Tour Overview
This Nubian village tour from Aswan takes you by motorboat to a Nubian village on the west bank of the Nile, home to a people whose language, music and way of building differ from the rest of Egypt. A private Egyptologist guide and an air-conditioned car collect you from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise, the boat ride is included, and lunch is a traditional Nubian meal. It is a day about people and daily life rather than monuments.
Tour Highlights
- Ride a motorboat along the Nile from Aswan to a Nubian village on the west bank, with granite islands and desert hills sliding past on either side.
- Spend time in a Nubian community, a culture known for its brightly painted houses, its own spoken languages and a strong tradition of welcoming guests.
- Sit down to a traditional Nubian lunch, included in the price, and taste the home cooking of Egypt's far south.
- Hear from a private Egyptologist guide how Nubia's story is tied to the Nile, from the ancient kingdom of Kush to the building of the Aswan High Dam.
- Travel with your own group in a private air-conditioned car, with pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise boat included.
Tour Route
Is the Nubian village tour from Aswan worth it?
Yes, if you want to meet the people of southern Egypt and not only see its temples. Aswan is the gateway to Nubia, and a village visit shows you a living culture with its own languages, music, food and building style. Together with the boat ride, it makes a relaxed day that balances heavier sightseeing.
Who are the Nubians of Aswan?
The Nubians are the people of the Nile valley between Aswan and northern Sudan, a land the ancient Egyptians traded with, fought and at times ruled. Nubian kings from Kush even governed all of Egypt as its 25th Dynasty. Today many Nubian families live in villages around Aswan.
In the twentieth century the Aswan dams, above all the High Dam completed in 1970, flooded much of old Nubia under Lake Nasser. Tens of thousands of Nubians were moved to new homes, many of them near Aswan and Kom Ombo. Nubian languages are still spoken in many households, and your guide can explain how the community has kept its identity through all of this.
What should you wear and bring to a Nubian village?
Dress comfortably and modestly, and treat the visit as you would a walk through someone's neighborhood, because that is exactly what it is. Nubian families are used to visitors, and a little care on your side keeps the welcome warm. A few practical points help:
- Clothing: light clothes that cover shoulders and knees, plus a hat for the boat.
- Photos: ask before photographing people, especially women and children.
- Cash: small Egyptian pound notes for tips and any handmade crafts you want to buy.
- Sun: sunscreen and sunglasses, since there is little shade out on the river.
How is this different from other Aswan day tours?
This tour is about the Nubian people and the river, not the ancient monuments. It does not include Philae Temple, the High Dam or the Unfinished Obelisk, and it does not go to Abu Simbel, so it fits well on a day when you want a lighter plan.
To see the monuments, book the Aswan sightseeing tour of the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae on another day. For a quieter hour under sail, the felucca ride around Elephantine Island pairs well with this trip, and our guide to Nubian villages, music and hospitality gives you more background before you go.
Tour Itinerary
A simple day in three parts: the trip out by car and boat, time in the village with lunch, then the journey back to where you are staying.
Your private Egyptologist guide meets you at your hotel or Nile cruise boat in Aswan, and you set off in a private air-conditioned car. Tell your guide early on what interests you most, whether that is history, food, crafts or simply meeting people, so the conversation through the day can follow it.
The next stretch is on the river. A motorboat carries you along the Nile toward the west bank, past rocky granite islands, palm-lined shores and golden sand running down to the water's edge. Around Aswan the Nile is at its most scenic, so the boat ride is a good part of the day in its own right.
Nubian villages are known for houses painted in strong blues, yellows and pinks, often decorated with simple patterns around the doors. Your guide explains how families live, how Nubian customs have lasted and what changed for this community in the twentieth century. Take your time, ask questions and, as a courtesy, ask before photographing people.
Lunch is a Nubian meal and is included in the price. It is a chance to taste the everyday cooking of the south and to sit and talk without hurrying. If anyone in your group has dietary needs or allergies, tell us when you book so we can pass the details on in advance.
After lunch you head back to your hotel or cruise boat in Aswan. The guide, car, motorboat ride, lunch and all service charges are already paid, so the only money you need on the day is for tips and for anything you decide to buy in the village.
What's Included
What the tour price covers, and what to plan for separately.
Paid
★
Your
Own
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about this tour. For anything else, message us on WhatsApp — we reply fast.
Your private guide meets you at your hotel or Nile cruise boat in Aswan, and the air-conditioned car takes you to the boat and brings you back to the same place at the end of the day. Send us the name of your hotel or boat when you book so we can arrange the pickup.
Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or cruise, a private air-conditioned car, the motorboat ride to the village, a private Egyptologist guide, a Nubian lunch and all service charges and taxes. Tips and extras outside the program, such as crafts you buy, are not included. No flights are involved, since the tour starts in Aswan.
Yes. Your guide and car are for your group alone, not shared with other travelers. The tour has one straightforward price, starting from {price} per person, which covers the motorboat ride and lunch as well as the guide and transport. Tell us your date and the number of travelers and we will confirm the total.
Yes, it is one of the easier days you can spend in Aswan. Most of the time is spent sitting in the car or boat or walking short distances in the village, and children usually love the boat ride and the colorful houses. Bring hats and sunscreen, and tell us their ages when you book.
Yes. Avicon Travel is a Class "A" travel agency licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism under License No. 1962 and registered since 2010. Our office and team are in Karnak, Luxor, so the guides, drivers and cars on this tour are our own local team, not a booking desk abroad.
