Nawara Dahabiya
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with lateen sails, chef-prepared full-board dining, and quiet stops beyond larger Nile cruisers.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
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
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
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
- 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
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
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.
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-472953
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