These boats exist and can be booked, but their operators publish little beyond a name, a cabin count and a photograph, so treat the notes as a starting point and let us confirm the details live.
Independent · 10 cabins · 5 · 6 nights
Sold through resellers, African Queen is a 45-metre traditional sailing dahabiya with ten cabins over two decks. Eight standard rooms have double windows with shutters and mosquito screens, and two suites at the stern have private verandahs laid with floor cushions. Guest limits differ between sellers. Deck seating sits under a canvas canopy, dinner is usually served outside, and a salon running the full width of the boat takes over in cool weather. The informal style suits couples and small groups. The route runs from Luxor to El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo before Aswan, on five- and six-night trips.
From US$1,490 ppBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 5 cabins · 3 · 4 nights
Akhnaton is a small two-masted sailing boat, sold through resellers, with colonial-style interiors and just four twin cabins and one suite. The twin beds convert to doubles, and the suite has larger windows. A library of Egyptian literature, a salon of low sofas and a lounge bar fill the indoors, while the sun deck has loungers and shade. Afternoon tea comes with cakes and pastries, and evenings can include Arabic music and a belly dancer. With so few cabins it suits couples or one small group. Three- and four-night passages run between Esna or Luxor and Aswan, calling at Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo before Philae.
US$1,050 to US$1,206 ppBest for couples, small groups, private charterCabins, photos and dates →
Altesse is a twin-masted dahabiya sold through resellers, and few details are published: there is no cabin count, capacity or operator on record. It is described as small and intimate, with elegant cabins and an open sun deck, which suits couples. The four-night trip sails from Esna to Aswan, calling at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo, and moors at islands and small sites that larger ships pass by.
Includes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 12 cabins · up to 24 guests · 7 nights
Anoush is sold through resellers, and its published details are limited: no cabin count or guest limit is given. Cabins have opening panoramic windows, air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker and a private bathroom with a bath, while suites add a walk-out balcony. The sun deck has a retractable awning, an open-air Jacuzzi and an upper-deck bar, and breakfasts cover vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and kosher diets, which helps mixed groups. The single programme is a seven-night trip from Luxor to Aswan via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, with Abu Simbel as an optional extra, on Thursday departures between March and May.
Includes transfers, shore excursions, flightsBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 8 cabins · up to 16 guests · 5 nights
Assouan is sold through resellers, and no current operator lists it, so availability should be checked before planning around it. The published layout is eight cabins, six standard rooms and two panoramic suites with king beds and floor-to-ceiling windows, for up to 16 guests. Meals, snacks and soft drinks are included and often served on deck, and there is a bar and a reading lounge. The single five-night programme sails from Esna, with its Temple of Khnum, to El Kab, Edfu, the gorge and quarries at Gebel Silsileh and Kom Ombo before Aswan. It suits small groups and couples.
US$2,400 to US$2,960 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 · 13 nights
Azhar travels under lateen sails, with a tugboat for power and navigation, and is sold through resellers whose descriptions do not match. One lists six cabins of 12 to 16 square metres for 12 guests; another describes eight veranda suites for 16. Buyers should confirm the layout before booking. Both mention a sun deck with Nile views and a library, and the boat is offered shared or as a private charter, which suits families or a group of friends. The route sails from Esna to El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo, ending at Aswan and Philae, with excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Trips last three, four or thirteen nights.
From US$3,540 ppIncludes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, transfers, shore excursionsBest for private charter, families, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Bens is sold through resellers, and little is published beyond its route and deck: no cabin count, capacity or operator is on record. It is a sailing dahabiya with a shaded lounge deck and a plunge pool, small enough to moor at riverbank sites that need a shallow boat. It suits couples and small groups. The three-night trip runs from Esna to Aswan, calling at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo.
From US$1,224 ppIncludes full board (all meals), temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Dahabiya Dream Luxury Nile Cruise · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests
Dahabiya Dream is a wooden sailing boat with no engine, owner-operated from Luxor Marina and sold only as a whole-boat charter with skipper, captain, chef and hostess. A generator runs the air-conditioning. There are six double cabins for up to twelve guests, and she measures about 40 metres. One listing dates the hull to 1920 with a refit in 2021, which has not been confirmed elsewhere. The teak deck is shaded by a bimini, and there is a full galley, a barbecue, an outdoor shower and a dinghy for going ashore. She sails the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, but no itineraries or trip lengths are published.
Includes full board (all meals), transfers, wi-fiBest for private charter, families, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 6 cabins · 6 · 7 · 8 nights
El Bey takes its name from the Ottoman title, and each of its six deluxe cabins is named after a modern Egyptian figure, among them Naguib Mahfouz, Ahmed Zewail and Omar Sharif. The boat is sold through resellers, and its propulsion is not described. Cabins have individual climate control, a safe and a plasma TV. There is a two-level sun deck, a common lounge and an open-air oriental-style Jacuzzi. Six cabins make it a natural fit for couples or one group taking the whole boat. Sailings of six, seven or eight nights run between Luxor and Aswan, covering Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Nubia Museum.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
10 cabins · up to 20 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Built in Egyptian wood and furnished in period style, Elephantine is a ten-cabin dahabiya sold through resellers. Eight double cabins of 21 m² have panoramic windows, a minibar and a safe, and two 33 m² suites add a private terrace, giving room for 20 guests. The sundeck is set with handmade wicker armchairs and chaise longues around a 36-jet jacuzzi. The route links Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna and Luxor, with departures on Fridays from Aswan and Mondays from Esna. Cruises last three or four nights, which suits travellers wanting a short sailing between the two cities.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
12 cabins · 3 · 4 · 5 · 7 nights
Egypt Travel Link markets Fantasia as a two-masted sailing dahabiya that travels with an accompanying motor boat. She has twelve cabins across two decks: four suites at the stern and eight deluxe cabins with twin or large beds. No guest capacity or dimensions are given. Facilities include an open-air Jacuzzi, a massage room, a reading lounge, a small boutique and a doctor on call, with meals taken on the open deck. Departures leave Aswan on Wednesdays for 3 nights and Luxor on Saturdays for 4, 5 or 7 nights, calling at Esna, Edfu and Al Ramady Island, with Kom Ombo added on the longest trip.
From US$280 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
15 cabins · up to 30 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Gardenia is listed at 15 cabins and up to 30 guests, large by dahabiya standards, though that figure comes from a single reseller and the boat is sold through resellers only. The layout is nine 14 m² en-suite cabins with Egyptian cotton linen and panoramic windows, plus six 21 m² suites with private terraces. There is an air-conditioned dining room, a sun deck with loungers and an oriental seating area, and a motorboat accompanies the boat in calm conditions. The route takes in Philae, Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu and Esna on three- or four-night sailings, a fit for groups travelling together.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for groups, familiesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 12 cabins · up to 24 guests · 7 nights
Gorgonia is sold through resellers and is one of the larger boats in this group, with twelve cabins for up to 24 guests. Eight doubles of 13 square metres have Egyptian cotton bedding and panoramic windows, and four suites of 21 square metres add private terraces. A rooftop terrace with a hot tub, a health club, a restaurant and two cafes add plenty of shared space, and an accompanying tug moves it along in calm conditions. That scale suits larger groups and families travelling together. The listed programme is seven nights between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo and the temples between.
From US$895 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for groups, familiesCabins, photos and dates →
Hapi is sold through resellers, and almost nothing is published about the boat itself: no cabin count, capacity, operator or build details. What is offered is a seven-night sailing from Aswan to Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, on full board with Saturday departures. Single, double and triple cabins are priced, so solo travellers and families can both be accommodated. Check current details before booking.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, families, solo travellersCabins, photos and dates →
Hathor Cruise · 8 cabins · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Hathor's own website presents her as an ultra-luxury dahabiya but publishes no cabin count, size or propulsion details. Rooms come in three tiers, Luxury Rooms, Luxury Suites and Luxury Royal Suites, each with a satellite screen, a safe and a bath or walk-in shower, and there is a Seneb Spa, lounges and a sun deck. Scheduled trips leave Aswan on Wednesdays for 3 nights and Luxor on Saturdays for 4 or 7, calling at Esna, Edfu, El-Ramady Island, where dinner is grilled ashore, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo and Hor Diab Island. The whole boat can also be chartered with no other guests aboard, on routes reaching Dendera and Cairo.
From US$2,300 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for luxury, private charterCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 17 cabins · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Iris is sold through resellers and is large for a dahabiya. One seller lists seventeen units: ten deluxe cabins of 20 square metres with sliding panoramic windows, four junior suites of 29 square metres, two royal suites of 40 square metres with verandas on the upper deck, and a single cabin of 17 square metres. Guest numbers are not reliably published. A heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a sun deck and a library corner with board games suit families, and the single cabin suits solo travellers. Between Aswan and Luxor it moors at El Hyrdiya and Besaw islands, Kom Ombo, Daraw, Gebel El Silsila and Edfu, over three, four or seven nights.
From US$1,099 ppIncludes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for families, groups, solo travellersCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 10 cabins · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Jasmine is sold through resellers. The wooden, two-masted dahabiya is 52 metres long over two decks and is accompanied by a motorboat. One seller puts it at ten cabins; doubles, twins, singles and suites are all offered, each with panoramic windows, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a safe and a TV. On deck are a swimming pool with a pool bar and a Jacuzzi, and meals are a buffet of oriental, international and Egyptian dishes. Single cabins suit solo travellers, and the pool is a draw for families. The route runs from Luxor through Esna, Edfu, Al Ramady and El Sheikh Fadl islands and Kom Ombo to Aswan and Philae, over three, four or seven nights.
US$835 to US$1,610 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for families, groups, solo travellersCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 9 cabins · 5 · 7 nights
According to its sellers, Judi was built in 2008 and renovated in 2017. The 47.5-metre, two-masted boat moves under wind, with its engines used only to generate electricity and a motorboat in attendance. Eight en-suite cabins of 14 square metres sit alongside a 24-square-metre owner's suite with a private terrace and lounge; no guest maximum is published. The 29-metre sun deck has sun beds, a shower and an Arabic corner for mint tea, and a library with board games helps families pass the sailing hours. Five- and seven-night trips head for Aswan via Esna, Edfu, Al Ramady Island, El Sheikh Fadl, El Fouza Island, Gebel El Silsila and Kom Ombo.
From US$1,225 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, families, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 3 · 4 · 5 · 7 nights
La Rose is sold through resellers as a five-star dahabiya under lateen sails, though no cabin count or specification is published; one seller suggests groups of about 10 to 14 guests. Cabins are air-conditioned with river views, and the sun deck has loungers and a dining area. Because it is priced by party size, it suits couples, families and small groups travelling together. Between Esna and Aswan it calls at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel Silsila and Kom Ombo, with Philae at Aswan; the longer Luxor routing adds Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Esna lock. Trips last three, four, five or seven nights.
From US$2,651 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for couples, families, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Lazuli · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 · 5 nights
Resellers sell Lazuli The East as a twin-masted sailing dahabiya, though the name does not appear on Lazuli's own fleet list, and it is not confirmed which Lazuli boat it refers to. No cabin count, capacity or dimensions are published. Cabins are en-suite and air-conditioned, solar energy supplies hot water and electricity, and the upper deck is given over to relaxing. Dinners are served by candlelight on deck or ashore on a river island. One reseller says the boat is privatised for couples, families or groups of friends rather than sold by the cabin. Trips of 3, 4 or 5 nights start from Luxor or Aswan.
From US$370 ppBest for private charter, couples, familiesCabins, photos and dates →
Magic Nile is sold through resellers, and its cabin plan is not settled: the fullest listing gives ten 21 m² double cabins and two 33 m² suites, while another entry on the same site mentions six suites. Cabins have panoramic windows, Egyptian cotton linen, satellite TV and individually controlled air conditioning. On deck there are loungers and an oriental seating corner, and a tugboat travels alongside for windless stretches. The seven-night route runs from Karnak and Luxor through Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Philae and the Aswan High Dam, a length that suits travellers who want a full week on the river rather than a short hop.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · up to 20 guests · 3 nights
Mahrosa, also spelt Mahroussa, is sold through resellers and her operator is not named. The one detailed listing describes a traditional sailing boat with no engine, taking up to twenty guests in cabins with large windows over the Nile, with a sun deck and meals prepared on board. Cabin numbers are not published. The 3-night trip leaves Aswan on Fridays and drifts past Kom Ombo, Edfu and the Esna Lock to Luxor, with Monday sailings in the reverse direction, and Abu Simbel can be added as an excursion.
From US$1,075 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, service and taxesBest for groups, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 7 cabins · up to 14 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Minya is sold through resellers, and the vessel's operator is not named. She is described as a five-star dahabiya with lateen sails and an auxiliary engine for manoeuvring, with Nile-view cabins, a shaded sun deck, a lounge bar and a dining room; cabin numbers are not given. The 4-night trip runs upstream from Esna via Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, with a 3-night return, leaving Esna on Mondays and Aswan on Fridays from October to April. The same seller elsewhere links the name to a Middle Egypt route, so Minya may be a product name rather than a distinct boat.
From US$225 ppIncludes full board (all meals), shore excursionsBest for couplesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 5 · 7 nights
Molouky is sold through resellers, and the owning operator is not named. She is a 50-metre sailing dahabiya on two decks, travelling with an accompanying motor boat, with six identical wood-panelled suites of 22 sqm for up to twelve guests. Each suite has panoramic windows and a bath or shower. One reseller offers her only as a whole-boat charter while another sells places per person, so check how a departure is sold. There is a restaurant, a lounge bar, a sun-deck bar and an open-air Jacuzzi. Trips run 5 nights from Luxor to Aswan or 7 nights as a round trip, calling at Esna, Edfu, Al Ramady Island, El Sheikh Fadl and Kom Ombo.
From US$980 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for private charter, families, groups, luxuryCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 8 cabins · 3 · 4 nights
Also listed by some agents as Ben's Dahabiya, Mr. Ben is sold through resellers and has seven standard cabins and one suite. The standard cabins have Nile-view windows that open, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. It travels under lateen sails, and a solar system provides light and water around the clock. The sun deck has a small plunge pool and loungers next to a Nubian sitting area and an open-air restaurant with a bar. With no nightclub or disco, it suits couples and small groups. Three- and four-night trips link Esna and Aswan, stopping at El Kab, Gebel Silsila, the Hagar Salsala quarry, Kom Ombo, Hor Diab Island and Philae.
From US$1,208 ppIncludes full board (all meals), temple entrance feesBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Musk is a five-star dahabiya of 38 metres, sold through resellers, that moves mainly under a lateen sail and uses its engines only when needed. Its six cabins take the names of ancient aromatics, from Kyphi and Myrrh to Henna and Saffron, and the boat carries at most 12 guests. Furnishings run to rattan deckchairs, an oriental sitting area and a colonial-style lounge. Spirits are not served, though guests may bring their own. Its small size and moorings on privately held riverbank at Luxor and Aswan suit couples and small groups. The route passes Esna, El Kab, Edfu, Gebel Silsila and its quarry, and Kom Ombo on the way to Philae, over three, four or seven nights.
Includes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Mövenpick (Accor) · 8 cabins · 3 · 4 nights
SB Hayah is sold through resellers under the Mövenpick name, but she does not appear on Mövenpick's own Nile fleet list, so treat these details as provisional. The listing describes eight suites with panoramic river views: two Panorama suites of 47.5 sqm, an Ambassador suite of 39 sqm, two Royal suites of 34 sqm, a Deluxe suite of 33 sqm and two Senior suites of 27 sqm. Facilities include a sun-deck pool, gym, massage room, steam room and sauna, with butler service on request. Propulsion is not stated. Trips of 3 or 4 nights run in either direction between Luxor and Aswan from a private dock south of Luxor.
Includes alcohol, shore excursions, service and taxesBest for luxury, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 9 cabins · 3 · 4 nights
Nile Holiday is sold through resellers and only as a private charter, the boat and crew taken by a single party. She is described as a traditional sailing dahabiya, though nothing is said about an engine, and her size, cabin count and capacity are not published. Cabins are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and there is a sun deck. The 3-night trip runs from Aswan down to Luxor, and a 4-night version boards at Esna and sails the other way, both passing Kom Ombo, Edfu and the Esna Lock. Meals are cooked on board, with vegetarian and special diets on request. The format suits multi-generational families and small private groups.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursionsBest for private charter, families, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Ashranda · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 nights
One of Ashranda's two sister dahabiyas, Nofret takes her name from a Fourth Dynasty noblewoman, and the name means beautiful. She is marketed as a five-star sailing dahabiya for a maximum of twelve guests; cabin numbers are not published, and the sources do not say whether a tug assists. Short trips of 3 or 4 nights run between Aswan and Luxor by way of Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu, El Kab and Esna, leaving Aswan on Wednesdays and Luxor on Saturdays. Cabins have panoramic windows, a safe and air-conditioning, and meals are served in a fine dining room. A reseller also offers her as a whole boat, which suits a small private group.
Includes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couples, private charterCabins, photos and dates →
Ashranda · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Nonia is the other half of Ashranda's twin pair, named after the cherished little spoiled girl of ancient Egyptian tradition and described by a reseller as powered by wind and tradition. Cabin numbers and capacity are not published. Sailings of 3, 4 or 7 nights run between Aswan and Luxor past Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila, Edfu and El Kab, through the Esna lock, with moorings at Beshir and Fawaza islands and a visit to Philae on some programmes. Departures need a minimum number of cabins booked before they are guaranteed, and she can also be taken as a whole boat alongside Nofret. On board are a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge and a dining room.
Includes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couples, private charterCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 10 cabins · up to 16 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Noor El Din is sold through resellers, and her operating company is not named. The listings describe a newly built traditional sailing dahabiya, launched in 2023 or 2024 depending on the page, with ten air-conditioned rooms, eight cabins and two suites, all with panoramic windows. Capacity is given as 16 or 20 guests, with a crew of eleven. On board are a lounge, a library, a Jacuzzi and a sun deck with a bar, and an Egyptologist travels with the group. The 4-night trip sails south from Luxor and the 3-night trip north from Aswan, calling at the Esna Lock, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
From US$940 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for groups, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
No owning operator identified · 10 cabins · up to 20 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Resellers describe Princess Cleopatra as a replica of a nineteenth-century Egyptian sailing boat, 40 metres long, with two lateen sails and a motor tug as backup. The boat is sold through resellers. The best-documented layout has eight 17 m² twin cabins and two 26 m² queen suites with private terraces, all with large windows and en-suite bathrooms, for 20 guests and ten crew. An Egyptologist sails with guests. The route runs from Esna to Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo and Aswan, with Luxor sightseeing at one end and Philae at the other, and the longer itinerary includes an island dinner with a Nubian show. Cruises last three or four nights, and small groups can take the whole boat.
From US$200 ppIncludes full board (all meals), alcohol, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for groups, private charter, familiesCabins, photos and dates →
12 cabins · up to 24 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Queen Charlotte has its own website, but its published specification comes from a single reseller. Ten compact double cabins of 13 m² and two 20 m² suites with private terraces take up to 24 guests. Cabins have Egyptian cotton bedding, panoramic windows and a minibar, and the boat has an air-conditioned dining room and a sun deck with an oriental seating area. A tugboat accompanies it for calm stretches. Sailings between Aswan and Esna depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays, covering Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and, at the Luxor end, the Valley of the Kings. Choose from three or four nights.
From US$600 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for groups, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
No owning operator identified · 4 cabins · up to 8 guests
With four double cabins and no more than eight guests, Queen Cleopatra is small enough for a family or group of friends to take over entirely, and it is sold both per person on shared departures and as a whole-boat charter. The boat is sold through resellers. It sails under two lateen sails with a motor as backup. Every cabin has its own bathroom, and there is one shared dining area and a sun deck, but no pool or spa. The route follows the quiet reach from Esna to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan on trips of three or four nights.
From US$994 ppBest for private charter, families, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
No owning operator identified · up to 20 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Queen Nefer is a handcrafted two-mast dahabiya sold through resellers on the promise of sailing without engine noise. Its size is disputed: one seller gives a maximum of 20 passengers, another describes only five cabins. Cabins and suites have air conditioning, panoramic windows and private bathrooms, and the sun deck has shaded seating beside an outdoor terrace. The route stops at the Temple of Khnum in Esna, El Hegz, El Ramady and Maniha islands, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo and Daraw before Aswan. Barbecue dinners feature, and Wi-Fi is limited. Trips are three or four nights.
Includes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 8 cabins · up to 16 guests · 3 · 7 nights
Rihana is sold through resellers. The 50-metre, two-masted sailing dahabiya has eight cabins over two decks, six with twin beds and two with a large bed, for up to 16 guests; each cabin gets a coffee and tea tray. On board are an open-air Jacuzzi, bars, a reading lounge and a doctor on call. The layout, with mostly twin rooms, suits friends and small groups travelling together. Between Luxor and Aswan it calls at Esna and Edfu and moors at El Sheikh Fadl and Al Ramady islands before Kom Ombo, with Philae and Elephantine at Aswan. Trips last three or seven nights, with weekly departures from each end.
From US$320 ppIncludes full board (all meals)Best for groups, couplesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 8 cabins · 7 nights
Little is published about who operates Rois, which is sold through resellers. It is listed at 8 or 10 cabins depending on the source, with twin or large beds, a safe, a minibar and a hairdryer. The indoor salon is finished in oak, mahogany and silk, and the sun deck has rattan lounges, a restaurant and bar, and a small pool with a Jacuzzi. Afternoon tea is served daily. No seller says whether it sails or is towed. It suits couples and small groups. The only programme is seven nights between Luxor and Aswan in either direction, taking in both banks at Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Island, with Abu Simbel available as an extra.
From US$370 ppIncludes egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, shore excursions, service and taxesBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 8 cabins · up to 16 guests · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Royal Cleopatra is a five-star dahabiya over three decks, sold through resellers and operated by a company they do not name. It travels under a lateen sail, with the engine used for manoeuvring and in poor weather. Most sources give eight cabins, including two suites with private terraces, for around 16 guests, though one seller quotes 12. Cabin types are varied: singles, doubles, superior and honeymoon cabins, and a panoramic quadruple room with two bedrooms, so couples and families are both catered for. There is a rooftop terrace and a lounge bar. Trips of three, four or seven nights cover the Luxor to Aswan reach via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, ending at Philae.
From US$200 ppBest for couples, familiesCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 10 cabins · up to 20 guests · 3 · 4 · 5 nights
Sold through resellers, Sacred Lotus is a two-masted sailing dahabiya with ten cabins on a single deck: eight standard doubles and two superior cabins with private balconies, all with large Nile-view windows. One seller gives a maximum of 20 guests. A shaded upper deck with hammocks and a salon with a small Egypt library make it relaxed rather than formal, and guests can swim from the boat, which appeals to families and groups of friends. Between Luxor or Esna and Aswan it moors at El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el Silsila and Kom Ombo, with Philae, the High Dam and a Nubian evening ashore at the end. Trips run three, four or five nights.
US$1,000 to US$1,650 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for families, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Dahabiya Nile Sailing · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 nights
The third boat owned by Dahabiya Nile Sailing, Safiya 3 sails under two large sails with a tug in company. No cabin count, length or capacity is published; she offers double cabins and suites, all en-suite with hot showers and air-conditioning, plus a Jacuzzi and deck space. Her itineraries run from 3 to 6 nights, with longer 9 and 14-night options. The core route runs from Esna, with its temple and the Wekalet al-Geddawi caravanserai, through El Hegz, El Kab, Edfu, Bisaw Island, the Silsila quarry, Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum, and Daraw market to Aswan. The 5-day trip includes a barbecue ashore.
From US$771 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couples, groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Independent · 12 cabins · 3 · 4 nights
Very little is published about Sila, which is sold through resellers: there is no cabin count, guest limit or build detail. It is described as a traditional wooden sailing boat for a limited number of guests, with air-conditioned cabins and private bathrooms, which points to couples and small groups. Trips run between Luxor and Aswan, embarking at Esna and calling at Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, the villages of Bisaw and Al-Ramady, and Kom Ombo, with a sandbank mooring for swimming. Some dinners are served outdoors. Trips last three or four nights.
From US$1,200 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Oriental Nile Cruises · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Zahra is a small five-star sailing dahabiya in the Oriental Tours Egypt fleet, and each of its six air-conditioned, river-view cabins is named after a flower. Published guest limits vary from seller to seller, so it is worth confirming capacity when booking. With so few cabins it suits couples and small groups who want a quiet boat. The usual run starts at Esna and calls at El Kab, Edfu for the Temple of Horus, Bassao Island, Gebel el Silsila, Kom Ombo, El Herdiab Island and the Daraw camel market before Aswan, with Philae and the High Dam. Trips last three, four or seven nights.
From US$650 ppIncludes full board (all meals), egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfers, service and taxesBest for couples, small groupsCabins, photos and dates →
Nile Dahabiya Boats · 6 cabins · up to 12 guests · 3 · 4 nights
Zekrayaat is listed by Nile Dahabiya Boats, and its main specifications, including cabin count and capacity, have not been confirmed. What is known is that it offers suite cabins with a terrace and runs on a full-board basis, with dinner served either aboard or on the Nile banks. Its route from Esna reaches El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo and Daraw before Aswan. Trips are three or four nights.
From US$378 ppIncludes full board (all meals), water and soft drinks, egyptologist guide, temple entrance fees, transfersBest for couplesCabins, photos and dates →
