Cairo Felucca Ride on the Nile

Start From $25

Duration1 Hour Sail
AvailabilityEvery Day
PickupYour Cairo or Giza hotel
Tour TypePrivate

Overview

Sail the Nile in the heart of Cairo on a traditional wooden felucca with a white cotton sail. We collect you from your Cairo or Giza hotel and drive you to a felucca dock on the Nile Corniche, where your captain is waiting with a private boat just for your group.

For an hour you drift past Gezira Island, Zamalek and the Cairo Tower while the noise of the city fades behind you. Most guests choose the hour before sunset, when the light turns gold over the river, but the felucca sails all day. It is an easy, relaxing way to end a day at the Pyramids or the museums.

Prices start at $25 per person, including the private felucca, your captain, hotel transfers and a soft drink. A longer sail, dinner on board or a stop at a riverside café can be added on request. Sailing in the south instead? See our Aswan felucca tour.

Itinerary

Hotel pickup. Your driver collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel at the time you choose. We suggest about 90 minutes before sunset.

Board your felucca. Meet your captain at the dock on the Nile Corniche and set sail on your private boat.

One hour on the Nile. Sail past Gezira Island, Zamalek and the Cairo Tower with a soft drink in hand while your captain works the sail.

Back to your hotel. Your driver takes you back to your hotel, or drops you at a restaurant in Zamalek or Downtown.

Tour Includes

Private felucca with captain for one hour, and hotel pickup and drop-off by private air-conditioned car
A soft drink and bottled water on board, plus all service charges and taxes

Tour Excludes

Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary
Entry Visa to Egypt.
Dinner, a longer sail and anything not listed above
Gratuities (optional )

Things to Know

Price Policy

All prices are in US dollars per person and depend on your travel dates, group size and hotel category. Every tour is private, so we prepare a quote for your own group. You can pay online through our secure payment gateway with no extra costs or surcharges.

Tour Voucher

After you book, we email your confirmation and tour voucher with all the contact numbers you need.

Tipping

Tipping is not included and is at your discretion.

Children Policy

Under 6 years free, 6 to 11 years 50% of the adult price, 12 years and over full price.

Cancellation Policy

100% refund if you cancel 60 or more days before arrival, 50% refund at 30 to 59 days, and free rebooking to new dates inside 30 days. Full details on our cancellation policy page.

Deposit and Payment

A 20% deposit by card confirms your booking (70% for groups of 20 or more). You pay the balance in Egypt.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend travel insurance. Our cancellation policy page lists the providers we trust.

Extra Expenses & Additional Entry Tickets

Not included unless listed: special entry tickets (such as inside a pyramid), visa fees, tips and personal expenses.

FAQs

Is it safe to sail on a traditional felucca, and what safety equipment is provided?

Yes. Feluccas on the Nile in Cairo are licensed boats sailed by experienced captains, and the river through the city is calm. Life jackets are on board, and children should stay seated.

What happens if there is no wind, or can the felucca use a motor?

The captain sails by the wind. On very calm days a small motorboat can tow the felucca, so your sail still goes ahead and you still get your full hour.

Is there a guide on board?

The felucca is crewed by your captain, not an Egyptologist. If you would like a guide, add the felucca to one of our Cairo day tours and your guide can join you on board.

What should I wear and bring for a felucca sailing experience?

Light clothes, sunglasses and a hat for daytime sails. On winter evenings the river gets cool, so bring a light jacket.

When is the best time to sail?

The hour before sunset, for the light and the cooler air. Morning sails are the quietest. The felucca sails every day of the year.

Is the felucca private?

Yes. The boat is yours for the hour, whether you are two people or a group of up to about ten.

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