Nile dahabiyaSailing dahabiyaEsna → Aswan

Aton Sun

A 2021 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan

Aton Sun is a Nile dahabiya (a traditional wind-powered sailing boat) operated by Oriental Nile Cruises, built 2021. It has 10 cabins and 2 suites and sails itineraries of 5 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

A 2021 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan. A ten-cabin, two-mast dahabiya built in 2021 sailing the six-day Esna to Aswan route, suited to small groups wanting a newer boat and a traditional river pace.

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

Fleet: Oriental Nile Cruises
Accommodation: 10 cabins · 2 suites
Built: 2021
Dimensions: 55 × 8 m
Route: Esna - El Hegz Island - Edfu - El Fouza island - Gebel el Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan (Philae, High Dam)
Trip length: 5 · 7 nights
Departures: Saturdays

About Aton Sun

Aton Sun is a 55-metre, two-mast sailing dahabiya built in 2021, one of the newer and longer boats on the reach, with three decks, eight double cabins and two suites. It runs the six-day, five-night route from Esna up to Aswan, mooring near El Hegz Island and the private island of El Fouza.

Between sailing days the itinerary takes in Edfu Temple 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 for calm-wind conditions.

Full-board Egyptian cuisine runs throughout, with a dinner ashore on El Fouza island and afternoon tea. A library with a terrace, a lounge-bar and a broad sun deck of oriental seating give plenty of room to settle in.

Highlights

Built 2021, 55-metre two-mast sailer
Eight double cabins and two suites
Six-day Esna to Aswan route
Dinner ashore on private El Fouza island
Library terrace, lounge-bar and broad sun deck

At sail

Day by day

Aton Sun 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 Aton Sun.

Price the whole boat

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Double cabin - approx. 16.5 sqm, twin or large beds, private bathroom with shower, A/C, wardrobe, large windows, Egyptian cotton bedding, 220 V socket, hairdryer
Suite x2 - approx. 19.5 sqm, large or twin bed, private bathroom with shower, big windows, A/C, Egyptian cotton bedding, 220 V socket
Dining: Traditional Egyptian cuisine - breakfast, lunch and dinner, full board
Daily bottled water, tea and coffee
Afternoon tea/coffee with a pastry
Dinner ashore on the private island 'El Fouza'
Facilities: Sun deck with tables, chairs, oriental seating and sunloungers
Library with terrace and seating
Lounge / bar with satellite TV, DVDs and board games
Fully equipped kitchen
Two sails plus a motorboat for calm-wind conditions
Water filter and 24-hour electric supply
Room service and housekeeping
Belly dancer entertainment
Itineraries: 6 days / 5 nights Esna (Luxor) to Aswan: Day 1 Luxor West Bank and Karnak then embark at Esna, moor 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 Greco-Roman temple; Day 5 Aswan - Philae Temple, bazaar, High Dam, Oriental party night; Day 6 disembark after breakfast
5-7 night Luxor(Esna)-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

Aton Sun questions, answered

How many cabins does Aton Sun have?

10 cabins and 2 suites.

What route does Aton Sun 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 Aton Sun?

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 Aton Sun before booking.