La Rose Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to smaller 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
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beneath La Rose Dahabiya’s lateen sail, while the captain eases the boat toward a quieter riverbank. There is no nightclub or engine hum, only water against the hull, conversation over a chef-prepared meal, and the changing light across fields and desert slopes.
Our Egyptologists guide shore visits to places larger Nile cruisers cannot reach, including El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and the Hagar Salsala quarry. The pace leaves room to sit on deck, listen to village life, and notice details that disappear on a tightly scheduled sailing. Discovery Tours Egypt carefully selects and arranges the vessel, shore visits, meals, and ground support, with our team available throughout your time in Egypt.
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
- Spacious sundeck with loungers
- Dining area
- Air conditioning
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard La Rose Dahabiya
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Certified Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- Private transfers to/from the boat
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Optional tours (hot air balloon, Abu Simbel, felucca rides)
- Additional beverages
- Personal expenses
- Domestic or international flights
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise involves daily embarkations and shore walks on uneven quays, soft sand, and ancient stone at temples and quarries. Expect steps to board and disembark, narrow gangways, occasional loose stones at sites such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab, and short inclines when entering temple precincts. Wheelchair users should note that full wheelchair access is not possible on this route; transfer vehicles and many landing points are not level. Guests with limited mobility can usually be assisted by crew and guides, but please contact us in advance so we can assess specific needs and arrange suitable assistance on shore and at transfer points.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses sail-powered dahabiyas for principal movement on the Nile, reducing engine fuel use while underway. On land we arrange transfers in air-conditioned minibuses or private cars provided by local operators; where available we prefer vehicles maintained locally to preserve employment. Crew and kitchen staff are hired from nearby communities and meals are chef-prepared with ingredients sourced from regional markets. Shore excursions include small-group visits to local villages and craftspeople, with a portion of site fees and supplier payments retained locally. We encourage low-impact behaviour on archaeological sites: keep to marked paths, avoid touching carvings, and use reusable water bottles on board.
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 necessary visas
- Lightweight daypack for shore visits
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and lip protection
- Wide-brim hat and UV-protection sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Small torch or headlamp for uneven paths
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing
- Long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders for temples
- A light fleece or shawl for cooler evenings on deck
- Closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites and quarries
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 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, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on flat hotel areas but often impractical on quays and at small landing stages; please bring a lightweight, foldable pushchair if needed. Child-friendly meals can be arranged on request, and we recommend notifying us of ages and any dietary needs at booking.
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-727822
You Might Also Like
NileNawara Dahabiya
Nawara Dahabiya sails the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, calling at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel El Silsila, Kom Ombo, Daraw, and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our certified Egyptologists lead the guided visits at each site. The itinerary moves at a slow, classical sailing pace, including an overnight mooring near Fawaza Island and extended onshore time at quarry sites and village walks. Unlike larger motorized cruises, this dahabiya stays close to small islands and quieter riverbanks, which allows longer visits ashore and calmer evenings. You board in Luxor and disembark in Aswan, with time for the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk on the final day.
Nile5 Nights
Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Malouka Dahabiya is a five-star dahabiya, arranged for you as a full board Nile cruise vessel with traditional low-slung lines and spacious public areas. The vessel offers a mix of Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, a sun deck, lounge bar and a dining salon serving full board meals. The shore-excursion program visits Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and books this vessel for our clients on the ground.
From $3,738
NileDahabiya Zekrayaat
Sail the Nile aboard Zekrayaat Dahabiya, following the river from Luxor toward Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and a licensed Egyptologist leads every site visit. You visit Esna Temple, travel by horse-carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, meet families at Wadi El Shat village, and explore Kom Ombo and Philae. The dahabiya keeps a slow, unhurried pace, so mornings ashore are longer than on larger motorized river cruises. We keep groups small, the boat has limited cabins to preserve an intimate atmosphere. Evenings include guided island walks, a sunset on Fawaza Island, and a farewell dinner in Aswan, giving time for relaxed conversation and quiet viewing of the river.