Nour El Din Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A five-star dahabiya powered by sail, with an intimate layout across three decks, full-board meals, sweeping river views and room for up to 20 guests.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Per cabin · Cabins are sold individually — book just your own cabin, sharing the boat with a handful of other guests.
The short answer
This dahabiya is an intimate sail-powered Nile cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, with the vessel owned and operated by a third-party cruise supplier.
·In summary
This Nile cruise includes accommodation in the booked cabin category, full board from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day, and service from an 11-person crew. The 45-metre dahabiya carries up to 20 guests, uses sail power for much of the journey and may reach quieter Nile locations than larger cruisers.
- New
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Family
- Solo travel
- Couples·
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Stay aboard the dahabiya in your booked cabin category
- Destinations
- Nile River · Egypt · Quiet Nile river locations and smaller archaeological sites, subject to the confirmed route
- Includes
- Lodging in the cabin category you booked · Full-board meals, from lunch on boarding day to breakfast on leaving day · Support from the boat’s 11-member crew
- Best for
- Small-ship sailing enthusiasts · Travellers seeking quieter Nile locations · Couples and families comfortable with deck steps · Guests preferring a slower-paced cruise
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Cruise inclusions and exclusions are stated clearly, including the full-board period, drinks, gratuities and optional services.
- Land arrangements can include professional Egyptologist guiding and on-the-ground support when included in the confirmed programme.
What lingers
- 01Sailing vessel measuring 45 metres, with capacity for up to 20 guests
- 02An 11-person crew serves guests aboard
- 03Three decks, including two cabin decks
- 04A slower Nile journey than travel on larger cruisers
- 05Potential access to quieter river stretches and smaller archaeological sites
02Overview
A first look
By mid-morning, the Nile slips past at an unhurried pace, its palms, cultivated banks and low desert ridges changing almost imperceptibly beyond the rail. Under sail, Nour El Din Dahabiya brings a quieter rhythm than a large Nile cruiser, with time to watch village life, listen to the water and reach smaller archaeological sites such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila.
Aboard, the atmosphere is intimate rather than theatrical. You can sit on deck between shore visits, speak with the captain and let our Egyptologists explain the landscape without turning every moment into a lecture. We arrange your cabin, sailing programme and connections as part of your wider Egypt holiday. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we also make clear that the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise supplier.
Background
The facts
This Nile cruise is arranged around a 45-metre dahabiya sailing vessel designed for up to 20 guests and supported by an 11-person crew. The vessel has an 8-metre beam, three decks and two cabin decks, providing a smaller-scale setting than conventional large Nile cruisers. It uses sail power for much of its journey and travels at a slower pace between shore visits.
Dahabiyas can reach quieter stretches of the Nile and smaller archaeological locations that may be inaccessible to larger powered cruise ships. The precise route and shore-excursion programme depend on the confirmed booking. The cruise travels on the Nile in Egypt.
Full board begins with lunch on the embarkation day and ends with breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are generally charged separately, while gratuities and optional excursions or services are excluded unless included in the confirmed booking.
Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise as part of an Egypt programme. The vessel is owned and operated by a third-party cruise supplier, not by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Egypt·Nile Valley·dahabiya·Egyptian archaeological sites·lateen sail·Nile shore excursions
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and families seeking a quieter, small-ship Nile experience rather than the facilities and passenger numbers of a large cruiser. It is particularly appropriate for travellers interested in sailing, intimate accommodation and less-visited river locations, provided they are comfortable with steps, deck movement and a slower travel rhythm.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a larger Nile cruiser if you want extensive onboard entertainment or more space and facilities. The boat’s stairs and deck access may also be difficult for travellers who need step-free access or rely on a stroller.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- An 11-person crew serves a smaller group of travellers
- Sail-powered travel offers a slower pace on the Nile
- Smaller river locations may be reachable by dahabiya
- Full board covers lunch on arrival through breakfast on departure
Things to Consider
- Compact vessel means fewer facilities than larger Nile cruisers
- Stairs and deck access may limit stroller use
- Drinks (including water) cost extra
- Gratuities and optional excursions are not included
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike large Nile cruisers, this 45-metre dahabiya is designed for up to 20 guests and has an 11-person crew, two cabin decks and a slower sailing rhythm. Its smaller size and sail-powered operation may allow access to quieter stretches of the Nile and smaller archaeological sites, although it offers fewer large-ship facilities.
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
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 Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Aboard
Meet the Nour El Din Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A 45-metre, 8-metre dahabiya carrying up to 20 guests, crewed by 11.
- Length
- 45m
- Width
- 8m
- Guests
- Up to 20
- Crew
- 11
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Nile cruise accommodation in the cabin category selected at booking
- Full board from lunch on the embarkation day until breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Service from the vessel’s 11-person crew during the cruise
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions or services not included in the confirmed booking
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which shore visits are confirmed before booking; access to El Kab and Gebel Silsila depends on the sailing programme.
- 02
Check whether Hagar Salsala quarry appears in your confirmed itinerary rather than assuming every sailing stops there.
- 03
Budget separately for drinks (including water) and for crew gratuities.
- 04
Confirm the booked cabin category in writing, as the vessel has two cabin decks.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the cruise within a wider private Egypt programme, with transfers, guiding and land-based sightseeing added around the sailing dates. Cabin category, private or shared land arrangements and optional excursions can be discussed before confirmation; any extras not listed in the confirmed booking are charged separately.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Use the four-day Nour El Din Dahabiya sailing as the Nile element of a wider Egypt holiday, paired with time in Cairo and visits in Luxor or Aswan according to the confirmed route. A dahabiya travels at a slower pace than a large Nile cruiser, but the route and shore visits should be checked before arranging connecting stays.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This 45-metre dahabiya has three decks, including two cabin decks, and movement between levels involves stairs. Boarding may require using a gangway, with the angle changing as the river level changes. Riverbanks can be uneven, and shore visits may involve sand, unpaved paths, ancient stone steps and narrow passages. Wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed on board or at landings and archaeological sites. Strollers may also be difficult to manage on the gangway, stairs and shore paths. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact us before booking so we can check the current boarding arrangements and cabin access with the cruise supplier.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This 45-metre dahabiya uses lateen sails for much of its travel on the Nile. The cruise supplier remains responsible for propulsion, onboard operations and crew management. With capacity for up to 20 guests and an 11-person crew, it has a smaller operating model than large Nile cruisers, although fuel, water, waste and shore-service impacts still apply. We arrange the cruise with local suppliers and crew, keeping accommodation, meals, navigation and onboard service within Egypt's tourism economy. Guests can reduce avoidable waste by carrying a refillable bottle where practical and following crew instructions for rubbish and water use. No emissions certification or named community programme has been supplied for this product.
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
- Walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- A small bag for shore visits
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothes
- Lightweight layers for chillier mornings and evenings
- Comfortable shoes with closed toes
- Modest attire for temples and villages
- Keep shoulders and knees covered at religious sites
- Swimwear with a cover-up for shared deck areas
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. No minimum age, stroller arrangements or high-chair provision has been confirmed. Stairs, gangways and uneven shore paths can make strollers impractical, so ask us to check current arrangements before booking.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Esnaembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,056single cabin £1,704triple cabin £1,056 | May – September: from £912single cabin £1,560triple cabin £912 |
| 4 nights · Esna → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,312single cabin £2,177triple cabin £1,312 | May – September: from £1,120single cabin £1,985triple cabin £1,120 |
Choose your sailing 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.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Edfu TempleRight here
- Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
A 45-metre vessel capped at 20 guests
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Nour El Din Dahabiya Nile cruise?
The Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise lasts four days. The exact sailing schedule and time ashore depend on the confirmed itinerary, so check those details before booking. Unlike larger Nile cruisers, this 45-metre dahabiya carries up to 20 guests and travels under sail for much of the journey.02How do transfers and embarkation work for the Nour El Din Dahabiya?
Embarkation arrangements depend on your confirmed itinerary and wider Egypt programme. We can arrange the cruise and coordinate transfers as part of your trip, but the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise supplier. Check your booking documents for the meeting point, transfer details and embarkation time.03What is included in the Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise?
The booking includes accommodation in your confirmed cabin category, full board and service from the vessel’s 11-person crew. Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. The 45-metre vessel has three decks, including two cabin decks, and can accommodate up to 20 guests.04What is not included in the Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise?
Drinks (including water), gratuities and optional excursions or services not listed in your confirmed booking are excluded. Check the booking details for the shore visits included in your particular arrangement. Any cancellation or refund terms are those shown on the product page or in your booking confirmation.05Is the Nour El Din Dahabiya suitable for travellers with limited mobility?
Accessibility depends on the cabin, vessel layout and shore visits in your confirmed arrangement. A three-deck boat may involve stairs, and archaeological sites can have uneven ground, steps or exposed terrain. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check which parts of the proposed itinerary are practical.06Can children travel on the Nour El Din Dahabiya?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; those aged 6–11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I pack for a Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise?
Pack light, breathable clothes, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for shore visits. Upper Egypt can be very hot, so carry water and plan for limited shade outdoors. For visits to mosques or religious sites, choose modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees.08Can I take photographs during the Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise and shore visits?
Photography on board and at shore sites is subject to the rules of each location. Some archaeological areas restrict photography, flash or camera equipment, and rules can change. Follow signs and your Egyptologist’s guidance, and ask before photographing local people or crew members.09When is the best time to take the Nour El Din Dahabiya cruise?
October to April is generally cooler for Nile sightseeing than the summer months. From May to September, high temperatures in Upper Egypt can make walking and time ashore more demanding. Weather varies, so bring sun protection in every season and check the forecast close to departure.10Which places does the Nour El Din Dahabiya visit between Luxor and Aswan?
The route can include Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, El Kab and Gebel Silsila, subject to the confirmed itinerary. The smaller sailing vessel can reach quieter Nile locations that larger cruisers may bypass. Check your booking for the specific shore programme, as stops and daily timings can vary.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-298629
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