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Nebyt Dahabiya on the Nile: 5-Night Sailboat Cruise
The Dahabiya Nebyt - 6 cabins only, 12 passengers maximum, 100% traditional sailing. A dahabiya nile cruise Esna→Aswan Nile cruise 5 nights in the privacy of a charming sailboat, exclusive stopovers at El-Kab, Gebel Silsila and Banana Island. Real Egypt trip without the crowds of big boats.
Reservation before D-90: −$150/couple · English-speaking Egyptologist guide included · Payment in 3 installments free of charge
Why Dahabiya Nebyt: The Secret of the Nile Initiates
When the large cruise ships pass in single file on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan with their 150 cabins and their industrial buffets, a handful of traditional Nile sailboat resumes traditional egypt veil forgotten: the dahabiyas. Two-masted, silent, elegant boats, they reconnect with the way the Victorian aristocracy discovered Egypt in the 19th century. A real Egypt charm cruise, far from the tourist fleets.
The nebyt dahabiya is one of the most confidential. Six cabins. Twelve travelers maximum. A staff/passenger ratio of one to one. Navigation esna aswan dahabiya pure sail as soon as the wind permits - zero engines, zero noise, only the chop of the Nile and the crunch of the ropes. It is the very definition of nil intimate navigation
Semelegantvoyage has negotiated preferential rates on the Nebyt: our base starts at $1,740per person for 5 nights full board, i.e. approximately 30% cheaper as the Nour el Nil “flagship” dahabeyas, for a qualitatively identical experience. For our most demanding customers, the Prestige package at $2,610includes a panoramic suite and the privatization of a day at El-Kab.
Standard Cabin
- Standard cabin lower deck, porthole
- 5 nights full board Esna→Aswan
- Edfu + Kom Ombo temple excursions
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Chef on board, Egyptian cuisine
- Luxor/Aswan Transfers
Superior Cabin
- Main deck upper cabin, large window
- All Essential Content
- El-Kab (provincial tombs) + Gebel Silsila
- Half day Banana Island to Aswan (felucca)
- Egyptian wine tasting at sunset
- Price most chosen by our customers
Panoramic Suite
- Panoramic suite with 180° Nile view
- All content Signature
- Privatization day El-Kab (tombs + desert)
- Private chef dinner on the star deck
- Traditional Egyptian massage on board
- Welcome bottle of champagne
💡 Early bird −$150/couple if booking at least 90 days before departure · Payment in 3 installments without fees from $1,460
Technical Sheet: The Dahabiya Nebyt in Detail
| Type | Traditional Dahabiya, 2 lateen masts, sail + auxiliary engine |
| Length | 52 meters |
| Width | 8 meters |
| Cabins | 6 cabins (4 standard 14m², 2 superior 18m²) - configuration dahabiya 6 cabins |
| Capacity | 12 passengers maximum (no additional groups) |
| Crew | 12 people (chef, butler, captain, mechanic, 4 sailors, 2 cabin crew, guide, hostess) |
| Bridges | Main deck (restaurant, library lounge) + upper deck (solarium, jacuzzi, bar) |
| Kitchen | Egyptian chef, revisited local cuisine, daily market products (Esna, Edfou, Kom Ombo) |
| Electricity | 220 V (European sockets), WiFi available for urban stopovers only |
| Itinerary | Esna → Edfu → Gebel Silsila → Kom Ombo → Daraw → Aswan (5 nights / 6 days) |
5 Nights Esna → Aswan Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1 - Embarkation at Esna, Passage of the Lock
Reception at Luxor airport, private transfer (60 min) to Esna. Boarding the Nebyt around 3 p.m. Welcome cocktail on the upper deck. Passage of theEsna lock, an emblematic operation which raises the boat by 8 meters. First dinner on board at sunset, presentation of the crew. Night moored on the Nile.
Day 2 - El-Kab: Provincial Pharaonic Tombs
Morning sailing (4 hours). Exclusive stopover at El-Kab - ancient Nekheb, city of the vulture goddess Nekhbet. Visit to the New Kingdom rock tombs (Ahmes son of Abana, Pahery) - without tourists, open specifically for you. Lunch on board. Afternoon navigation to Edfu. Dinner on board.
Day 3 - Edfu Temple and Gebel Silsila Quarries
Morning: visit to edfu temple (Horus) by carriage from the landing stage - the best preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt, 36 m pylons. Afternoon: resumption of navigation. Stopover at gebel silsila careers - immense quarries of ancient sandstone which supplied the stone to Karnak, Luxor and the Ramesseum. Rock steles of Ramesses II, Mineptah and Akhenaten. Night on board.
Day 4 - Kom Ombo and Daraw Nubian Market
Morning: double visit kom ombo temple - only Egyptian temple with a double sanctuary (Sobek the crocodile / Haroeris the falcon). Crocodile Museum (mummies). Navigation towards Daraw. Visit of Daraw camel market (Mondays, Thursdays) - the largest African market with Sudanese caravans. Lunch and dinner on board. Nubian musical entertainment evening on the bridge.
Day 5 - Sailing to Aswan, Banana Island
Full day of sailing to Aswan (approximately 50 km). Landscapes of date palms, Nubian villages on the banks, migratory birds. Stopover atbanana island aswan (Banana Island) by felucca from the boat - lush tropical garden, plantation of banana trees, mango trees, guava trees. Arrival in Aswan late in the afternoon. Captain's farewell dinner.
Day 6 - Disembarkation in Aswan
Breakfast on board. Disembarkation at 9 a.m. Transfer to your Aswan hotel, or directly to the airport, or continuation to Abu Simbel (option on quote). End of the Nebyt dahabiya cruise.
Nebyt vs Nour el Nil: What Bloggers Never Say
Nour el Nil (Meroe / Adelaide / Aswan) is THE media reference for the Dahabiya segment, popularized by the French magazines Le Figaro, Condé Nast Traveler and Voyage. Their prices: $2,530to $3,300per person for an experience comparable to Nebyt.
The dahabiya dahabiya boutique Nebyt, operated by Djed Egypt Travel (English-speaking operator with 22 years of expertise), offers exactly the same true luxury positioning with:
- ✅ 6 cabins vs 10 at Nour el Nil - even more intimate
- ✅ Same route Esna-Aswan 5 nights, same exclusive pharaonic stops
- ✅ Chef on board equivalent Egyptian cuisine
- ✅ English-speaking guide Egyptologist like Nour
- 💡 −30% to −40% on the final price thanks to our direct partnership
For what arbitration? The budget saved (between $780and $1,360/person) finances exactly one return flight from Paris to Luxor + 3 nights in Aswan at the Sofitel Old Cataract or an Abu Simbel extension.
Nebyt vs Classic Cruise Ships: The Honest Comparison
Large MS Boat (TUI/FRAM)
- 150 cabins, 300 passengers
- Motorized, noisy
- Industrial sideboards
- Grouped stopovers, crowds
- Price: $870- $1,750
- Profile: first trip, low budget
🏆 Dahabiya Nebyt (SEV)
- 6 cabins, 12 passengers
- 100% veil when possible
- Chef + market cuisine
- Exclusive stopovers (El-Kab, Gebel Silsila)
- Price: $1,740- $2,610
- Profile: slow travel, authenticity
Dahabeya Oberoi Zahra
- 27 cabins (too big for the label)
- Dominant motorization
- International cuisine
- Lux-mass tourist clientele
- Price: $3,690- $5,440
- Profile: 5★ floating hotel
What's Included in Your Nebyt Dahabiya Cruise
✅ Included in the Package
- 5 nights on board of the Nebyt dahabiya
- Full board - breakfasts, lunches, dinners, teas
- Welcome + English-speaking airport assistance
- Private transfers Luxor↔Esna and Aswan airport
- Temple excursions Edfu, Kom Ombo, El-Kab, Gebel Silsila
- Entrance to monuments and archaeological sites
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide during excursions
- Daraw Nubian Market (market day)
- Felucca Banana Island (Aswan)
- Unlimited mineral water, coffee, tea on board
- Nubian musical entertainment (evening day 4)
- Guide and crew gratuities
- Port taxes and Esna lock
- 24/7 WhatsApp support during your stay
❌ Not Included
- Your flight to Egypt (arrange independently before joining the cruise)
- Domestic flight Aswan → Cairo at journey's end (SEV arranges on request, approx. $90/pers)
- Egyptian Visa (US$25 on arrival)
- Alcoholic drinks on board (Egyptian wine list + Stella beer)
- Travel-cancellation insurance (recommended 3-5% of the price)
- Abu Simbel D+1 option from Aswan (+$210/pers)
- Cairo extension 3 nights (+$570/pers, upon quote)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Full privatization of Dahabiya (on group quote)
SEV Customer Testimonials - Nebyt Cruise
“We were hesitating between Nour el Nil and Nebyt. The SEV team convinced us with rare honesty: same itinerary, same level of service, −$1,170/couple. Verdict after 5 nights: he was right. 6 cabins, remarkable chef, absolute silence when the sail is hoisted. We used the economy to extend to Aswan. »
“Perfect honeymoon. Panoramic suite, welcome champagne, private chef's dinner on the star-studded deck - the Nebyt knows how to entertain. The Egyptologist guide in El-Kab opened the Ahmes and Pahery tombs for us alone: no tourists, something unthinkable in Luxor. Slow travel at its peak. »
“Third dahabiya in 8 years (after Nour el Nil × 2). Nebyt is more confidential and honestly equivalent in quality. The quality-price ratio is unrivaled. Gebel Silsila shocked me: standing at the foot of absolutely empty pharaonic quarries is the privilege of the dahabeyas. I recommend SEV with my eyes closed. »
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Nebyt Dahabiya Cruise
What exactly is a dahabiya?
A dahabiya (or dahabeya) is a traditional Egyptian two-masted sailing ship, used for navigation on the Nile since the 19th century. Modern dahabeyas have between 6 and 12 cabins compared to 120 to 150 cabins on an MS boat. The Nebyt dahabiya, with its 6 cabins and 12 passengers maximum, belongs to the boutique category.
Why choose Esna-Aswan rather than Luxor-Aswan?
The Esna lock requires a technical passage incompatible with the fleet of large MS boats which no longer pass through it. By boarding in Esna, the Nebyt sails on a much less busy section, with stopovers impossible elsewhere: El-Kab, Gebel Silsila. The atmosphere is radically more intimate.
When is the best season for Nebyt?
October to April is the ideal season (temperatures 22-28°C, clear skies). May to September are hot (35-42°C) but promotional prices −20%. December-February are the most popular months (end of year holidays, winter holidays); book 4 to 6 months in advance.
Are children accepted on board?
Yes, children aged 6 and over are welcome. As the Nebyt has a maximum capacity of 12 passengers, the atmosphere remains family but intimate. Children’s prices: −20% (6-12 years), −10% (12-18 years). Extra bed possible in parents cabin on request.
Is there WiFi on board?
WiFi only works during urban stopovers (Edfou, Kom Ombo, Aswan). In navigation, no signal: this is desired, to restore the disconnection. Passengers who need to be reachable can activate mobile roaming (correct 3G/4G coverage along the Nile).
What is the difference between Nebyt and Nour el Nil Meroe?
Nebyt: 6 cabins / 12 pax / 52 m / price $1,740-2,690. Meroe (Nour el Nil): 10 cabins / 20 pax / 60 m / price $2,530-3,400. Equivalent quality of service; Nebyt is more confidential and significantly more affordable thanks to the direct SEV partnership.
Can Nebyt be privatized for a group?
Yes, full privatization possible from $15,550(5 nights, up to 12 people). Ideal for birthdays, weddings, incentive seminars. We add on request: celebration on board, tailor-made menu, photographer, traditional musician. Contact us by WhatsApp.
Is the Nebyt suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Partially. Boarding, decks and access to the upper deck involve steps. The cabins are accessible but narrow. The archaeological sites (Edfou, Kom Ombo) have irregular surfaces. We do not recommend it for severe PMR; a case-by-case study is possible - contact us.
What should you wear on board?
On board: casual outfits, swimming suit for the upper deck jacuzzi, a shawl for the evenings (cool nights from December to February). For excursions: shoulders and knees covered (temples, Nubian market). For the captain's dinners (D1, D5): smart casual (trousers/shirt, simple dress).
How does the reservation and payment work?
Contact us by WhatsApp (+20 10 96569859). We send a personalized quote within 24 hours. Payment in 3 installments free of charge for any amount ≥ $1,460Visa/Mastercard, SEPA transfer, PayPal accepted. Flexible cancellation up to D-60.
Book Your Nebyt Dahabiya Cruise
Only 6 cabins, and we only sell part of the annual departures. To guarantee your dates, book 4 to 6 months in advance. Personalized quote within 24 hours, without obligation.
📱 WhatsApp - Quote in 24 hours 📧 Detailed formContinue Your Trip to Egypt with SEV
Other dahabeyas cruises, combined cruises and Egypt tours from Semelegantvoyage:
- The Nile in Dahabeya (6 days / 5 nights)
- Dahabiyas Nuun and Nuut - Prestige Collection
- 12 Days Tour Cairo → Marsa Alam
- Cairo + Nile Cruise + Hurghada 12 days
- Little Golden Program - Essential Egypt
- Nile cruise 7 days classic MS
- Luxor - Karnak, Valley of the Kings
- Aswan - Philae, Abu Simbel
- Cairo - Pyramids, GEM
- Discovery Tour 11 days (Cairo + Nile)
Semelegantvoyage - English-speaking agency based in Cairo since 2020. Direct partnership with the shipowner of the Dahabiya Nebyt (Djed Egypt Travel, 22 years of expertise). 24/7 WhatsApp support during your stay.
