Do dahabiyas sail in summer?

Some do. Iris, Akhnaton, Lazuli dahabiyas, Loulia and Merit I sail all year. Others stop for June, July and August because of the heat.

Is it too hot for a dahabiya in July or August?

It is very hot, often above 40°C at midday in Aswan and Luxor. It works if you visit temples at dawn, rest on a shaded deck or in the pool at midday, and choose a boat with air-conditioned cabins.

Are dahabiyas cheaper in summer?

Often. Many boats price May to September as a lower season than October to April.

What is the best month for a dahabiya?

October to April, when days are warm and nights cool. Late October, November, March and early April avoid both the heat and the busiest weeks.

Sailing in the heat

Dahabiyas in summer: is it too hot?

Yes, you can sail a dahabiya in summer, and several boats run all year, including Iris, Akhnaton, Lazuli dahabiyas and Loulia. Others stop for June, July and August. From May to September Aswan and Luxor are very hot, often above 40°C at midday, so the day starts at dawn: temples by 9 am, the afternoon on a shaded deck or in the pool, and a second outing at sunset. In return you get emptier temples, a cooler breeze on the water than in town, and many boats price May to September as a lower season.

Ask which boats sail on your dates

All year

Dahabiyas that sail in summer

Dahabiyas that sail all year, including June to August
Dahabiya	Good for summer because
Iris	Heated pool and jacuzzi on the top deck, 24-hour Wi-Fi
Akhnaton	Shaded deck and plunge pool; six cabins, easy to charter
Lazuli Abydos	Part of the Lazuli fleet, with weekly departures from Esna and Aswan
Lazuli Luxor	Jacuzzi on deck and air conditioning below
Loulia	Guaranteed weekly departures from Esna and Aswan
Merit I	Sails Saturdays from Luxor and Wednesdays from Aswan

See each boat: Iris, Akhnaton, Lazuli Abydos, Lazuli Luxor, Loulia, Merit I. Several other dahabiyas stop selling June to August because of the heat, so always check the season before you plan.

How the day changes

A summer day on a dahabiya

1Dawn. Early breakfast and the temple visit, finished before the heat.
2Midday. Lunch on board, then the shaded deck, the pool or a cool cabin while the boat sails.
3Sunset. A second short visit or an island stop when the air softens.
4Night. Dinner on deck, often the most pleasant hours of a summer day.

Staying cool

Tips for a summer sailing

Choose a boat with air-conditioned cabins and a pool or jacuzzi, pack light long sleeves and a wide hat, and drink water all day. Shorten the programme in Luxor and Aswan, where the stone holds the heat. See staying healthy on a Nile cruise, Egypt in summer and when to go.

Prices

What it costs

Dahabiyas run about US$140 to US$1,500 per person per night, depending on the boat, cabin and season, and many price May to September as their lower season. See the cheapest time for a Nile cruise.

Asked often

Dahabiyas in summer, answered

Do dahabiyas sail in summer?: Some do. Iris, Akhnaton, Lazuli dahabiyas, Loulia and Merit I sail all year. Others stop for June, July and August because of the heat.
Is it too hot for a dahabiya in July or August?: It is very hot, often above 40°C at midday in Aswan and Luxor. It works if you visit temples at dawn, rest on a shaded deck or in the pool at midday, and choose a boat with air-conditioned cabins.
Are dahabiyas cheaper in summer?: Often. Many boats price May to September as a lower season than October to April.
What is the best month for a dahabiya?: October to April, when days are warm and nights cool. Late October, November, March and early April avoid both the heat and the busiest weeks.

Tell us your dates