Roi Farouk Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate cabins, chef-prepared full-board dining, and quiet access to smaller Nile shore sites.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
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
At first light, the lateen sail of Roi Farouk Dahabiya catches the Nile breeze, while fishermen guide narrow boats past reeds and mud-brick villages. From the shaded deck, you can watch the riverbank change slowly, pause at quieter archaeological sites, and hear little beyond water against the hull and the captain’s commands.
Unlike large Nile cruisers, this intimate dahabiya reaches places such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, with time to explore rather than rush back to a busy ship schedule. Our Egyptologists explain the landscapes and monuments in context, while we arrange your cabin, shore visits, chef-prepared meals, and transfers with a licensed Egyptian tour operator coordinating each detail on the ground.
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
- Dining room
- Lounge
- Sun deck with shaded seating
- Wi-Fi in public areas
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- Expert Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- All ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- Tipping for staff and guide
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional tours or activities
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Domestic flights (if required)
- Travel and health insurance
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise involves uneven surfaces, narrow gangways, stone steps at temple approaches and soft sand at some landings. Guests should be able to step up and down a 30 to 50 centimetre gangway and walk short distances on cobbles and compacted sand, often without handrails. Wheelchair users will find full independent access limited; transfer into and around sites typically requires assistance. If you use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, tell us in advance so we can advise on practicable shore visits. We provide local staff assistance for embarkation and disembarkation, and crew can help on board, but many archaeological sites include stairs and steep ramps that remain inaccessible or difficult for visitors with significant mobility limitations. If you have reduced mobility, please contact us with full details so we can assess suitability and propose alternatives.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya uses sail power as its principal means of propulsion while on the Nile, supplemented by a low-emission auxiliary engine for manoeuvring in locks and tight channels. We contract local captains and Egyptian crew, and the chef sources fresh produce from vegetable markets in Luxor, Esna and Aswan to support small vendors. Luggage transfers and shore transport use modern air conditioned minibuses with Euro 4/5 engines where available; we avoid using oversized coaches that do not fit narrow village streets. Visits to smaller archaeological sites such as El Kab and Hagar Salsala benefit directly local guides and village economies because the boat can moor closer to shore than larger cruisers. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we require partner suppliers to follow local waste disposal regulations and to avoid single-use plastics on board where practical. Unlike large cruiser itineraries, the dahabiya route reduces wake in shallow channels and limits passage through sensitive riverbank vegetation.
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 and photocopy
- Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- Comfortable closed walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle
- Any personal medication plus a written summary of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirts/trousers for temples and mosques
- A light windproof jacket for evening sailing
- Sturdy closed shoes for archaeological sites
- Wide-brim sun hat and UV protection sunglasses
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children aged 12 years and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, one child per cabin maximum. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on board but may be difficult on sandy or cobbled shore approaches; high chairs are not guaranteed on every vessel, so request them in advance and we will arrange where possible.
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-628448
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