A Dahabiya Nile Cruise is the most private and authentic way to sail between Luxor and Aswan, and the most intimate Egypt Nile cruise experience available on the river today. A Dahabiya (also spelled Dahabeya, Dahabiyya, or Dahabeah) is a traditional two masted Egyptian sailing boat carrying a small number of private cabins, offering a completely different experience to the classic Luxor Aswan Nile Cruise. Every Dahabiya Nile River Cruise includes a private Egyptologist guide, full board, private transfers, and all entrance fees, combined with a slower pace, quieter moorings at Nile islands, and stops at riverside villages that larger cruise boats never visit. A Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise is ideal for travelers who want exclusivity, flexibility, and a genuine connection with the Nile and its riverbank communities.

WOW Egypt Tours offers 12 of the best Dahabiya Nile Cruises in Egypt: 6 Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises and 6 High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises, sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Dahabiya Cruise departs every Monday and Saturday, and the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Dahabiya Cruise departs every Wednesday and Friday, depending on the preferred route, available dates, and chosen Dahabiya itinerary.

Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise packages are available on both the 4 day and 5 day itineraries, sailing between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,559 per person in a double cabin (twin or king bed), and High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,937 per person, with single cabin and suite options available on both categories. The best Dahabiya Nile Cruise price depends on the Dahabiya category, cabin type, travel date, route, and included visits.

A Dahabiya Nile Cruise holiday can be arranged as a standalone Dahabiya Nile Cruise vacation, a private Dahabiya Nile Cruise package, or as a complete Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Cairo with domestic flights, private transfers, sightseeing in Cairo, and cruise accommodation all included. Dahabiya Nile Cruise packages are available for 2026, 2027, and 2028 with weekly departures year round.

At WOW Egypt Tours, every Dahabiya Nile River Cruise is fully private and arranged exclusively for your group or family. The WOW Team is available 24/7 before, during, and after your trip to ensure everything runs perfectly. For larger groups, the WOW Team can arrange a private Dahabiya charter reserved exclusively for your party, the ultimate private Nile cruise Egypt experience.

What Is a Dahabiya Nile Cruise Boat?

A Dahabiya (also spelled Dahabeya, Dahabiyya, or Dahabeah) is a traditional Egyptian two masted sailing boat that has carried travelers along the Nile since the 19th century, when it was the preferred vessel of royalty, European explorers, and early Egyptologists who came to study the monuments of ancient Egypt. The name comes from the Arabic word dhahab, meaning gold, after the gilded state barges once used by Egypt's rulers on the Nile.

A modern Dahabiya Nile Cruise boat combines this classic sailing heritage with genuine five star comfort. Each Dahabiya carries a small number of private cabins and suites with en suite bathrooms, a shaded sun deck, a dining salon serving freshly prepared meals throughout the voyage, and a dedicated crew. Because a Dahabiya carries only a handful of guests and sails mostly by wind power, it moves quietly, moors at small Nile islands and rural riverside villages that motorized cruise ships cannot reach, and gives travelers the slowest, most personal way to experience the Nile River Valley between Luxor and Aswan. Stops for swimming or kayaking in the river are arranged at quiet island moorings when weather and river conditions allow.

The 12 Best Dahabiya Nile Cruise Boats in Egypt

WOW Egypt Tours offers 12 Dahabiya Nile Cruises in Egypt, divided into two categories: 6 Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises and 6 High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises. Every Dahabiya in the program is a purpose-built five-star sailing vessel selected for the quality of its cabins and suites, the standard of its onboard meals, the professionalism of its crew, and its suitability for private small-group and family sailings on the Nile.

Luxury and High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises

The 12 Dahabiyas operate on two weekly departure schedules. Three Luxury Dahabiyas and three High Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Monday and sail from Aswan every Friday. Another three Luxury Dahabiyas and three High Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Saturday and sail from Aswan every Wednesday.

This gives travelers a choice of six Dahabiyas on each weekly sailing schedule, with both Luxury and High Luxury options available depending on the preferred level of accommodation, travel dates, cabin type, and budget.

Luxury Dahabiyas

The six Luxury Dahabiyas are divided between the two weekly sailing schedules:

Monday from Luxor / Friday from Aswan

These three Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Monday and sail in the opposite direction from Aswan every Friday.

Saturday from Luxor / Wednesday from Aswan

These three Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Saturday and sail in the opposite direction from Aswan every Wednesday.

Every Luxury Dahabiya offers private air-conditioned cabins with Nile-view windows, en-suite bathrooms with shower and hair dryer, suites with private balconies on selected boats, an onboard jacuzzi, a shaded sun deck, a lounge salon, WiFi, and laundry service. Guests also receive freshly prepared full-board dining and attentive crew service throughout the cruise.

Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,559 per person on the 4 Days / 3 Nights itinerary and from $1,782 per person on the 5 Days / 4 Nights itinerary.

High Luxury Dahabiyas

The six High Luxury Dahabiyas follow the same two weekly sailing schedules, with three boats assigned to each departure schedule:

Monday from Luxor / Friday from Aswan

These three High Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Monday and sail from Aswan every Friday.

Saturday from Luxor / Wednesday from Aswan

These three High Luxury Dahabiyas depart from Luxor every Saturday and sail from Aswan every Wednesday.

High Luxury Dahabiyas offer upgraded accommodation, including Royal Suites and Junior Suites on selected boats, suites with private balconies and dedicated seating areas, modern furnishings, in-cabin entertainment and mini bars, an onboard jacuzzi, a lounge bar, a sun deck, WiFi, and laundry service. Full-board dining and professional crew service are included throughout the sailing.

High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,937 per person on the 4 Days / 3 Nights itinerary and from $2,214 per person on the 5 Days / 4 Nights itinerary.

Compare All 12 Dahabiya Nile Cruises

Each Dahabiya page above provides detailed information about the individual boat, including its cabin layout, deck plan, onboard facilities, sailing schedule, and current availability. Travelers can compare the 12 Dahabiyas and choose the boat that best matches their travel dates, preferred cabin, group size, and budget.

The WOW Team can also help match travelers with the most suitable Dahabiya and confirm availability across all 12 boats for 2026, 2027, and 2028. For groups seeking complete privacy, private charter options are also available, allowing the entire Dahabiya to be reserved exclusively for your group.

Which Dahabiya Nile Cruise Is Right for You?

The right Dahabiya depends on your travel dates, group size, preferred cabin, desired level of accommodation, and budget. The Luxury Dahabiyas provide five-star accommodation and full-board sailing, while the High Luxury Dahabiyas offer upgraded suites and additional accommodation features.

If you are unsure which boat to choose, the WOW Team can review your travel dates and requirements and recommend the most suitable Dahabiya from the 12 boats available.

Dahabiya Nile Cruise Price

Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise packages are available on 4 day and 5 day itineraries sailing between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. All Dahabiya Nile Cruise holidays include a Private Professional Egyptologist Guide, a private air conditioned vehicle, full board on board, a private cabin with en suite bathroom, and all entrance fees throughout. Departures from Luxor every Monday and Saturday and from Aswan every Wednesday and Friday. The Dahabiya Nile Cruise price varies by season, with different rates for summer, winter, Christmas, New Year, and Easter.

Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,559 per person in a double cabin (twin or king bed) on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary, and from $1,782 per person on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary. Single cabin prices from $2,573 per person. Suite prices from $2,339 per person based on 2 guests sharing.

High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise prices start from $1,937 per person in a double cabin (twin or king bed) on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary, and from $2,214 per person on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary. Single cabin prices from $3,197 per person. Suite prices from $2,905 per person based on 2 guests sharing.

See the 4 Days 3 Nights Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor and the 5 Days 4 Nights Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan pages for full itineraries, current seasonal rates, and availability for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The best Dahabiya Nile Cruise price depends on the Dahabiya category, cabin type, travel date, route, and included visits.

The Two Dahabiya Nile Cruise Programs

Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise packages are offered on two programs, covering the Nile River Valley between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Both programs visit the same core temples and monuments along the river, with the longer itinerary allowing a more relaxed pace, additional island moorings, and extra village stops between sites.

5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Dahabiya Cruise

The 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Dahabiya Cruise is the most popular Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise package and the longest of the two itineraries, departing from Luxor every Monday and Saturday and sailing south at a relaxed, unhurried pace through the Nile River Valley to Aswan. The 5 day program covers the full East Bank and West Bank sightseeing program in Luxor, all temple and site visits along the river between Luxor and Aswan, and the complete Aswan monuments program including the Philae Temple Sound and Light Show, which is included on this itinerary. Six Dahabiyas sail this route each week, three Luxury and three High Luxury, on the Monday departure, and six Dahabiyas, three Luxury and three High Luxury, on the Saturday departure. Luxury Dahabiya prices on this program start from $1,782 per person and High Luxury Dahabiya prices start from $2,214 per person in a double cabin.

4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Dahabiya Cruise

The 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Dahabiya Cruise is the more compact of the two programs, departing from Aswan every Wednesday and Friday and sailing north through the Nile River Valley to Luxor. The 4 day program covers the full Aswan monuments program, all temple and site visits along the river, and the complete Luxor East Bank and West Bank sightseeing program. The Philae Temple Sound and Light Show is available as an optional extra on this itinerary, subject to operation on the day of the visit. Six Dahabiyas sail this route each week, three Luxury and three High Luxury, on the Wednesday departure, and six Dahabiyas, three Luxury and three High Luxury, on the Friday departure. Luxury Dahabiya prices on this program start from $1,559 per person and High Luxury Dahabiya prices start from $1,937 per person in a double cabin.

The WOW Team advises on the best direction based on your travel dates and flight plans, and confirms availability across all 12 Dahabiyas for both programs in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Dahabiya Nile Cruise Departure Days

Dahabiya Nile River Cruises from Luxor depart every Monday and Saturday. Dahabiya Nile River Cruises from Aswan depart every Wednesday and Friday. Six Dahabiyas (3 Luxury and 3 High Luxury) sail from Luxor on Monday and from Aswan on Friday, and six Dahabiyas (3 Luxury and 3 High Luxury) sail from Luxor on Saturday and from Aswan on Wednesday. Across the four weekly departure days, all 12 Dahabiya Nile Cruise boats sail at least once per week in one direction, giving travelers a wide range of date options throughout the year. The WOW Team confirms availability and secures your cabin on your preferred departure when you send your travel dates for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

What Is Included in a Dahabiya Nile Cruise Package

Every Dahabiya Nile River Cruise package is fully inclusive. The Dahabiya Nile Cruise price quoted is the price paid, with no hidden extras and no surprise costs on arrival. All of the following are included in every package.

Private Professional Egyptologist Guide
One dedicated private Egyptologist for your group for the full duration of the Dahabiya Nile Cruise. Full expert commentary at every temple, village, and site on the itinerary. No group tours, no shared guides, and no handoffs to local site guides at any point during the cruise.

Private Modern Air Conditioned Vehicle
A private air conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver for all transfers to and from the Dahabiya, and for any overland excursions to temples and sites during the itinerary. Domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan can be added to create a complete Dahabiya Nile Cruise from Cairo package.

Private Cabin with En Suite Bathroom
A private cabin on board with an en suite bathroom for the full duration of the cruise. Cabin options include double cabins (twin or king bed), single cabins, and suites, with sizes and specifications varying by Dahabiya. Suite cabins offer the most spacious and highest quality accommodation on board, with private balconies on selected Dahabiyas across both the Luxury and High Luxury categories.

Full Board on Board
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served on board daily throughout the cruise. All meals are prepared fresh on board by the Dahabiya chef and are included with no additional dining costs. Some evenings include dinner served on a Nile island or riverbank when the itinerary allows. Dietary requests including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free meals can be arranged when mentioned at the time of booking.

All Entrance Fees and Tickets
All site admissions on the standard Dahabiya Cruise itinerary are included, from Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor to Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Aswan High Dam. The Philae Temple Sound and Light Show is included on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary and is available as an optional extra on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary.

Private Transfers Throughout
All airport, hotel, and Dahabiya transfers are included and coordinated from first contact to final drop off.

Dahabiya Nile Cruise Itinerary: Temples, Islands, and Villages

The Dahabiya Nile River Cruise route covers a remarkable combination of major ancient monuments and rarely visited sites along the Nile River Valley between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike larger cruise boats that dock only at busy port terminals, the Dahabiya moors at quiet Nile islands and small riverside villages, giving travelers an authentic experience of the river that goes well beyond the standard tourist itinerary. Many of these island moorings and riverside stops are accessible only by Dahabiya, making this the most exclusive Nile cruise experience between Luxor and Aswan.

Luxor Highlights

In Luxor, the Ancient City, the Dahabiya Nile Cruise program covers both the East Bank and the West Bank of the Nile. On the East Bank, guided visits include Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt developed over more than 2,000 years and covering around 247 acres with its 134 column Great Hypostyle Hall, and Luxor Temple, built mainly by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramses II, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes, the 2.7 km ceremonial road reopened in 2021. On the West Bank, guided visits include the Valley of the Kings with more than 60 royal tombs including those of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari with its dramatic terraced facade set against the limestone cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon, the two 18 meter statues of Amenhotep III. A sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor and the Karnak Sound and Light Show can be added as optional experiences.

Temples and Sites Along the Nile

Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the Dahabiya Nile Cruise itinerary includes guided shore visits to the Temple of Khnum at Esna, the El Kab Tombs carved into the desert cliffs, the Temple of Horus at Edfu reached by a traditional horse carriage ride through the town, the ancient sandstone quarries of Gebel el Silsila, the riverside villages of Besaw, Badr, and Maniha, and the Temple of Kom Ombo, the symmetrical double temple dedicated to both Sobek and Horus the Elder. Peaceful island moorings at quiet Nile stops including El Hegz Island, Herdiab Island, Besaw Island, Al Ramady Island, Sheikh Fadl Island, Maniha Island, and Fawaza Island offer a rare and calm experience of the river away from any standard cruise boat dock, with the opportunity to swim or kayak when conditions allow.

Aswan Highlights

In Aswan, the Nubian City, the Dahabiya Nile Cruise program covers the main monuments of the First Cataract region at the southern gateway of ancient Egypt. Guided visits include the Aswan High Dam, one of the most significant modern engineering projects in Egypt built between 1960 and 1970, stretching about 3,830 meters and creating Lake Nasser which extends around 500 km through southern Egypt and northern Sudan, the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries linked to Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty and abandoned after cracks appeared in the stone, which would have measured about 42 meters and weighed around 1,200 tons if completed, and Philae Temple, the island Temple of Isis with construction from the Late, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods, relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO Nubian monuments rescue campaign between 1972 and 1980. An Abu Simbel Temples tour, home of the four colossal 20 meter statues of Ramses II, can be added from Aswan by road or by flight, or as part of a Lake Nasser Cruise extension.

Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise Egypt

All 12 Dahabiya Nile Cruise boats on the WOW Egypt Tours program are five star sailing vessels, purpose built for intimate private sailing on the Nile and among the finest private sailing boats in Egypt. Both the Luxury and High Luxury categories follow the same sightseeing program with the same private Egyptologist guide, private air conditioned vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees included. The difference between the two categories lies in the on board accommodation, furnishing, and facilities.

Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises
Six Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises are available with prices starting from $1,559 per person on the 4 day itinerary and from $1,782 per person on the 5 day itinerary. Each Luxury Dahabiya carries a small number of private cabins and suites with Nile view windows, individually controlled air conditioning, private bathrooms with shower and hair dryer, suites with private balconies on selected boats, an on board jacuzzi, a shaded sun deck, a lounge salon, WiFi, and laundry service, together with freshly prepared full board dining served daily by the on board chef.

High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises
Six High Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruises are available with prices starting from $1,937 per person on the 4 day itinerary and from $2,214 per person on the 5 day itinerary. High Luxury Dahabiyas offer the finest accommodation available on the Nile, including Royal Suites and Junior Suites on the upper deck with private balconies and dedicated seating areas, modern furnishing and premium finishes throughout, in cabin entertainment and mini bar, an on board jacuzzi, a lounge bar, a sun deck, WiFi, and laundry service, delivering the most exclusive Dahabiya Nile Cruise Egypt experience available on the river.

The WOW Team selects the best available Luxury or High Luxury Dahabiya for your travel dates, group size, and budget, and advises on cabin type and deck position when arranging your Dahabiya Nile Cruise package. Contact the WOW Team for current availability and pricing for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Private Dahabiya Nile Cruise Charter for Groups and Families

For larger families or groups, WOW Egypt Tours can arrange a private Dahabiya charter reserved exclusively for your party. A private Dahabiya Nile Cruise charter gives your group complete use of the entire boat, with total flexibility over the daily schedule, meal times, and pace of the itinerary. There are no other guests on board, no fixed timeline to follow, and no compromise on any element of the program. Private Dahabiya Nile Cruise charters are available on all itinerary lengths and directions, on both Luxury and High Luxury Dahabiyas, across all weekly departure days. The WOW Team advises on the best Dahabiya for your group size and arranges all logistics from first contact to final transfer.

Dahabiya Nile Cruise vs Classic Nile Cruise

A Dahabiya Nile Cruise and a classic Luxor Aswan Nile Cruise cover many of the same monuments on the same river, but the experience on board and along the way is fundamentally different. A traditional Dahabiya sailing boat carries far fewer guests, sails at a slower pace powered mostly by wind, moors at quiet Nile islands and rural villages rather than busy cruise boat docks, and offers a more flexible, personal, and unhurried daily rhythm. A classic Nile Cruise on a larger motorized boat offers more cabin options across Standard, Deluxe, Ultra Deluxe, and Luxury categories, more on board facilities, and a wider range of departure days each week. Both options include the same private Egyptologist guide, private air conditioned vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees. For the most complete Egypt Nile Cruise holiday, combining both a Dahabiya Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan with a Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel delivers the full experience of the Nile from end to end.

Combine Your Dahabiya Nile Cruise with an Egypt Tour Package

A Dahabiya Nile River Cruise holiday pairs naturally with additional Egypt destinations before or after your time on the river. The WOW Team can build a complete Egypt tour package by duration or a Egypt travel package by category around your Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise to include any of the following extensions.

Cairo and the Pyramids
Add nights in Cairo before or after your Dahabiya Nile Cruise to visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum of Civilization, and the Khan el Khalili bazaar. A domestic flight connects Cairo to Luxor or Aswan in approximately one hour.

Lake Nasser Cruise Extension
The most complete Egypt Nile Cruise holiday combines a Dahabiya Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan with a Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan all the way to Abu Simbel, covering the entire navigable Nile in a single seamless package. The WOW Team connects both cruises with private transfers in Aswan and coordinates the full itinerary from start to finish.

Abu Simbel Extension
Add a private day trip or overnight stay at the Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan by road or by plane, or continue onto a Lake Nasser Cruise for the full Abu Simbel experience by water.

Add Nights in Aswan
Add nights in Aswan before or after the Dahabiya Nile Cruise to visit Elephantine Island, Kitchener's Island botanical garden, the Philae Sound and Light Show, and the Nubian villages on the west bank of the Nile at a more relaxed pace outside the cruise itinerary schedule.

Add Nights in Luxor
Add nights in Luxor to cover more of the West Bank program including the Valley of the Queens, the Nobles Tombs, the Ramesseum, and Medinet Habu, or to enjoy a private sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank monuments.

Hurghada and the Red Sea
Extend your Dahabiya Nile Cruise package with days in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. A short domestic flight or private road transfer connects Hurghada to Luxor, making it easy to combine a Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise with a Red Sea beach stay in one complete Egypt vacation.

Alexandria
Combine your Dahabiya Nile Cruise with a private tour of Alexandria, visiting the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Montaza Palace gardens, either as a day trip from Cairo or as an overnight extension.

Browse all Egypt tour packages by duration or explore Egypt travel packages by category to find the right combination, or contact the WOW Team directly with your travel dates and interests for a tailored Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise vacation quote with no obligation.

Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise Packages 2026, 2027 and 2028

Dahabiya Nile Cruise holidays depart year round in 2026, 2027, and 2028, with weekly departures from Luxor every Monday and Saturday and from Aswan every Wednesday and Friday across all 12 Dahabiya boats, 6 Luxury and 6 High Luxury. Departure dates, seasonal pricing, and availability across both the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor program and the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan program are available on request. The WOW Team confirms availability, secures your cabin, and provides a full itemized Egypt Dahabiya Nile Cruise package quote based on your travel dates, group size, and preferred itinerary length. Dahabiya Nile Cruise holidays can be booked as standalone cruises or as part of a complete Egypt tour package combining Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Lake Nasser, and the Red Sea. Contact the WOW Team with your travel dates for 2026, 2027, or 2028 to receive a clear, itemized quote for your Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise with no obligation.