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Luxury Nile River Cruise

Lazuli Fleet Nile Cruises

Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt
Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt
Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt
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Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt

Highlights

  • Authentic Dahabiya design: Lazuli’s fleet of nine Dahabiyas faithfully replicate 19th-century sailboats, preserving the elegance, simplicity, and comfort of the original vessels.
  • Exclusive access to hidden sites: Lazuli visits lesser-known temples and tombs like El Kaab and Horemheb, as well as iconic sites such as Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, often avoiding peak visiting times.
  • Private or small group charters: Dahabiya’s can be fully privatised for families, couples, or friends, or shared with a select few.
  • Village encounters: Stroll through riverside villages, explore local markets and palm groves, meet fishermen and farmers, and share simple moments like exchanging books and colours with children.
  • Cultural and culinary highlights: Enjoy traditional fishing with local fishermen and candlelit dinners or barbecues (Meshwi) on Nile islands, for unforgettable evenings under the stars.
  • Sails of Knowledge initiative: Each stop supports local education by distributing books, notebooks, and colouring supplies to children in Upper Egypt.
Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt

Features

  • Constructed: The fleet of nine Lazuli Dahabiyas was launched on the Nile in 2001 by Wally Aziz, an Egyptian entrepreneur and former Egyptologist guide with a passion for sharing Egypt’s rich heritage.
  • Capacity: Each boat offers an intimate cruising experience with just 5 to 10 cabins, accommodating between 10 and 20 guests. Cabins can be booked individually, or the entire boat can be privately chartered for families or groups of friends.
  • Guides: Specialised Egyptologists accompany each journey, offering deep insights into Egypt’s history, culture, and landmarks during guided excursions to ancient sites.
  • Crew: A dedicated crew, including a skilled captain, butlers, and talented chefs, ensures a high level of personalised service throughout the voyage.
  • Speed: While the Dahabiyas are traditionally wind-powered, motorboat assistance is available to maintain progress during periods of low wind.
  • Size: Each Dahabiya varies in size, offering its own unique layout and character depending on the vessel.
  • Restaurants: Dining onboard is a highlight, with beautifully prepared Egyptian, Mediterranean, and international dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
  • Itinerary: The Lazuli Dahabiyas follow unique cultural routes that access smaller, lesser-visited temples and tombs inaccessible to larger ships.

Country Highlights

Luxor - Esna - El Hegz

Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Day 1

Begin the day with a morning visit to Karnak Temple, an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, pylons, and soaring columns, built and expanded over more than a thousand years. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial site of Pharaohs, where grand tombs are carved deep into the desert cliffs. After the visit, transfer to Esna and board the elegant Lazuli Dahabiya, a traditional sailboat with graceful lateen sails. Enjoy your first lunch on board as you begin cruising towards El-Hegz, taking in the peaceful scenery along the Nile.

El Kaab - Edfu - Fawaza

Edfu Temple, Egypt

Day 2

Sail to El-Kaab, once an important ancient city, to explore the tombs of its former governors and the ruins of a temple where Hathor and Horus were believed to meet. Continue cruising to Edfu with lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples and a grand example of late monumental architecture. The temple dominates the west bank, surrounded by the lively town of Edfu, known today for its sugar and pottery industries.

Bassaw - Djebel Silsila - Beshir

Lazuli, Nile Cruise, Egypt

Day 3

Enjoy breakfast while cruising to Bassaw, a peaceful fishing village untouched by tourism, offering an authentic glimpse into local life. Here, you may have the chance to experience traditional fishing techniques once used by the ancient Egyptians. Continue sailing to Djebel Silsila, where you’ll visit the Speos of Horemheb, a rock-cut chapel dedicated to Pharaoh Horemheb and the crocodile god Sobek. Explore the temple remains and the ancient sandstone quarries that once supplied stone for Egypt’s great monuments.

Kom Ombo - Herdiab

Kom Ombu Temple, Egypt

Day 4

Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two gods—Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. Perched on a bend of the Nile, this Ptolemaic-era temple once overlooked a riverbank where sacred crocodiles basked in the sun. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Herdiab Village, one of the oldest settlements along the Nile, where traditional farming practices are still preserved. The day ends with a final dinner on Herdiab Island.

Herdiab - Aswan

Aswan, Egypt

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast on Herdiab Beach, with the opportunity for a refreshing swim before continuing the final stretch of the cruise towards Aswan over lunch. Upon arrival, disembark from the Lazuli Dahabiya, marking the end of your Nile cruise. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Temple of Philae, once the centre of the cult of the goddess Isis. Carefully relocated by UNESCO between 1972 and 1980 to save it from the rising Nile waters, the temple’s romantic and majestic setting has captivated pilgrims and travellers for centuries.

Country Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

  • A dedicated Destination Expert who will curate your itinerary from scratch, tailoring it to your preferences + interests
  • Private + extraordinary under-the-radar experiences
  • Access to the very best guides + experts to bring the destination to life
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • The MyCazLoyd app to view your itinerary offline anywhere, anytime
  • 24/7 support whilst travelling
  • ATOL protection to give you total peace of mind

Good to know

What are the Dahabiya options with Lazuli?

All Lazuli Dahabiyas offer the same intimate, slow-paced journey, gliding along the Nile in comfort and timeless style. Each boat is unique, with subtle differences in design, cabin layout, and onboard atmosphere, making them perfect for couples, families, or small groups.

  • Roi Farouk: One of the flagship vessels, featuring four cabins and one suite. Elegantly designed to evoke the sacred boats of the pharaohs, perfect for a classic Nile journey.

  • Gordon Pacha: Offers a similar layout with standard cabins and a suite. Known for its warm, intimate ambience and richly detailed décor.

  • L’Orient: Slightly larger, with four cabins and two suites that share a balcony. Features a refined lounge and a library, ideal for those who enjoy a little extra space.

  • Albatros: Offers the classic Lazuli style with all comforts. A relaxed, beautifully crafted boat for serene river cruising.

  • Luxor: Twin-masted and inspired by ancient sacred barks, with space for ten guests including a suite with a private balcony.

  • Altesse: Elegant and intimate, this vessel mirrors Lazuli’s signature blend of simplicity and quiet luxury.

  • Karnak: Beautifully styled as a tribute to the Karnak temple, with the same layout and comforts as her sister vessels.

  • Abydos: A traditionally crafted, twin-masted boat that carries Lazuli’s hallmark blend of heritage and refined comfort.

  • Lotus: Also known as the Sacred Lotus, this dahabiya offers the same peaceful, signature Lazuli experience with elegant design and beautiful accommodations.

Are children welcome?

Yes, children are welcome aboard Lazuli Nile cruises. This luxury cruise is family-friendly and offers an environment where guests of all ages can enjoy their time. However, because of the calm and intimate atmosphere, it’s recommended to check with us for any specific policies or advice regarding young children, as well as the availability of child-friendly facilities or activities.

Sustainable travel

Lazuli, powered by the wind, embraces a strong commitment to sustainability and local community development throughout the cruise experience. Their “Sails of Knowledge” initiative brings joy and learning to children in Upper Egypt by gifting books, notebooks, and coloured pencils at each stop, fostering genuine connections between travellers and local communities. Guests also have the chance to experience traditional fishing, an ancient practice dating back to the Pharaohs that local fishermen still use today. By honouring local traditions, protecting the environment, and encouraging authentic interactions, Lazuli promotes sustainable tourism as a core value, ensuring that both the natural and cultural heritage of the Nile region are preserved for future generations.

Why we love the Lazuli

We love Lazuli because they check the schedules in advance to set off at different times than the bigger boats, helping you steer clear of the crowds. And since their boats are smaller, you get the chance to visit historic temples that larger vessels can’t access.

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Charlotte Winter

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Asia, Australasia and the Middle East

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Charlotte Winter