Roi Farouk Dahabiya
Sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a dahabiya
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
- New
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.
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.
- 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 isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Roi Farouk Dahabiya
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- Tea, coffee, water, and soft drinks
- Expert Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- All ground transfers in Luxor and Aswan
- Service charges and taxes
Not included
- Tipping for staff and guide
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional tours or activities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Domestic flights (if required)
- Travel and health insurance
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise involves uneven surfaces, narrow gangways, stone steps at temple approaches and soft sand at some landings. Guests should be able to step up and down a 30 to 50 centimetre gangway and walk short distances on cobbles and compacted sand, often without handrails. Wheelchair users will find full independent access limited; transfer into and around sites typically requires assistance. If you use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, tell us in advance so we can advise on practicable shore visits. We provide local staff assistance for embarkation and disembarkation, and crew can help on board, but many archaeological sites include stairs and steep ramps that remain inaccessible or difficult for visitors with significant mobility limitations. If you have reduced mobility, please contact us with full details so we can assess suitability and propose alternatives.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- Comfortable closed walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle (we can refill it)
- Any personal medication plus a written summary of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirts/trousers for temples and mosques
- A light windproof jacket for evening sailing
- Sturdy closed shoes for archaeological sites
- Wide-brim sun 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 their parents, one child per cabin maximum. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on board but may be difficult on sandy or cobbled shore approaches; high chairs are not guaranteed on every vessel, so request them in advance and we will arrange where possible.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya uses sail power as its principal means of propulsion while on the Nile, supplemented by a low-emission auxiliary engine for manoeuvring in locks and tight channels. We contract local captains and Egyptian crew, and the chef sources fresh produce from vegetable markets in Luxor, Esna and Aswan to support small vendors. Luggage transfers and shore transport use modern air conditioned minibuses with Euro 4/5 engines where available; we avoid using oversized coaches that do not fit narrow village streets. Visits to smaller archaeological sites such as El Kab and Hagar Salsala benefit directly local guides and village economies because the boat can moor closer to shore than larger cruisers. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we require partner suppliers to follow local waste disposal regulations and to avoid single-use plastics on board where practical. Unlike large cruiser itineraries, the dahabiya route reduces wake in shallow channels and limits passage through sensitive riverbank vegetation.
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-628448
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