Nile dahabiyaSailing dahabiyaEsna → Aswan

Aida

A 2018 two-mast sailer to Aswan

Aida is a Nile dahabiya (a traditional wind-powered sailing boat) operated by Oriental Nile Cruises, built 2018. It has 10 cabins and 2 suites and sails itineraries of 5 or 6 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

A 2018 two-mast sailer to Aswan. A ten-cabin, two-mast dahabiya built in 2018 sailing the six-day Esna to Aswan route, suited to small groups wanting temples, island moorings and a traditional pace.

Best for couples · unhurried travellersCabins 10Board full boardRoute Esna → Aswan

Fleet: Oriental Nile Cruises
Accommodation: 10 cabins · 2 suites
Built: 2018
Dimensions: 47 × 8 m
Route: Esna - El Hegz Island - Edfu - El Fouza island - Gebel el Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan (Philae, High Dam)
Trip length: 5 · 6 nights
Departures: Saturdays

About Aida

Aida is a 47-metre, two-mast sailing dahabiya built in 2018, with three decks, eight double cabins and two suites. It runs the classic six-day, five-night stretch from Esna up to Aswan, mooring near El Hegz Island, the private island of El Fouza and the illuminated temple at Gebel el-Silsila.

The days pair sailing with the great sites of the reach: Edfu Temple reached by horse carriage, Gebel el-Silsila and the Speos of Horemheb, the Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo, and Philae and the High Dam at Aswan. Two sails carry the boat, with a motorboat aboard for calm-wind days.

Full-board Egyptian cuisine is served throughout, including a dinner ashore on El Fouza island and afternoon tea with pastries. Three sun decks, a library with a terrace and a salon-bar give plenty of room to settle between temples.

Highlights

Built 2018, 47-metre two-mast sailer
Eight double cabins and two suites
Six-day Esna to Aswan route
Dinner ashore on private El Fouza island
Library with terrace and three sun decks

At sail

Day by day

Aida sails one published programme. Its own route: Esna - El Hegz Island - Edfu - El Fouza island - Gebel el Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan (Philae, High Dam) Departures saturdays. The order of the temples is fixed by the river, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Day 1
Transfer to Esna and embark
Most boats collect guests in Luxor and drive the 50 km to Esna, since the lock is the practical starting point. Sail out and moor at an island.
Visits Esna lock
Day 2
El Kab and Edfu
The painted rock tombs at El Kab in the morning, a site no cruise ship stops at, then the Temple of Horus before dusk.
Visits El Kab · Edfu
Day 3
Gebel el-Silsila
The sandstone quarries and rock-cut chapels, then a long afternoon under sail. Moor at a sandbank.
Visits Gebel el-Silsila
Day 4
Kom Ombo
The double temple at first light, before the cruise ships arrive, and often the camel market at Daraw.
Visits Kom Ombo · Daraw
Day 5
Sail to Aswan
A slow final day on the water, mooring near Aswan.
Day 6
Disembark at Aswan
Disembark at Aswan after breakfast. The Aswan sites are not part of the river itinerary on an operator-sold sailing: Philae, the High Dam and Abu Simbel are added on either side, which is the main difference between this and an agency package.
Optional Philae · High Dam · Abu Simbel

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

Take the whole boat

10 cabins · whole-boat charter on request

At this size two or three families travel together without anyone being split between boats, and the crew cooks for your party alone. Tell us your dates, and how many adults and children, and we will price the whole of Aida.

Price the whole boat

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Double cabin x8 - 5.5 m x 3 m (approx. 16.5 sqm), twin or convertible large bed, A/C, wardrobe, large windows, private bathroom with shower, washbasin and hairdryer, Egyptian cotton bedding, 220 V socket
Suite x2 - approx. 19.5 sqm, large or twin beds, private bathroom with shower, large windows, Egyptian cotton bedding
Dining: Traditional Egyptian cuisine - breakfast, lunch and dinner, full board
Daily bottled water, tea and coffee
Afternoon / sunset tea with pastries
Dinner ashore on the private island 'El Fouza'
Facilities: Three sun decks with tables, chairs, oriental lounge seating and sunloungers
Library with book collection, sofas and a large terrace
Salon / bar with satellite TV, DVD player and internet
Fully equipped kitchen
Two sails plus an accompanying motorboat for calm-wind conditions
24-hour electric power supply, 220 V
Water filtration system
Room service and housekeeping
Board games and DVD entertainment
Belly dancer performances, Arabic and English music
Itineraries: 6 days / 5 nights Esna (Luxor) to Aswan: Day 1 Luxor West Bank and Karnak then embark at Esna, overnight near El Hegz Island; Day 2 Edfu Temple by horse carriage, dinner on the private island 'El Fouza'; Day 3 Gebel el Silsila / Speos of Horemheb; Day 4 Kom Ombo Temple; Day 5 Aswan - Philae Temple, bazaar, High Dam, Oriental party night; Day 6 disembark after breakfast
5-6 night Luxor (Esna) to Aswan sailings

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Dahabiya Nile cruises explained How much a dahabiya cruise costs Best small-boat Nile cruises Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Nile cruise vs land tour

Good to know

Aida questions, answered

How many cabins does Aida have?

10 cabins and 2 suites.

What route does Aida sail?

Esna - El Hegz Island - Edfu - El Fouza island - Gebel el Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan (Philae, High Dam), departing Saturdays.

What is included in the fare on Aida?

A dahabiya fare of this kind normally covers your cabin on full board, entrance to the temples named in the itinerary, an Egyptologist guide, the listed shore excursions and transfers at each end. Tips, drinks, optional excursions such as Abu Simbel, and personal expenses are normally extra. Whether soft drinks, Wi-Fi and service charges sit inside the fare genuinely differs between operators, so confirm those for Aida before booking.