Reference : What is A Dahabiya?
Also spelt dahabeeyah, dahabiah, dahabeah, dahabiyah and dhahabiyya, as well as dahabiyeh and dahabieh (Arabic ذهبية /ðahabīya/), is a passenger boat used on the River Nile in Egypt. The term is normally used to describe a shallow-bottomed, barge-like vessel with two or more sails. The vessels have been around in one form or another for thousands of years, with similar craft being depicted on the walls of the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. Indeed, the name derives from the Arabic word for “gold”, owing to similar, gilded state barges used by the Muslim rulers of Egypt in the Middle Ages.
These river-going sailboats were common in Egypt in the days of the monarchy (1920s-40s) when aristocrats and sophisticated travellers loved to cruise the Nile in style. They rented the boats for weeks at a time and made their way from temple to temple enjoying the river breeze using only the power of the wind to drift from one place to another.
The Dahabiya’s used long ago had four to ten cabins, (still the same today) bathrooms and a host of servants.( the crew of the dahabiya still go above and beyond to make your journey special). The dahabiya’s were popular amongst those who wished to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace, to drink in the landscapes, and peruse the monuments and villages on the riverbanks along the Nile Valley.
For today’s modern Tourists who want to experience Culture, History, Relaxation and Entertainment as they pass along The Nile Valley, there is no better way to do that than a Dahabiya cruise. The feeling of a connection with the past is never stronger than when one is sailing on the Nile on a traditional sailing boat
History
Until the 1870s the Dahabiya was the standard mode of transport for tourists to travel up and down the river Nile. According to Donald Reid, in 1858 “a forty-day round trip from Cairo to Luxor cost about £110 (prices in sterling as British were the power in Egypt at that time); a fifty-day trip to Aswan and back, about £150. However, Thomas Cook Ltd introduced the steamboat on the river and brought with them the know how to turn a three-month voyage into a 28-day sight-seeing tour. By 1900, as trains had started to compete with the steamboat, dahabiya’s were reserved only for the wealthiest leisure travellers.
Egypt and The Nile:
Get the feel of sailing down the longest river in the world, where the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs lived and built their Palaces and Mortuary Temple, life on The East, Death on the West,
There is not a cloud to be seen in the clear blue sky as you relax on deck. The shores are lined with mango trees, banana trees and date palms. The mountains of Thebes rise in the West behind a narrow fertile strip of soil along the shore.
When the temperatures rise to 40° in the summer, the river in Aswan is clear and tranquil and is an inviting place for a lovely refreshing swim.
Many visitors come to Egypt expressly to fulfil their dream of sailing the Nile. Most of them have been obliged to do this on large, fast-moving cruise boats, only visiting the most popular sites along the way in a rushed atmosphere and with large groups of mixed nationality tourists.
At Dahabiya Nile Sailing, we allow you to experience the Nile’s essence in a tranquil, relaxing setting. Relying on the soft river currents to help you traverse the Nile, your time on Board will transport you back in time to a gentler, more gracious era.
The Nile has inspired poets, painters and writers with good reason. The Nile, it’s Beauty, Elegance and sheer size has inspired many books, tv programs, films, Egypt illustrates humanity’s dependence on precious water and land resources like no other place on earth. The ancients struck the right balance, and in doing so created a great, enduring civilization. People come here to admire some of humanity’s greatest achievements, but they are rivalled by the beauty of their surrounding. With Dahabiya Nile Sailing we allow you to explore this natural sensation in all of her glory, in unforgettable ways.
Meet the people who depend on the lifeblood of the Nile, the farmers, the fishermen, the boatmen, the villagers along the way who still wash their clothes in the traditional way on rocks along the Nile.
Just relax Glide down the Nile in comfort and tranquillity in an elegant ship in traditional design, enjoy a landscape barely touched by time. Watch the spectacular sunsets sipping a drink on our private balcony. Lounge on the deck and read or just relax. Enjoy delicious European and Egyptian cuisine accompanied by quality wines. En route we stop at temples and tombs of pharaonic times, all in a relaxed atmosphere to suit the mood, you can virtually feel the spirituality of the ancient monuments.
Some say life doesn’t get much better!
Rules for travelling on the Nile- Protect The Environment
Preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the Nile valley is our special priority. We leave no garbage behind, and we ask our guests to follow our instructions. Bags are available for toilet paper and other articles of hygiene, which we dispose of. Cans are compacted, water bottles are collected. Organic waste is given to the villagers to compost
An example of one of Dahabiya Nile Sailings smaller Dahabiya cruise itineraries is below, the Nesma Dahabiya a 4 cabin boat that departs on a Monday, all cabins are en suite, ac units,and wifi
Itinerary:
5 Days – Luxor / Aswan Every Monday- pick up from a hotel in Luxor
Day 1
Visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, the ancient workmen village of Dier El Madina and the Colossi of Memnon.
The tour duration 5-6 hours.
Check-in for the Nile Cruise and Lunch on board.
Free afternoon.
Dinner and night stay in Luxor.
Day 2
Visit Karnak and Luxor temples.
Tour duration 3-4 hours
Lunch on board.
Sailing.
Cross Esna dam and Lock.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Galabia party.
Day 3
Visit Horus temple at Edfu.
Tour duration of about 2 hours.
Lunch on board.
Sailing.
Visit Kom Ombo temple.
Tour duration of about 1 hour.
Dinner and overnight stay on board in Aswan.
Folk show on board.
Day 4
Visit Philae temple and the unfinished obelisk.
The tour duration 3 – 4 hours
Lunch on board.
A Visit to Elephantine Island archaeological site.
Walk through the Nubian Village.
A Felucca ride in the Nile River for 1 hour to view the following:
The Nobles tombs – Agha Khan Mausoleum – the Plantation Island and the Old Cataract hotel.
The tour duration 3 – 4 hours
Day 5
Check out.
Travel to Abu Simbel. About 3 hours’ drive (flights are possible)
Visit Abu Simbel temples.
Back to Aswan.
Included:
- Assist and transfer service upon arrival & departure.
- Accommodation on board 5 star Nile Dahabiya on all inclusive basis.(NO ALCOHOL is available to buy onboard)
- Assistance of our personnel during your stay and excursions
- All Nile Cruise excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All transfers by private deluxe air condition vehicle.
- English speaking guide during your tours. Other languages are available
- Entrance fees to the mentioned historical places.
- All service charges & taxes.
Excluded:
- Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary
- Gratuities for Nile Dahabiya Crew and Guides, drivers and operators
At night Your boat will moor on the riverbank at Luxor and Aswan. Our onboard chef is expert at preparing wholesome, appetizing Egyptian and international cuisines, while barbeques and picnics will be organized on the riverbanks and islands in the Nile. Your meals (starting with lunch upon embarkation and ending with breakfast at disembarkation) are all-inclusive, along with tea, coffee and soft drinks (NO ALCOHOL is served due to licensing restrictions). Passengers are, however, invited to bring their own alcoholic beverages and we’ll supply the mixers at no additional charge.
In addition to these historical sites, guests will visit less frequented monuments and enjoy field excursions to villages and open countryside. In short, we promise our guests a unique, tranquil journey on sailboats fit for you!
Dahabiya Nile Sailing is a subsidiary of Real Egypt.com- owned and operated by Samir Abbass- [email protected] or [email protected]
