ashwinb

How much would a felucca ride for a day(or a few hours) cost from Aswan?
And which are the most scenic routes around Aswan? I found the Tomb of the nobles and St.Simeon route to be interesting,but would like to know about more options.
And is it possible to get people to share with these days? I'm planning to go somewhere around November this year. Are there any companies which have fixed departures?

Casual_Cairo

No fixed departures and there are tens if not hundreds of boats to chose from and negotiate with. There is no specific route you will follow. You don't have a motor, so you depend on the wind, or you will be towed by a motor boat.

If you only go for a couple hours (which is probably enough) you need to pay them enough to make it worth their time to put up the sails and run the boat out in the river, but it won't be THAT much. If you paid them the equivalent of 15 GBP per hour, they should be elated. Try to negotiate for the whole boat, NOT a per person price. Whether they take YOU only or 25 persons, it doesn't cost them any difference in price so you should have a private boat if you want it.

Remember to that if they take you to an island where you pay money for anything, they will more than likely be earning a commission from that vendor/island for taking you there, so depending on how much you spend there, you might want to consider that when/if the idea of tipping the captain comes into play.

Almost certainly, you will never pay as much for this felluca as you would pay for a similar boat nearly anywhere else in the world....keep that in mind when you negotiate. Don't let them rip you off, but remember these people are in the service business and they are not rich - they need the money, especially this year.

If you want to do a felluca in Cairo, it is about 1/3 to 1/2 the price.

ashwinb

If I had to do a 3-4 hour felucca trip, how much would it cost? 80 LE? And which is the most recommended route to take?

scotsgirl

As CC says, there's no fixed departures, they are basically all sitting on the side of the dock vying for your business. Im not sure about specific routes, basically any time we have done it they just sail whatever way the wind is best for them and go around the local area past the hotels, nubian villages, round the islands etc perhaps someone else can advise on the "route" you are talking about.

Casual_Cairo

I find felluca rates in Luxor/Aswan to be more than in Cairo. That is why I said you might have to pay as much as 15GBP per hour. That is more like 150LE per hour. I'm not sure how you came up with 80LE for 4 hours.
If it were me, and I wanted to be out for 4 hours, I would probably negotiate a price for that full 4 hours rather than start talking "per hour" rates. If you strike a deal you like, then just keep your eye on your watch as they will probably either try to take you back a little early, or stay out later and ask for more.
They should be pleased with a 4 hour trip, and negotiations should be interesting. In Cairo I would have to pay 200LE+ for 4 hours, so I don't think there is a prayer you will get it that cheap in Luxor/Aswan.

Again, forget about "routes". You will see what you see. If you want to go to an island, you will go to the one the boat men have a deal with. If you really want to believe it is "the one" you want to see, they can tell you it is. You'll never know which is which. LOL

The one big thing I'd worry about with getting your heart set on a 4 hour sail, is NO WIND. If that happens and you have made a deal for 4 hours, you will sit in the river with flies and eventually mosquitos enjoying the boat with you. Take OFF and enough refreshments to keep yourself entertained, but remember there are no toilets on board.

ashwinb

Oh..I though 15GBP for about 2-3 hours, and I read somewhere it's about 20-40 LE for an hour. Anyway I'm planning to go the St.Simeon monastery and the Tomb of the nobles, maybe by public boat. And I'll see if a felucca tour is leaving,the 2-3 days one.

Casual_Cairo

If someone told you 20-40LE per hour, that was posted years ago, and never, in my understanding has ever applied to Luxor. Perhaps someone paid that much when there were 15-20 other passengers on the boat with them. That would make sense....everyone forking over 20LE per hour = 300 to 400 LE per hour, and that would happen if they could get it out of you. If you want to be sitting elbow to elbow with everyone else, then you can get it cheaper like that....but it won't be the experience you probably want.

worldgypsy

CC: we will be doing a 4 day Nile cruise Aswan-Luxor with a felucca ride in Aswan around Kitchner's island. Where else would you recommend we do a felucca ride? We have 3 boys with us [7-11] and will be in Cairo for a few days as well. Thanks. Also: is that feulcca ride to Banana plantation worth a trip? Thanks,

Casual_Cairo

Frankly, I think doing a felluca in Cairo with me is a better option, but I can't say that here, so I don't know.

Seeing a Banana plantation is nice, but I don't know if I would recommend something in Luxor for that. I'm sure you would see and learn something new if you did it.

worldgypsy

Thanks. Was just wondering if there is a big difference doing a felucca ride or dinner type cruise in cairo area in addition to the 4 days we will be sailing up the Nile on the bigger boat, as well as a Felucca ride to Kitchners. Is it more of the same? ALso, we were recommnded to visit the Banana island plantation and it is also written up on tripadvisor as a slice of local life away from the noise and temples etc. Was just curious of your thoughts. Thanks much-leaving tomorrow so cramming all the questions in now...