Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with sun deck, panoramic Nile views, chef-prepared full-board dining; slower-paced than larger 5-star cruisers.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
02 Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile looks like a sheet of burnished copper, the lateen sails of a dahabiya slipping soundlessly past date palms and sandstone cliffs. On deck you hear the captain's calls, smell the chef's spices as breakfast is set, and feel the river's slow rhythm beneath the hull while sailing between Luxor and Aswan.
We arrange this intimate, sail-powered cruise through our contacts as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our Egyptologists step aboard to guide each shore visit. We prefer the dahabiya's unhurried pace, unlike larger 5-star cruisers that rush shore stops, and we will meet you at embarkation and sort transfers and practical details before departure.
Background
The facts
Meroe Dahabiya is a five-star dahabiya-style Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan and typically sails weekly in both directions on the Nile river route used by classic Upper Egypt cruises.
The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor’s West Bank. These visits connect sites from the New Kingdom period through the Greco-Roman era, including major monuments such as the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and the rock-cut royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Accommodation is in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin classes, with many cabins offering Nile views or private balconies. On board facilities include a sun deck for river viewing, a lounge bar, and a dining room. The board basis is full board, meaning lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with water during meals typically included and other drinks usually extra.
Compared with tightly scheduled short Nile cruises, a dahabiya-style vessel generally provides a slower pace and more time for guided shore visits and relaxed sailing between stops. It is suited to travellers who want a smaller-ship atmosphere and a classic river-journey format rather than a large-ship resort experience.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This vessel is well suited to travellers who want a slower Nile itinerary, especially couples, small groups, and independent-minded visitors who prefer a quieter onboard atmosphere. It also fits history-focused travellers who want Egyptologist-led visits to major temple and tomb sites without the pace of a large cruise ship.
What lingers
- 01 Cabin classes in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, many with Nile views or private balconies
- 02 Sun deck for daytime lounging and panoramic river views while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- 03 Lounge bar and dining room serving full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 04 Shore-excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, guided by an Egyptologist
- 05 Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions
- 06 A paced alternation of sailing and full excursions, unlike tightly scheduled short cruises that rush shore visits
The route
Esna and Aswan
Choose your direction
- Esna → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Esna3 nightsdownstream, with the current
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | May to September | October to April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $2,260 | $2,260 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Accommodation aboard in the chosen cabin class (Standard, Deluxe, Suite).
- Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
- Use of public areas on board including sun deck and lounge bar.
- Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan.
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals.
- Premium site entries not covered by standard museum/site tickets (for example, certain tombs).
- Personal gratuities.
- International flights, visas and travel insurance.
- Transfers to or from the embarkation/disembarkation ports unless specifically requested.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
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.
Location
On the map
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 What is a dahabiya cruise and how long is the Meroe Dahabiya trip?
A dahabiya is a traditional, intimate sailing boat on the Nile, typically with 8 to 12 cabins. The Meroe Dahabiya cruise is a 6-day journey, offering a slower-paced experience between Luxor and Aswan, visiting sites inaccessible to larger vessels. -
02 What meals are included on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes full board meals, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily while aboard. -
03 What shore excursions are included with the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Your Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to major sites like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. You will also visit smaller, unique sites like El Kab and Gebel Silsila. -
04 What is not included in the Meroe Dahabiya cruise price?
The cruise price typically excludes drinks beyond water with meals, entrance fees for premium sites or tombs, personal gratuities for the crew and guides, international flights, visas, and travel insurance. Transfers to and from the ports are also excluded unless arranged separately. -
05 What is the accessibility like on a dahabiya cruise?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate setting, but access to shore excursions may involve walking on uneven ancient terrain, stairs at temples, and gangplanks to board the vessel. Guests with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking. -
06 What is the policy for children on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin. -
07 What should I wear and bring for a dahabiya Nile cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For evenings, smart casual attire is suitable. Modest dress is required for religious sites. -
08 What is the best time of year to take a Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The best time to take a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. The summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt. -
09 Can I take photographs during the Meroe Dahabiya shore excursions?
Photography is generally permitted at most archaeological sites, but some specific tombs or museum exhibits may prohibit it, or require an extra fee for a photography pass. Always check for signage or ask your Egyptologist guide. -
10 How does the Meroe Dahabiya compare to larger Nile cruise ships?
The Meroe Dahabiya offers a more tranquil, sail-powered experience with fewer guests, typically 8 to 12 cabins, compared to the larger, engine-powered cruise ships. It allows for stops at smaller, less-visited sites and provides a more personalised service.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-285497
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