On the Nile in Royal Style Feluccas or Dahabiyas are the traditional sailing vessel of much of the Mediterranean world, and the traditional Nile felucca, or Dahabia, was the mainstay of travel in ancient Egypt.

With shallow drafts, sails, and oars, feluccas could navigate not only the great river, but the maze of canals threading through its banks, with or without wind, reaching every part of the kingdom.

Dahabbiyas / Feluccas long ago transcended their role as humble transports. They held the ancient empire together, carrying troops, decrees, and the very mystery of the pharaoh.

Sample Cabin on board the Dongola
Royal Dahabiya

The dahabeya was built in approximately 1835, used by Egypt former royal families and later on celebrities of the 1950's era for pleasure trips. Because of its being painted in gold the Dongola and similar boats were called 'dahabeya' which means 'Golden Boat'.

Sailing on a dahabeya means exploring the Nile in a traditional style being able to enjoy visits of some unique places and monuments unattainable by modern cruise ships. Other memorable experiences are the BBQ on isolated islands or joining the 'chef' for green-grocery shopping in rural markets and villages.

Along the way, we moor on un-inhabited Nile islands, whose virgin landscapes have hardly changed throughout millennia. Wandering the gardens and Nile islands is an idyllic pastime, and the perfect compliment to your visits to Egypt 's matchless monuments.

The Dahabbiyas are beautifully crafted wooden ships, outfitted in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches. The interiors boast period furnishing, and each cabin has its own distinct style and interior .

Rate Includes:

Start Weekly on Saturday:
The program starts every Saturday in either Luxor or Aswan, and the journey lasts seven nights.

The trip includes visits to sites in ancient Thebes (the Valley's of the Kings and Queens), the Luxor and Karnak temples, as well as Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Entrance fees for the monuments are all inclusive.

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 a king or a Pharaoh !

The Dongola offers five cabins for a maximum of ten guests: The 'Kings Suite' in the stern, two 'Prince Cabins' all with private bathroom and two 'Senior Cabins' sharing one bathroom. All are double cabins with king size beds, eiderdown duvets and opening windows.

Facilities
The boat features a combination of nostalgic atmosphere and modern comfort, a pleasant place to relax and to enjoy the peace and silence. The salon is the perfect meeting place and sometimes, in cold winter days, dinner is served here. For relaxing and enjoying the passing landscape the sun deck is the place, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.

Technical Data
Two masts flat bottom yacht. Length: 34,5 meter, draught 0.6 meter, 20 meter long sun deck, 12.5 meter main mast with 24 meter boom and 360 square meter sail, stern mast 9,5 meter with 16 meter boom and 140 square meter sail.
Dongola is NOT air-conditioned .

Egyptair & Domestic flights within Egypt :
Egyptair almost has a monopoly over the domestic flight market in Egypt, a state run airline.
Egyptair flights are subject to : overbooking, last minute changes and / or cancellation.
Your local rep. will always be with you to ensure that you board your flight, in case there is a last minute problem with Egyptair, rest assured that our local rep. will always be there until you board your flight or an alternative one . We are not responsible for any last minute delays and or changes by Egypt.