"DEATH ON THE NILE" CRUISE ON A DAHABIYA
"DEATH ON THE NILE" CRUISE ON A DAHABIYA
Cruising the River Nile on the beautiful Dahabiya Zahra feels just like stepping straight into a Agatha Christie novel. For those of you who may not have encountered this way of travelling on the Nile let me explain. The Zahra is a beautifully crafted vessel with just 6 cabins, all with en suite facilities. She is approx. 125 ft from stem to stern and 20 ft across. She is a replica of the boats that the aristocracy used to sail the Nile from the days of the Pharaoh's through to the start of the steam engine boats, really they were more like floating palaces. If the wind conditions are favourable they will use the sails to cruise along, however, if not they have an engine to get along. Beware some of the similar Dahabiyas have a tug boat that pulls them along, not such a pretty sight if you are trying to take photos!
You can either join her at Luxor and sail to Aswan or the reverse journey is also available. Our trip was from Luxor to Aswan. Also forget the notion of mooring up with lots of other Nile cruisers, the Zahra has her own mooring spots usually on their own island were they grow veg and flowers that they use on board, this makes for a much more peaceful and relaxing stay. You will visit Luxor/Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo and Aswan on this cruise. All admission fees are included in the price. You will also have a trained Egyptologist on board ours was called Maged and he really bought everything to life with his excellent knowledge and humour.
The jewel in the crown for me was the short flight to Abu Simbel. Built by Ramses 11 it is well worth the extra cost involved, especially when you consider that in the 1960's UNESCO lead a rescue operation whereby they moved it piece by piece to higher ground to prevent it being flooded and lost forever to Lake Nasser when the Aswan dam was created! The hieroglyphics and painting inside the temple are stunning and well preserved.
All meals are included on board Zahra, the food was delicious, fresh tasting and well cooked. Wine and beer are also included at meal times, pretty much any-time really!! Spirits are not available, however, you are welcome to take your own on board and they will supply mixers and ice for you to use. Imagine sipping a G&T while floating down the Nile watching the sun go down, it really doesn't get any better than that.
The crew of Zahra were all very friendly, nothing was too much trouble. They even organised 2 Birthday cakes and celebrations for 2 guests while we were on board. Both evenings were fantastic fun!
The crew also made sure that our schedule ran smoothly, breakfast at 8am ready to go ashore by 9am(very civilised), although this was November so the sun was not so hot in the day. This did mean that we quite often arrived at the sights when other boats had been and gone. Our guide accompanied us to all the sights, while trying to educate us, poor chap he really had his hands full with our group! When you arrive at the various sights you will find sellers trying to sell their wares, just ignore them and they will go away, it works brilliantly, they just go onto the next person.
Sailing on the Nile on a Dahabiya is the perfect way to see the sights along the way, there was no rush just a very gentle pace - there is so much happening on the water or on the banks, it is a hive of activity with people going about their daily lives, always smiling, waving and wanting to talk to you. Don't forget your camera, extra batteries and a pair of binoculars will come in very useful as the bird-life on the banks is stunning.
We left Zahra wishing we could stay on longer. We had made new friends on board, it felt more like being in a friends country house than on a cruise, we even stopped locking our cabins everything felt so safe and secure. I would love to go back on her one day, perhaps I might see you there xx
Please call me for more details of this trip 01455 213590 or email sue@designertravel.co.uk I would love to hear from you.
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