Nile sailing and balloon rides

Sailing on the Nile is the slowest and most relaxing way to see the river. For a large cruise ship between Luxor and Aswan, see our Nile cruises section. This page covers the smaller and more traditional options.

Felucca rides

Feluccas are traditional wooden sailing boats with a single large sail. You can hire one by the hour almost anywhere on the riverside:

• Aswan is the best place for it. An hour or two around Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s (Botanical) Island and the granite rocks of the First Cataract is especially lovely at sunset.
• Luxor has feluccas moored along the Corniche, for short sails to Banana Island or at sunset.
• Cairo has boats along the Corniche in Garden City and near the Four Seasons hotels, with evening sails popular with locals.

Multi-day felucca trips usually start in Aswan and sail north for one to three nights towards Kom Ombo or Edfu. You sleep on deck under the stars on mattresses, the crew cooks, and facilities are basic, so there is no private bathroom. Book through a reputable agency or your hotel instead of a touting boatman. Agree in advance what is included (food, water, blankets, the transfer back), the route and the number of nights. Hourly rates are set per boat, so agree the price and duration before you board.

Dahabiya cruises

A dahabiya is a larger two-masted sailing boat with a handful of cabins, usually 6 to 12, each with its own bathroom. Most sail between Esna (near Luxor) and Aswan over four to six nights. They stop at Edfu, Kom Ombo and smaller sites that the big ships miss, and they moor at quiet islands overnight. Departures run mainly from autumn to spring. Dahabiyas cost more than a standard cruise ship but are much more personal, so ask each operator for prices.

Hot-air balloons over Luxor

Balloons take off at dawn on the West Bank and drift over the Valley of the Kings area, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and the green fields beside the Nile. Flights usually last 40 to 60 minutes, with hotel pick-up around 4 to 5 am.

The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) licenses balloon operators and pilots and supervises flights. Its officials check wind conditions before take-off and can cancel flights for the day. Flights are also suspended at times, including during the hottest part of summer in recent years. Choose an established, licensed company, ask about pilot experience and insurance, and listen to the landing safety briefing. Your flight may be moved or cancelled because of the weather, so book it early in your stay in Luxor.

Evening boats in Cairo

Dinner cruises leave from the Nile banks in central Cairo and Giza most evenings. They typically include a buffet, live music and a tanoura (whirling) or belly-dance show. Quieter options include a private felucca or motorboat at sunset. Ask the operator about current timings, dress code and what the price includes.

Tips

• Bring a warm layer for dawn and evening trips from November to February.
• Life jackets should be on board, so ask to see them.
• Tipping the crew is customary on multi-day trips.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: gov.uk, egypttoday.com, egypttoday.com.