Dahabiya Nile Cruises
A dahabiya holds sixteen to thirty-two guests under sail. A Nile cruise ship holds up to 140. That is the whole difference.
What A Dahabiya Is.
A dahabiya is a traditional Nile sailing boat with real cabins. Two lateen sails, one forward and one aft. Small, slow, quiet.
It is not a felucca — a felucca is an open boat for a sunset hour. It is not a cruise ship either. It sits between the two, and there is nothing else in that space.
Two lateen sails do the work. The engine is the backup, not the plan.
Our dahabiyas hold 16 to 32 guests. Our big ships hold up to 140.
It moors at islands and villages where a cruise ship cannot reach the bank.
Heated pools, spas, jacuzzi suites, marble bathrooms. On a traditional hull.
Dahabiya Or Cruise Ship.
A big ship is not a worse choice. It is a different one. We represent both, so here is the honest comparison.
| Feature | Dahabiya | Big ship |
|---|---|---|
| Cabins | 8 to 12 | 70 |
| Guests | 16 to 32 | Up to 140 |
| Power | Two lateen sails | Engine throughout |
| Where it moors | Islands, villages, quiet banks | Main quays, often rafted together |
| The feel | A private yacht | A floating hotel |
| Best for | Couples, friends, groups up to 32 | Travellers who want a big social scene |
| Price | Higher per person | Usually lower |
Four Dahabiyas.
From eight to twelve cabins, and from sixteen to thirty-two guests. Each one is a different boat for a different traveller.
All four are independently owned and operated. Boreas represents them — you book and travel through Boreas, and the vessel’s own crew runs the cruise.
Nawara — 12 Cabins, 24 Guests.
Built 2024. 60 m long, 9 m wide, three decks, 18 crew. Ten Deluxe Cabins and two Jacuzzi Suites, every one looking onto the river. Full vessel page →
Lateen sails power most of the journey, with engine power in reserve for when the wind drops.
The Cabins And The Suites.
A quick look inside a cabin.
A look at a Nawara bathroom.
On Board.
A heated pool overlooking the Nile, sunbeds, and space for outdoor dining.
Indoors, à la carte or family-style. Outdoor dining on deck as an alternative.
An indoor lounge with river views, for a drink or a game of chess.
A mini gym and an open-air yoga deck, both with Nile views.
Evenings And Excursions.
Who Nawara Is For.
Sunday to Thursday, or Thursday to Sunday.
From $1,200 per person per night.
Sixteen to thirty-two guests. Not seventy cabins.
Tell us your group size and dates — we reply within 24 hours.
Nile Divine — 8 Cabins, 16 Guests.
60 m by 9. Sixteen guests across eight cabins, all on the Nile Deck, each with a French balcony and its own Pharaonic symbol. Full vessel page →
Every room holds original artwork by Alaa Abu El Hamd, a Luxor artist. Sculptures by local artists sit throughout. The owner designed the boat herself and hand-drew the furniture, using alabaster and travertine sourced in Egypt. It reads as a gallery as much as a ship — which is why people call it The Floating Gallery.
Nile Majestic — 10 Cabins, 20 Guests.
Ten guest cabins across two decks, four of them suites. Every cabin looks onto the river through a panoramic window or a French balcony. Full vessel page →
Like the Nile Divine, she sails under two sails and is towed by a tugboat that carries the engine well away from the cabins. You hear the river, not the machinery.
Hathor — 8 Cabins And 4 Suites, 32 Guests.
A luxury dahabiya that sails between Aswan and Luxor. Eight cabins and four suites, two of them Royal Suites with two bathrooms and a jacuzzi. She is the largest dahabiya in the fleet. Full vessel page →
Charter her whole for one group of up to 32 guests, or take a cabin on a shared departure, subject to availability.
A Day On Board.
No two days run identically — the wind decides some of it. But the shape is consistent.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Breakfast on the sundeck as the sails go up. The river is empty at this hour. |
| Mid-morning | A temple, or a walk through a village and its farms. Small groups, no coach queue. |
| Lunch | Served on board while the boat is under way. On Nawara you can join the chef in the kitchen and help cook it. |
| Afternoon | An island mooring. Swim in the Nile, or stay on deck with the pool and a book. |
| Sunset | The best hour on the river, and you are already in the middle of it. |
| Evening | Dinner on board, then a folkloric show, a Nubian show or a galabeya party. Or nothing at all. |
The Route & The Temples.
All four vessels sail between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction. The great temples sit on the route. The smaller stops are where a dahabiya earns its keep. For the day-by-day detail, read our dahabiya itinerary.
How To Choose.
Not sure? Tell us your group size and dates and we will say which of the four actually suits you — including when the answer is none of them.
Rates & Booking.
Two ways to sail: bring your own group, or join a shared departure. Eight to twelve cabins means both fill quickly.
Travel with your own people. Tell us how many guests and when, and we quote the cabins or the whole vessel. Any of the four can be chartered whole. See the charter page →
Request Group BookingTake a cabin on a departure with other guests. Ask us for the next available dates.
Join Shared SailingNawara from $1,200 per person per night. Hathor, Nile Divine and Nile Majestic are quoted on request. Send your group size and dates and we reply within 24 hours.
Getting There & Good To Know.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airports | Luxor (LXR) or Aswan (ASW), depending on the direction you sail. |
| Transfers | Arranged by Boreas from the airport, train station or hotel at both ends. How to get there → |
| Visa | Egyptian e-visa online for most nationalities, typically 72 hours to process. We can assist. |
| Food & water | Crystal International Program for food safety on Nawara, Nile Divine and Nile Majestic. Fresh water treated by UV sterilization. |
| Safety | Fire alarms, sprinkler systems, life jackets and an escape map in every cabin. |
| Payment on board | Egyptian pounds, euros, British pounds and US dollars. Visa, Mastercard and American Express. |
| Children | Extra beds and a baby crib available on request. |
| Insurance | Travel insurance required for all guests. Requirements → |
All four dahabiyas are independently owned and operated. Boreas represents them — you book and travel through Boreas, with each vessel’s own crew running the cruise.
Questions
What is a dahabiya?
A traditional Nile sailing boat with real cabins. Two lateen sails, a shallow hull, and somewhere between eight and twelve cabins. It is bigger and far more comfortable than a felucca, and much smaller and quieter than a cruise ship.
How many dahabiyas does Boreas represent?
Four. Hathor with 8 cabins and 4 suites and up to 32 guests, Nawara with 12 cabins and up to 24 guests, Nile Majestic with 10 cabins and 20 guests, and Nile Divine with 8 cabins and 16 guests. We also represent two 70-cabin ships, Lady Carol and Lady Mary, for travellers who want the bigger, livelier trip.
Do these boats really sail?
Yes. Nawara sails under her own two lateen sails with engine power held in reserve for windless days. Nile Divine and Nile Majestic each carry two sails and are towed by a tugboat that holds the engine room well away from the cabins, so the noise stays off the vessel. Ask us about Hathor’s sailing details.
Which dahabiya should I pick?
Nawara if you want the fullest mid-size boat — heated pool, gym, yoga deck and two Jacuzzi Suites. Nile Divine if you want the fewest guests, a spa with a Himalayan salt massage room, and original Luxor artwork throughout. Nile Majestic if you want a suite with a private balcony over the river. Hathor if you have the biggest group, up to 32 guests, and want jacuzzi suites. Tell us your group and we will recommend one.
How much does a dahabiya cruise cost?
Nawara starts from $1,200 per person per night. Hathor, Nile Divine and Nile Majestic are quoted on request, as rates depend on the season, the cabin type and whether you take the whole vessel. Send us your dates and group size and we reply within 24 hours.
Can I book a single cabin, or do I need the whole boat?
Either. You can join a shared sailing and take one cabin alongside other guests, or book as a group and take several cabins or the entire vessel. With eight to twelve cabins, a full charter is realistic for a family or a group of friends.
Can I charter a whole dahabiya?
Yes. Any of the four can be chartered whole, for groups of up to 16, 20, 24 or 32 guests. Rates and terms are confirmed per group. See the charter page →
What days and lengths do the dahabiyas sail?
Nawara sails Sunday to Thursday, or Thursday to Sunday. Hathor runs 3 nights Aswan to Luxor, 4 nights Luxor to Aswan and 7 nights Luxor, Aswan, Luxor. Ask us for the next dates, and for the sailing days on Nile Divine and Nile Majestic.
Where do these cruises go?
Between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction. The route takes in Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae — plus island moorings and village walks that larger ships cannot reach. Read the itinerary →
Is a dahabiya better than a big cruise ship?
It is different, not better. A dahabiya is quiet, slow and small, with a high crew-to-guest ratio and access to moorings a ship cannot use. A big ship gives you more space, more venues, a fixed schedule and usually a lower price. We represent both and will tell you honestly which suits your trip.
Can I add the Red Sea or Cairo to the trip?
Yes. Many guests pair a Nile cruise with a Red Sea voyage aboard our own superyacht, or add a privately guided land programme in Cairo and Luxor. Ask us and we will build the combined itinerary.
Sail It, Don’t Cruise It.
Four dahabiyas between Luxor and Aswan. Tell us your group and dates — we reply within 24 hours.