Princess Donia Dahabiya

The short answer

Princess Donia Dahabiya is a one-day Nile cruise in Egypt, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury
• Cultural
• Honeymoon

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

N/A

Destinations

Nile River, Egypt

Includes

Nile sailing aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya · Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day

Best for

Dahabiya sailing · Slow-paced Nile travel · Travellers visiting Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

What lingers

• 01Dahabiya-style Nile travel rather than a large motorised cruise ship
• 02Sail-powered river travel, characteristic of traditional dahabiyas
• 03A Nile cruise product named Princess Donia Dahabiya
• 04Route and shore visits to be confirmed in the booking details

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Nile cruises use larger motor vessels; a dahabiya is sail-powered.

The route

Where this ship sails

The stretch of river this vessel works, and what the sailing is like end to end.

• Esna to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide

Bundled in

• ·Wi-Fi
• ·Sun Deck
• ·Restaurant

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Confirm the departure time and return point directly from the booking itinerary.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Ask whether the sailing can be arranged privately, as an exclusive charter, and whether the stated one-day duration refers to a full sailing or a shorter cruise. Request the confirmed route, shore visits, cabin options and any meal upgrades before booking; these details are not supplied here.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

A dahabiya cruise involves boarding from a river quay, usually by gangway, and moving around wooden decks that may have steps and uneven surfaces. Shore visits can include soft sand, uneven stone, narrow paths and temple steps without handrails. Wheelchair access is limited: the assigned vessel may not have a ramp or lift, and cabins can be compact, with a step into the bathroom. We can ask about assistance for transfers and boarding if you tell us about mobility needs before booking. Access varies by vessel and landing point, so we will check what can be arranged for your booking rather than assume independent access.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

A lateen sail can provide propulsion on a dahabiya, with an auxiliary engine used when needed; actual fuel use depends on wind, river conditions and the assigned vessel. We arrange the cruise with a locally supplied vessel and crew, but the boat is owned and operated by its supplier. Egyptian crew and cooks may work on board, though staffing varies and should be confirmed for the vessel assigned to your booking. Shore visits can support local guides and businesses where these are part of the confirmed programme. We do not have verified vessel-specific information about wastewater handling, plastic reduction or refill facilities for this product, so we will not make claims about those practices without confirmation.

• 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

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

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Sail between Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan

2. 02

   Choose a sail-powered alternative to larger Nile cruisers

3. 03

   We arrange your place aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Princess Donia Dahabiya trip?

   The Princess Donia Dahabiya trip is one day. Dahabiya arrangements can vary, and the embarkation and disembarkation schedule determines which meals are covered.
2. 02What is included on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?

   The listed arrangements include accommodation aboard Princess Donia Dahabiya, meals, an Egyptologist, entrance fees to listed sites, transfers to and from the vessel, taxes and service charges. Full Board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Confirm the meal schedule against your final itinerary.
3. 03What is not included in the Princess Donia Dahabiya arrangement?

   International flights, personal expenses, tips for the crew and Egyptologist, alcoholic drinks and optional tours not listed in the itinerary are excluded. Drinks beyond the listed water, tea and soft drinks may also be chargeable. Check your final itinerary for any optional visits and confirm their costs before you travel.
4. 04How are Princess Donia Dahabiya cabin prices calculated for solo travellers?

   Pricing is based on two people sharing a cabin, and a single supplement applies to a solo traveller. The amount depends on the selected dates and final arrangement, so check the price shown for your booking. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arranges the sailing with the vessel’s cruise line.
5. 05What is the route on the Princess Donia Dahabiya, and does it visit El Kab?

   El Kab and Gebel Silsila are among the smaller sites explored on this sailing. These sites are part of the Nile’s archaeological landscape.
6. 06Is the Princess Donia Dahabiya accessible for travellers with limited mobility?

   Accessibility details for Princess Donia Dahabiya are not provided, so suitability depends on the vessel and the planned shore visits. Boarding a boat and walking around archaeological sites can involve steps, uneven ground and limited handrails. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the arrangements with the cruise line.
7. 07Can children travel on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?

   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. Families should confirm cabin availability for their chosen dates before booking.
8. 08What should I wear and bring for the Princess Donia Dahabiya?

   Bring sun protection, a hat, light clothing and comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground at archaeological sites. Temperatures can be high, particularly in the warmer months, and shade may be limited ashore. Choose modest clothing when visiting religious sites. Pack any personal items you need, as personal expenses are excluded.
9. 09Can I take photographs on the Princess Donia Dahabiya and at its stops?

   Rules can differ by location, and some tombs or museum spaces restrict photography or require a separate permit. Check signs at each site and ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, especially where local staff are present.
10. 10When is the best time to sail on the Princess Donia Dahabiya?

    October to April is the stated preferred period for this Nile sailing. Conditions are generally cooler than in the hottest summer months, though daytime sun remains strong. Dahabiyas have limited availability, so dates can be constrained. Confirm sailing dates and the exact itinerary before arranging flights or other travel.