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Home Our Vessels Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau - A Dahabiya

Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau – A Dahabiya

  • Traditional Yacht
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Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau is a traditional dahabiya, a river-going sailboat which was common in Egypt in the 1920s-40s when aristocrats and sophisticated travellers loved to cruise the Nile in style.

With only four cabins and two suites, it can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests. Perfect for celebrations and family gatherings. Chartering a dahabiya offers the unique opportunity to tailor an Egypt cruise and each day’s sightseeing by offering an “a la carte” style touring itinerary.

Why we like Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau

This beautiful dahabiya is available as a private charter and offers a fully flexible itinerary with extremely comfortable accommodation. Being a smaller boat, it can access and dock at sites and areas that others cannot.

Cruises

Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau offers seven-night bespoke cruises between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction. The cruise does not operate in June or July.

Facilities on board Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau

There is a comfortable lounge, dining room and library. The beautiful upper deck has a luxurious Arabian themed sun deck with heated plunge pool and an opulently styled dining area. There is an entertainment schedule that can be adjusted to suit the interests of the guests. Expect a colourful galabeya part, with traditional dress and Arabic music. Lectures are scheduled by your Egyptologist guides and cookery lessons are available to learn some Egyptian recipes.

Activities on board Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau

Sightseeing and activities during a stay on board the Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau differ to most other cruises as it does not follow a set sightseeing itinerary but instead tailors the itinerary to suit the wishes of the guests on board.

Onboard experiences

  • Sightseeing
  • Guides/Guiding
  • Photographic
  • Charter a Boat
  • Multi-Generational
  • Great Journeys
  • On-board Experiences

Ideally suited for

  • Adventure Traveller
  • Family Gatherings

Ship Information

Cabins:6
Passengers:12
Children Policy:No Age Restriction
Download Deck Plan

Explore what's below deck

The Farouk Suite

The Farouk Suite is inspired by Egypt’s Royal era, seen in the furniture, décor and photographs on the walls, the centrepiece is an original hand-woven rug, a replica of a family letter sent by King Farouk to his mother. Guests in the Farouk Suite will be spoilt by a bathtub and jacuzzi.

The Napoleon Suite

The Napoleon Suite reflects Egypt’s influential Napoleonic era. A drawing of the route his forces took through Egypt spreads across the suite walls and the suite features a four-poster bed.

Cabins (4) (Standard Cabins (4))

Each of the four additional cabins is decorated in its own original style with influences drawn from Egypt’s history, culture and geography. All cabins are fitted with luxurious amenities, modern bathrooms, showers, air-conditioning with individual control and equipped with minibar and LCD television (with information channel.) There is international telephone access is available in cabins. There is an auto wakeup call service for guests.

Alternative boats

Our travel experts have years of knowledge and between them and have personally inspected or travelled on board many of the boats we offer.

Nile Cruises

Sanctuary Sun Boat III

  • Traditional Yacht
  • £££££
Sanctuary Sun Boat III, Nile & Lake Nasser Cruises, Egypt
View Boat
Nile Cruises

Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau – A Dahabiya

  • Traditional Yacht
  • £££££
View Boat
Nile Cruises

The Oberoi Zahra

  • Traditional Yacht
  • £££££
Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise, Egypt
View Boat
Nile Cruises

Sanctuary Nile Adventurer

  • Traditional Yacht
  • £££££
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, Nile & Lake Nasser Cruises, Egypt
View Boat

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Very satisfied with all aspects of our trip. Steppes kept us fully informed of the progress of the arrangements and gave us various choices of hotels.

Nick

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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Why Steppes

Featured in the press

Vessel Ice Rating Comparison Chart.

We use the Llyod Register scale to signify the ice rating of our vessels but you can see how that scale aligns with other scales in the chart below.

Mame / Country of Register

Ice thickness (cm)

10 15 30 50

Ice thickness (cm)

lowest   highest
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super
Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super