Egypt is probably on your short-list of places to visit in this lifetime, but between Cairo, the pyramids and the hipper parts of the Sahara, you’ll have a lot of ground to cover. We suggest something both classicly Egyptian and appropriately speedy: a clever craft known as the felucca boat.
It’s hands down the most authentic way to make your way down the Nile, a trek that has remained practically unchanged since the time of the Pharaohs. A fertile strip of green follows the snaking waterway the entire length with palm trees pushing up to the skies and flat family farms resting on the banks. And since the boats are only large enough for a dozen people at the most, you’ll have a fairly exclusive view of the river and surrounding sites.
Along the way you’ll see timeless temples: Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae…sharing a sliver of their secrets through hieroglyphs and architecture. Just beyond the green strip of life stretches the Saharan desert, whose tawny rolling hills are a constant reminder of how vital the Nile River is to life in Egypt even today.
To get you down the river we recommend Intrepid Travel, a small group adventure tour company that began in Egypt and now offers some of the best values out there when it comes to Nile cruising on a felucca. With simple sails and plenty of shade, these traditional boats glide silently down the ancient river, and you’ll experience the heart of Egypt the same way travelers have done for centuries.
Intrepid Travel
boulder@intrepidtravel.com
tel: +1 866.915.1511