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Sail in a Felucca on the Nile, Luxor

  • Luxor, Upper Egypt, Egypt

Last updated: 31 July, 2024

One of the best ways to experience the magic of the Nile – and to see a glimpse of the authentic Egypt away from the tourist trail – is to go sailing in a traditional felucca (sailing boat).

Sit back on cushions as the single sail guides you upriver alongside farmland and villages, past grazing water buffaloes and camels – landscapes unchanged for thousands of years. Boatmen will offer drinks and may sing with drums.

Logistics

Price from: £6
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Hire a boat opposite the Sofitel Winter Palace, or near the ferry landing on the West Bank. Rent by the hour and arrange the price and duration with the boat captain. Baksheesh (tips) will be expected at the end. Take your own drinks and snacks.

Or ask your hotel to arrange your felucca – you pay more but get a fixed price. Some agencies (Abercrombie & Kent) and hotels including the Hilton Luxor can arrange Champagne breakfasts or sunset cocktails onboard.

The river is broad in Luxor, and the East Bank heavily developed around Luxor city, so ask to go to the east side.

When to do it

Feluccas are available for hire all year round, at all times of the day. They are usually not allowed to sail at night.

Late afternoons are best, when the sun cools down and winds pick up, blowing off the desert. Avoid sweltering in the midday sun.

Avoid July and August, when it gets uncomfortably hot.

Who to go with: organised tours

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