Best Egypt Nile Cruise: Sailing on the Dahabiya Amoura

While planning our trip through Egypt, we knew there was one experience we couldn’t miss: sailing down the Nile through Upper Egypt. But instead of hopping aboard one of the large, standard cruise ships that most itineraries include, we wanted something a little more personal, more off-the-beaten path, more us. That’s when we stumbled upon the idea of sailing on a traditional wooden Dahabiya – a smaller, elegant sailboat that glides silently along the Nile, far from the crowds. 

With just a handful of passengers, no crowds, and plenty of quiet moments sipping Egyptian tea and watching life unfold along the Nile’s banks, our Dahabiya adventure turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our entire Egypt trip. Since there wasn’t much firsthand information online, we’re excited to share everything you need to know about this hidden gem way of exploring Upper Egypt onboard Dahabiya Amoura with Oriental tours Egypt

What is a Dahabiya

A Dahabiya (also spelled dahabeya or dahabiyah, from the Arabic دهبية, meaning “golden one”) is a traditional two-sail wooden boat that echoes the past of how ancient Pharaohs once travelled along Egypt’s Nile River. These elegant vessels, typically 40-55 meters long and spread across two decks, hosts no more than 20 exclusive guests, offering an elegant and intimate means of discovering the river nile. 

While most tours in Egypt rely on large cruise ships, a Dahabiya offers something entirely different: an exclusive, off-the-beaten-path voyage for those seeking an authentic connection with Upper Egypt.

Inspired by the golden-gilded sailboats once used by Egyptian royalty and nobility, today’s versions blend the vintage charm with all the modern day comforts. On the Dahabiya Amoura, there are en-suite private cabins, air-conditioning, polished wooden interiors, and an open sundeck perfect for lounging with a cup of Egyptian tea as we drifted past palm-fringed villages and golden sand riverbanks.

We’d done a similar sailing trip before in Kaş, along Turkey’s turquoise coast, but this one easily topped it. It had the perfect mix of culture, relaxation, and excursions to discover ancient history; everything that makes Egypt so uniquely magical.

Now that you’ve got a feel for what a Dahabiya is all about, let’s talk about why you might want to skip the big Nile cruise ships and sail the river the old-school way instead.

Large Nile Cruise Vs. Dahabiya? 

Both the large Nile cruise ships and the Dahabiya offer incredible ways to explore Upper Egypt, but they cater to very different kinds of travelers. The big cruise ships are ideal for those looking for an affordable and comfortable journey, complete with swimming pools, spacious decks, and plenty of on-board organized activities to keep guests entertained. 

The Dahabiya, on the other hand, is designed for travelers seeking something more intimate, slow-paced, and exclusive, a chance to experience a quieter, more authentic side of Egypt.

To help you decide which suits you best, here are some of the key benefits of sailing on a Dahabiya.

Key Benefits of Sailing on a Dahabiya

Exclusivity

One of the biggest perks of sailing on the Dahabiya Amoura is the sense of intimacy and exclusivity. Rather than sharing the deck with up to 150 other guests like on the large Nile Cruises, Dahabiyas usually carry no more than 20 guests, which means plenty of space to unwind and a far more personal atmosphere.

With a smaller group like this, another benefit is that you’ll actually have the chance to get to know each of the guests. Onboard the Dahabiya Amoura, we met fellow travellers from Europe and shared stories over dinner together.

And when it’s time to do the temple excursions, you’ll only be sharing the temple space with your fellow 20 guests rather than the massive cruise ship crowds.

Timing to avoid crowds and more flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of traveling by Dahabiya is the flexibility. You’re not bound by the rigid schedules of the big cruise ships. We were able to linger longer at the temples, explore at our own pace, and best of all, avoid the large crowds from the cruise ships.

Having the sites almost entirely to ourselves, shared only with our small Dahabiya Amoura group, was an absolute dream for us as photographers!

Access to off the beaten path sites

With the Dahabiyas, you’ll also get to explore off-the-beaten path places that the large cruise ships cannot access. During our trip, we stopped at a genuine riverside Nubian Village, swam in the Nile beside the golden sandbanks, and enjoyed a dinner on a secluded island.

These experiences offered a glimpse into the authentic life along the Nile, far beyond just ticking off the landmark temples.

Authentic and Nature experiences

On the Dahabiya, most of your time will be spent upper wooden deck, lounging on Egyptian-style couches and watching the local life go by on the Nile. Thanks to the small size of the Dahabiya and peaceful silence of sailing without an engine, we had plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and connect with the nature around us.

As the sun was setting on the horizon, we’d sink into the sundeck chairs, listening only to the gentle splash of the water and the whisper of the wind. After the chaos of Cairo and Luxor, those five days on the Dahabiya were easily the most tranquil and rejuvenating part of our Egypt adventure.

Where does the Dahabiya start and end 

The Dahabiya journey onboard Amoura will typically start at Esna, around 1 hour drive south of Luxor, and end in Aswan. The journey lasts between 4 to 5 days. Then it will do the return trip back to Esna, so you can ride the boat in either direction.

Along the way, you’ll stop daily to explore ancient temples, visit local villages, and enjoy a variety of unique experiences along the Nile.

On our trip, we spent a few extra days in Luxor (we stayed at Elphardous Hotel which we highly recommend!), then sailed the Dahabiya from Esna to Aswan, before spending one extra night to visit Abu Simbel.

This post is part of our series about Egypt. If you want to learn more about the traveling in Egypt including itineraries, travel tips, recommended activities and more, check the guides below:

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Dahabiya Amoura Experience Review 

As you can probably tell from the earlier sections, we absolutely loved our experience aboard the Dahabiya Amoura (read on to the ‘How to Book’ section for an exclusive promo code for our readers!). 

After spending a few days navigating the chaos of Cairo and Luxor, our five days on the Dahabiya was easily the most peaceful and rejuvenating part of our entire Egypt trip. This leg of our journey offered the perfect combination of some of the most awe-inspiring ancient temples, discovering a totally different side of Egypt along the Nile, and the most unique accommodation staying aboard a beautifully crafted, Egyptian-gilded wooden sailboat. 

The travel during this part of our trip was also the most comfortably paced, with only 1-2 smaller excursions each day, leaving our afternoons free to relax on deck. In fact, reflecting on our entire 3 week trip through Egypt, the Dahabiya was without a doubt one of the most memorable experiences! 

And to help you further evaluate if the Dahabiya Amoura is right for you, we’ll break down our review into a few key categories:

Cabins

The Cabins aboard Dahabiya Amoura completely exceeded our expectations.

Below deck, each room features a comfortable queen-size bed, air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with shower, and even a wardrobe for storage. The decor is beautifully done, with Egyptian-inspired artwork, patterned bed covers, and wooden accents that evoke the charm of the classic Dahabiyas once used by pharaohs. Compared to other boats we’ve sailed on, including Caribbean cruises and a Turkish gulet, this room felt far more spacious and elegant!

Food

Each day, you will be served 3 abundant meals on board the Dahabiya Amoura. Every meal is professionally prepared and highlights different local dishes in Egypt. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced from the villages.

Meals range from Shishtaouk, kofta, fish, grilled chicken, as well as popular compliments such as creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, fresh salads, and regional sweets. They also offer unlimited teas and coffees throughout the day, but alcoholic and cold drinks are not included and come with an additional cost.

Activities

During your Dahabiya trip, you will get to visit the famous temples, explore authentic Nubian villages, swim in the Nile, and much more! Each day, you’ll sail to a different section of the Nile and get off the boat to explore the highlight sites. We felt like this trip had the perfect mix of experiences, without over-cramming the days and leaving the perfect amount of time to actually enjoy the atmosphere aboard the Dahabiya. 

Additionally, on Day 1 before boarding the Dahabiya, you’ll enjoy guided visits to some of Luxor’s most iconic landmarks (including the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple), all included as part of the trip.

We also planned two extra days of excursions in Luxor so that we got to do the hot air balloon ride above Valley of the Kings, and explore Dendara Temple (our absolute favourite in all of Egypt!).

Atmosphere

One of the biggest highlights of sailing on a Dahabiya is the atmosphere. You spend your afternoons lounging on the Egyptian-themed sofas, surrounded by beautifully carved wooden decor reminiscent of ancient times, sipping on sweet Egyptian tea while the Nile’s wildlife and riverside villages glide past.

Life aboard the Dahabiya is unhurried, with a peaceful rhythm perfect to read a book, take a nap, or connect with fellow travellers. The atmosphere is relaxed, inviting, and felt just like home. And it was genuinely hard to say goodbye when our trip ended.

Staff and Service

The service aboard the Dahabiya was personalized, attentive, and genuinely friendly. During our journey, we were just 12 guests on board with 5 crew members taking care of us, making the experience family-like.

Over the 5 days, we got to know the crew by name and were always greeted with their cheerful smiles and friendly energy every morning. Having experienced larger cruises in the past, this personal touch made the experience that much more special!

Pricing

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, sailing on a Dahabiya is pricier than hopping on one of the big Nile cruises, but trust us, it’s absolutely worth it.

When we went in 2025, the 5-day Dahabiya Amoura trip cost around $1500 USD per person, which included accommodation, transport, all meals, and daily excursions. Compared to other Dahabiyas that often start at $2000+, Amoura actually offers a pretty great deal.

🎁 Wayless Travelers Tip: Want to save a little on your Nile adventure? Use our special promo code for 5% off — details down in the “How to Book” section!

Plus, we loved that it stayed true to its Egyptian roots, with authentic Egyptian charm and traditional decor, rather than leaning into the overly polished, luxury-hotel-on-water vibe of some other boats.

Dahabiya Amoura Itinerary Overview

Below, we’ll share the details of the Dahabiya Amoura itinerary. As previously mentioned, we added two additional days to Luxor to further explore the area before embarking on the Dahabiya. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can easily reach out to Oriental Tours Egypt — the company that operates the Dahabiyas. They’re super helpful and can assist with arranging any extra excursions you’d like to add. 

But first, here’s what the standard 5-day Dahabiya itinerary looks like

Standard 5-day Dahabiya Itinerary:

• Day 1: Upon arrival in Luxor, you’ll have the chance to explore Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple before boarding the Dahabiya in the early afternoon. You’ll then have the rest of the afternoon free to relax as the boat sets sail.
• Day 2: You’ll get to explore Edfu temple in the morning and then Selsila Temple in the afternoon
• Day 3: You’ll visit Kom-ombo temple in the morning, and then visit one of the local Nubian Villages in the afternoon. For dinner, you’ll enjoy a barbecue meal on a private secluded island along the Nile.
• Day 4: The Dahabiya will arrive in Aswan where you’ll be spending the night. During the day, you’ll visit the Philae Temple, Aswan dam, Aswan Bazaar, and have the option to visit the colourful Nubian village near Aswan. Spend your final night aboard the Dahabiya.
• Day 5: After checking out of the Dahabiya, you can do a day trip excursion to visit the famous Abu Simbel. It is located about 3 hours drive from Aswan so it is recommended to start very early. 

For our Egypt trip, we decided to slow things down a bit. We added two extra days in Luxor before boarding the Dahabiya and spent one night near Abu Simbel. This gave us time to explore at a more relaxed pace instead of rushing back to the airport following Abu Simbel.

We highly recommend doing the same! It’ll give you the chance to visit the Dendera Temple, experience a hot air balloon ride in Luxor, and fully enjoy Abu Simbel without feeling rushed (alternatively if you want to visit Abu Simbel on a day tour, you can check out this private Abu Simbel Tour).

What is included on the Dahabiya cruise 

When you book your Dahabiya Amoura trip with Oriental Tours Egypt, they’ll take care of everything, from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Here’s what’s included:

• All required transfers from the airport to the boat
• The Dahabiya accommodation (4 or 5 nights, depending on your selected tour)
• All 3 meals per day
• Hot drinks and daily hibiscus tea
• All the temple visits (also including Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and Karnark temple before boarding the boat) and extra activities (Nubian village visit, swimming in the nile, barbecue dinner etc…)
• Sightseeing in Aswan (Philae Temple, Aswan Dam, Aswan Bazaar)
• English speaking guide for the excursions

Which temples do you visit during the Dahabiya

Below is a list of all the temples you will visit during your Dahabiya trip:

• Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, and Valley of the Kings
• Hatshepsut temple
• Memnon Colossi
• Karnak temple
• Edfu Horus temple,
• Selsila temple (Hor-Moheb)
• Kom-Ombo temple
• Aswan Philae temple
• Aswan High Dam
• Aswan Bazzar
• Optional visit to Abu Simbel (Additional fee)
• Optional visit to Colourful Nubian Village (Additional Fee)

How many days do you need for Nile cruise

The Dahabiya journey typically last between 4-5 days. We chose the 5 day route from Esna to Aswan and found it to be the perfect amount of time to discover Upper Egypt. The 4 day option usually sails the opposite way, from Aswan to Esna, and includes visits to Philae Temple, the Aswan Dam, and the lively Aswan Bazaar before boarding.

Note that Abu Simbel isn’t included in either the 4 or 5-day itineraries, but if it’s on your list (and it should be!), you can easily arrange a visit through Oriental Tours Egypt or book an Abu Simbel tour independently.

How to book your Dahabiya Nile Cruise
(+ Exclusive Promo!)

If you’ve been following WaylessTravelers for a while, you probably know we’re all about finding those special, off-the-beaten-path experiences that make travel feel a little more magical. Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to consider a Dahabiya Nile cruise for your Egypt adventure, because it truly was one of our favourite travel experiences to date.

When it comes to booking, we recommend going straight through their official website: nile-dahabeya.com. That’s how we booked ours, and it ended up being such a smooth and stress-free experience. We worked directly with Noha, the owner, who went above and beyond to help us organize everything: not just the Dahabiya cruise, but even the rest of our three-week trip through Egypt (including Cairo, Abu Simbel, and Siwa Oasis!).

They operate over 7 beautiful Dahabiyas and also run a tour company called Oriental Tours Egypt. We ended up booking our Dahabiya and entire Egypt trip through Oriental Tours and it was the best decision ever.

What really stood out for us wasn’t just the competitive price, but the care and warmth of their team. We’ll be honest: we were a bit nervous about visiting Egypt at first, especially after reading so many negative reviews and warnings about scams. But the team at Oriental Tours Egypt completely changed our perspective. They took such good care of us every step of the way and made sure we had the best experience possible

Where to Go Before and After the Dahabiya

Before boarding the Dahabiya, we enjoyed 3 nights at Elphardous Hotel on the Western Bank of Luxor which provided an authentic stay far from the posh and luxurious hotels of the East Bank. During those 3 days, we did day trips to Dendera Temple, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the famous Hot Air balloon ride. 

After finishing the Dahabiya cruise, we highly recommend adding a day trip, or even better, an overnight stay, to visit Abu Simbel. We chose the overnight option and stayed at the charming Eskaleh Eco-Lodge, and honestly, don’t let their modest photos fool you. The place is stunning! Full of character, cozy lounge spaces, and beautiful Nubian-style architecture. Staying right by Abu Simbel meant we could visit the temples the moment they opened, without the exhausting 3-hour pre-dawn drive from Aswan.

Using WISE card in Egypt

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Summary: Best Nile Cruise Dahabiya Amoura

Sailing on a Dahabiya was everything we hoped for and more: peaceful, authentic, and full of those slow-travel moments that make you fall in love with a place. If you’re planning your own trip through Egypt, we can’t recommend it enough. We booked directly through nile-dahabeya.com, run by Noha and her amazing team at Oriental Tours Egypt. Definitely reach out to her, as she can help you organize not just your Dahabiya cruise, but even your entire Egypt itinerary.

And as a small thank-you for our readers, they’re offering a 5% discount if you mention “Egypt By Ryan” when booking. We can honestly say that the caring, trustworthy, and down-to-earth team at Oriental Tours Egypt was a huge part of what made our Egypt trip so special.

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