Sohail Island Nubian Village tour from Aswan: Private motorboat
Boat across the Nile to a Nubian island and sit with a local family over tea
A private 3-hour tour from Aswan to Sohail Island by motorboat, with an Egyptologist guide and hotel pickup. You visit an authentic Nubian home for tea and conversation, then wander the island's painted houses at your own pace. The tour includes a scenic ride past Elephantine Island and a bottle of water.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Nubian Village Tour and Boat Ride
- Depart from Aswan by boat
- Pass by Elephantine Island
- Arrive at Sohail Island
- Enjoy tea in Nubian house
- Learn about Nubian culture
- Explore Sohail Island freely
- Return to Aswan
The experience
The motorboat leaves Aswan and crosses the Nile toward Sohail Island, passing Elephantine Island on the way. You can choose between a traditional felucca sailboat or a modern motor boat for the journey. Once on the island, a local family welcomes you into their home for tea brewed in the traditional way while community members share stories about Nubian culture, history and daily life. The tea session is where the tour's real purpose sits, not a performance, but a conversation in someone's living room.
After tea, you have free time to walk through Sohail Island on your own. The village is known for its vibrantly painted homes, and there's no schedule pushing you through. You set the pace, stop where you want, and leave when you're ready. The Nile and the island's natural landscape stay in view the whole time. Your guide remains available if you have questions, but the wandering is yours.
Hotel pickup and return are included, along with an Egyptologist guide who speaks English (Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language are also available). A bottle of mineral water comes with the tour. The whole experience runs about four hours from pickup to drop-off.
What’s included
- Private Egyptologist guide.
- hotel pickup and return by car.
- motorboat or felucca sailboat ride across the Nile.
- tea and conversation in a local Nubian home.
- free time to explore Sohail Island.
- one bottle of mineral water.
- all taxes and charges.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Operated by Luxor Private Day Tours
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a genuine encounter with a Nubian family rather than a guided walk through a village. The private format and the tea session in a home, not a tourist center, are what set it apart from group island visits in Aswan.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.
What is Sohail Island and why do people visit it?
Sohail Island is a Nubian village in the Nile near Aswan, home to families who maintain traditional Nubian culture and customs. Visitors come to see how Nubian people live today: the painted houses, the daily rhythms, and the heritage that has shaped the community for generations.
Do I get to meet local people, or is this just sightseeing?
You sit in a local family's home and share tea with community members who talk directly with you about their culture and history. It's a genuine encounter, not a staged performance or a quick photo stop.
Can I choose between a sailboat and a motorboat for the Nile crossing?
Yes. The tour offers both a traditional felucca sailboat and a modern motor boat. You pick which one you prefer when you book.
How much free time do I have to explore the island on my own?
After the tea session in the family home, you have free time to wander Sohail Island at your own pace. There's no fixed schedule for this part. You explore as long as you want before heading back to the boat.
Sohail Island Nubian Village tour from Aswan: Private motorboat
4h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT · at your hotel
from US$ 80 per person
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