Felucca Sailing (Hourly and Multi-Day)

Egypt's traditional wooden sailboat, hired for an hour at sunset in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan, or for a simple two or three day camping voyage.

The felucca is the open wooden sailboat with a tall, angled sail that has worked the Nile for centuries. You can sail on one for an hour or for several days, and it is one of the simplest pleasures of a trip to Egypt.

Hourly felucca rides

In Aswan, Luxor and Cairo, feluccas wait at landings along the Corniche. An hour or two at sunset is the classic choice.

• Aswan: the most scenic setting, sailing among granite boulders around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island, often with a stop at a Nubian village.
• Luxor: wide river views with the Theban hills on the West Bank, sometimes landing at Banana Island.
• Cairo: a relaxed break from the city, with the skyline, Cairo Tower and Zamalek gliding past.

Prices are per boat, not per person, and are negotiable; agree the price, duration and route before boarding.

Multi-day felucca trips

Feluccas also sail downstream from Aswan for 2 to 3 nights, usually to Kom Ombo or Edfu, from where you continue by road to Luxor. Passengers sleep on deck on mattresses under the sails, and the crew cooks simple Egyptian meals. There are no cabins or private bathrooms, and toilet stops are made on the riverbank.

Tips

Book multi-day trips through a reputable agency or your hotel, and make sure the boat has the necessary police registration. Bring a sleeping bag in winter, as nights on the river are cold. Sun protection is essential year round.

Last checked October 2026. Prices are rough guides and change by season and operator; book with a licensed operator. Sources: en.wikipedia.org.