Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
Nawara Dahabiya
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with lateen sails, chef-prepared full-board dining, and quiet stops beyond larger Nile cruisers.
The short answer
Nawara is a dahabiya. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Rates are on request: send us your dates for a live price.
02Overview
A first look
The lateen sail lifts above the Nile as the river narrows near Gebel Silsila, where pale quarry walls meet dark water and the larger cruise boats cannot reach. From the shaded deck of Nawara Dahabiya, you can listen to the rigging, watch village life along the bank, and step ashore at places such as El Kab and Hagar Salsala without the pace of a large ship.
Our Egyptologists put each stop in context, while the captain chooses a steady course and the chef prepares meals aboard. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the vessel, shore visits, transfers, and local support, so the practical details are handled before you set sail.
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this ship works.
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.
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: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. In the afternoon you're driven to Esna to board your dahabiya, welcomed aboard by the crew for your first night moored at Esna.
- 2
Breakfast at leisure as the dahabiya sails towards Edfu, arriving around midday. Visit the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then browse the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
After lunch on board, continue sailing towards the temple at Gebel el-Silsila, with dinner served in the temple grounds, on a nearby island, or on the sun deck.
- 3
Breakfast at leisure, then sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman double temple shared equally between the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Continue sailing towards Aswan, watching river life along the banks — water buffalo, donkeys and birdlife — and moor for the night close to the city.
- 4
After breakfast on board, spend the day exploring Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam — with time to wander the Aswan bazaar. Return to the boat for your final evening and overnight in Aswan.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport or train station for your onward departure.
- 1
On arrival at Aswan airport or train station, your Egyptologist guide takes you on a day of sightseeing in Aswan — the island Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan High Dam, with time to browse the Aswan bazaar. In the afternoon you board your dahabiya and enjoy lunch on deck as the boat sets sail for Kom Ombo, mooring there for the night.
- 2
Breakfast at leisure, then visit the Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo — a perfectly symmetrical double temple with matching halls and sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Sail on to the quieter temple at Gebel el-Silsila, mooring alongside the rock-cut Speos of Horemheb; dinner is served in the temple grounds or on the sun deck, weather and mood allowing.
- 3
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-drawn caleche — one of Egypt's largest and best-preserved monuments, its entrance flanked by two granite falcon statues — then explore the bazaar for spices, souvenirs and perfume.
The dahabiya moors at a quiet island for a themed Egyptian evening: dinner by the riverbank or on the sun deck, Arabic music, and the option to dress in a gallabeya for the occasion, before sailing on gently towards Esna overnight.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark at Esna and drive to Luxor for a sightseeing day — the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple — before your transfer to Luxor airport or train station for departure.
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Nawara Dahabiya
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Guided tours with a certified Egyptologist
- Entry fees to all listed attractions
- Transfers to/from Luxor or Aswan
- Sailing permits, taxes, and service charges
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for staff and guide
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
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
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.
- Queen Nefeer Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,390 per person
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,434 per person
- Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
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The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport plus photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Light jacket for evenings on deck
- Small daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle
- Any prescription medicines in original packaging
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A warm layer for early-morning or evening breezes on the Nile
- Non-slip, closed-toe shoes for quays and archaeological sites
- A sun hat or cap
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12 years and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin. Two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers can be awkward on quays and when boarding tenders, so a light, foldable pushchair is recommended. High chairs are not typically available on dahabiyas; tell us in advance and we will try to arrange suitable equipment ashore.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Boarding and disembarkation use a low gangway or small launch; passengers with very limited mobility may find boarding difficult. Cabins are on one or two low decks reached by 4–8 steps; elevators are not available. Shore visits involve uneven stone, cobblestones, sandy banks and steps at temples such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab, and some sites have long, unshaded walks. Wheelchair users should contact us in advance, we can advise on which days and sites are feasible and arrange additional assistance where possible, but full wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered, which substantially reduces fuel use while sailing on the Nile compared with engine-driven cruisers. For shore transfers we use small, modern diesel launches and air-conditioned minibuses selected for fuel efficiency. We work with locally owned suppliers: Egyptian captains, Nubian crew, and local Egyptologists, and the vessel's chef sources bread, vegetables and dairy from nearby markets and farms to support household incomes. On-shore excursions prioritise community-led visits, such as village walks and craft workshops where entrance fees and purchases go directly to residents. Waste is segregated aboard where space allows; organic food waste is composted or handed to local farmers when possible. If you have specific sustainability priorities, tell us so we can match you to the most appropriate dahabiya and itinerary.
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
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-472953
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
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