Zahra Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate dining, panoramic Nile views, and chef-prepared full-board meals.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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-184825
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