{"id":30703,"date":"2018-11-15T06:30:06","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T19:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=30703"},"modified":"2024-09-20T23:53:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T13:53:23","slug":"felucca-or-riverboat-nile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/felucca-or-riverboat-nile\/","title":{"rendered":"Felucca vs. riverboat: How will you discover the Nile?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Travelling Egypt<\/a> without spending time on the Nile, would be like going to Italy<\/a> and not seeing the Colosseum or visiting Peru<\/a> and not stopping by Machu Picchu<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having said that deciding how to tackle this mighty beast can throw up all manner of questions. For instance, when\u2019s the best time to go? How long should I spend onboard? And, most frequently, do I choose a felucca or riverboat?<\/p>\n

To quickly address a couple of those queries, October<\/a> to April<\/a> is the best time to travel because it\u2019s not too hot (between 25-30\u00b0C), making temple pitstops much more pleasant. Also, on an Intrepid trip you can expect to spend a maximum of one night sleeping on a felucca, but three nights if choosing a cruise.<\/p>\n

That detail alone should give you some indication of what you\u2019d prefer. But, if you\u2019re still befuddled, don\u2019t worry, all will soon become clear as we help you to decipher the differences between these two river roving options.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THE LATEST OFFERS, NEWS AND TRAVEL TIPS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Option 1: Felucca<\/h3>\n
\"A<\/a>

Photo captured by Ryan Bolton<\/p><\/div>\n

Simply speaking, a felucca is a traditional Egyptian wooden boat with a canvas sail, but they do come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Aswan is the usual boarding point for felucca rides, although you can also hop on at Luxor. Once aboard you\u2019ll journey along the river between these two spots, but how far you travel is heavily dependent on the wind and water current.<\/p>\n

The felucca offers some welcome shade and protection from the sun (and other elements), but there are no cabins or enclosed areas. Passengers will sleep in the open air on a communal mattress for the night. You\u2019ll be provided with a blanket, but you may wish to bring a sleeping bag during the cooler months. It\u2019s worth mentioning that these can be rented locally, so you don\u2019t need to worry about lugging one all the way from home!<\/p>\n

RELATED: 7 EGYPTIAN EXPERIENCES EVERY TRAVELLER SHOULD HAVE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Your Nubian sailing crew, which tends to be made up of two sailors and a chef, will cook all the deliciously hearty meals you\u2019ll tuck into on your trip. Get ready to gorge yourself on local delicacies like foul (an Egyptian fava bean stew), falafel, hummus, pitta bread and more.<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a>

Photo captured by Ryan Bolton<\/p><\/div>\n

As well as sharing a sleeping space, which also triples up as your dining and relaxing space, you\u2019ll share a bathroom with your fellow passengers. On an Intrepid trip you\u2019ll have access to a proper Western-style toilet and a shower, the only felucca on the Nile to have one! Who says travelling this way has to be basic?<\/p>\n

Hints and tips<\/h4>\n

1. No shoes are allowed on deck to avoid contact with your sleeping mattress, so they\u2019re left in a basket at the front of the boat when boarding.<\/p>\n

2. Swimming is safe (and encouraged). The section of water between Aswan and Luxor is clean and taking a dip is a real highlight.<\/p>\n

3. You can enjoy a drink onboard, although these need to be ordered in advance. Please mention this to your guide and crew ahead of departure.<\/p>\n

4. We\u2019ve been working with the same felucca provider for 15 years and Captain Jamaica (or JJ to his friends) is a core part of the Intrepid family.<\/p>\n

Trips travelling by felucca<\/h4>\n