Karnak Dahabiya
A 5-star sail-powered dahabiya with an intimate atmosphere, chef-prepared full-board dining, and a spacious sun deck.
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 the riverbank, the lateen sail lifts quietly above Karnak Dahabiya as the Nile carries you past palms, mud-brick villages, and fields bright with afternoon sun. The pace leaves room to listen to the water, linger over a chef-prepared lunch, and watch the landscape change between Luxor and Aswan.
Our Egyptologists bring the ancient sites into focus without rushing the day, while the captain chooses a steady course toward quieter places such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the vessel, shore visits, and ground logistics, so your time aboard feels personal while the practical details remain in our hands.
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
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on the Karnak Dahabiya
- All meals onboard
- Guided excursions with licensed Egyptologist
- Entrance fees to listed sites
- Private transfers in Luxor and Aswan
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours not listed in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves boarding a traditional dahabiya by gangplank, walking on soft sand and uneven ancient stone at shore sites, and climbing shipboard steps to access cabins and the deck. Many archaeological sites visited, such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, have uneven surfaces, low doorways, narrow tomb passages, and steep steps. Wheelchair access is limited: the vessel does not have an elevator, and most shore landings require steps or a small boarding ramp. Guests who use wheelchairs or have reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can assess practicality, discuss alternate landing arrangements where possible, and arrange extra assistance. Mobility scooters and large powered wheelchairs are generally not practical for shore transfers or some temple approaches. We can provide a collapsible folding wheelchair on request subject to availability, but guests must confirm needs at least 21 days before departure.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This is a sail-powered dahabiya that uses lateen sails as the primary means of propulsion, reducing engine fuel consumption compared with larger cruisers. The vessel we arrange is small, typically 8 to 12 cabins, which limits wake and reduces riverbank erosion compared with larger, heavier ships. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we contract local captains, Egyptian chefs and crew, and source fresh provisions from nearby markets in Luxor and Aswan to support local suppliers. Where shore visits include villages or community workshops we use vetted local guides and pay agreed local fees directly to community hosts. On board we encourage reduced single-use plastics, separate waste collection when port facilities permit, and sensible water use; however port disposal and recycling services vary along the Nile. If you have specific sustainability priorities, tell us when you enquire and we will outline measurable options we can provide for your booking.
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 emergency contact details
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen
- Lightweight layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- Small daypack for shore excursions and water bottle
- Insect repellent for dusk and riverbank visits
- Any personal medication and a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun and temple protection
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light sweater or fleece for cooler early-morning sails
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on flat promenade areas but are cumbersome on gangplanks and at some shore landings; many parents prefer a lightweight folding stroller. Child-specific life jackets are provided on board on request, and the crew can advise on swim safety during swimming stops.
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-430976
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