Sail slowly
The intimate way to sail the Nile — a wind-powered boat of just a few cabins, drifting the Esna–Aswan reach at the river’s own pace. Tell us your dates and we’ll match you to the right one.
The dahabiya difference
A dahabiya is a traditional, wind-powered sailing boat carrying roughly 8–16 guests in private cabins — the small, graceful counterpart to the 100-plus-cabin motor cruisers.
Most sail the quiet Esna/Luxor–Aswan reach over 4–7 days, mooring at islands and villages the big ships pass by, with an Egyptologist for the temples.
No engines humming, no crowds at dinner — days drift between temple stops and sandbank moorings, and the itinerary bends to the wind and the water.
Couples, families and small groups who want the Nile at its most private and unhurried, and would rather charter a whole boat than share a floating hotel.
The boats
85 vessels
Route d'EgypteEight cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
LazuliEight cabins, sixteen guests, Esna to Aswan
IndependentEight cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Swan DahabiyaTwelve cabins, three decks, quiet excursions
Sail the NileTen guests, no engine, only sail
Nour El NilTen cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesA 2018 two-mast sailer to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesFive cabins, Mondays from Esna
Oriental Nile CruisesA two-mast sailer for eighteen guests
Oriental Nile CruisesA 2021 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan
Dahabiya Dream Luxury Nile CruiseSix cabins, no engine, peaceful under sail
IndependentSix named cabins under sail to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesSix cabins, Aswan to Luxor
Hathor CruiseA sailing dahabiya, Luxor and Aswan
Kazazian CruisesNine cabins, eighteen guests, Luxor to Aswan
LazuliTen cabins under lateen sails, Esna to Aswan
LazuliFive cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
LazuliA 2001 wooden dahabieh, Esna to Aswan
Lumière Private Nile CruiseA private sail from Luxor to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesA two-mast sailer for fourteen guests
Mazaj CruisesNine smart cabins, Luxor to Aswan
Merit DahabiyasTen cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Merit DahabiyasEight cabins on the quiet Nile reach
IndependentNile-view cabins, Esna to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesMondays from Esna, largely wooden
IndependentSix suites, Luxor to Aswan under sail
IndependentA small sail for couples and quiet stops
Oriental Nile CruisesSix cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesTwelve cabins, Luxor round trip under sail
IndependentEight cabins under sail to Aswan
Nour El NilA bright dahabiya drifting to Aswan
Oriental Nile CruisesA 2018 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan
Nour El NilThe fleet's largest cabins, Esna to Aswan
Nour El NilThe most traditional, Esna to Aswan
IndependentEight cabins under sail, El Kab to Aswan
IndependentPanoramic cabins and a heated pool afloat
IndependentTen cabins, two masts, quiet water
IndependentLateen sails, Esna to Aswan
LazuliTen cabins under twin masts, Esna to Aswan
Nour El NilCompact cabins, classic charm, Esna to Aswan
Mazaj CruisesFive keys and silent sailing to Aswan
Merit DahabiyasTwelve cabins and suites, sailing engine-free
Merit DahabiyasA two-mast sailboat launched in 2024
Nour El NilLarger cabins, lingering sunsets, Esna to Aswan
Nour El NilNewly crafted, spacious decks, Esna to Aswan
AshrandaA wooden dahabiya under sail
AshrandaFifty metres under two lateen sails
Nour El NilTen cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
IndependentSeven nights under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Dahabiya Nile SailingTwo large sails, Esna to Aswan
Sonesta Cruise CollectionA five-star sail, Luxor to Aswan
Turquoise DahabiyaTwo masts, sixteen guests, Esna to Aswan
IndependentTen cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
IndependentTwelve guests under lateen sail
LazuliSix cabins, twelve guests, Esna to Aswan
Djed Egypt TravelTwelve guests, four cabins and two suites
Dahabeya EgypteTen cabins, each a private balcony
Mövenpick Hotels & ResortsFour suites, the closest thing to a private yacht
IndependentSix cabins under a lateen sail
IndependentNewly built, ten rooms under sail
Djed Egypt TravelA 19th-century dahabiya, faithfully rebuilt
IndependentTwo masts, no engine, Esna to Aswan
IndependentTen cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Dahabeya EgypteTen cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Dahabeya EgypteNew in 2024, ten cabins for twenty
Nour El NilA newer build, ten cabins, Esna to Aswan
IndependentSix cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
IndependentWind-powered, engines only for light
IndependentEight suites between Luxor and Aswan
IndependentA whole-boat charter, Aswan to Luxor
AshrandaTwelve guests under sail to Luxor
Dahabeya EgypteTwelve cabins under sail to Aswan
IndependentSixteen guests in royal suites under sail
Oriental Nile CruisesFourteen cabins under sail on the Nile
Djed Egypt TravelTen guests on a two-masted sailing boat
Pyramids DahabiyaEight cabins under a lateen sail
IndependentUnder sail through the quiet Nile villages
IndependentTen cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
AshrandaTen cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
IndependentA week under sail, Aswan to Luxor
LazuliJust ten guests, Esna to Aswan under sail
IndependentA quiet sail between Aswan and Luxor
AshrandaPowered by wind and tradition
IndependentTen cabins, forty metres, Esna to Aswan
Oriental Tours EgyptSix cabins, flower-named, under sail
Helwa Ya Baladi
Dalida