Sanctuary Retreats / A&K
Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau
A private dahabiya charter, Luxor to Aswan
- Operator
- A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent
- Accommodation
- 6 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 12
- Route
- Luxor and Aswan (private docks), Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel; smallest vessel in the Sanctuary fleet so it can dock at more locations
- Length
- 7 nights
- Season
- August to May per https://www.mahlatini.com/us/egypt/nile-valley/sanctuary-zein-nile-ch%C3%A2teau ; Steppes Travel states 'The cruise does not operate in June or July'
About Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau
The Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau is a dahabiya, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat, taken only as a whole-boat charter for up to twelve guests. Accommodation is four cabins and two named suites, the Farouk and the Napoleon, each individually designed around elements of Egyptian heritage with air-conditioning, an LCD television, minibar and a modern bathroom.
Being the smallest vessel in the fleet, it can moor where larger ships cannot, and touring is fully bespoke, with personalised itineraries reaching from the Valley of the Kings to Abu Simbel and private docks at Luxor and Aswan. Full board is included, along with on-board cooking lessons and evenings of Arabian music and dance.
The upper deck is laid out in Arabian style with a heated plunge pool, sun loungers and an open sky lounge for stargazing, above a glass-doored lounge, a library and an in-house cinema. Sailings run from August to May, pausing in June and July.
Highlights
- Whole-boat private charter, up to 12 guests
- Four cabins and two named suites
- Arabian-style sun deck with heated plunge pool
- Sky lounge, library and in-house cinema
- Full board with on-board cooking lessons
The boat in detail
- Cabin categories
- {'name': 'Standard cabin', 'count': 4, 'sqm': None, 'notes': 'Air-conditioning with individual control, LCD television, minibar, modern bathroom with shower; each individually designed with Egyptian heritage elements', 'source': 'https://www.steppestravel.com/us/boats/dahabiya-sanctuary-zein-nile-chateau/'} | {'name': 'Suite (Farouk Suite and Napoleon Suite)', 'count': 2, 'sqm': None, 'notes': 'Named suites', 'source': 'https://www.steppestravel.com/us/boats/dahabiya-sanctuary-zein-nile-chateau/'}
- Dining
- Full board included | Onboard cooking lessons | Galabeya party, belly dancing and Arabian music evenings
- Facilities
- Upper deck with Arabian-themed sun deck | Heated plunge pool / outdoor pool | Sun loungers and outdoor shower | Open Arabian-style sky lounge for stargazing | Lounge with sliding glass doors (indoor/outdoor) | Library | In-house cinema | Opulently styled dining area
- Spa · pool · gym
- Heated plunge pool on the Arabian-themed sun deck. No spa or gym found on any source fetched.
- Itineraries
- {'length': '3 to 7 nights, bespoke', 'route': "Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor, fully flexible 'a la carte' touring", 'source': 'https://www.steppestravel.com/us/boats/dahabiya-sanctuary-zein-nile-chateau/'} | {'length': '7 nights', 'route': 'Luxor to Aswan (LXR-ASW) and Aswan to Luxor (ASW-LXR)', 'source': 'https://www.icruiseegypt.com/sanctuary-zein-nile-chateau'} | {'length': 'Bespoke private charter', 'route': 'Valley of the Kings to Abu Simbel; private docks in Luxor and Aswan', 'source': 'https://sanctuaryretreats.com/cruises/egypt/sanctuary-zein-nile-chateau/'}
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