Queen Isis Nile Cruise
With lateen sails, an onboard jacuzzi and full-board meals, this smaller 5-star dahabiya offers a quieter way to travel the Nile.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
Private charter · Available as a private charter only — the whole boat, exclusively for your party.
The short answer
Queen Isis is a three-night dahabiya cruise between Aswan and Luxor, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Queen Isis sails between Aswan and Luxor for three nights, with departures from Aswan on Mondays and from Luxor on Thursdays. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) and gratuities are extra.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Dahabiya
- Destinations
- Aswan · The Nile · Luxor
- Includes
- Three-night Nile cruise · Full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation · On-board jacuzzi use · Specified transfers · Selected Aswan–Luxor or Luxor–Aswan sailing
- Best for
- Couples · Slow-travel enthusiasts · History and culture travellers · Travellers seeking a quieter Nile experience · Small families able to manage boat boarding
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Transfers are included as specified in the confirmed booking.
- The booking clearly identifies the full-board window, exclusions and sailing direction.
- Cruise arrangements and optional services are confirmed before travel.
What lingers
- 01Travel between Aswan and Luxor aboard a dahabiya
- 02Choose the sailing direction offered for your selected departure
- 03Spend time on deck as the Nile landscape changes between the two cities
- 04Use the on-board jacuzzi during the cruise
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile carries the sound of the wind through the rigging, while the Queen Isis Dahabiya’s lateen sail draws the boat past palms and low riverbank villages. From the deck, you can watch the landscape change between Aswan and Luxor at a pace that leaves room for conversation, photographs and quiet pauses. The setting feels more intimate than a large river cruiser, with the captain responding to the wind rather than a busy entertainment schedule. We arrange the sailing, shore arrangements and transfers around your booking, with our Egyptologists adding context to the places you see. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we remain your point of contact on land throughout.
Background
The facts
This three-night Nile cruise connects Aswan and Luxor, with departures from Aswan to Luxor on Mondays and from Luxor to Aswan on Thursdays. The route follows the Nile Valley between Upper Egypt’s principal river ports and is arranged with transfers to the agreed arrival and departure points.
A dahabiya is a traditional-style, sail-powered Nile boat designed for a smaller passenger capacity and slower sailing pace than a large river cruiser. This 5-star arrangement is intended for travellers seeking a quieter river experience; facilities include an on-board jacuzzi. The vessel is selected and booked by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise supplier.
Full board begins with lunch on the embarkation day and ends with breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water), gratuities, personal expenses and optional services are excluded unless specifically added to the booking.
Aswan is located near the First Cataract and landmarks including Philae Temple, while Luxor contains the ancient Theban monuments on both banks of the Nile, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. Exact shore visits and transfer points depend on the confirmed booking and cruise schedule.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Aswan·Luxor·Upper Egypt·Philae Temple·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Colossi of Memnon·First Cataract·Theban Necropolis
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This dahabiya cruise suits adults and couples who prefer a quieter, more intimate Nile journey than a large river cruiser. It is appropriate for travellers interested in river landscapes, Egyptian history and a slower sailing rhythm, provided they can manage boarding, disembarkation and uneven surfaces at shore sites.
Maybe not, if
- It is less suitable for travellers who want a large ship with varied entertainment, or who need step-free access and extensive onboard facilities. The Monday and Thursday departure pattern also limits date flexibility.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Lower passenger numbers than conventional Nile cruisers
- Sails between Aswan and Luxor in either direction
- Onboard jacuzzi available during the cruise
- Monday and Thursday departures give a choice of route
Things to Consider
- Limited onboard facilities compared with larger river cruisers
- Drinks (including water) cost extra
- Gratuities and personal expenses are not included
- Departures are limited to Mondays or Thursdays
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a large Nile river cruiser, a dahabiya normally offers a smaller passenger capacity, a quieter atmosphere and a slower sailing pace. This arrangement covers three nights and provides full board, a jacuzzi and specified transfers, while drinks (including water), gratuities and optional services remain additional.
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
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three nights aboard Queen Isis Dahabiya on the Nile
- Meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Access to the on-board jacuzzi
- Transfers detailed in your booking
- Scheduled sailing between Aswan and Luxor, or Luxor and Aswan, based on your chosen departure
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities
- Personal spending
- Optional excursions or services not listed in your booking
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm the embarkation point and pickup time against your arrival details before travel.
- 02
Ask whether your selected booking includes any shore excursions; the route description alone does not confirm visits.
- 03
Plan for drinks (including water) to be charged separately.
- 04
Keep gratuities separate from your cruise budget, as they are not included.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can select the Aswan-to-Luxor Monday sailing or the Luxor-to-Aswan Thursday sailing, subject to availability. Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the specified transfers and discuss private pre- or post-cruise stays, additional sightseeing or optional services; these additions are not included unless confirmed in the booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Queen Isis Dahabiya fits between time in Aswan and Luxor, with the route available in either direction. Add a Cairo stay before or after the Nile sailing if you want to include the Giza Plateau and the Egyptian Museum.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise requires boarding and leaving a river vessel, often via a narrow or steep gangway. Access varies with the landing point and Nile water level. Shore visits may involve sand, unpaved paths, cobblestones, steps and uneven ancient stone at sites such as Karnak Temple or Luxor West Bank. Wheelchair access is not guaranteed on the vessel or at every landing point. A folding wheelchair may be possible after advance assessment, but storage and assistance must be confirmed. Guests with limited mobility should travel with a companion and tell us before booking.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya uses a lateen sail for much of the journey, with a captain and crew employed through the selected local cruise supplier. Road transfers use locally arranged vehicles matched to the booking. Shore visits support Egyptian guides, drivers, food suppliers, site staff and communities along the Nile. Smaller stops can include villages and archaeological sites that receive fewer large cruisers. Waste, water and fuel practices vary by vessel and supplier, so we do not make unsupported environmental claims. Carrying a reusable bottle, avoiding single-use plastic and respecting local communities helps reduce impact.
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
- Travel insurance information
- Comfortable walking footwear with a good grip
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen SPF50+
- A refillable water bottle
- Required medication
- A compact day bag for trips ashore
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothes
- Light, breathable layers for chilly mornings and evenings
- Closed-toe shoes for uneven paths and ancient stone
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and villages
- A swimsuit and cover-up for the jacuzzi
- A sun hat and lightweight scarf
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%, while children aged 12 and above pay the adult rate. Children need to share a cabin with a parent, and only one child is permitted per cabin. Two or more children need a separate cabin. Strollers are unsuitable for narrow gangways and uneven paths ashore. Please confirm high-chair availability before booking.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin 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
- Philae Temple8 km
- Kom Ombo Temple45 km
- Edfu Temple105 km
- Karnak Temple3 km
- Valley of the Kings5 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Choose Monday or Thursday departures to suit your route
02
Compare an intimate dahabiya with larger Nile cruisers
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does a dahabiya cruise compare with a larger Nile cruise ship?
A dahabiya is a smaller, sail-powered Nile boat, typically featuring 8–12 cabins, offering a more intimate and slower-paced sailing experience. Unlike larger, engine-powered cruise ships, dahabiyas do not have nightclubs and can access less-visited sites like El Kab and Gebel Silsila.02How long is the Queen Isis Dahabiya cruise, and which route does it follow?
The Queen Isis Dahabiya sails between Aswan and Luxor over three nights. Aswan to Luxor departures run on Mondays; the return journey from Luxor to Aswan leaves on Thursdays, visiting key historic sites along the Nile.03Which meals are provided on the Queen Isis Dahabiya cruise?
Your cruise includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. This ensures all your main meals are provided while you are aboard the Queen Isis Dahabiya, prepared by the onboard chef.04Are drinks served with meals included on the Queen Isis Dahabiya?
Other beverages, including soft drinks, juice and alcoholic drinks, are not covered by the cruise fare and may be bought separately on board according to your preference.05What is the policy for children travelling on the Queen Isis Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 travel at no charge; those aged 6–11.99 are charged 50% of the adult fare. From age 12, children pay the full adult fare. A maximum of one child may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a separate cabin.06What transfers are provided as part of the Queen Isis Dahabiya cruise?
Transfers between the Queen Isis Dahabiya and your agreed arrival and departure points in Aswan and Luxor are included. Private car transport to and from the vessel is arranged at the beginning and end of your journey.07What clothing and other items should I bring for a dahabiya cruise on the Nile?
Pack light, comfortable clothing for warm weather, with modest outfits for temple visits. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are useful for shore excursions. Evenings may be cooler, so we advise bringing a light jacket or shawl.08Is the Queen Isis Dahabiya accessible for travellers with mobility concerns?
Dahabiyas such as the Queen Isis are compact vessels, with stairs between decks and gangways that may be steep depending on the water level. Our team is on hand to help, but moving around on board and at some ancient sites may be difficult for travellers with significant mobility concerns.09Does the Queen Isis Dahabiya cruise price include gratuities?
Gratuities for the crew and guides are not included in the cruise fare. We suggest allowing for them, as tipping is customary in Egypt to recognise good service and is generally paid at the end of the trip.10How does the Queen Isis Dahabiya offer a distinctive Nile cruising experience?
With room for a maximum of 12 passengers, the Queen Isis Dahabiya provides a distinctive, intimate sailing experience and a more personal journey. Its shallow draught allows it to call at secluded sites such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab, which larger cruise ships cannot reach.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-021066
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