Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A 10-cabin dahabiya with lateen sails, panoramic dining windows, a shaded lounge bar, and full-board meals for an intimate Nile sailing.
At a glance
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beneath the lateen sail, while the riverbank slips past in silence. From the shaded dining saloon, you can watch village fields, palms, and limestone cliffs change with the light, then settle on the sun deck as the captain guides the dahabiya onward.
The pace feels measured rather than programmed. You will explore ancient sites with shore visits arranged around the vessel’s sailing rhythm, then return to chef-prepared full-board meals and a quiet lounge bar instead of the entertainment schedule found on larger Nile cruise ships. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and books the Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya Nile Cruise and coordinates your local arrangements, with our Egyptologists supporting included shore visits where provided.
Background
The facts
Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya is a small Nile river cruise vessel based around the Luxor and Aswan corridor. It has ten cabins in total, made up of two suites and eight double cabins, which keeps guest numbers low compared with larger Nile cruise ships. The vessel is arranged on a full-board basis, with lunch served from embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
The cruise sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion program includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These sites represent a mix of New Kingdom, Ptolemaic, and Greco-Roman-era monuments along the Nile Valley, and the route is designed around sailing days and scheduled visits rather than a fixed land itinerary.
On board, the vessel provides a sun deck, a shaded lounge bar, and a dining saloon with panoramic windows. The small-capacity layout is typical of dahabiyas, which are traditionally smaller sailing vessels used for quieter Nile travel. Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor or Aswan, depending on direction.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who prefer a low-capacity sailing experience with fewer cabins and a quieter social atmosphere. It is especially relevant for adults, couples, and small groups who value guided temple visits and time on the Nile over large-ship entertainment.
What lingers
- 01Seven-day dahabiya cruise between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae.
- 02We moor overnight at Edfu and Kom Ombo, enabling evening visits after day boats depart.
- 03Small dahabiya shallow draft reaches riverside quays larger cruise ships cannot access.
- 04Includes guided visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank; site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise.
- 05Unlike larger Nile cruise ships, we operate a sailing dahabiya with lower passenger numbers and quieter evenings.
- 06Optional hot-air-balloon pickup in Luxor and flexible transfers – we handle airport-to-boat logistics on arrival day.
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
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
5 Days / 4 Nights · Esna to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $956 | $1,013 | $1,070 |
| Suite | $1,541 | $1,671 | $1,801 |
| Single Cabin | $2,061 | $2,256 | $2,451 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Esna
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $815 | $858 | $901 |
| Suite | $1,254 | $1,351 | $1,449 |
| Single Cabin | $1,644 | $1,790 | $1,936 |
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.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Use of public areas on board including sun deck and lounge bar
- Shore excursions as scheduled by the vessel (land transport and Egyptologist on shore visits where provided by the cruise line)
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Drinks beyond water with meals unless specified
- Gratuities for crew and local guides unless otherwise stated
- Personal expenses and optional extras such as hot-air balloon rides or private tours
- Single supplement where applicable
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise involves boarding a traditional dahabiya with narrow gangways and steps between the boat and riverbank; there is no elevator and cabins are compact. Shore excursions include uneven stone, cobblestones, narrow temple ramps and multiple stairs at sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Philae. Wheelchair users should expect limited access ashore: many temple entrances and tomb approaches are not suitable for wheelchairs, and transfers use air-conditioned minivans without full wheelchair lifts. If you use a mobility aid, contact us before booking so we can advise which visits are feasible and, where possible, arrange additional assistance. We can provide meet-and-assist at the airport, and our Egyptologists will brief on walking requirements for each visit.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and visa documentation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a broad-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack for camera and water bottle
- A small torch or headlamp for reading in cabins at night
- Any prescription medicines plus a basic first-aid kit
- Copy of your travel insurance policy and emergency contact details
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple and mosque visits
- A light scarf or shawl for sun protection and modesty when needed
- Flat, closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites and uneven ground
- A light windproof jacket for early-morning sailing on the Nile
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; 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. Cabins are compact on a dahabiya, so strollers are not practical onboard and space for extra baby equipment is limited. High chairs and babysitting are not standard; please tell us at booking if you need child-specific facilities so we can request them from the cruise supplier.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya format itself reduces fuel consumption because primary propulsion is by sail; on calm stretches a small auxiliary engine may be used. Onshore transfers are provided in modern, air-conditioned minibuses (16-seat class) managed by local suppliers we contract directly. We work with local Egyptologists, cooks and crew employed from the Luxor-Aswan region; shore excursion fees and payments go to site guides and small businesses in the towns we visit. Onboard practices we encourage include linen-reuse on multi-night sailings, single-stream waste separation where facilities exist in port, and sourcing fresh provisions from local markets in Luxor and Aswan. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we book the cruise and coordinate suppliers on the ground; please ask us if you want a supplier-level sustainability report before booking.
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?
A dahabiya is a shallow, traditionally rigged Nile sailing vessel used for small-group river travel. They operate at a slower pace than motorized cruise ships, with fewer cabins and smaller crews. That slower pace lets the vessel moor at smaller riverbanks and offer more discreet shore visits. Expect simpler onboard facilities and fewer formal entertainment options compared with larger cruise ships.02How long is the Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya trip?
The Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya itinerary runs seven days. The published product covers seven calendar days with nights spent aboard the dahabiya; specific embarkation and disembarkation ports vary by supplier. If you book with us we arrange transfers and pre/post hotel nights as needed and confirm exact pickup locations and local transfer times.03What is included in the 7-day Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya price?
Inclusions vary by supplier; please confirm the 7-day package contents with us. Common inclusions are cabin accommodation, full-board meals aboard, the onboard crew, and guided shore excursions, but each supplier differs. Premium extras such as pyramid interior tickets, select premium tomb tickets, private guide upgrades, and gratuities are generally excluded unless requested. We will send the exact inclusions for your specific booking.04How does a dahabiya differ from a Nile cruise ship?
A dahabiya is smaller, slower, and offers fewer cabins than conventional motorized Nile cruise ships. Unlike mainstream river cruise ships, a dahabiya can moor at smaller banks and stay closer to villages, which allows quieter days and more intimate shore access. The trade-off is simpler onboard services, fewer public spaces, and limited entertainment options compared with larger motorized ships.05Is the Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
Access is limited: expect narrow gangways, cabin steps, and irregular stone or sand at most shore landings. Most dahabiyas have no elevators and cabins are compact; boarding often requires stepping into a small launch or onto uneven banks. We can advise mobility-friendly alternatives–private transfers, adjusted shore plans, or different vessel types–if you tell us specific mobility needs before booking.06What should I pack for a seven-day dahabiya trip on the Nile?
Bring sun protection, sturdy slip-on shoes for boarding, light layers for cool mornings, and any prescription medication. Also pack a wide-brim hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, insect repellent, and modest clothing for temple and mosque visits. Use soft-sided luggage (hard suitcases can be difficult to stow), and carry local cash for tips; onboard laundry and shop options are usually limited.07Is there Wi‑Fi and power on board the Princess Cleopatra Dahabiya?
Wi‑Fi and power availability on dahabiyas are inconsistent and depend on the individual vessel. Some dahabiyas provide basic Wi‑Fi in the salon area; others have no connection or only intermittent mobile signal. Power outlets and socket types vary–bring a USB power bank and a suitable adapter. We confirm connectivity and charging details for your booked dahabiya before travel.
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-633770
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