabiya, you watch villages, palms, and limestone banks pass at river level, with time to notice details that larger cruisers often miss.
Our Egyptologists give context ashore at places such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, while the captain chooses a steady pace between stops. Meals are prepared on board, and the intimate setting leaves room for conversation, reading, or simply listening to the water. We arrange your transfers, sightseeing, and carefully selected sailing program, with support from a licensed Egyptian tour operator throughout the journey.
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- 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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Library and lounge
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Altesse Dahabiya
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Professional Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees to all included monuments
- Transfers to/from the Dahabiya
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Optional activities not listed
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Personal expenses
- Domestic flights (if needed)
- Travel or medical insurance
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise involves boarding from a river quay via a gangway with 3 to 6 steps; standard cabins are reached by narrow companionways and at least one stair. Shore visits include uneven stone, cobbles, sandy surfaces, and unpaved paths at sites such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and the Hagar Salsala quarry. Wheelchair access is limited: most dahabiyas cannot accept full-size wheelchairs on board, and shore excursions usually require assisted transfers and walking on uneven terrain. Guests with reduced mobility should tell us at booking so we can advise realistic options, arrange extra assistance where possible, and plan excursions with the least-stepping routes. Medical oxygen and powered mobility scooters cannot always be accommodated; please contact us with exact dimensions and needs before travel. Crew will assist with luggage on and off the gangway, and local transfers use private cars with step-in height.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered using a traditional lateen sail, which reduces fuel use while sailing between ports; most vessels carry a small auxiliary diesel engine for manoeuvring and during calm wind conditions. We contract locally owned dahabiyas and employ Egyptian captains, chefs, and crew, keeping wages and service income in the communities visited. Our partners source produce and bread from markets in Luxor, Esna, and Aswan, and many use reusable serviceware to reduce single-use plastics on board. Waste separation is asked for on board and handled by the vessel owner in line with local port rules; greywater is managed at designated collection points rather than being discharged in shallow inshore areas. If you wish to support community projects directly, we can share vetted local initiatives and small-scale suppliers used on this route.
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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy stored separately
- Sun protection: sunscreen SPF50+, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip for uneven surfaces
- Lightweight layers for warm days and cooler evenings on the river
- Reusable water bottle and small daypack for shore visits
- Basic seasickness remedies if you are prone to motion discomfort
- Any prescription medicines plus a printed list of medications
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fabrics
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple and mosque visits
- A light windproof layer for early-morning or evening sailing
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites and quarries
- Modest swimwear if your itinerary includes a supervised swim stop
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents; a maximum of one child may share per cabin. If two or more children travel, they require their own cabin. Strollers are practical for town walks but are not useful on the vessel gangway or at most archaeological sites; high chairs are not standard on dahabiyas but can sometimes be provided by request. Please declare ages at booking so we can confirm cabin arrangements and any child-friendly provisions.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
We don't have current published rates for this ship. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a live price for the cabin you want.
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.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
Product ID: CRU-NIL-566251
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