A Nubian village by boat
Up the Nile past the granite islands to Gharb Soheil, for tea in a Nubian family's painted house.
- Where
- Gharb Soheil, on the Nile's west bank near Aswan
- Length
- About 3–4 hours, best in the afternoon
- Needs
- None
The story
Aswan sits at the First Cataract, where Egypt's southern frontier once ran (Wikipedia). Upstream, Nubian villages such as Gharb Soheil keep their painted houses and their language.
It is one of Aswan's best-loved afternoons: the boat among the granite islands, the painted houses and tea with a Nubian family. We arrange a family home rather than a shop, and leave out the animal stops.
What happens
Board a motorboat in Aswan and ride upstream past the islands of the First Cataract.
Land at Gharb Soheil and walk its lanes of painted houses.
Take tea in a Nubian family's home and hear about the villages that were moved when the High Dam flooded Nubia.
Return downriver as the light goes.
A proposed shape, not a fixed programme. The final arrangements and order are agreed before booking.
Who it suits
An easy boat ride and a short walk on sand and uneven lanes. Shoulders and knees covered are respectful in the village.
- Previous experience
- None
- Minimum age
- All ages
- Best season
- Year-round; afternoons are best, and summer is very hot
- What you see
- The granite islands, the Nile and Gharb Soheil's painted houses
Time and travel
- Starting location
- Aswan
- Total time
- About 3–4 hours
- Active time
- About an hour on the water and an hour in the village
Times are planning estimates. Confirm pickup, travel from your accommodation and the time you need to be back. Our effort judgement: gentle.
Our recommendation
We take you to a family home for tea and conversation, with time to walk the painted lanes.
What we confirm before you go
- A licensed boat with life jackets
- A family home visit, with no shopping stop built in
- No stops to photograph caged or captive animals
- Timing that returns you before dark
Every item is settled in writing before anything is arranged.
Where it fits
Trip ideaCairo, Luxor and Aswan: Egypt in a sequence that makes senseA first visit in the order that makes sense: the pyramids, the temples, then the river.
Trip ideaA Nile journey in which the river is not the gap between templesDays under sail on a small boat, where the river itself becomes the journey.
AswanElephantineA granite island at the first cataract, where Egypt used to end.
AswanNubian VillageA living Nubian village on the west bank at Aswan, facing the island of Sehel.
Questions?
Ask about “A Nubian village by boat”
Tell us your dates, where you will be and who is coming. We confirm the host, the timing, the price for your party and the terms before anything is booked.
Sources and review
Reviewed on by Deluxe Trips Egypt. Facts are attributed to their sources; where we give a judgement, we say so. Arranged on request; we confirm every detail before anything is booked.
Photography credits (6)
Mgalal20, CC BY-SA 4.0; KennyOMG, CC BY-SA 4.0; I, Rémih, CC BY-SA 3.0; Claude Valette, CC BY-SA 4.0; Hatem Moushir, CC BY-SA 4.0; Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0. Resized and cropped for display.
