We are two students from Ireland who want to take a trip on the River Nile next winter. We heard that one possibility is to go on a felucca trip between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt. Is there such a trip? How can we go on it? And where can we find the feluccas ? Yes, there are felucca cruises that operate between Luxor and Aswan. While it's easy to arrange a cruise yourselves, several tour operators also offer packages. Before arranging a felucca cruise you must bear in mind the time of year and the conditions on the river. Feluccas are dependent on the wind, which generally blows south. Travelling downstream towards Luxor therefore involves constant tacking, unless you simply drift with the sluggish current. If you travel upstream towards Aswan, however, you'll make better time with wind behind you. Assembling a group of five to eight travel companions is easily done by asking around in Corniche restaurants in Aswan or Luxor or by responding to messages posted in the tourist office. The tourist office could recommend good captains and indicate where to find them. Organising your trip through a hotel will probably work out to be more costly than finding your own captain. Typically a large vessel carries up to eight passengers who sleep either on shore after the boat has been tied up, or on mattresses aboard. Nights are chilly and maybe damp for much of the year, so a sleeping bag or plenty of blankets are essential. Ensure that the boat has a canvas awning to protect you from the sun, adequate mattresses, a jerry can for water, a kerosene stove and lamp, proper cutlery and a padlocked case for your luggage. It is unwise to travel on a felucca without all of these items. Rates vary according to the duration of the journey and the distance covered. The tourist office quotes a rate of LE55 per person including food for a group of six to eight to sail between Aswan and Edfu over two nights, stopping at Kom Ombo on route. Some travellers prefer to sail only as far as Edfu for LE45 or just to Kom Ombo for LE25, travelling on to Luxor or returning to Aswan by taxi. Travellers are required to register with the River Police before leaving Aswan or Luxor. Write to "Holiday FAQs", Travel, Al-Ahram Weekly , Galaa St, Cairo, Egypt, or e-mail [email protected]
