Dahabiya Sailing on the Nile (7 Days)
(Both Private Group Tours & Small Groups Tours)
Overview
DAHABIYYA – The Ultimate Luxury Nile Cruise
A dahabiya sailing is one of the most elegant and intimate ways to experience the Nile. Smaller and more atmospheric than a conventional cruise ship, it moves at a gentler rhythm, allowing you to enjoy river life, quiet moorings, traditional hospitality, and sites that larger vessels often cannot reach.
This seven-day itinerary combines the romance of sailing with the great temples of Upper Egypt and lesser-visited treasures such as Gebel El Silsila and El Kab. It is ideal for travellers who want comfort, authenticity, and a more personal connection with the Nile.
Highlights of the Hadeel include:
- Elegant private cabins with ensuite bathrooms
- Expansive sun decks and exclusive lounging areas
- Refined dining with Egyptian and international cuisine
- A calm, intimate atmosphere impossible to replicate on larger vessels
A Five-Star Deluxe Dahabiya
A five-star deluxe Dahabiya offers one of the most luxurious and atmospheric ways to travel through Egypt.
Eco-Friendly with a Low Carbon Footprint
Sailing primarily by wind, a Dahabiya offers a quieter, more graceful, and lower-impact way to experience the Nile than conventional cruise boats.
Just 8 Cabins for a Maximum of 16 Guests
With a maximum of just 16 guests, the experience feels private, peaceful, and highly personalised throughout.
Expert Guidance from a Qualified Egyptologist
A qualified Egyptologist accompanies the journey, bringing the Nile’s history and legends vividly to life.
Cruises Begin and End in Either Aswan or Luxor
Flights from Cairo to Aswan or Luxor, together with all airport and hotel transfers, are arranged for a seamless experience from start to finish.
Why Choose a Dahabiya Over a Larger Nile Cruise?
For travellers seeking a more exclusive and elevated experience, a Dahabiya offers clear advantages over a larger Nile cruise ship. It is quieter, more intimate, and far more personalised, creating a journey that feels both luxurious and deeply authentic.
What Ancient Sites Will You Visit?
Please refer to your itinerary as there are multiple sites which can be visited and will vary depending on the number of days you spend on a cruise. A small sample of sites that can be visited include:
- Aswan High Dam and Elephantine Island, Philae Temple Complex:
- The Temples Kombo Ombo, Edfu Temple,
- The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor
- The Valley of the Kings and The Valley of the Workers
- The Temple of Hatshepsut, The Colossi of Memnon
Gallery
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The Magnificent Hadeel
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Sundeck Of Hadeel
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A Place To Relax
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Jacuzzi
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A Private Retreat
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Covered Sundeck
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Indoor Dining Room
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A Lounge To Relax
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A Serene Retreat
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8 Cabins
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All Cabins With Ensuites
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Elegant Decor
Ancient Egyptian Research Association
One Horizon Africa is a member of AERA. AERA brings together archaeologists and specialists from around the world to address questions regarding the origin, nature, and development of the Egyptian state. By becoming a member of AERA you support the training of young Egyptian archaeologists and the survey, mapping, excavation, and the analysis of archaeological sites. We encourage everyone to become a member and support the work of AERA. For additional information please click the button below.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
On arrival at Cairo Airport, our representative will welcome you, assist you through Customs and Immigration, and accompany you to your hotel.
Your first night is at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent, giving you time to settle in before your journey south. Dinner at own expense.
Depending on your arrival time in Cairo, you may choose an optional visit to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a lively introduction to Cairo’s markets and historic lanes.
The Soothing Gardens Of The Marriott
Khan El Kahlili Offers Shopping And Restaurants
Day 2: Fly to Aswan and Board Your Dahabiya
After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan, where your dahabiya journey begins with classic Nile scenery and graceful temple visits.
Aswan Dam provides a striking introduction to modern Egypt and the importance of the Nile in shaping the country’s landscape, agriculture, and daily life.
Philae Temple Complex is reached by boat and offers one of Egypt’s most beautiful temple settings, with waterside colonnades, graceful reliefs, and legends associated with Isis and Osiris.
Overnight: Hadeel dahabiya — first of 5 nights. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Dayabiyya The Hadeel
Elephantine Island
Day 3: Kom Ombo Temple
The day begins with a gentle sail to Kom Ombo, where the double sanctuary of Kom Ombo Temple stands beautifully beside the river.
Dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, the temple is especially memorable for its balanced design, riverside views, and fascinating details. After the visit, you continue sailing towards Gebel El Silsila as the scenery becomes quieter and more atmospheric.
Overnight: Hadeel dahabiya — second of 5 nights. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Kom Ombo Temple
A Place To Watch Egypt Glyde By
Day 4: Gebel El Silsila
Today you sail to Gebel El Silsila, one of the Nile’s most evocative lesser-visited sites. Here, the sandstone quarries supplied stone for many of Egypt’s great temples, and the cliffs create a striking natural gateway along the river.
After exploring the site, continue southwards to Fawaza Island, where the dahabiya moors overnight. The evening is a special part of the experience, with an Egyptian barbecue prepared by the onboard chef and the quiet beauty of the Nile all around you.
Overnight: Hadeel dahabiya — third of 5 nights. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Dayabiyya The Hadeel
Gebel Silsila
Day 5: Edfu
Sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and a highlight of any journey through Upper Egypt.
After the visit, continue sailing to El Kab, one of Egypt’s oldest cities. Today its ruins, tombs, and ancient walls offer a quieter but deeply rewarding glimpse into the country’s long history before you settle overnight on the riverbank aboard Hadeel.
Overnight: Hadeel dahabiya — fourth of 5 nights. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
A Private Retreat
Edfu Temple
Day 6: Karnak and Luxor
Enjoy a full day of sailing as you pass through the locks and continue towards Luxor. The pace is relaxed and scenic, with time to watch river life unfold from the deck.
The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor introduce the grandeur of ancient Thebes, with vast courts, pylons, sanctuaries, obelisks, and sacred spaces created across generations.
Overnight: Hadeel dahabiya — fifth of 5 nights. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
The Great Temples Of Luxor And Karnak
Sundeck Of Hadeel
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings reveals the royal tombs of the New Kingdom, carved deep into the desert cliffs and decorated for the journey into the afterlife.
The Valley of the Workers gives a more personal insight into ancient life, as it was home to the artisans who created and decorated the royal tombs.
The Temple of Hatshepsut rises dramatically against the cliffs of the west bank and celebrates one of Egypt’s most powerful and fascinating rulers.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Transfers: Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo.
End of Tour
Transfers: Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your onward journey.
Optional extension: Depending on your departure time, we can arrange an additional night at the Cairo Marriott and, if time allows, a relaxed visit to Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Optional accommodation and transfers are quoted separately.
Jacuzzi
The Valley Of The Kings
Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple In Luxor
Day 8: Optonal
For those opting for an additional night prior to departure
Breakfast in the hotel
Checkout: Depending on your departure time, you may have an opportunity to relax or enjoy a shopping experience at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Transfers and Flights: You will be transferred to Cairo International Airport for your ongoing journey.
Day 8 (optional) accommodation and transfers have not been costed. Please contact us to request the above.
The Hotel Marriott Garden
Some Last Minute Shopping At The Khan
Inclusions
- 1 x nights’ accommodation at Hotel Cairo Marriott with breakfast
- Return domestic flights Cairo /Aswan –Luxor /Cairo
- 5 x nights’ accommodation at 5 Star Deluxe Dahabiya Hadeel (full board)
- In- Cabin Facilities
- Individual temperature control, Ensuite bathroom with shower, hand basin, toiled & hair dryer bathroom in all cabins, In house music panel, Mini bar “stocked on request, “Safe box in each cabin.
Vessel Facilities
- Lounge, Dining Room, Two level Sundeck, Jacuzzi.
- All ground transfers in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor as per itinerary
- All entrance fees, service charge, current taxes, and vat. A meet and assist by our local representative.
- Services of English-speaking guide
- One year membership (to the value of $150) of the Ancient Egyptian Research Association (AERA) which supports the training of young Egyptian archaeologists and field work excavations in Egypt
Exclusions
- International Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Optional tours
- Dinners Day 1 and 5
- Personal expenditure of any kind
- Entrance to enter inside the pyramids.
- Tips
- Drinks, extra meals, and any personal expenses
- Optional Day 8- overnight acco0mmodation and transfers for day 8
Video
The Hadeel
Sail the Nile as it was truly meant to be sailed-under the unfurled canvas sails of a traditional Egyptian sailboat know as a Dahabiyya. Dahabiyya are beautifully crafted sailboats which were a very popular means of Nile travel amongst the wealthy and aristocrats of the late 1800’s to around the 1950’s.
Measuring 45m long x7.5m wide, the “Hadeel” has only 8 beautifully appointed cabins. Other facilities on board include a stylish lounge, a dining room and Jacuzzi. All public areas are also air conditioned. The spacious and partially shaded top desk offers guests the opportunity to recline on comfortable deck chairs enjoying the Nile vistas, sunbathing, dining, or watching the breath-taking Nile sunsets.
The “Hadeel ” is staffed by an experienced crew of 10 who will ensure your every need is catered for. As passenger numbers are limited to only 16, our guests a much more personalized level of service. Our on board chef is highly skilled at preparing both international and Egyptian cuisine.
Your Nile Cruise on the Dahabiyya “Hadeel” promises to be a truly unique and memorable.
One Horizon Egypt
@onehorizonkenya
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