Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A 5-star dahabiya offering full-board dining and a shore-excursion program along the Nile.
The short answer
Meroe is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe dahabiya. Embark in Esna on a Monday for 5 nights to Aswan. Prices start at $4,491 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
On the Nile, palm trees slide past the sun deck while the river’s surface catches the changing light. Between shore visits, the lounge bar and shared spaces offer a quieter pace; aboard Meroe Dahabiya, the river itself becomes part of the day, not just the route between monuments. The Egyptologist-led excursions bring you close to temples and tombs, then return you to the vessel as the banks drift by.
Meals are full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, but drinks are not included, even with meals. We arrange the cruise and coordinate the shore excursions, so you have one point of contact for the experience on the ground.
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 $4,491double 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
- 01Cabin classes in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, many with Nile views or private balconies
- 02Sun deck for daytime lounging and panoramic river views while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- 03Lounge bar and dining room serving full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 04Shore-excursion program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, guided by an Egyptologist
- 05A paced alternation of sailing and full excursions, unlike tightly scheduled short cruises that rush shore visits
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Accommodation aboard in the chosen cabin class (Standard, Deluxe, Suite).
- Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
- Use of public areas on board including sun deck and lounge bar.
- Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan.
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Premium site entries not covered by standard museum/site tickets (for example, certain tombs).
- Personal gratuities.
- International flights, visas and travel insurance.
- Transfers to or from the embarkation/disembarkation ports unless specifically 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 vessel is well suited to travelers who want a slower Nile itinerary, especially couples, small groups, and independent-minded visitors who prefer a quieter onboard atmosphere. It also fits history-focused travelers who want Egyptologist-led visits to major temple and tomb sites without the pace of a large cruise ship.
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, kept separately
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher, and lip balm with SPF
- Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight daypack for camera, water and layers
- Reusable water bottle
- Small personal first-aid items and any prescription medicines
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves or a light scarf for sun protection and temple visits
- Trousers or knee-length skirts for temples and mosques (covered shoulders)
- A light sweater or fleece for cooler early mornings and evenings on deck
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; 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 usable on the vessel but are not practical on many shore sites because of uneven stone and steps; high chairs and baby equipment depend on the vessel and must be requested in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires moderate mobility for embarkation, shore excursions, and moving around the vessel. Boarding a dahabiya typically involves one or two steps up from a low gangway; cabins and public areas are on a single deck but may have small internal steps. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, loose sand, narrow pathways and temple steps, for example at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae. Vehicles used for transfers are standard sedans or minibuses with steps. Wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can assess each element; many major temple sites are not wheelchair-friendly and some cabins are not adaptable. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will provide detailed accessibility advice, name of the Egyptologist guiding your excursions, and meet-and-assist on arrival to discuss adaptations and additional assistance.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This product is a dahabiya, a traditionally rigged Nile sailing boat that uses wind power for part of its propulsion, reducing engine burn compared with larger engine-driven cruisers while sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel class is small, usually 8 to 12 cabins, which reduces passenger numbers and on-board resource use per sailing. We arrange local provisioning, with chef-prepared meals sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan where possible, supporting local traders and food producers. Onboard generators are used sparingly for electricity, and waste is managed in line with local port rules; single-use plastics are minimised where the supplier permits. Shore excursions are guided by Egyptologists employed locally, and day staff such as drivers and guides are contracted through regional suppliers to keep income in the communities visited. Tell us if you have dietary or sustainability preferences and we will relay them to the vessel's team.
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 a dahabiya cruise and how long is the Meroe Dahabiya trip?
A dahabiya is a traditional, intimate sailing boat on the Nile, typically with 8 to 12 cabins.02What meals are included on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes full board meals, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily while aboard.03What shore excursions are included with the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Your Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to major sites like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. You will also visit smaller, unique sites like El Kab and Gebel Silsila.04What is not included in the Meroe Dahabiya cruise price?
The cruise price typically excludes drinks (including water), entrance fees for premium sites or tombs, personal gratuities for the crew and guides, international flights, visas, and travel insurance. Transfers to and from the ports are also excluded unless arranged separately.05What is the accessibility like on a dahabiya cruise?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate setting, but access to shore excursions may involve walking on uneven ancient terrain, stairs at temples, and gangplanks to board the vessel. Guests with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking.06What is the policy for children on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a dahabiya Nile cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For evenings, smart casual attire is suitable. Modest dress is required for religious sites.08What is the best time of year to take a Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The best time to take a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. The summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.09Can I take photographs during the Meroe Dahabiya shore excursions?
Photography is generally permitted at most archaeological sites, but some specific tombs or museum exhibits may prohibit it, or require an extra fee for a photography pass. Always check for signage or ask your Egyptologist guide.10How does the Meroe Dahabiya compare to larger Nile cruise ships?
The Meroe Dahabiya offers a more tranquil, sail-powered experience with fewer guests, typically 8 to 12 cabins, compared to the larger, engine-powered cruise ships. It allows for stops at smaller, less-visited sites and provides a more personalised service.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-285497
At a glance
- Length
- 5 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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