The late light in Aswan is the reason people remember the city. A felucca is a lateen sail on a slow river, not a cruise ship and not a motor launch with a speaker. One hour is the right length for most guests after Philae. Two hours if you want the boatman to ghost along Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island while the guide talks or, better, stops talking.

We hire the boat for your party. You are not seated with another booking. Life jackets are on board. The landing is agreed with your hotel or ship so you are not hunting a dock in the dark. Tea is usual. Alcohol is not assumed.

Wind fails some afternoons and the boatman rows or uses a small motor. We do not describe that as a pure sail if it was not one. The point is the river and the islands, which do not depend on a perfect breeze.

Pair it with the full Aswan day on Aswan, or add it as the last line of a brief on Plan my tour.