Dahabiya Nile cruise

What makes a dahabiya different

A dahabiya is a traditional Nile sailing boat with two masts. The boats we offer describe themselves as wind-powered and small in scale, with a few cabins rather than the many of a cruise ship. A dahabiya may be towed when the wind drops, which is normal on this stretch of the river.

The difference you feel on board is space and quiet. With only a small group of guests, there is room for everyone on the deck and meals feel more like a shared table than a restaurant. None of our dahabiyas lists a pool, a disco, or an evening show: the entertainment is the river, the light on the hills, and the villages on the banks.

Our dahabiyas

Three dahabiyas are offered on our site today. From their own pages:

• Nawara Dahabiya lists a spacious shaded sun deck, an indoor lounge and salon, an open-air dining terrace, a library and reading corner, and Wi-Fi subject to the local signal. Its cabin list includes panoramic suites at the stern.
• Storia Nile Dahabiya lists an expansive sun deck, a shaded lounge with oriental-style seating, and private en-suite bathrooms. Its cabin list includes panoramic suites and a cabin for travelers on their own.
• Fayrouz El Nil lists a spacious shaded sun deck, an indoor salon and dining room, en-suite bathrooms in all cabins, and a library with board games. Its cabin list includes twin and double cabins and an owner's suite at the stern.

All three sail the 4-night Luxor to Aswan program.

Your four nights on board

You board in Luxor at midday and spend the afternoon at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. On day two you visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon, then sail south and pass the Esna lock. Day three brings the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, with time on deck in between. On day four you visit the Temple of Philae and the High Dam in Aswan, with an optional felucca sail or a visit to a Nubian village in the afternoon. You leave the boat after breakfast on day five.

As on every Nile cruise, the order of visits and the timings can change with the boat, the lock queue, and the departure day. Your planner confirms the program of your boat, and any extra stops it makes, with your quote.

Food and life on deck

Meals on our dahabiyas are a highlight. Their pages describe fresh Egyptian and international dishes, with meals often served outdoors on deck; on Fayrouz El Nil they are prepared by an onboard chef. Nawara Dahabiya notes that menus and dietary needs are confirmed when you reserve, so tell us about any requirements early.

Between visits, life happens on the sun deck. Shaded seating, cushions, and the slow pace of the boat make it the place for reading, talking, and watching the river. In the evening, the deck is where the trip is at its quietest.

Dahabiya or cruise ship

A dahabiya is not the right choice for everyone. If you want a pool, a gym, or evening entertainment, or if you have only three nights or want a full week, a cruise ship fits better: our luxury, deluxe, and standard pages list them. Our cruise ship or dahabiya page sets out the differences side by side.

Who a dahabiya suits

A dahabiya suits travelers who want the Nile at its quietest. Couples who want time together, families who like the idea of a boat that feels like their own, and groups of friends who would fill most of the cabins are typical guests. It also suits travelers who have already been on a large ship and want something different.

It suits travelers less well if they want a pool, a gym, or an evening program, or if they have only three nights. Children who need lots of activity may be happier on a cruise ship, while calm children often enjoy the deck.

Cabins on our dahabiyas

All three of our dahabiyas list en-suite bathrooms and more than one type of cabin. The larger suites sit at the stern of the boat on each of them: panoramic suites on Nawara Dahabiya and Storia Nile Dahabiya, and an owner's suite on Fayrouz El Nil. Fayrouz El Nil lists twin and double cabins, and Storia Nile Dahabiya lists a cabin for travelers on their own.

With only a few cabins on each boat, the choice on your dates can be small, so tell your planner which cabin type you prefer when you request a quote.

What to pack for a dahabiya

Pack light and practical. A hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and sunglasses for the deck and the temples, comfortable walking shoes, and a light layer for the evenings, which can be cool on the water in winter. Something to read and a pair of binoculars for the riverbanks are worth the space. Ask your planner about Wi-Fi if you need it: Nawara Dahabiya, for example, lists Wi-Fi subject to the local signal.

Planning a dahabiya trip

Because the dahabiya sails from Luxor to Aswan, a typical trip reaches Luxor from Cairo by flight or sleeper train and leaves from Aswan, often after a visit to Abu Simbel. Our Nile cruise plus Cairo page explains how the pieces fit. With so few cabins on each boat, it helps to ask early: request a quote with your dates and a planner replies within 24 hours with the dahabiyas and cabins that are free.