Charter
Chartering a whole dahabiya
Chartering a dahabiya means the whole boat, crew and guide are yours: you choose the start day, how long you sail, where you moor, when you eat and how long you spend at each temple. The smallest boats, such as The Orient or Lazuli Highness, have five cabins for ten guests; the largest, such as Lazuli Karnak, take twenty. Ask ten to twelve months ahead for a specific boat and date.
Your boat, your rules
What changes when the boat is yours
- The dates. Start on the day that suits you, not the boat’s weekly pattern, subject to availability.
- The length. Add a night for a slower pace, or extend to Luxor.
- The moorings. Stop at the islands and banks you like, for as long as you like.
- The timings. Temples at opening, before the coach parties, and lunch when you want it.
- The menu. Your diets, your favourite dishes, a dinner ashore on the night you choose.
- The occasion. A birthday, a vow renewal or a wedding, arranged around your group.
From each boat's specification
The dahabiyas we recommend for a charter
| Boat | Cabins | Guests | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Orient | 5 | 10 | The smallest; one terrace suite |
| Lazuli Highness | 5 | 10 | Built 2023; stern suite, jacuzzi |
| Akhnaton | 5 | Ask | Plunge pool; island barbecue |
| Loulia | 6 | 12 | Two balcony suites; antiques |
| Nora | 6 | Up to 15 | Room for extra beds and cots |
| Zekrayaat | 6 | 12 | Dinner on the riverbank |
| Lazuli Albatros | 8 | 12 | Billiards, sun-deck bar, jacuzzi |
| Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II | 9 | Ask | Spa, gym and a lift |
| Lazuli Karnak | 10 | 20 | Private Egyptologist |
See The Orient, Lazuli Highness, Akhnaton, Loulia, Nora, Zekrayaat, Lazuli Albatros, Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II and Lazuli Karnak. For more than twenty, see dahabiyas for big groups.
Getting the size right
Match the boat to the party
The best-value charter is the boat your party fills. A family of ten fits The Orient or Lazuli Highness exactly; twelve fits Loulia, Zekrayaat or Lazuli Albatros. Taking a bigger boat than you need means paying for empty cabins. If you are two, chartering is a luxury, not a saving: you pay for the boat. See which boat fits your group.
The fine print
What a charter includes
Normally the cabins, full board, the crew and the sailing. Guiding, temple tickets, transfers and drinks differ by boat, so confirm them in writing. Alcohol and crew tips are rarely included. See what to know before you book a dahabiya.
Prices
What it costs, and when to book
Dahabiyas run about US$140 to US$1,500 per person per night; a charter is priced for the whole boat, so the cost per person falls as the party fills it. Ask ten to twelve months ahead for a specific boat on specific dates, and earlier for Christmas, Easter or the 2 August 2027 eclipse. See what a whole boat costs.
Asked often
Dahabiya charters, answered
- Can you charter a whole dahabiya on the Nile?
- Yes. Most dahabiyas can be chartered for a family, a group of friends or a celebration. The boat, crew and guide are yours, and you choose the dates, the length, the moorings and the timings.
- What is the smallest dahabiya you can charter?
- Boats of five cabins for about ten guests, such as The Orient and Lazuli Highness, are among the smallest worth chartering. Akhnaton also has five cabins.
- How far ahead should I charter a dahabiya?
- Ten to twelve months for a specific boat on specific dates, and longer for Christmas, Easter or the August 2027 eclipse.
- Is it cheaper to charter a dahabiya or book cabins?
- Cabins, unless your party fills most of the boat. A charter costs the same whether the cabins are full or not, so it pays off when your group fills the boat.
