Assouan Dahabiya
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with a lateen sail, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to lesser-visited Nile shore sites.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Embarks
- Mon
- 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
The lateen sail lifts above the Nile as the Assouan Dahabiya leaves the riverbank, with rigging creaking softly and the water narrowing between palms, fields, and sun-warmed stone. From the shaded deck, you can watch village life pass at an unhurried pace, then step ashore where larger cruisers cannot moor.
Our Egyptologists turn each landing into a readable story, from quarry marks at Gebel Silsila to the quiet paths of El Kab, while the captain chooses a calm place for the evening’s sail. We arrange your transfers, shore visits, and meals with the cruise line, so the experience feels personal without leaving you to manage the details.
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan
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
- 6
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Assouan Dahabiya
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Licensed Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to included sites
- Transfers to and from the dahabiya
- Sailing permits and service charges
Not included
- Gratuities for crew and guide
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Optional excursions (e.g., Abu Simbel)
- Personal expenses
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise requires moderate mobility. Boarding typically uses a short gangway or steps; some embarkation points have uneven stone quays and low-level docks. Cabins are reached by one or two stair flights; there is no elevator on these small sailboats. Shore excursions include walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and steep temple steps at sites such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab. Wheelchair users should note that full wheelchair access is not possible on most dahabiyas or at several river landings. We can arrange porter assistance at airports and help guests with limited mobility during transfers; please tell us your mobility needs at booking so we can plan appropriate support.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya is primarily sail-powered using lateen sails, which reduces fuel use while sailing between Aswan and upstream sites. Because these vessels are small, they use smaller tenders or minimal engine power for manoeuvring, and they visit quays and landing stages that larger cruisers cannot, spreading tourism benefits to smaller riverside communities. We contract local captains, Egyptian crew, and locally sourced produce and provisions where possible, which directs revenue to neighborhood suppliers and markets. Onboard practices commonly used by our selected partners include reduced single-use plastics, measured water use, and basic waste separation. If you have sustainability preferences, tell us at enquiry so we can note them for the crew and suppliers.
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 travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brim hat
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Any personal medications plus a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime
- A warm layer for mornings and evenings on deck
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirts/shorts for temples
- Non-slip closed shoes for temple visits and 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 for airport transfers but are less useful on board due to stair access and limited cabin space. Child seats or high chairs are not standard on dahabiyas; if you need specific child equipment, request it at booking and we will try to arrange it through local suppliers.
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-160659
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