Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise
An intimate five-star dahabiya with a lateen sail, panoramic cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar, and chef-prepared full-board dining.
The short answer
Malouka is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya. Embark in Esna on a Monday for 5 nights to Aswan. Prices start at $4,172 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile is quiet except for water against the hull and the lateen sail lifting above the riverbank. From the deck of the Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise, you watch villages, palms, and desert edges pass at river level, with time to read, linger over a chef-prepared meal, or listen as the captain adjusts the sail.
Our Egyptologists give the ancient sites context without rushing you between them, while the intimate dahabiya creates a calmer rhythm than a large river cruiser. We arrange the cabin, meals, shore visits, and transfers around your sailing, with the practical details confirmed before departure.
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this ship works. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season |
|---|---|
| 5 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $4,172double cabin |
Choose your cruise and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
On arrival at Luxor airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a full day of sightseeing in Luxor: Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut. In the afternoon you are driven to Esna, where the dahabiya waits below the lock, to board, settle into your cabin and have dinner on board.
- 2
Morning visit to the rock-cut tombs of El Kab, one of Egypt’s oldest settlements, then a slow sail toward Edfu with lunch on deck and an evening mooring near the town.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, in the cool of the morning. Sail on to Gebel el Silsila, where the Nile narrows between sandstone cliffs quarried for the great temples.
- 4
Explore the rock chapels and ancient quarries of Gebel el Silsila before sailing to Kom Ombo, where the twin temple of Sobek and Horus stands right on the bend of the river.
- 5
A day of pure sailing among the islands south of Kom Ombo, with a swimming stop, a walk through a Nubian village, and a farewell dinner on board as the boat nears Aswan.
- 6
Breakfast on board as the dahabiya reaches Aswan, then disembarkation and onward transfer.
The ship
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya
- Cabins
- 10
What lingers
- 01Five-star dahabiya with a sun deck, lounge bar and dining salon
- 02Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies
- 03Shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 04Calls at Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae as part of the excursion program
- 05Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor and Aswan
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Malouka Dahabiya.
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- Guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae.
Not included
- International or domestic flights.
- Visas and travel insurance.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists unless requested.
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.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is best suited to travelers who want a comfortable Nile itinerary with guided visits to major temples and tombs, especially couples, adult friends, and first-time visitors. It also suits travelers who prefer a slower pace than a large cruise ship and value smaller-boat atmosphere over heavy entertainment programming.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Minya Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $3,846 per person
The route
Esna and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brim hat
- Reusable water bottle
- Lightweight daypack for excursions
- A small torch or headlamp for temple interiors
- Any personal medications and a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days
- Long sleeves and long trousers for sun and mosques
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light fleece or layer for cooler evenings on the deck
- Non-slip closed shoes for boarding and walking on ruins
Children & families
Children aged 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 fare. 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 ashore when paved, but narrow gangways and steps make them awkward for boarding; please request assistance at booking. Child meals follow the vessel’s menu; special dietary needs should be advised in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Malouka dahabiya itinerary involves boarding a small sail-powered dahabiya, repeated short transfers between dock and shore by gangway or tender, and visits to archaeological sites with uneven stone, high steps and gravel. Cabins are accessed by steps and narrow corridors; there is no lift. At the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Edfu expect cobbles, stairs inside temples and occasional steep ramps. Wheelchair users and people with limited mobility should notify us at booking so we can advise whether specific landings and tomb visits are possible; some sites can only be experienced from the river or the temple forecourts. We arrange a meet-and-assist on arrival at the airport, but full step-free independent access for the complete itinerary cannot be guaranteed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This is a traditional dahabiya sailing program, using lateen sails for much of the transit and very limited engine power, which reduces fuel consumption compared with larger motor cruise ships. On shore excursions we use modern minibuses with Euro 5/6 compliant engines where available, driven by local drivers we have contracted directly. We source fresh food locally, and the vessel’s crew are recruited from nearby Nile towns. Where visits include small rural sites, entrance fees and guide services contribute directly to site maintenance and to local guides and boatmen. We do not claim carbon neutrality; instead we prioritize lower-impact sail transit, smaller group sizes, and tangible local supplier relationships to reduce per-guest footprint.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of the Malouka Dahabiya Nile cruise?
This allows for a more relaxed pace and visits to several significant ancient sites along the Nile River.02What is included in the Malouka Dahabiya cruise fare?
Your cruise fare includes accommodation aboard the Malouka Dahabiya, full board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and guided shore excursions to sites like Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.03What is the accessibility like on the Malouka Dahabiya?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate experience, but access involves gangplanks to board and stairs between decks. Shore excursions may include walking on uneven ancient stone or sandy paths. Travelers with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us.04What is the policy for children on the Malouka Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the 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.05What should I wear and bring for the Malouka Dahabiya cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, modest attire for religious sites, and comfortable walking shoes. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and any personal medications. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jacket is advisable.06What kind of meals are served on board the Malouka Dahabiya?
The Malouka Dahabiya offers full board meals, which typically include a mix of Egyptian and international cuisine, prepared by the onboard chef. Meals are served in the dining salon, with fresh ingredients sourced locally.07What is the difference between a dahabiya and a larger Nile cruiser?
A dahabiya like the Malouka is a smaller, sail-powered vessel, offering a more intimate and slower-paced experience. It can access unique sites larger cruisers cannot reach, such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, providing a more exclusive journey.08Can I arrange a private charter of the Malouka Dahabiya?
Yes, the Malouka Dahabiya can be arranged for exclusive private charters, offering a personalised itinerary for families or groups. This allows for greater flexibility in shore excursions and sailing schedules, subject to availability.09What is the best time of year to take a Malouka Dahabiya Nile cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-175389
At a glance
- Length
- 5 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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