Nawara Dahabiya
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with lateen sails, chef-prepared full-board dining, and quiet stops beyond larger Nile cruisers.
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon
- Board
- Full Board
- New
02Overview
A first look
The lateen sail lifts above the Nile as the river narrows near Gebel Silsila, where pale quarry walls meet dark water and the larger cruise boats cannot reach. From the shaded deck of Nawara Dahabiya, you can listen to the rigging, watch village life along the bank, and step ashore at places such as El Kab and Hagar Salsala without the pace of a large ship.
Our Egyptologists put each stop in context, while the captain chooses a steady course and the chef prepares meals aboard. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the vessel, shore visits, transfers, and local support, so the practical details are handled before you set sail.
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
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | May–September | October–April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
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
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Nawara Dahabiya
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Bottled water, tea, and coffee
- Guided tours with a certified Egyptologist
- Entry fees to all listed attractions
- Transfers to/from Luxor or Aswan
- Sailing permits, taxes, and service charges
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for staff and guide
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Boarding and disembarkation use a low gangway or small launch; passengers with very limited mobility may find boarding difficult. Cabins are on one or two low decks reached by 4–8 steps; elevators are not available. Shore visits involve uneven stone, cobblestones, sandy banks and steps at temples such as Gebel Silsila and El Kab, and some sites have long, unshaded walks. Wheelchair users should contact us in advance, we can advise on which days and sites are feasible and arrange additional assistance where possible, but full wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport plus photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Light jacket for evenings on deck
- Small daypack for shore visits
- Reusable water bottle (we refill with filtered water aboard)
- Any prescription medicines in original packaging
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A warm layer for early-morning or evening breezes on the Nile
- Non-slip, closed-toe shoes for quays and archaeological sites
- A sun hat or cap
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12 years and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin. Two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers can be awkward on quays and when boarding tenders, so a light, foldable pushchair is recommended. High chairs are not typically available on dahabiyas; tell us in advance and we will try to arrange suitable equipment ashore.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered, which substantially reduces fuel use while sailing on the Nile compared with engine-driven cruisers. For shore transfers we use small, modern diesel launches and air-conditioned minibuses selected for fuel efficiency. We work with locally owned suppliers: Egyptian captains, Nubian crew, and local Egyptologists, and the vessel's chef sources bread, vegetables and dairy from nearby markets and farms to support household incomes. On-shore excursions prioritise community-led visits, such as village walks and craft workshops where entrance fees and purchases go directly to residents. Waste is segregated aboard where space allows; organic food waste is composted or handed to local farmers when possible. If you have specific sustainability priorities, tell us so we can match you to the most appropriate dahabiya and itinerary.
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-472953
You Might Also Like
Luxor6 Nights
Abundance Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Abundance Dahabiya is a traditional sail-powered dahabiya offering an intimate, slower-paced way to travel the Nile. The vessel uses lateen sails and carries a professional captain and crew; chef-prepared meals are served on board and Full Board is provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The dahabiya typically sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan and reaches secluded moorings such as Hagar Silsala and Gebel Silsila. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, has carefully selected and arranges this cruise as part of your trip.
From $2,405
NileAbydos Dahabiya
This five-day dahabiya cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan, calling at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel El Silsila, and Kom Ombo. You board in Esna after a private transfer from Luxor, and the Abydos Dahabiya moves slowly, allowing longer shore visits than larger overnight cruise ships. Our Egyptologists lead each guided visit, reading inscriptions and explaining quarry techniques at Gebel El Silsila. Cabins open onto river views, and meals feature fresh Egyptian and international dishes prepared onboard. Evenings include shore dinners and quiet moorings near riverside villages, preserving a relaxed pace. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists, and on-the-ground logistics for every booking.
Nile5 Nights
Adelaide Dahabiya Nile Cruise
This is a 7-day dahabiya cruise on the Nile operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We sail at a reduced-engine pace and moor at village landings rather than large cruise piers. Unlike larger motorized riverliners, the dahabiya prioritizes quiet transit and closer village access, which changes timing and walk-off logistics compared with standard Nile cruises. We arrange Egyptologist-guided shore visits and all ground transfers; standard site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise. Trade-offs: smaller cabins, fewer public spaces, and occasional schedule variation when wind conditions affect progress – we plan itineraries to manage those variables.
From $2,539