Feluccas are the traditional sailing boats of
Egypt and have been in use since over many centuries. Felucca sailing in the
Nile is a popular pastime with both Egyptians and foreigners and is a most
relaxing way of spending an evening or taking a longer cruise. Locals often
hire feluccas for a get together with friends or for an impromptu party on
weekends and they area also ideal to spend a romantic evening watching the sun
set on the blue waters of the Nile. Even though not much actual felucca sailing
in the Nile is done after sunset, simply sitting in a
quiet cove watching the river traffic pass by and the lights on the shore can
be very relaxing and soothing.
Feluccas rarely have any engines and are
primarily dependent on the breeze and the river currents. The southerly wind
pushes the boats upstream while letting them return downstream. Felucca sailing in
the Nile is often a part of the Nile cruisesand some adventurous tourists even
use feluccas for longer journeys lasting for days. Nowadays, very few feluccas
are made totally of wood but the basic layout remains almost the same. There is
no keel as such and the sails are very basic affairs of cotton which the
captain draws and lets while going up and down the Nile.
Felucca sailing in the Nile is easily availed of
from Cairo where there are several favourite spots to hire these sailboats.
Feluccas can also be hired in the other main tourist towns of Aswan and Luxor
where they can be spotted easily at the riverfront. With the wind in your hair
and no engine sounds to distract, felucca sailing in the Nile is an altogether
different experience and something which all travellers must enjoy.
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