Along the Nile

Fifty metres of her, two masts, twelve guests at most. Yalla Nile was drawn by Tarek Shamma and built out of the country she sails through — Brescia Fawakhir marble, alabaster, papyrus, parchment — with local artisans working kilim, khayameya tapestry and mashrabiya lattice the way those things have always been worked. Four junior suites and two large ones. She runs Luxor to Aswan under sail, so the river sets the pace: the Avenue of Sphinxes and the valleys to begin, the painted necropolis at El Kab and Horus at Edfu, the narrows and the old sandstone quarries at Gebel Silsileh, Sobek on his bend at Kom Ombo, and Isis on her island at the end. Her proceeds go, by her patron Nassef Sawiris, to Egyptian children's charities.

She sails, and sailing is not a timetable. Wind, water level and the authorities decide the day. Moorings change, routes change, and the master holds absolute discretion in matters of safety and navigation. Our itineraries are built with contingency; Travellers who arrive ready to enjoy what the river offers have a better week than those holding a printed schedule.

Twelve guests, and best taken whole. She suits a family, a celebration or a party travelling together. We confirm whether she is offered by the cabin at all before quoting — for most of our clients the answer should be the whole boat regardless.