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Plan Your Journey

Everything you need
before you sail.

Seasons, inclusions, arrivals and honest answers — the practical side of a very unpractical pleasure.

When to go

October to April.

Oct – Nov

The golden opening

Warm days, the first cool nights, and the river at its fullest. Our favourite light of the year.

Dec – Jan

High season

Crisp mornings, perfect afternoons, starlit dinners. Books out first — reserve early.

Feb – Apr

The long spring

Steadily warmer, quieter temples, and the north wind still fair for the sail south.

May to September we rest the boat — the summer Nile is for the fishes — with one exception: the August 2027 eclipse journey.

Plain sailing

What your journey includes.

Included

  • All meals and soft drinks aboard
  • The plunge pool and spa aboard
  • Every temple visit, entrance fees paid
  • An Egyptologist guide with every group
  • Transfers from Luxor or Aswan hotels & airports
  • Daily housekeeping and evening turndown
  • Crew of twelve for at most twenty-four guests

Not included

  • International flights (internal flights are included on the Cairo journeys)
  • Alcoholic drinks — from the bar, or bring your own with no corkage
  • Spa treatments and massages, by appointment
  • Gratuities, at your discretion
  • Travel insurance
Getting there

Two easy doors to the river.

Via Luxor (LXR)

Direct flights from Cairo and seasonal European routes. We collect you from any East Bank hotel or the airport and drive you to Esna, where the dahabiya moors — about an hour south.

Via Aswan (ASW)

For northbound journeys we meet you in Aswan — airport, station or hotel — and the river does the rest.

Before you ask

Questions, answered.

Is the dahabiya suitable for children?+
On private charters, absolutely — the crew adore young sailors. On shared sailings we welcome guests twelve and above, to keep the quiet everyone comes for.
Do I need to be steady on my feet?+
The boat barely moves under sail. A few temple sites involve uneven ground and some steps; tell us and we will pace the shore days around you.
What should I pack?+
Light layers, a warm evening layer for December–January, sun cover, and comfortable walking shoes. Laundry is done aboard.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?+
Yes — river-grade, fine for messages and mail. Many guests are glad when the signal fades between towns.
How do payments work?+
A deposit secures your dates after we confirm availability; the balance is due before sailing. Bank transfer or card — details with your quote.
How is a dahabiya different from a Nile cruise ship?+
A dahabiya carries twenty-four guests under sail; a cruise ship carries 150 to 300 under engine. The dahabiya moors against empty banks, reaches temples outside the busy hours and stops at places a large boat cannot. A cruise ship has a pool, a gym and a lower nightly rate. We have written the comparison out in full, including when a cruise ship is the better answer: https://nilespiritdahabiya.com/dahabiya-or-cruise-ship/
Reserve your dates

The practicalities end here.
The river begins.

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