Dahabiya Nora
A 5-star, 45-meter dahabiya for up to 15 guests, with lateen sails, chef-prepared full-board dining, and a 10-person crew.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
The short answer
Nora Dahabiya is a traditional sail-powered Nile cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Nora Dahabiya includes accommodation aboard the vessel, Full Board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, and guided shore excursions listed in the itinerary. It also includes captain and crew service, chef-prepared meals, and meet-and-assist at Luxor International Airport where specified.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Onboard dahabiya accommodation
- Destinations
- Nile · Luxor · Aswan · El Kab · Gebel Silsila · Hagar Salsala quarry
- Includes
- Accommodation in booked cabin category · Full Board meals · Professional captain and crew · Chef-prepared meals · Guided shore excursions as stated · Meet-and-assist at Luxor International Airport where specified
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Travelers seeking a quieter Nile sail · Couples · Small groups · Families with older children
- Guide languages
- English
- Cruise arrangements are selected and booked by Discovery Tours Egypt
What lingers
- 01Traditional lateen sails for a low-noise, slower-paced Nile sail
- 02Intimate dahabiya layout, typically 8–12 cabins, up to 15 guests for personalised service
- 03Access to shallow or remote landings: El Kab, Gebel Silsila, Hagar Salsala quarry
- 04Chef-prepared meals included, Full Board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast
- 05Smaller groups and a crew of 10 for attentive service
- 0645 meters long and 7.5 meters wide, built for stable, comfortable river sailing
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile narrows around limestone banks and the lateen sail catches the warm river wind. From the shaded deck of the Nora Dahabiya Nile Cruise, you watch villages, palms, and desert escarpments pass at a quiet pace, with the captain steering toward landings larger cruisers cannot reach.
Our Egyptologists lead you ashore at El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and the Hagar Salsala quarry, while the chef prepares meals aboard between excursions. With space for up to 15 guests and a crew of 10, the 45-meter dahabiya feels personal without becoming isolated. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the vessel, shore visits, airport meeting service, and local support.
Background
The facts
Nora Dahabiya is a traditional sail-powered Nile vessel measuring 45 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. It carries up to 15 guests with a crew of 10, which places it in the intimate dahabiya category rather than the larger motorised Nile cruise class. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise, while the vessel itself is operated by a third-party provider.
The dahabiya uses lateen sails and is designed for slower river travel on the Nile. This style of itinerary is suited to shallow water conditions and smaller docking points, which can allow access to less-visited landings such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and the Hagar Salsala quarry. These sites are associated with ancient Egyptian quarrying, temple construction, and settlements along the river corridor between Luxor and Aswan.
The cruise is sold on a Full Board basis, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Guided shore excursions are included as stated in the vessel itinerary, and meet-and-assist at Luxor International Airport is included where specified in the meeting-point details. Drinks (including water), gratuities, visas, travel insurance, and personal expenses are excluded unless stated otherwise.
Because the vessel is compact, the onboard layout typically supports a quieter and more personalised travel experience than large cruise ships. The small guest count and sail-powered movement make it suitable for travelers who want a river journey focused on the Nile itself, the archaeological stops, and access to sites that larger vessels cannot usually reach.
Named in this entry
Nile·Luxor·Aswan·El Kab·Gebel Silsila·Hagar Salsala quarry·lateen sail·Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This is best for adults and older children who want a slower Nile journey with fewer guests, guided heritage visits, and a more private atmosphere. It suits travelers interested in archaeology, river landscapes, and small-vessel sailing rather than large-ship entertainment.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike large motorised Nile cruises, a dahabiya carries far fewer guests and uses lateen sails for slower travel on the river. That smaller size can allow access to shallow or remote landings such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and Hagar Salsala quarry. Compared with a standard luxury cruise, the experience is quieter, more personalised, and more focused on the route and shore excursions.
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
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 Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Aboard
Meet the Dahabiya Nora
A 45-metre, 7.5-metre dahabiya carrying up to 15 guests, across 6 cabins, crewed by 10.
- Length
- 45m
- Width
- 7.5m
- Guests
- Up to 15
- Crew
- 10
Cabin breakdown
- 014 · Luxury Cabins
- 022 · Terrace Suites
Bundled in
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Full board
- Airport transfer
- Hotel pickup
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full Board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Accommodation aboard the Nora Dahabiya in the booked cabin category
- Professional captain and on-board crew
- Chef-prepared meals and onboard afternoon tea where provided by the vessel
- Guided shore excursions as stated in the vessel itinerary
- Meet-and-assist at Luxor International Airport arrivals as stated in the meeting-point details
- All standard harbour and port handling charges where applicable
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visas and travel insurance
- Gratuities for crew and guides unless specified otherwise
- Personal expenses and optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
- Premium archaeological site extras, for example pyramid interior or premium tomb tickets, unless explicitly included
- Any services not listed in the inclusions
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travelers can usually choose private or shared cabin arrangements depending on availability, and some departures may be booked as exclusive-charter style experiences. Additional customisation may include upgraded sightseeing, extended pre- or post-cruise nights in Luxor or Aswan, or selected meal and excursion add-ons if offered in the itinerary.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise involves boarding and moving around a traditional dahabiya, which includes steps, narrow gangways and low doorways. Cabins are on one or two levels with steps to access some of them; there is no lift. Shore landings at smaller sites use simple wooden or stone jetties and soft sand in places, so transfers between boat and shore may be uneven. Wheelchair access is limited: full wheelchair roll-on is not possible on board and at most shallow landings. If you have reduced mobility, please contact us before booking so we can assess specific needs and advise on suitable cabins and shore options. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will arrange assistance at Luxor International Airport arrivals where possible, but we cannot guarantee full accessibility at archaeological sites.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nora Dahabiya sails using traditional lateen sails for significant parts of the journey, reducing engine use and engine noise while on the river. The vessel is 45 meters long and 7.5 meters wide, designed for stable, low-speed sailing and shallow-water landings that avoid the need for long road transfers to remote sites. Onboard provisioning is largely from local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan, including produce and bakery items, which supports small businesses along the Nile. Crew are locally employed and guided shore visits contract local archaeologists and village guides where available. Waste is separated onboard and returned to port facilities for appropriate disposal. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we monitor our supplier practices and prioritise partners who use local staff and services.
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 with required visas
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sun protection, hat and sunglasses
- Lightweight refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher
- A small daypack for shore visits
- Camera with spare batteries or charger
- Any prescribed medication and a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime
- Layers for cooler early mornings and evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- A light waterproof or windbreaker for breezy sailing
Children & families
Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are usable for airport transfer and flat dock areas, but they are impractical on board and during many shore landings; high chairs are not guaranteed onboard, please request them at booking.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of the Nora Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
The Nora Dahabiya Nile Cruise is 4 days long, offering a leisurely journey along the Nile. This includes three nights aboard the dahabiya, sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with stops at unique archaeological sites.02What is included in the Nora Dahabiya cruise price?
The cruise includes Full Board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Accommodation in your booked cabin, the professional crew, chef-prepared meals, and guided shore excursions as per the itinerary are also covered.03What is not included in the Nora Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
Excluded from the cruise price are drinks (including water), international flights, visas, travel insurance, and gratuities for the crew and guides. Personal expenses, optional excursions, and premium archaeological site extras are also not included.04What is the accessibility like on the Nora Dahabiya?
The Nora Dahabiya offers a more intimate experience than larger cruisers, but access to shore excursions may involve walking on uneven terrain or ancient stone. Guests should be able to navigate gangplanks and some stairs on board. Specific accessibility needs should be discussed with us in advance.05Can children join the Nora Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; 12+ pay full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.06What should I wear and bring for the dahabiya cruise?
We recommend light, comfortable clothing for daytime excursions and modest attire for visiting religious sites. Bring a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes. Evenings on deck can be cooler, so a light jacket is advisable.07What is the photography policy on shore excursions?
Photography is generally permitted at most archaeological sites, though some areas may prohibit flash photography or require an additional fee for video cameras. Your Egyptologist guide will advise on specific site regulations during your excursions.08What is the best time of year to take a Nora Dahabiya cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.09What makes a dahabiya cruise different from a larger Nile cruiser?
The Nora Dahabiya is a traditional sail-powered boat, offering a more intimate experience with a maximum of 15 guests. It provides a slower pace and can access shallower, more remote sites like El Kab and Gebel Silsila, which larger cruisers cannot reach.10How do I get to the Nora Dahabiya for embarkation?
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges meet-and-assist services at Luxor International Airport arrivals. Our team will transfer you directly to the Nora Dahabiya for embarkation, ensuring a smooth start to your cruise.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-295821
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