Felucca on the Nile
A lateen-sailed boat, crewed by two or three people, with room for about ten
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour Nubian Village & Felucca Day Tour in Aswan
A private half day on the water and on the west bank of Aswan: a felucca across the Nile, then a walk through a Nubian village with your guide.
- Duration
- About 4 hours
- Where
- Nile at Aswan and Gharb Soheil, west bank
- Pick-up
- Hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan
- Language
- English (other languages on request)
From, per person$506 or more travellers
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
About this tour
This tour is about people, not pharaohs. You cross the Nile in a felucca, the wooden sailboat that has carried passengers on this river for centuries, and land on the west bank at Gharb Soheil, a Nubian community on a sandy slope above the water. The village was founded about a century ago, when the old Aswan Dam was built.
Your guide gives the background as you walk: why Nubian families moved, what the High Dam took from them in the 1960s, and which language they speak at home. Where a host family is available, you stop for tea in a house. There are no ticketed monuments on this tour, so it works as a calm second day after a heavy sightseeing one.
It suits couples, families with older children and anyone who prefers slow travel. It does not suit travellers who want to tick off temples, or anyone who cannot step into and out of a small boat. The felucca depends on wind, so the crossing can be quick or slow.
Gharb Soheil
A Nubian village on the west bank, reached only by water
Nubian houses
Painted fronts and decorated gates, as found across Nubian settlements
Tea with a family
When a host is available, in a Nubian home
Mausoleum of Aga Khan
Seen from the river, pink limestone with a large central dome
How the day runs
- 1
AfternoonPickup and the felucca landing
Your guide meets you and drives you to the Corniche, where the feluccas tie up along the east bank. You meet the crew and settle in. The boat is private to your group. We confirm the pickup time for your date when you book.
- 2
AfternoonSailing past Elephantine
The boat moves upstream along the east bank. Elephantine Island, the long island in front of the city, slides past, and your guide points out the ruins at its southern end. Nubian families also live in three villages in the middle of the island. Ask your guide how they differ from the one you are about to visit.
- 3
Mid-afternoonCrossing to the west bank
The boat turns west toward the hill above the river. On the high point you see the Mausoleum of Aga Khan III, finished in 1960. The interior has been closed to the public since 1997, so the river is where you see it from. If the wind drops, the crossing takes longer, and your guide uses the time to talk.
- 4
Late afternoonWalking through Gharb Soheil
You land on a sandy slope. The village is reached only by boat. Houses here are usually plastered and painted in strong colours, and many have an ornate gate and a courtyard. Your guide explains the painted motifs on the walls and where the people of Gharb Soheil came from. Nubians in Egypt speak Nubian languages at home, including Kenzi and Nobiin, and most also speak Arabic.
- 5
Late afternoonTea in a Nubian home
When a host family is available, you stop for tea or coffee in a family house. Henna painting and local handicrafts are sometimes on offer, and anything you want to buy is your choice and your cost. The pace here is yours. We confirm what the visit includes for your date when you book.
- 6
Before duskSail back
The crew sails or motors back to the east bank, depending on wind and light. The car meets you at the landing and takes you back to your hotel or ship.
How much does this tour cost?
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $80 |
| 2 travellers | $65 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $55 |
| 6 or more travellers | $50 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included.
What’s included
Included
- Pickup and return from your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan
- Private felucca with crew for your group
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Private vehicle
- Bottled water, taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tips for the crew, the guide and the host family
- Henna, crafts and other purchases in the village
- Any camel ride, if offered on your date
Booking policies
Important information
Be respectful
Gharb Soheil is a place where people live. Ask before you photograph a person or step into a courtyard, and cover your shoulders and knees. Your guide will tell you where photographs are welcome.
Sun and wind
The felucca has little shade and the wind can change fast. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a light layer for the water. Average highs in Aswan are above 40 °C from June to September.
Getting into the boat
Boarding means a short step over a gap and onto a low deck. Tell us in advance if you have limited mobility. The village slope is sandy and uneven.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Know before you go
Start early
Pickup around 8:00 gets you to the pyramids before the heat and the coach groups.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, expect sand, steps and uneven ground.
Extra tickets
Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional ticket bought on the day.
Photos
Photos are free outdoors; some tombs charge for cameras. Drones are not allowed.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
Is this a real village or a show?
People live in the houses and keep their own customs. Visits are arranged with host families, and the village continues its life around you.
What is a felucca?
A traditional wooden sailboat with a single sail, or two lateen sails on the Nile. It is still used for transport in Aswan and Luxor, and carries about ten passengers with a crew of two or three.
Why are there Nubian villages around Aswan?
The Aswan dams flooded much of Lower Nubia, and about 100,000 to 120,000 people were resettled after the High Dam. Some Nubian families live in villages like Gharb Soheil, others were moved to settlements near Kom Ombo.
Does this tour include any temples or museums?
No. The only monument you see up close is the ruins area on Elephantine from the water. For ticketed sites, combine it with Philae or the Aswan city tour on another day.
Make it a trip
Packages that pass through the same places
Honeymoon Egypt Packages 8 days / 7 nights Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
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Luxury Egypt Tours 8 days / 7 nights Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
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Classic Egypt Tours 9 days / 8 nights Alexandria · Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
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Cairo, one night on the Mediterranean in Alexandria, then 3 nights on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Two domestic flights.
- 3 nights Aswan to Luxor, full board
- Private vehicle, two domestic flights, Nile cruise
Before you go
Guides for this trip
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