Dahabiya comparison
Akhnaton vs Loulia: which small dahabiya?
Both carry about a dozen guests, which makes either an easy boat to charter for a family or group of friends. Choose Akhnaton for a two-masted classic with a plunge pool, a lounge bar and livelier evenings, and sailings that can start in Luxor. Choose Loulia for antique-furnished cabins with baths, two terrace suites with private balconies, Wi-Fi throughout and guaranteed weekly departures on Thursdays from Esna and Mondays from Aswan. Both sail all year; Loulia usually costs a little more per night, but includes sightseeing and transfers.
The facts
Akhnaton and Loulia side by side
| Akhnaton | Loulia | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About a dozen guests, 50 m, two masts | 6 cabins and suites, up to 12 guests, 38.5 m |
| Cabins | Twin cabins that join into doubles, each with a private bathroom; a suite with larger windows | 4 Nile-facing cabins with a bath and French windows; 2 terrace suites with a private balcony |
| Style | Colonial-style interiors, library of Egyptian books, salon with sofas | Local antiques, hand-woven rugs, brass and four-poster beds in the suites |
| On deck | Shaded sun deck with loungers and a tiled plunge pool | Large sun deck with a shaded area; no pool |
| Included | Full board with afternoon tea; ask what sightseeing your sailing includes | Full board, sightseeing, entrance fees, an Egyptologist, Wi-Fi and transfers |
| Drinks | Lounge bar; tea, coffee and water included | Soft drinks, tea, coffee and water included; alcohol extra |
| Evenings | Music, and a belly dancer on some nights | Evenings on deck; no shows listed |
| Wi-Fi | In the lounge, limited while sailing | Throughout the boat, fair use |
| Routes | 4 nights Esna or Luxor to Aswan, 3 nights Aswan to Luxor | 4 nights Esna to Aswan, 3 nights Aswan to Esna |
| Departures | Ask us for dates | Thursdays from Esna, Mondays from Aswan, guaranteed weekly |
| Stops | Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo, Philae at Aswan | El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo, Daraw, Aswan |
The difference
How the two feel on board
Akhnaton is the more sociable boat. Guests talk most about a crew that handles special requests without fuss, a barbecue with music on a Nile island, and a shaded deck for watching the river. Worth knowing: some bathroom finishes show wear, and the most common regret is that the trip felt too short, so consider the four-night sailing.
Loulia is the quieter, more private boat. It is shorter, with only six cabins and suites, all facing the river, and its stern suites with their own balconies are the standout rooms. It sails to a fixed weekly timetable, so it is easier to plan around flights.
Our view
Which to choose
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A private balcony | Loulia | Its two terrace suites at the stern each have their own balcony. |
| A dip on hot afternoons | Akhnaton | A tiled plunge pool under the deck canopy; Loulia has none. |
| To start in Luxor | Akhnaton | It also sails from Luxor, where Loulia always starts at Esna. |
| A bath | Loulia | Every cabin and suite has a bath as well as a shower. |
| A young child with you | Loulia | Cabins take a cot or an extra child bed, and a suite sleeps two adults and a child under 12. |
| Special diets | Akhnaton | Guests mention gluten-free and vegetarian food handled well; tell either boat at booking. |
| Staying connected | Loulia | Wi-Fi throughout the boat, where Akhnaton's is limited to the lounge. |
Dahabiyas run about US$140 to US$1,500 per person per night, depending on the boat, cabin and season. See also Iris vs Akhnaton, Lazuli vs Loulia and chartering a whole dahabiya.
Asked often
Akhnaton and Loulia, answered
- Is Akhnaton or Loulia better?
- Akhnaton suits travellers who want a plunge pool, a bar and lively evenings, and the option to start in Luxor. Loulia suits those who want a quieter boat with antique furnishings, baths, two balcony suites and guaranteed weekly departures.
- Does Akhnaton or Loulia have a pool?
- Akhnaton has a small tiled plunge pool on the sun deck. Loulia has no pool, but a large sun deck with shade.
- When does Loulia sail?
- Every Thursday from Esna for four nights to Aswan, and every Monday from Aswan for three nights back to Esna, all year.
- Can I charter Akhnaton or Loulia privately?
- Yes. Both carry about a dozen guests, so two or three families or a group of friends can take the whole boat and set their own pace.
- Which is better for a family with a small child?
- Loulia: its cabins take a cot or an extra child bed and a terrace suite sleeps two adults and a child under 12. Ask us about Akhnaton cabins for your family.
