What is a Felucca Nile Cruise
A felucca is one of the most peaceful, relaxed and authentic ways to see the Egyptian beauty.
The felucca is a traditional wooden sailing vessel that was used many centuries ago and is powered by wind.
Compared to large cruise ships the feluccas sail in a relaxed and calm fashion. The relaxing pace of a felucca gives travelers the time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Nile. Compared to a motor vessel the journey will have an extremely serene atmosphere with the only noise being water, wind and your own. A felucca is a traditional mode of transport used on the Nile for hundreds of years where goods and people were transported between villages along the river.
They are a very popular way to visit the ancient wonders of Egypt, giving visitors the time to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of Egypt in a unique way and from an interesting perspective.
What to expect during a felucca Nile cruise
Felucca Nile Cruises allow travelers to take their time and enjoy the journey through Egypt.
The most common trips are either from Luxor or from Aswan.
In both cities skilled Egyptian captains guide the felucca through the beautiful stretches of the Nile with palm trees on the shores, small villages on the banks, barren desert and fertile farmlands. Since the felucca does not have an engine you will get to relax on cushions, talk, read, or simply marvel at the views as you drift past in the wind. Some of the Multi Day felucca cruises provide fresh and delicious meals on board and campers may stay overnight along the river banks to admire a night under the stars.
What are the top attractions you will get to see on a Felucca Nile cruise
You will get to experience many of Egypt’s historical treasures with a felucca Nile cruise. The most frequently passed sites include the impressive Elephantine Island, beautiful Kitchener’s island and the famous Aga Khan Mausoleum overlooking the Nile.
Your route will also often include visits to magnificent ancient sites such as the Kom Ombo Temple, which is located in the banks of the Nile, and the Edfu Temple. As you pass by you may also spot farmers in their fields, fishermen out in the water or children playing along the river banks of small communities on the shores of the Nile. The constant changes in scenery are an opportunity for many great photos!
Why should you pick a felucca instead of a huge Nile cruise ship
Large luxurious Nile cruise boats offer comfort and many facilities, but a Felucca Nile cruise offers a different type of vacation.
Due to the relaxed pace, visitors can fully enjoy their surroundings and have time for moments of tranquility that they can’t enjoy on board larger boats.
As the felucca doesn’t have a motor, it offers a silent experience where you get to hear all the sounds of nature. A felucca Nile cruise also typically accommodates a very limited number of people giving it a much more personal vibe where you will likely have many conversations with the Egyptian sailors and be exposed to the local culture. These tours are also far more environmentally friendly as the power of nature takes you on a magical voyage.
Why you shouldn’t leave Egypt without taking a Felucca Nile cruise
Sailing down the legendary Nile River on board of a traditional felucca is truly one of the best and authentic ways to travel in Egypt. While cruise ships will take you across the ancient waterway on a very structured and somewhat impersonal level, feluccas offer you the ability to disconnect, pace yourself, and immerse yourself in the country’s glorious past, picturesque scenery and living culture. Feluccas have been travelling the Nile for thousands of years carrying local fishermen, traders and villages before tourism reached this legendary land, and they still continue to this day providing travelers a chance to experience Egypt from one of the worlds best known rivers.
A Felucca Nile cruise is the perfect marriage of ancient history, dramatic landscape, culture, peace, and pure relaxation.
Experience the wind fill the sails and watch the landscape unfold from one of Egypt’s timeless vessels, glide over fertile land, past verdant banks, golden desert hills, and ancient Egyptian villages. Feel the timelessness as you watch Nile fishermen cast their nets, see local farmers at work and gaze upon lush palm trees lining the shore. Listen to the gentle murmur of the Nile water, the calls of birds and the soft hum of the sail, the only sounds around you on your relaxing journey. A significant reward of travelling on a Felucca Nile cruise comes from watching the scenery throughout the day, from the softly golden early mornings reflected in the water, through to the bright greens and blues of the riverbanks and desert that dominate afternoons, to the spectacular display of reds and golds that accompany the setting sun.
It’s this incredible vision as you watch the sun sink slowly towards the western desert that you will, I’m sure, treasure for years to come.