Zahra Dahabiya
A 5-star dahabiya with lateen sails, intimate dining, panoramic Nile views, and chef-prepared full-board meals.
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
- New
02Overview
A first look
By midmorning, the lateen sail draws Zahra Dahabiya quietly along the Nile, with reeds brushing the riverbank and the deck settling into an easy rhythm. Away from the wake and crowds of larger cruisers, you can watch village life pass at water level, pause ashore at lesser-visited places, and return to chef-prepared meals without losing the unhurried pace.
Our Egyptologists connect each landing to the landscape, from ancient stonework to the working river communities nearby. We arrange your transfers, shore visits, and carefully selected cruise booking, so the practical details are handled before you board. The result is a more personal way to see the Nile, with time to read, talk, or simply listen to the sail and water.
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 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
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.
On property
What's here
- restaurant
- wifi
- gym
Bundled in
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on Zahra Dahabiya in air-conditioned cabin
- All meals on board
- Egyptologist tour guide
- Entrance fees to listed sites
- Private transfers to and from the boat
- Tea, coffee, and soft drinks during meals
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping for crew and guide
- Personal expenses
- Additional beverages not included in meal plan
- Optional excursions (e.g., hot air balloon)
- Domestic or international flights
Accessibility
Who can join this
This dahabiya itinerary requires a reasonable level of mobility. Expect uneven riverbank paths, cobblestones at some temples, stepped gangways when boarding and disembarking, and low cabin thresholds. Many sites visited have stairs, narrow tomb passages, and soft sand underfoot. The vessel itself typically has cabins accessed by steps; there is limited wheelchair maneuvering space on board. Transfers use standard minivans with one or two steps to board. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can assess feasibility and arrange additional assistance where possible. We cannot guarantee full wheelchair access at every archaeological site or on every dahabiya, and interior pyramid or premium tomb access may be impractical for guests with limited mobility.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Reusable water bottle for onboard refill
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Any personal medications, plus a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- A light sweater or fleece for evenings on the river
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- A wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free. Children 6 to 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 on flat quays and onboard open decks but can be difficult on uneven temple approaches and soft sand. High chairs are not standard on dahabiyas; request them at booking and we will try to arrange one through the vessel supplier.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The dahabiya is primarily sail-powered, using lateen sails, which reduces engine fuel consumption while on the Nile. For transfers and port calls we use modern minivans with certified drivers; where possible we schedule shared transfers to reduce vehicle kilometres. Onboard provisioning is sourced from local markets and farms, and the chef prepares meals using seasonal produce bought in Luxor and Aswan markets; this supports local vendors and reduces food miles. We work with locally owned mooring sites and small community guides in villages such as El Kab and Gebel Silsila, which directs revenue to those communities. Waste is separated on board where practical, with recyclables handed to port facilities; we limit single-use plastics by providing refillable water containers for guests. Electricity is provided primarily by the vessel's small generator and battery systems; guests should expect limited high-power charging capacity.
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-184825
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