8–9 hours
Cairo & GizaNew
Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis: Private Full Day
From
$15.75
per person
6+ people · Private car with driver only
Felucca Sail on the Nile — One Hour from Zamalek
The oldest boat on the river, an hour under sail
NewRef ECT-T1259 Instant confirmation
- Duration1 hour
- AvailabilityDaily
- Languages6 languages
- PickupHotel pickup included
- CancellationFree up to 24h
Overview
A felucca has no motor. The captain works a single lateen sail against the current, and for an hour the loudest thing aboard is water on the hull, which in a city of twenty million is a strange and welcome kind of quiet.
The boat is yours for the hour rather than a seat on somebody else's. Sit on the cushions at the bow and Cairo passes at walking pace: the Zamalek embankment, the Cairo Tower, the old houseboats moored along this stretch for the best part of a century. Tea is made on board and poured hot and sweet, the way it is everywhere else in Egypt.
Take the sunset departure if the timing works. The light comes down the river from the west, turns the water the colour of the desert, and the bridges start switching on behind you.
Highlights
- A private wooden felucca, not a shared seat
- No engine — sail and current only
- Egyptian tea made on board
- The Cairo Tower and the Zamalek houseboats from the water
- Sunset departures for the best light of the day
Itinerary
- Start
Arrive at the Zamalek mooring
Your captain meets you at the steps.
- 5 min
Cast off
The sail goes up and the noise of the city drops away behind you.
- 25 min
Tea on the water
Made on board and poured at the bow.
- 55 min
Back alongside
Returned to the same steps.
What's included
Included
- One hour of private felucca sailing
- Captain and crew
- Egyptian tea and bottled water
- All mooring and river fees
Not included
- Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal spending and souvenirs
- Tipping (entirely at your discretion)
Optional extras
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Oud player on board | $45per group |
| A second hour on the water | $12per group |
Meeting point & route
Free pickup and drop-off from your hotel, apartment or Nile cruise dock.
Meeting point: Your hotel lobby in the tour city.
Important information
- Wear comfortable closed shoes — most sites have uneven stone ground.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; shade is limited at open-air sites.
- Modest dress is required for mosques and churches: shoulders and knees covered.
- Photography is free at most sites; some tombs and museums charge a small camera fee.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations inside 24 hours are non-refundable, but we will always try to move your date instead.
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