Compare
Loulia, Nora, The Orient and Zekrayaat compared
These four sister dahabiyas sail the same quiet reach from Esna to Aswan, with departures guaranteed every week through 2026 and 2027. The main difference is the day each one leaves. After that: The Orient is the smallest and most intimate, Nora the largest and best for families, Loulia has two balcony suites, and Zekrayaat is the one that leaves Esna on a Monday.
From each boat's specification
Side by side
| Loulia | Nora | The Orient | Zekrayaat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabins | 4 cabins + 2 terrace suites | 4 cabins + 2 terrace suites | 4 cabins + 1 terrace suite | Suite cabins with terraces |
| Guests | Up to 12 | Up to 15 (extra beds) | Up to 10 | Up to 12 |
| Length | 38.5 m | 45.5 m | 36.5 m | 38.5 m |
| Cabin size | Large by dahabiya standards | Large, room for an extra bed or cot | 17 m² cabins, 26 m² suite | Ask |
| Sails south from Esna | Thursday, 4 nights | Sunday, 4 nights | Saturday, 4 nights | Monday, 4 nights |
| Sails north from Aswan | Monday, 3 nights | Thursday, 3 nights | Wednesday, 3 nights | Friday, 3 nights |
| Character | Antiques, hand-woven rugs, four-poster suites | 19th-century replica, Nile library, hammock on deck | Smallest, two masts, half-shaded sun deck | Dinner on board or on the riverbank |
Full details: Loulia, Nora, The Orient and Zekrayaat.
Our view
Which to pick
Only ten guests, and guests often find themselves sharing the boat with a handful of others. Its single terrace suite is the one to ask for.
The cabins have room for an extra bed or a baby cot, and Nora is the longest of the four, with the most deck space.
Two terrace suites with private balconies at the stern, each sleeping up to three, plus four large cabins.
The only one of the four to leave Esna on a Monday, and back from Aswan on a Friday.
In our own words
What guests say
The Orient: trips with only a handful of other passengers, a guide guests name afterwards, a chef who cooks fresh and caters well for vegetarians, and calm visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo away from the big-ship crowds. Mornings on the river can be cool in winter and spring.
Nora: a small, unhurried group, a spacious suite and Egyptologists guests remember by name. The boat sails when the wind allows and takes a tow when it does not, and guests say that took nothing away from the trip.
Shared by all four
What all four have in common
All four sail between Esna and Aswan, stopping at Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo, with El Kab and Daraw on most trips. Every cabin faces the river, and meals are cooked on board and served in the salon or on deck. On Loulia and The Orient, tea, coffee, water and soft drinks are included and alcohol and tips are not; ask the same of Nora and Zekrayaat. Wi-Fi, where offered, is basic. None lists a pool, a jacuzzi or a lift. For the wider choice, see the best dahabiyas by what you want and what to know before you book.
Asked often
The sister dahabiyas, answered
- What is the difference between Loulia, Nora and The Orient?
- They are sister dahabiyas on the same Esna to Aswan route. The Orient is the smallest, for ten guests with one terrace suite. Loulia carries twelve, with two terrace suites with balconies and antique furnishings. Nora is the largest, a 19th-century replica with a Nile library and room for extra beds. They leave on different days of the week.
- Which is the best of the sister dahabiyas?
- Choose by your start day first, since each leaves on a different day. Then choose The Orient for the most intimate trip, Nora for a family, Loulia for two couples or a balcony suite, and Zekrayaat for a Monday start.
- Are the departures guaranteed?
- Yes. All four have weekly departures guaranteed through 2026 and 2027, four nights south from Esna and three nights north from Aswan, whatever the number of bookings.
- How much do these dahabiyas cost?
- Dahabiyas run about US$140 to US$1,500 per person per night, depending on the boat, the cabin and the season. On The Orient, for example, full board, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide and transfers are included; alcohol and tips are not.
