Captain Ali and His Felucca
Captain Ali spent many years on a Felucca on the Nile. When he was about 9 years, he started to help his uncle and other Felucca captains, first cleaning their boats, later on, going sailing with them. This way, he learned to sail and to appreciate the silent motion on the Nile.
Captain Ali is a licensed Felucca captian. As every young male in Egypt is required to serve two years in the Egyptian army, in 2021/2022 Captain Ali fulfilled his military service obligation.
Use on the Nile
Feluccas are still in active use as a means of transport in Luxor, but also Aswan and other Nile-adjacent cities. They are especially popular among tourists who can enjoy a quieter and calmer tour than motorboats have to offer.
The Felucca and its History
The felucca has remained, over the centuries, the primary mean of transportation of the Nile. While the ancient Egyptians of Tutankhamun's time (approx. 1300 BC) set about building their boats in quite a different way to modern practice, one can still see a continuity of Nile transportation in today's Feluccas, as they still grace the river as sailing boats have done since the time of the Pharaohs.
The felucca rarely has any form of engine and relies entirely on the breeze which builds during the day and usually subsides at night, and the Nile River's current. Egypt is blessed with a wind that pushes sailboats upriver, while allowing them to return on its current downstream.
Our Crew
Captain Ali
Captain Ali is 25 years old. He grew up in Luxor. He has gone through all the training required (including the captain's school in Aswan).
One of his Helper
At the marina, captains can select from a number of helpers. This youth is one of Captain Ali's preferred helper as he is attentive, diligent and calm.