Roi Farouk Dahabiya
Sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a dahabiya
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
Roi Farouk Dahabiya is a one-day Nile cruise in Egypt arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Roi Farouk Dahabiya is listed as a one-day dahabiya cruise on the Nile in Egypt. The product details supplied do not state its route, boarding point, excursion stops or sailing times.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Dahabiya cabin
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Nile sailing · Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Standard site entrance fees
- Best for
- Couples · Small groups · Nile cruise travellers · Travellers seeking a smaller vessel
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The cruise line, not Discovery Tours Egypt, owns and operates the vessel.
- One-day duration on the Nile.
What lingers
- 01Sail the Nile on a dahabiya, a smaller sailing boat rather than a large motorised cruiser.
- 02A gentler sailing pace than larger Nile cruise ships.
- 03Potential access to smaller riverside sites that larger vessels cannot reach, depending on the confirmed itinerary.
- 04Full Board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
02Overview
A first look
Roi Farouk 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. Named for Egypt’s last king, she plays up the 1940s royal-yacht styling.
Background
The facts
Roi Farouk Dahabiya is a Nile cruise product aboard a dahabiya, a traditional-style sailing boat used for river travel in Egypt. The cruise lasts one day.
The Nile flows north through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.
Dahabiyas are associated with Nile travel before the growth of modern steamship tourism in the 19th century.
Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.
Named in this entry
Roi Farouk Dahabiya·Nile River·Egypt·Mediterranean Sea·Luxor·Aswan·Cairo·Nile Delta
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Roi Farouk Dahabiya may suit couples, solo travellers and older children who want a quieter Nile sailing experience rather than the facilities of a large cruise ship. Choose it if you value time on the river and a more intimate setting
- the available details do not specify its route or shore visits.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a larger cruiser if you need extensive onboard facilities or a confirmed programme of shore visits. The one-day duration also offers less time for a longer Nile itinerary.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A smaller-scale Nile sailing experience than a large cruise ship
- Sailing on the Nile rather than travelling by road
- A quieter onboard setting without nightclub-style entertainment
Things to Consider
- One day gives little time for a longer Nile itinerary
- Drinks (including water) are typically extra
- A smaller vessel may offer fewer facilities than larger cruisers
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most large Nile cruise ships rely on engines and follow established ports; a dahabiya is a sailing-boat format. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges Roi Farouk Dahabiya, while the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EsnaThe temple & the river lock
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
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 Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Dining room
- Lounge
- Sun deck with shaded seating
- Wi-Fi in public areas
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Stay aboard the Roi Farouk Dahabiya
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Egyptologist guide
- Admission to every site listed
- Ground transport in Luxor and Aswan
- Service fees and taxes
Not included
- Tips for the crew and Egyptologist
- Personal spending and souvenirs
- Optional excursions and activities
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Domestic air travel, if needed
- Travel and medical insurance
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask for the embarkation point and departure time before arranging transport to the boat.
- 02
Confirm whether the listed one-day duration includes time ashore or refers only to the sailing.
Tailor it
Make it yours
We'll confirm the route, shore-visit programme, drinks arrangements and any meal upgrades before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Roi Farouk Dahabiya can add a sailing on the Nile to a wider Egypt holiday. Confirm the embarkation point and sailing route before arranging connections with Cairo, Luxor or Aswan.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise includes movement between the vessel and shore, where gangways may be narrow and can move with the river. Guests should be able to step up and down a gangway, sometimes without a handrail, and walk short distances over uneven stone, cobbles or soft sand. Temple approaches may include steps and steep ramps. Wheelchair users may need assistance with transfers and may not be able to access every shore visit independently. Crew can assist with embarkation and disembarkation, but access varies by landing point and site. Please tell us about mobility needs, including wheelchair or scooter dimensions, before booking so we can check what is practicable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A dahabiya uses its sail as its principal means of travel on the Nile. This product context does not confirm the vessel's engine arrangements, fuel use or onboard waste measures, so we cannot make claims about emissions or plastic reduction. The cruise is arranged with a local vessel operator and Egyptian crew; the boat and its operator are not run by Discovery Tours Egypt. Shore visits may reach smaller sites such as El Kab, Gebel Silsila and Hagar Salsala, where local guiding and purchases can support nearby communities. Exact suppliers, transport arrangements for shore visits and food sourcing depend on the departure. We can confirm these details for your sailing before you book.
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
- Passport and a photocopy
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Closed walking shoes with good grip
- Light layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication and prescription details
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Light jacket for breezy evenings on the river
- Robust, closed-toe footwear for archaeological sites
- Wide-brimmed hat and UV-protection sunglasses
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children aged 12 years and above 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. Strollers may be used on board but can be awkward on sandy or cobbled landings. High chairs are not guaranteed, so request one in advance.
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
- 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 smaller sailing vessel for the Esna to Aswan route
02
Four named Nile destinations in one cruise
03
Full Board covers the complete embarkation-to-disembarkation window
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Roi Farouk Dahabiya experience?
The product listing gives a duration of one day, but the cruise dates determine the actual nights aboard and sailing schedule. Ask us to confirm the embarkation and disembarkation dates before booking. Dahabiya itineraries are often longer than a day, so do not assume the listing describes a complete Nile sailing.02Are transfers included with the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan are included in the listed arrangement. We confirm the transfer plan against your final embarkation and disembarkation details. Domestic flights are not included, and any additional transport outside the stated transfer arrangements depends on your booking.03What is included in the Roi Farouk Dahabiya booking?
The listed arrangement includes accommodation aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya, meals, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to listed sites, ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan, service charges and taxes. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.04What is not included in the Roi Farouk Dahabiya booking?
Alcoholic drinks, gratuities, personal spending, souvenirs, optional activities, domestic flights where needed, and travel and health insurance are excluded. A single supplement applies when a cabin is booked for one traveller; confirm its amount for your dates. Check the page’s cancellation terms before booking.05How physically demanding is a Roi Farouk Dahabiya sailing?
Shore visits can involve walking on uneven archaeological ground, and access may include steps or unpaved paths. The exact demands vary by site and landing point, including at El Kab and Gebel Silsila. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check what can be arranged.06Can children travel on the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, children aged 6–11.99 pay 50%, and children aged 12 or over pay the adult price. Children must share a cabin with a parent, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children need their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring on the Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream and comfortable shoes for uneven ground during shore visits. A light layer is useful on breezier sailing stretches. Choose modest clothing for religious sites, covering shoulders and knees, and carry any personal medicines you may need.08Can I take photographs during the Roi Farouk Dahabiya sailing and site visits?
You can photograph the Nile, villages and archaeological sites where local rules allow. Restrictions can differ between monuments and individual tombs, so check signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures indoors. Do not photograph people without their permission, and follow any instructions from site staff.09When is the best time to sail aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya?
October to April is the stated peak season for this sailing. Nile temperatures and conditions vary through the year, with stronger heat outside the cooler months. Cabin availability is limited, so check your dates early. The actual sailing schedule and shore visits depend on the confirmed cruise arrangement.10Which sites can the Roi Farouk Dahabiya visit that larger Nile cruisers may miss?
The described route can include El Kab and Gebel Silsila, quieter archaeological stops that larger vessels may not reach. Hagar Salsala quarry is also named in the dahabiya route context. The confirmed shore programme varies by sailing, so check which sites are scheduled for your dates.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-628448
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