Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
Zahra Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate dining, panoramic Nile views, and chef-prepared full-board meals.
The short answer
Zahra is a 5-Star Deluxe dahabiya. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Esna, or in Esna on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan. Prices start at $1,541 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
By midmorning, the lateen sail draws Zahra Dahabiya quietly along the Nile, with reeds brushing the riverbank and the deck settling into an easy rhythm. Away from the wake and crowds of larger cruisers, you can watch village life pass at water level, pause ashore at lesser-visited places, and return to chef-prepared meals without losing the unhurried pace.
Our Egyptologists connect each landing to the landscape, from ancient stonework to the working river communities nearby. We arrange your transfers, shore visits, and carefully selected cruise booking, so the practical details are handled before you board. The result is a more personal way to see the Nile, with time to read, talk, or simply listen to the sail and water.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Esnaembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,541double cabinsingle cabin $2,399 | May – September: from $1,346double cabinsingle cabin $2,029 |
| 4 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,962double cabinsingle cabin $3,106 | May – September: from $1,702double cabinsingle cabin $2,612 |
Choose your cruise and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
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.
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Gym
Bundled in
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on Zahra Dahabiya in air-conditioned cabin
- All meals on board
- Egyptologist tour guide
- Entrance fees to listed sites
- Private transfers to and from the boat
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Personal expenses
- Additional beverages not included in meal plan
- Optional excursions (e.g., hot air balloon)
- Domestic or international flights
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
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.
- Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,496 per person
- Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Wed from Esna / Sat from Aswan
From $1,496 per person
- Nour El Din Dahabiya Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe dahabiya
Embarks Mon from Esna / Fri from Aswan
From $1,444 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
- 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 and printed travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Reusable water bottle for onboard refill
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Any personal medications, plus a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- A light sweater or fleece for evenings on the river
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- A wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free. Children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children 12 years and older 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. Strollers are practical on flat quays and onboard open decks but can be difficult on uneven temple approaches and soft sand. High chairs are not standard on dahabiyas; request them at booking and we will try to arrange one through the vessel supplier.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya itinerary requires a reasonable level of mobility. Expect uneven riverbank paths, cobblestones at some temples, stepped gangways when boarding and disembarking, and low cabin thresholds. Many sites visited have stairs, narrow tomb passages, and soft sand underfoot. The vessel itself typically has cabins accessed by steps; there is limited wheelchair maneuvering space on board. Transfers use standard minivans with one or two steps to board. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can assess feasibility and arrange additional assistance where possible. We cannot guarantee full wheelchair access at every archaeological site or on every dahabiya, and interior pyramid or premium tomb access may be impractical for guests with limited mobility.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered, using lateen sails, which reduces engine fuel consumption while on the Nile. For transfers and port calls we use modern minivans with certified drivers; where possible we schedule shared transfers to reduce vehicle kilometres. Onboard provisioning is sourced from local markets and farms, and the chef prepares meals using seasonal produce bought in Luxor and Aswan markets; this supports local vendors and reduces food miles. We work with locally owned mooring sites and small community guides in villages such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, which directs revenue to those communities. Waste is separated on board where practical, with recyclables handed to port facilities; we limit single-use plastics by providing refillable water containers for guests. Electricity is provided primarily by the vessel's small generator and battery systems; guests should expect limited high-power charging capacity.
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-675098
At a glance
- Length
- 3 or 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Esna · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe
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