Nour El Nil | Nile Egypt Dahabiya Cruise

Overview

Tradition Meets Room to Breathe

Meroe is where the journey begins to feel more expansive, with larger cabins and a deck that encourages lingering sunsets and shared laughter. It bridges the old and the new, retaining the nostalgic soul of the dahabiya while providing more room to stretch out and relax. Guests often describe Meroe as the nice balance — still intimate enough to feel connected to the river, yet with enough comfort to make every moment aboard easy and indulgent.

Panoramic Suite

1 King Bed

1-2 guests

25.25 m²

The Panoramic Suite on Meroe marks a step up in size, offering more room to relax while still keeping the river in focus through its expansive windows. The added space makes it a wonderful choice for travelers who want both intimacy and comfort.

Luxury Room

2 Twin Bed

or 1 King Bed

1-2 guests

15.50 m²

Meroe’s Luxury Rooms are noticeably more spacious than those on our oldest boats, giving guests a comfortable retreat with a balance of style and tradition. These rooms are well-suited to travelers who want more room to unwind while keeping a classic dahabiya feel.

Day 1: Esna

Esna, located some 33 miles south of Luxor, is where you will board your dahabiya and meet the crew. A thriving merchant town, Esna is best known for the small ancient Temple of Khnum, which sits 9 meters below street level. Your trip will begin with a brief walk to the temple and a stroll through streets filled with beautiful textiles and other exotic goods.

Day 2: El Kab & Edfu

El Kab, on the East bank of the Nile, was once the capital of Upper Egypt and is still home to the temple of Nekhbet, as well as a row of fascinating decorated tombs carved into the slope of the mountains. Upon docking, you will embark on a beautiful walk through a small fishermen village to visit the necropolis.

In the afternoon, the boat will arrive at Edfu, home to the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the god Horus. This is among the best preserved of all Egyptian temples. Horse and carriage will take you to the temple through the busy city streets. After returning to the boat, you will set sail for a beautiful island.

Day 3: Sail & Swim

This is a day devoted to the river: immediately after an optional morning walk and breakfast, you will set sail. In the afternoon, you will stop at an island for a stroll or to swim in the Nile. As dusk begins, there may be an opportunity to walk into the desert along a valley lined with boulders covered in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and stone-age inscriptions. These images mark the beginning of the shortest trail through the desert to Libya (28 days in ancient times). At night, the boat will tie up the foot of floodlit temple of Gebel Silsileh.

Day 4: Gebel Silsileh

Day 4: Gebel Silsileh

Here, the Nile, flowing between two mountains ranges, is at its narrowest. You will often be the only visitors at this fascinating site, as large Nile cruisers are not allowed to stop here. After visiting the small temple of Horemheb and walking through the sandstone quarries, where ancient Egyptians cut stone for many of their most famous temples, you will sail for the remainder of the day. We then sail to a picturesque riverbank where you will stop for lunch and swimming.

Day 5: Kom Ombo

Day 5: Kom Ombo

After a night on the water and beneath the stars, the morning trip will take you to the town and temple of Kom Ombo. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period on the site of an older temple and at one of the most beautiful locations, on a bend on the river. The temple was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. After enjoying the temple, you will visit the new Crocodile Museum, which contains many mummified crocodiles, attesting to the importance the creature played in this region in ancient times.

Day 6: Aswan

Day 6: Aswan

Awake to the beautiful sight of the desert closing in on the river at Aswan Bridge. Here your cruise comes to an end. You will leave us relaxed and refreshed in the morning.

Please note: The government requires all dahabiyas to overnight in a dock beside the Aswan bridge. Unfortunately this location is less idyllic than our other stops, but it is a legal requirement.

Day 1: Esna

LUXOR / ASWAN

5 Nights
6 Days
250 KM

"You can walk in the desert, swim in the river, sunbathe on the deck or kick back in your chic room with its super-comfortable bed. As for the crew, they're as good as their boat, a highlight of your cruise."
The Guardian | 2010

"Thank you for the fabulous memories. Of all the places I’ve been lucky enough to visit, your Nile cruise remains at the top of my list!"
Melanie B. | Testimonial

"When we landed in Aswan, every passenger waxed ecstatically about the trip, from the Hong Kong bankers on the other dahabiya to the little boy Sacha from Switzerland."
Hufftingon Post | 2009