Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise
An intimate 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, panoramic river views, and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the lateen sail catches the Nile breeze and the riverbanks settle into palms, fields, and mud-brick villages. From the sun deck of Meroe Dahabiya Nile Cruise, you can watch fishermen work the shallows, hear the rigging shift, and trade the bustle of Luxor for the unhurried rhythm of river travel.
We arrange a paced balance of sailing and shore time, so visits to temples and tombs have room for questions, photographs, and quiet observation rather than a hurried return to the gangway. Your days move between a cabin with river views or a private balcony, chef-prepared meals, and guided walks with our Egyptologists. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we coordinate the embarkation, excursions, and local support before you arrive.
Background
The facts
Meroe Dahabiya is a five-star dahabiya-style Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan and typically sails weekly in both directions on the Nile river route used by classic Upper Egypt cruises.
The shore-excursion program includes Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor’s West Bank. These visits connect sites from the New Kingdom period through the Greco-Roman era, including major monuments such as the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and the rock-cut royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Accommodation is in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin classes, with many cabins offering Nile views or private balconies. On board facilities include a sun deck for river viewing, a lounge bar, and a dining room. The board basis is full board, meaning lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with water during meals typically included and other drinks usually extra.
Compared with tightly scheduled short Nile cruises, a dahabiya-style vessel generally provides a slower pace and more time for guided shore visits and relaxed sailing between stops. It is suited to travelers who want a smaller-ship atmosphere and a classic river-journey format rather than a large-ship resort experience.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This vessel is well suited to travelers who want a slower Nile itinerary, especially couples, small groups, and independent-minded visitors who prefer a quieter onboard atmosphere. It also fits history-focused travelers who want Egyptologist-led visits to major temple and tomb sites without the pace of a large cruise ship.
What lingers
- 01Cabin classes in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, many with Nile views or private balconies
- 02Sun deck for daytime lounging and panoramic river views while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- 03Lounge bar and dining room serving full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 04Shore-excursion program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, guided by an Egyptologist
- 05Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan, with weekly sailings in both directions
- 06A paced alternation of sailing and full excursions, unlike tightly scheduled short cruises that rush shore visits
The route
Esna and Aswan
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.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Esna and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
6 Days / 5 Nights · Esna to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $2,125 | $2,125 | $2,125 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Accommodation aboard in the chosen cabin class (Standard, Deluxe, Suite).
- Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
- Use of public areas on board including sun deck and lounge bar.
- Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan.
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals.
- Premium site entries not covered by standard museum/site tickets (for example, certain tombs).
- Personal gratuities.
- International flights, visas and travel insurance.
- Transfers to or from the embarkation/disembarkation ports unless specifically requested.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires moderate mobility for embarkation, shore excursions, and moving around the vessel. Boarding a dahabiya typically involves one or two steps up from a low gangway; cabins and public areas are on a single deck but may have small internal steps. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, loose sand, narrow pathways and temple steps, for example at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae. Vehicles used for transfers are standard sedans or minibuses with steps. Wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can assess each element; many major temple sites are not wheelchair-friendly and some cabins are not adaptable. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will provide detailed accessibility advice, name of the Egyptologist guiding your excursions, and meet-and-assist on arrival to discuss adaptations and additional assistance.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy, kept separately
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher, and lip balm with SPF
- Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight daypack for camera, water and layers
- Reusable water bottle (we can refill on board)
- Small personal first-aid items and any prescription medicines
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves or a light scarf for sun protection and temple visits
- Trousers or knee-length skirts for temples and mosques (covered shoulders)
- A light sweater or fleece for cooler early mornings and evenings on deck
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and older 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. Strollers are usable on the vessel but are not practical on many shore sites because of uneven stone and steps; high chairs and baby equipment depend on the vessel and must be requested in advance.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This product is a dahabiya, a traditionally rigged Nile sailing boat that uses wind power for part of its propulsion, reducing engine burn compared with larger engine-driven cruisers while sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel class is small, usually 8 to 12 cabins, which reduces passenger numbers and on-board resource use per sailing. We arrange local provisioning, with chef-prepared meals sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan where possible, supporting local traders and food producers. Onboard generators are used sparingly for electricity, and waste is managed in line with local port rules; single-use plastics are minimised where the supplier permits. Shore excursions are guided by Egyptologists employed locally, and day staff such as drivers and guides are contracted through regional suppliers to keep income in the communities visited. Tell us if you have dietary or sustainability preferences and we will relay them to the vessel's team.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is a dahabiya cruise and how long is the Meroe Dahabiya trip?
A dahabiya is a traditional, intimate sailing boat on the Nile, typically with 8 to 12 cabins. The Meroe Dahabiya cruise is a 6-day journey, offering a slower-paced experience between Luxor and Aswan, visiting sites inaccessible to larger vessels.02What meals are included on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes full board meals, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily while aboard.03What shore excursions are included with the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Your Meroe Dahabiya cruise includes Egyptologist-guided shore excursions to major sites like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. You will also visit smaller, unique sites like El Kab and Gebel Silsila.04What is not included in the Meroe Dahabiya cruise price?
The cruise price typically excludes drinks beyond water with meals, entrance fees for premium sites or tombs, personal gratuities for the crew and guides, international flights, visas, and travel insurance. Transfers to and from the ports are also excluded unless arranged separately.05What is the accessibility like on a dahabiya cruise?
Dahabiyas offer a more intimate setting, but access to shore excursions may involve walking on uneven ancient terrain, stairs at temples, and gangplanks to board the vessel. Guests with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking.06What is the policy for children on the Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a dahabiya Nile cruise?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For evenings, smart casual attire is suitable. Modest dress is required for religious sites.08What is the best time of year to take a Meroe Dahabiya cruise?
The best time to take a Nile cruise is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. The summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.09Can I take photographs during the Meroe Dahabiya shore excursions?
Photography is generally permitted at most archaeological sites, but some specific tombs or museum exhibits may prohibit it, or require an extra fee for a photography pass. Always check for signage or ask your Egyptologist guide.10How does the Meroe Dahabiya compare to larger Nile cruise ships?
The Meroe Dahabiya offers a more tranquil, sail-powered experience with fewer guests, typically 8 to 12 cabins, compared to the larger, engine-powered cruise ships. It allows for stops at smaller, less-visited sites and provides a more personalised service.
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-285497
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