The Vessel
A dream on the Nile.
Built in the tradition of the great dahabiyas of the nineteenth century — and quietly reimagined for the modern traveller.
GAÏA, an authentic dahabiya on the Nile.
Long before steamers, the dahabiya carried princes and poets along the Nile. Two sails, no engine in motion, a cabin of carved wood — the slow rhythm of the wind shaping the day.
Gaïa is built in this exact lineage. Forty metres of cedar, brass and linen, drawn by hand from the river's own valley. Modern in comfort, ancient in spirit.
Spaces & services aboard.
Upper Deck Lounge
Panoramic sunsets on the Nile, plush sofas, white wine in hand and the river breeze for company — the soul of slow afternoons aboard.
The Pool
A 4.9 × 3.5 metre pool framed by teak loungers and parasols, refreshed by the river's quiet — and the attentive service of our crew.
The Dining Room
An elegant interior of natural wood and calming hues, with panoramic Nile views from every angle. Authentic Egyptian cuisine, served as a feast for the senses.
Al-Fresco Terrace
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the upper-deck terrace — chic and unhurried — or a signature spritz at the bar as the sun dips below the palms.
Bar & Library
A small library of Egyptology, oud and chamber music in the evenings, and a bar for evening rituals beneath the stars.
Lift on Board
Gaïa is fitted with a lift connecting the decks — designed for the comfort of every guest, including travellers with reduced mobility.
A long, low banquette — and the river, always in view.
Cream linen cushions and ikat pillows woven in the workshops of Cairo. Teak side-tables holding green Aswan glass. The Nile, the desert, the slow turning of the day — framed from a single, generous lounge.
In figures.
- Dimensions
- 47.5 × 8 metres
- Composition
- Steel hull, cedar joinery
- Sails
- Twin lateen
- Cabins
- 8 (4 Cabins · 4 Suites)
- Cabin size
- 16 m² · Suites 20 m²
- Guests
- 16, at most
- Decks
- Three
By the hands of the valley.
Every textile, every vessel, every plank of the Gaïa was made within Egypt. We have chosen materials that age gracefully — cedar and native timbers that warm, brass that patinas, linen that softens with each wash.
A house upon the water,
held with care.
Every voyage aboard the Gaïa is shaped by hand — a romantic dinner under the stars, a private exploration of Egypt's ancient wonders, an immersive wander through a craftsman's workshop. We bring you the essence of each place we cross.
Owned and operated by Magic Travels — a family house founded in 1985 with operations across the Middle East — Gaïa is the natural extension of forty years of quiet excellence, now devoted to the timeless current of the Nile.
From Luxor to Aswan, every detail of your time aboard is crafted to exceed what you imagined possible — a journey that is at once seamless, personal, and extraordinary.
Four convictions,
one quiet philosophy.
Excellence
From the moment you step aboard to the most quietly considered excursion, every detail is shaped for a single end: a journey that exceeds what you imagined of the Nile.
Passion
A devotion to Egypt and its timeless wonders. We share the rich tapestry of the Nile valley — its history, its culture, its beauty — through the choices that compose every day on board.
Authenticity
Curated journeys grounded in genuine local immersion. Expert-led visits, encounters with the valley's own artisans and farmers, memories that endure long after the river is left behind.
Sustainability
A commitment to responsible travel — minimising our footprint, working hand-in-hand with local communities, and preserving the splendour of the Nile for the travellers of tomorrow.
Step aboard.
A private viewing of the boat, in Luxor or Aswan, may be arranged for guests considering a journey.