Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan
Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau
A private dahabiya charter, Luxor to Aswan
Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau is a Nile cruise ship operated by A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent, built 2010 and refurbished 2026. It has 6 cabins and 2 suites for up to 12 guests and sails itineraries of 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
A private dahabiya charter, Luxor to Aswan. A traditional dahabiya taken as a whole-boat private charter for up to 12 guests, ideal for families or groups wanting bespoke, flexible touring between Luxor and Aswan.
- Operator
- A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent
- Accommodation
- 6 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 12
- Built
- 2010 · refit 2026
- 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
- Trip length
- 7 nights
- Season
- August to May; 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 fine print
What's included and what isn't
Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.
Included
- Accommodation aboard Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau in the cabin booked
- Full board across all sailing days
- Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout
Not included
- Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
- Gratuities for the crew
- Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
- Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted
The boat in detail
- Cabin categories
- Standard cabin (4) - air-conditioning with individual control, LCD television, minibar, modern bathroom with shower; each individually designed with Egyptian heritage elements
- Suite (2) - Farouk Suite and Napoleon Suite
- 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.
- Itineraries
- 3 to 7 nights, bespoke - Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor, fully flexible 'a la carte' touring
- 7 nights - Luxor to Aswan and Aswan to Luxor
- Bespoke private charter - Valley of the Kings to Abu Simbel; private docks in Luxor and Aswan
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
- ★★★★★
“If anyone out there is thinking of doing a Nile River Cruise do check out the Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau. … For all of us it was a holiday beyond our expectations.”
— SueW, Dorset, United Kingdom · via Tripadvisor
Good to know
Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau questions, answered
How much does Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau cost?
Advertised rates start from US$3,677 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.
How many cabins does Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau have?
6 cabins and 2 suites, for up to 12 guests.
What route does Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau sail?
Luxor and Aswan (private docks), Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel; smallest vessel in the Sanctuary fleet so it can dock at more locations.
What's included on Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau?
Fully inclusive excluding alcohol
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