Nile dahabiyaSailing dahabiyaEsna → Aswan

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II

Nine cabins, full-service and step-free

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II is a Nile dahabiya (a traditional wind-powered sailing boat) operated by Sonesta Cruise Collection, built 2025. It has 9 cabins and 4 suites and sails itineraries of 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Nine cabins, full-service and step-free. A five-star sailing dahabiya of nine roomy cabins with a gym, spa and onboard elevator, running four-night trips between Luxor and Aswan, suited to travellers wanting comfort and access.

Best for couples · unhurried travellersCabins 9Route Esna → Aswan

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II, a Nile dahabiya

Fleet: Sonesta Cruise Collection
Accommodation: 9 cabins · 4 suites
Built: 2025
Route: Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan (and reverse)
Trip length: 4 nights

About Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II pairs the intimacy of a nine-cabin dahabiya with full-service comforts. Five executive cabins of twenty-five square metres carry a refined sitting area and fixed panoramic windows, while four suites of thirty-five add an extended living area, the Royal Suites opening onto private terraces above the river.

She sails four-night trips between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Luxor and Karnak temples and the river islands along the reach. A shaded sun deck holds an open-air hot tub and sunbeds, with a lounge, a wellness centre and gym, and a spa for steam treatments and massage. An onboard elevator reaches every level for step-free access.

Meals are all included, from buffet breakfasts and lunches to a la carte dinners, with indoor and outdoor Nile-view seating and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options from seasonal local ingredients. High-speed Wi-Fi runs throughout.

Highlights

Nine cabins; executive cabins twenty-five square metres
Royal Suites with private terraces
Gym, spa and open-air hot tub aboard
Onboard elevator for step-free access
Four nights, Luxor-Aswan both directions

At sail

Day by day

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II sails one published programme. Its own route: Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan (and reverse) 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
Luxor, embark and Karnak
Board at Luxor. Karnak in the afternoon, before the boat moves.
Visits Karnak
Day 2
The west bank, then the Esna lock
The tombs early, while it is still cool, then cast off and pass through the Esna lock.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Esna lock
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn
Day 3
Edfu
Edfu, the most complete temple on the river, from the mooring.
Visits Esna lock · Edfu
Day 4
Sailing
No temple on this day. The boat sails the quiet reach south of Edfu and moors where the large ships cannot, which is the reason to take a dahabiya at all. Every one of the three published itineraries leaves this day empty.
Day 5
Aswan, and disembark
The High Dam and Philae on arrival, then disembarkation.
Visits High Dam · Philae
Optional Abu Simbel by road or air

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

9 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 Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II.

Price the whole boat

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Cabin - 5 units, 25.0 sqm
Cabin - 4 units, 35.0 sqm
Dining: Main Dining Room - buffet breakfast and lunch, refined a la carte dinner; indoor and outdoor Nile-view seating
All meals included; international and local dishes
Caters for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and plant-based diets using seasonal organic ingredients from local suppliers
Fully stocked minibar replenished daily, tea and coffee station, complimentary bottle of local wine on arrival.
Facilities: Main Dining Room with indoor and outdoor Nile views
Lounge with reading corner, satellite TV and cocktail bar
Shaded sun deck
Sun Deck Bar with open-air hot tub / Jacuzzi and sunbeds
Wellness centre with equipped gym
Spa with steam treatments and massage services
State-of-the-art elevator serving all levels
In-cabin dining until midnight
Butler service on request
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days Aswan to Luxor
4 nights / 5 days Luxor to Aswan
Sites include Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and Luxor temples, and river islands

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

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II questions, answered

How many cabins does Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II have?

9 cabins and 4 suites.

What route does Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II sail?

Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan (and reverse).

What is included in the fare on Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II?

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 Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II before booking.