Abydos Dahabiya
Luxor to Aswan on a private dahabiya
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
- New
02Overview
A first look
Abydos is a traditional sailing dahabiya on the quiet stretch of the Nile between Esna and Aswan — a handful of cabins, meals on deck, and moorings at islands, quarries, and villages the big cruisers pass by. Days are unhurried: El Kab and Edfu one day, Gebel el Silsila and Kom Ombo the next, with the sails up whenever the wind allows.
The route
Luxor and ASWAN
The route
Where this ship sails
The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in ASWAN.
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- 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–September | October–April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
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
- Air conditioning
- Private bathrooms
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Abydos Dahabiya on a full-board basis
- All guided excursions with a licensed Egyptologist
- All entrance fees to temples and archaeological sites
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and daily snacks
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off transfers in Luxor or Aswan
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities (tipping)
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours not listed in the program
- Domestic flights (available on request)
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise involves boarding a small sail-powered vessel and walking on uneven quays, soft sand at some landing points, and ancient stone at temples. Expect boarding via a gangplank with handrails; some landings require a short step up from a boat to a jetty. Onshore visits include steps, narrow passageways, and uneven carved stone surfaces at sites such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab. Wheelchair access is limited: wheelchairs cannot be taken onto the dahabiya or onto most temple approaches. Guests with reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can assess transfers and arrange a private vehicle for riverbank access where feasible. We provide forklifts or ramps at certain partner docks when available, but these are not guaranteed. Travellers should be able to manage short walks and stairs, or bring a travelling companion to assist.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- High-factor sunscreen (SPF30 or above)
- Light rain jacket for spring/autumn evenings
- Reusable water bottle (we provide refill points)
- Small daypack for shore excursions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A warm layer for cool early-morning or evening breezes
- Non-slip shoes for wet gangplanks and riverbanks
- Sun-protective swimwear for optional river swims
Children & families
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 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 a separate cabin. Strollers are practical ashore in town areas but are difficult to use on sands and temple steps; high chairs may be available on request at partner hotels before embarkation but cannot be guaranteed on board the dahabiya. Please tell us ages and any special requirements at booking so we can advise on bedding and safety.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We use small sail-powered dahabiyas which rely on wind as the primary propulsion when conditions permit, reducing engine hours compared with large motor cruisers. During transfers we use air-conditioned minibuses that meet Euro 3 emissions equivalents used locally; drivers are contracted from the local community and paid per transfer rather than per passenger, which reduces deadhead mileage. Our chef-prepared menus favour locally sourced produce and fish from the Nile valley markets when available, and we work with suppliers in Luxor and Aswan who employ local staff. Crew waste is segregated on board where port facilities permit, and we encourage guests to minimise single-use plastics by offering filtered water and refillable containers. Where we hire local guides and boatmen for temple landings, their fees go directly to local households, and we publish suggested tipping guidelines so payments are transparent.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
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
Product ID: CRU-NIL-940562
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