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Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Set sail on the Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise and experience the timeless charm of Egypt’s legendary river in refined comfort. Built in 2008, this elegant vessel combines traditional craftsmanship with modern amenities, offering ten spacious cabins that accommodate up to twenty guests. Larger than most dahabiyas, Malouka provides generous deck areas and panoramic views, creating an atmosphere of serenity and exclusivity. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples or relaxing under the open sky, every moment aboard Malouka captures the essence of the Nile’s enduring beauty.

  • Duration6 days / 5 nights
  • TypeDahabiya
Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Overview

Set sail on the Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise and experience the timeless charm of Egypt’s legendary river in refined comfort. Built in 2008, this elegant vessel combines traditional craftsmanship with modern amenities, offering ten spacious cabins that accommodate up to twenty guests. Larger than most dahabiyas, Malouka provides generous deck areas and panoramic views, creating an atmosphere of serenity and exclusivity. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples or relaxing under the open sky, every moment aboard Malouka captures the essence of the Nile’s enduring beauty.

Highlights

  • The Temple of Khnum at Esna on boarding day
  • El Kab's tombs and Edfu's great temple
  • Leisurely sailing and desert exploration
  • Gebel el-Silsila's temples and quarries
  • Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum before Aswan

Itinerary

  1. 1Arrival in Esna – Visit to Khnum Temple

    Your journey begins in Esna, a lively trading town located south of Luxor. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the crew and shown to your comfortable cabin aboard the Malouka Dahabiya. After settling in, take a guided walk through Esna’s bustling streets before descending to the Temple of Khnum, an ancient sanctuary situated nine meters below the current ground level. The temple’s intricate carvings and tranquil atmosphere offer a fascinating glimpse into Egypt’s spiritual past. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board in Esna

  2. 2El Kab – Tombs and the Temple of Horus at Edfu

    After breakfast, the dahabiya sails toward El Kab, once the capital of Upper Egypt. Walk through a small riverside village to reach the rock-cut tombs and the temple dedicated to the goddess Nekhbet. Your guide will share stories of the site’s ancient significance. Later, continue to Edfu, where a horse-drawn carriage takes you to the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved monuments. Return to the boat and sail toward a peaceful island to anchor for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board near Edfu

  3. 3Leisurely Sailing and Desert Exploration

    Spend the morning enjoying the calm rhythm of the Nile as the dahabiya glides through scenic landscapes. You may take an optional early walk before breakfast. Later, stop at a quiet island for swimming or a gentle stroll. In the afternoon, follow an ancient desert path marked with prehistoric carvings and hieroglyphs that once guided travelers toward Libya. As evening falls, the boat anchors beneath the softly lit Temple of Gebel el Silsileh, creating a magical setting for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board near Gebel el Silsileh

  4. 4Gebel el Silsileh – Temples and Quarries

    Awaken to the dramatic cliffs of Gebel el Silsileh, where the Nile narrows between towering sandstone walls. This site, rarely visited by large cruise ships, offers a unique opportunity to explore the rock-cut temple of Horemheb and the ancient quarries that supplied stone for Egypt’s grand temples. After your visit, continue sailing along the river, stopping for lunch and perhaps a refreshing swim in a secluded spot surrounded by nature’s tranquility. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board en route to Kom Ombo

  5. 5Kom Ombo – Temple of Sobek and Crocodile Museum

    Enjoy a relaxed morning sail to Kom Ombo, beautifully positioned on a curve of the Nile. Disembark to explore the twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon-headed deity. Admire the detailed reliefs and inscriptions that decorate the walls. Continue to the nearby Crocodile Museum, where mummified crocodiles and ancient artifacts reveal the region’s fascinating religious traditions. Return to the dahabiya for your final evening on the river. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: On board near Kom Ombo

  6. 6Arrival and Disembarkation in Aswan

    As dawn breaks, the Malouka Dahabiya glides into Aswan, where the golden desert meets the Nile’s deep blue waters. Enjoy your last breakfast on board before disembarking. You will then be transferred to your next destination in Aswan, marking the end of your unforgettable Nile journey. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Disembarkation

What’s included

  • Meet and assist upon arrival at the airport or railway station
  • Accommodation on board on a full-board basis
  • Professional tour guide fluent in English, Portuguese, German, or Spanish
  • All sightseeing tours conducted privately
  • Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water during excursions
  • All transfers in a private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Not included

  • Optional excursions
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping

How booking works

  1. Send your dates

    Use the enquiry form with your travel dates and how many people are coming. Nothing is charged and nothing is held at this point.

  2. We reply with a plan

    You get a written itinerary and a full price back — what is included, what is not, and what the alternatives are if a date or a hotel does not work.

  3. You change what you want

    Go back and forth as many times as you need. The itinerary is not fixed until you say it is.

  4. Confirm and travel

    Once the plan is right, we confirm the bookings and send you the final documents with your guide and driver details.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise?

6 days and 5 nights in total, counted from your arrival day to your departure day.

Is there a day-by-day itinerary?

Yes — 6 days are written out above, with what you see and where you sleep on each one. Every day can be changed before you book.

How much does Malouka Dahabiya Nile Cruise cost?

It starts at $2,049 per person. The final price depends on your dates, your group size and the hotel level you choose, so we quote it for your specific trip rather than selling a fixed package.

What is included in the price?

8 things are included, listed in full above. In short: meet and assist upon arrival at the airport or railway station; accommodation on board on a full-board basis; professional tour guide fluent in english, portuguese, german, or spanish; all sightseeing tours conducted privately, and more.

What is not included?

The exclusions are listed above in full. The main ones are optional excursions; personal expenses; tipping. Ask us before you book if you want any of them added — most of them can be.

Can this trip be changed?

Yes. Nothing on this page is fixed. Days can be added or dropped, sites swapped, hotels moved up or down, and the whole route rebuilt around what you actually want to see.

What to pack

Clothing

  • Loose cotton or linen — it is hot in the sun and cold on the water after dark
  • A light long-sleeved layer for evenings and for sun cover at open sites
  • Shoulders and knees covered for mosques and churches; a scarf for women at mosques
  • One warm layer between November and February — desert nights drop sharply

Feet

  • Closed walking shoes you have already broken in — temple ground is uneven stone and sand
  • Sandals or slip-ons for the boat and the hotel

Sun and heat

  • A wide-brimmed hat — there is almost no shade at Giza, Karnak or Abu Simbel
  • High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Sunglasses
  • A refillable water bottle

For the Nile boat

  • Swimwear — most cruise boats have a sun deck pool
  • A light windproof layer for the top deck while sailing
  • Motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive, though the river is calm

Practical

  • A universal adapter — Egypt uses European two-pin type C and F sockets at 220V
  • Any medication you take, in its original packaging
  • Small notes in local currency for tips and small purchases
  • A power bank — you will be off a socket for most of each day

Gallery

The Temple of Khnum at Esna — view 2The Temple of Horus at Edfu — view 6The Nile River — view 7The Temple of Kom Ombo — view 8Felucca Sailing on the Nile — view 2

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