Three Pyramids Dahabiya
An intimate sail-powered dahabiya with a lateen sail, chef-prepared full-board dining, and access to quieter Nile shore stops.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sun, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- New
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the lateen sail lifts above the Nile and the riverbank begins to move quietly past your deck. A dahabiya changes the rhythm of Egypt: there is time to watch fishermen cast their nets, hear the water against the hull, and pause at places larger cruisers cannot reach. Meals are prepared by the onboard chef, while sailing remains the focus rather than entertainment and crowds.
Our Egyptologists connect each landing to the landscape around it, from ancient quarries to village paths and temple approaches. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the Three Pyramids Dahabiya, your ground transportation, shore visits, and hotel stays, so the practical details are handled before you set sail.
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.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | May to September | October to April |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveler | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $1,850 | $1,850 |
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
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard Three Pyramids Dahabiya
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water, tea, and soft drinks
- All entrance fees for included sightseeing
- Professional Egyptologist guide
- All transfers to/from the Dahabiya
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- International airfare
- Personal expenses
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional tours not listed in the itinerary
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary requires moderate mobility and involves a range of uneven surfaces, steps and short gangplanks when boarding and disembarking. Boarding the dahabiya typically uses a single narrow gangway with 4–8 steps; many quays and temple approaches are cobbled or sandy and can be steep. Cabins are usually accessed by one or two companionable staircases; the vessel will not have lifts. On shore excursions there are stairs at temple entrances, narrow tomb passages, and sections of loose sand and rock. Wheelchair users can be accommodated with advance notice for airport and river transfers, and some quays permit level boarding with local assistance; however, independent wheelchair mobility on board and at most archaeological sites is not feasible. Please contact us before booking so we can assess the specific accessibility needs for your party, plan suitable embarkation points, and arrange local assistance where possible. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we coordinate transfers, guides, and local helpers to reduce barriers, but we cannot guarantee full step-free access at historic sites.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport, visa if required, and a photocopy stored separately
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with a good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30+ and a broad-brimmed hat
- Lightweight daypack for water, camera and personal items
- Any prescribed medication, plus a small first-aid kit
- Plug adapter for Egyptian sockets (Type C and F)
- Reusable water bottle for filling at the vessel's stations
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days
- Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts for temple and mosque visits
- Covered shoulders for entering religious sites
- A warm layer for cool early mornings and evenings on the river
- Non-slip shoes for gangplanks and temple steps
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 practical ashore in some modern quays and at hotel transfers but are not practical on cobbled temple approaches or when boarding via gangplank. Onboard facilities for children vary by vessel; please advise ages at time of booking so we can confirm bedding configurations and any child-friendly meal options.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This package uses a traditional dahabiya, a sail-equipped Nile cruiser that relies on wind as the primary propulsion on suitable days, reducing fuel consumption compared with engine-only river cruisers. Shore transfers are provided by modern minibuses that meet local emission and safety standards; when possible we use smaller vehicles to reduce fuel use per guest. We contract local captains, chefs and shore guides, and we source food from nearby markets and farming communities along the Nile, for example fresh produce from Luxor and Aswan suppliers. Portage and manual handling at small quays directly provide income to local boatmen and dock staff at El Kab and Gebel Silsila. Linens and towels follow a reuse policy on board to reduce laundry water use, and we ask guests to minimise single-use plastics by offering refillable water stations. We regularly review suppliers and request evidence of fair wages and safe working conditions, and we prioritise small, family-run workshops for excursion visits. If you would like detailed supplier names or the vessel's fuel profile before booking, tell us and we will provide the latest information.
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-422585
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