Nubian Village Visit
Aswan, Egypt
About This Activity
The Nubian villages around Aswan — particularly Gharb Soheil on the west bank — offer a completely different Egypt from the pharaonic temples. Nubian culture has roots stretching back over 5,000 years to the ancient Kingdom of Kush. The villages are famous for their brightly painted houses (brilliant blues, yellows, and reds with geometric patterns) and warm hospitality. Boat tours typically include tea with a Nubian family, the chance to see live baby crocodiles (kept as pets), and shopping for beaded jewelry, spices, and hand-woven textiles. Felucca rides from Aswan's Corniche cost about 60-100 EGP per person for a 2-hour round trip including the village stop. Organized tours from hotels cost $20-35 per person.
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 3 of our curated itineraries.
More Activities in Aswan
Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)
Reach the Temple of Isis by motorboat — a beautifully preserved Greco-Roman sanctuary on an island in Lake Nasser

Abu Simbel Temples Day Trip
Make the 3.5-hour desert drive south to Ramesses II's colossal rock-cut temples — one of the world's great ancient sites
Felucca Sailing on the First Cataract
Drift silently past granite boulders, Elephantine Island, and the lush Nile shores aboard a traditional Egyptian sailing boat
Aswan High Dam & Lake Nasser
See the massive Soviet-built dam that transformed Egypt and created one of the world's largest artificial lakes
Unfinished Obelisk of Aswan
Visit the world's largest known ancient obelisk — abandoned in its granite quarry when a crack appeared during cutting
Free Day in Aswan
Explore Elephantine Island's ancient ruins, visit the Nubian Museum, or take a sunset felucca around the First Cataract