Princess Donia Dahabiya
An intimate, sail-powered dahabiya with full-board dining and access to smaller riverside sites beyond the reach of larger Nile cruisers.
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
The short answer
Princess Donia 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.
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.
02Overview
A first look
The lateen sail catches the Nile breeze, and the riverbank slips by at a gentler pace than it does from a large motor cruiser. Aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya, you can watch the changing shoreline from the deck, then settle into the quiet between stops. The boat’s smaller scale makes sailing the focus rather than onboard entertainment or a crowded schedule.
We arrange the cruise with the vessel’s operator and can confirm the route and shore visits for your sailing dates. Full Board begins with lunch on embarkation day and ends with breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra. Our team can help clarify the arrangements before you book.
What lingers
- 01Sail on the Nile aboard an intimate dahabiya rather than a larger motorized cruiser.
- 02Experience a slower-paced river journey under sail.
- 03Dahabiyas can reach smaller riverside sites that larger Nile cruisers may not access.
- 04Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- 05Drinks (including water) are typically extra.
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities.
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.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The assigned vessel, route, sailing dates, and shore visits should be confirmed with Discovery Tours Egypt before booking. Ask about private transfers or separately arranged visits, and verify whether any requested additions affect the cruise schedule or price; meal service follows the stated Full Board window.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise may suit adults and older children who prefer a quieter, slower-paced river journey and are interested in sailing and riverside scenery. It is also a fit for travelers who value a smaller-boat experience over the facilities and scale of a large motorized cruiser
- confirm accessibility and excursion demands for the assigned vessel and route.
Worth knowing
How this compares
A dahabiya offers a smaller-scale, sail-led alternative to larger motorized Nile cruisers, with a generally slower pace and the potential to visit smaller riverside sites. The exact route and shore visits are not fixed in the supplied package details, so they should not be assumed or compared as guaranteed inclusions.
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 $1,284 per person
- Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,328 per person
- Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,351 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
- Accommodation
- Dahabiya cabin; assigned vessel and category to be confirmed
- Destinations
- Nile River, Egypt
- Includes
- Full Board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Best for
- Travelers seeking a quieter Nile journey · Guests interested in sail-led river travel · Couples and small groups · Travelers who prefer a slower pace
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required visa
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Personal medications
- Small day bag for shore visits
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- A light layer for breezy sailing
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for religious sites
Children & families
Children ages 0 to 5.99 travel free, ages 6 to 11.99 pay 50% of the adult price, and ages 12 and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children need their own cabin. Strollers may be difficult to use when boarding and on uneven riverbanks or historic-site paths. Ask us to confirm cabin arrangements and whether a high chair is available on the assigned vessel.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A dahabiya is a sail-powered riverboat, and boarding may require stepping between a riverbank or dock and the boat. The exact boarding arrangement, gangway angle, cabin layout, and onboard steps can vary with the vessel assigned to your booking. Shore visits may involve uneven ground, sand, stone paths, and steps at historic sites. Wheelchair access cannot be assumed, and a wheelchair may not be usable on every shore excursion. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and discuss which visits may be practical. Guests who need assistance should travel with a companion.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya travels under sail on the Nile, so sailing between stops relies on wind; the vessel and its onboard services are provided by the cruise operator. Transfers to and from the boat may use a road vehicle, but the vehicle type depends on the arrangements for your trip. Smaller boats can call at some riverside sites that larger cruisers cannot reach, though that does not by itself establish a measurable environmental benefit. Ask us which transfer arrangements apply to your booking.
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
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Princess Donia Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
The exact number of nights aboard and the sailing dates depend on the final itinerary. Check the departure details before booking so you can coordinate your arrival and departure times with the embarkation and disembarkation schedule.02How do I get to the Princess Donia Dahabiya, and are transfers included?
The embarkation point and transfer arrangements depend on the sailing date and final itinerary. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise, but the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line. Ask us to confirm the port, transfer plan, and recommended arrival time before you book flights or other transportation.03What is included on the Princess Donia Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
Full Board includes lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. The cruise fare is generally based on two people sharing a cabin; a single supplement may apply if you travel alone. Confirm the final cabin and fare terms for your date.04What is not included in the Princess Donia Dahabiya cruise fare?
Drinks (including water) and gratuities are excluded. Standard site entrance fees and shore visits depend on the final cruise arrangement, so confirm which visits and admissions are included before departure.05Is the Princess Donia Dahabiya suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
A dahabiya cruise may involve steps between the riverbank and boat, uneven ground at shore sites, and walking on ancient surfaces. Accessibility varies by vessel and landing point. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, boarding arrangements, and planned visits; access cannot be assumed at every stop.06Can children travel on the Princess Donia Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ 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. Ask us to confirm cabin availability for your family and sailing date.07What should I wear and bring on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?
Bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, and light clothing for warm days. A light layer can help during cooler evenings, especially in winter. Choose clothes that cover shoulders and knees for visits to mosques or religious sites, and bring any personal medication you need.08Can I take photographs on the Princess Donia Dahabiya and at Nile sites?
Photography is generally possible on deck and at many outdoor sites, but restrictions vary by location. Some tombs or museum displays prohibit photography or require a separate photography permit. Follow signs and your guide's instructions, and ask before photographing local people, staff, or boat crew.09When is the best time to take the Princess Donia Dahabiya Nile Cruise?
October through April generally brings milder daytime temperatures for sightseeing along the Nile. Summer can be very hot, particularly during midday visits, while winter evenings may feel cool on the river. Sailing conditions and site schedules vary by date, so confirm the planned departure and shore visits before choosing a season.10Does the Princess Donia Dahabiya visit El Kab or Gebel Silsila?
Dahabiyas can reach smaller riverside sites such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila, and Hagar Salsala, but visits depend on the Princess Donia Dahabiya's assigned route and sailing conditions. Ask us to confirm the shore-excursion program for your date; these stops should not be assumed without confirmation.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-473710
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