The Nile,
just for you.
Three or four nights on a private Dahabiya sailboat — a restored traditional Nile vessel that takes only 8–12 guests. Temples at sunrise, sunsets on deck, and your own photographer capturing every moment.
Why a Dahabiya (and not a big cruise ship)
The big Nile cruise ships carry 120+ passengers, follow strict schedules and dock alongside each other in every port. A Dahabiya is the opposite: a traditional twin-masted sailboat, restored to luxury standards, carrying just 8–12 guests with a private crew.
You sail with the wind. You stop where others cannot — deserted islands, Nubian villages, rock-cut temples. And your private photographer is onboard the entire time, ready to shoot the light whenever it turns magic.
Why choose this tour
- Only 8–12 guests: no crowds, no queues. The sundeck, the dining room and the crew are essentially yours.
- Photographer on board: morning, sunset and star sessions daily. Landscapes, portraits and temple photography — 400+ edited photos by the end of the cruise.
- Sail, don't motor: a Dahabiya travels with the wind. The silence, the calm, the elegance of sail on the Nile — an experience no cruise ship can match.
- Stops no big ship can make: Gebel Silsila sandstone quarries, the island sanctuary of El Kab, and family-run Nubian villages along the west bank.
- Sunrise and sunset from the deck: the two most valuable hours for photography, captured every day, every angle.
- Egyptologist-guided visits: Edfu (best-preserved temple in Egypt), Kom Ombo, and optional Abu Simbel pre-dawn flight.
What's included
- 3 or 4 nights in a private luxury en-suite cabin
- Full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea daily
- Personal photographer on board — 400+ retouched photos
- Egyptologist guide for all temple visits
- All entry tickets to Edfu, Kom Ombo and sites en route
- Transfers from Luxor hotel or airport
- Transfers to Aswan hotel, airport or onward flight
- Drinking water, tea and coffee on board
- Private online gallery with full-resolution downloads
Your Dahabiya itinerary
Board in Luxor — Sail at Sunset
Pickup from your Luxor hotel or airport. Welcome lunch on board, then the first sunset shoot as we sail past the West Bank. Dinner on deck under the stars.
Edfu Temple & Gebel Silsila
Sunrise shoot from the deck. Morning visit to Edfu Temple — the best-preserved in Egypt. Afternoon stop at Gebel Silsila, the ancient sandstone quarry that built the temples.
Kom Ombo & Nubian Villages
Morning at Kom Ombo, the double temple on the river's edge. Afternoon stop at a Nubian village for editorial portraits in coloured courtyards. Sunset shoot on the deck.
Arrive Aswan — Disembark
Morning sail into Aswan. Breakfast on deck. Final photo delivery summary and transfers to your Aswan hotel or onward flight. Optional Abu Simbel extension.
Ready to sail the Nile?
We only operate four Dahabiyas and peak season books 4–6 months ahead. Tell us your dates and we'll check availability within 2 hours.
Nile Cruise — FAQs
What is the difference between a Dahabiya and a regular Nile cruise?
A Dahabiya is a traditional twin-masted sailboat carrying 8–12 guests, with a private crew and no fixed schedule. Big cruise ships carry 100+ guests, motor every day, and dock in busy ports. The Dahabiya experience is entirely more intimate, more photogenic and more authentic.
Is a photographer really on board the entire time?
Yes. Your photographer sails with you, eats with you, and shoots with you — morning, sunset and star sessions every day. By the end of the cruise you have 400+ fully edited images.
Can we charter the entire Dahabiya for our group?
Yes. For groups of 6 or more, we offer exclusive charter of the whole vessel. For couples we sell private cabins within the 8–12 guest cruise.
What is the best time of year for a Nile cruise?
October to April offers the best light, cool temperatures and clear skies. May to September is quieter and cheaper but hotter — we schedule more activity at sunrise and after 5 PM.
Can we add Abu Simbel?
Yes. On Day 4 you can take the optional pre-dawn flight to Abu Simbel — the most iconic temple in Nubia. Sunrise light on the facade is unforgettable. Add $380.
The Nile is waiting.
So is your photographer.
Peak season books 4–6 months ahead. Reserve your Dahabiya now.