Dahabiya Loulia
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to quieter Nile shore stops.
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 carries the sound of water against Loulia Dahabiya’s hull as the lateen sail gathers the morning breeze. From the shaded deck, you watch villages, palms, and sandstone banks pass at river pace, with no nightclub or engine noise competing with the landscape.
Our Egyptologists bring context to the smaller shore visits, including El Kab and Gebel Silsila, while the captain chooses quiet stretches where the vessel can pause. Meals are prepared on board, and the atmosphere stays intimate from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges this cruise, your guides, transfers, and shore visits so the practical details are handled before you sail.
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
- Elegant lounge and dining area
- Sun deck with loungers and shaded seating
- Traditional wind-powered sailing
- Onboard kitchen
- Air conditioning
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Dahabiya Loulia (private cabin with bathroom)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Egyptologist tour guide
- Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- Private transfers from Luxor/Aswan
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Tipping (crew & guide)
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
A dahabiya has narrow gangways, low decks and steps between the sundeck, salon and cabins; cabins commonly have one or two steps at their doorways. Boarding from the riverbank or a small quay often requires a short gangplank or a low transfer boat depending on water level. Shore excursions visit ancient sites with uneven stone surfaces, steep temple steps and loose sand, and many temples do not have ramps. Wheelchair users with full independent mobility may be able to board with advance notice and bespoke arrangements, but standard wheelchair access is limited and we cannot guarantee ramped access at every pier or site. If you use a mobility scooter, powered wheelchair or need step-free boarding, tell us at booking so we can assess feasibility, arrange specialist assistance where available, and note that some transfers may require local manual handling by trained staff. We recommend guests with reduced mobility travel with a companion and bring any personal transfer aids you require. Our team can provide further, specific advice after we know your mobility needs and flight details.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya relies primarily on sail power, using lateen sails to reduce engine use while cruising the Nile; small auxiliary diesel engines are used sparingly for manoeuvring in locks and low-wind conditions. We select small, locally run vessels and hire local crews and cooks to ensure wages stay within the local community. Onboard provisioning is sourced from nearby markets where possible; fresh produce, bread and fish commonly come from Luxor, Esna and Aswan suppliers. Waste is segregated onboard where facilities allow, and greywater is managed in accordance with local port rules rather than discharged in archaeological sites. Linen is laundered in nearby towns by local laundries rather than flown to distant facilities, creating steady local employment. Shore visits include licensed Egyptologists and local boatmen who receive direct payment for guided services; admission fees and community payments are made through official channels. If you want to reduce plastic waste onboard, bring a refillable bottle.
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 plus photocopy and emergency contact
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Light layer for cool early mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for cameras, water and personal items
- Personal medications, seasickness remedies and basic first-aid
- Plug adapter (Egypt uses types C and F, 220V)
- Reusable water bottle for refills onboard
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light sweater or fleece for evenings on deck
- Flat, non-slip shoes for uneven stone and gangplanks
- Modest swimwear if planning to bathe from the riverbank
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12 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 can be used on quayside and larger piers but are impractical on soft riverbanks and inside many archaeological sites; please bring a lightweight, foldable stroller if needed. High chairs and child-specific equipment are limited onboard dahabiyas; if you require these items, request them at booking so we can confirm availability with the vessel provider.
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-678556
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