Egypt Discovery
ExcursionLuxor

Private Banana Island Motorboat Trip from Luxor at Sunset

About 3 hours, private motorboat, island walk, fresh fruit and mint tea on the river.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private three-hour motorboat trip from Luxor to Banana Island: a grove walk, fresh fruit and mint tea, and a sunset ride back along the Nile. A boatman is included and a guide can be added.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Luxor · Nile River · Banana Island
Includes
Pick-up and return to your Luxor hotel or cruise boat · A private motorboat and boatman for your party · The island entry fee · Fresh fruit, mint tea and bottled water on the trip
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April has mild evenings. In summer, the late-afternoon departure helps avoid the worst heat.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator, founded in 1988
  • A Luxor office on hand locally

02Overview

A first look

This is a private afternoon boat trip on the Nile from Luxor to Banana Island. You are collected from your hotel or cruise boat at 15:30 and walk down to your own motorboat on the corniche. The boat carries your party only, with a boatman at the helm. On the island you stroll through the banana and mango groves with the farmer, then sit by the river with fruit and mint tea. The ride back is at sunset, and you are at your hotel or boat at about 18:30. There is no guide by default, as the boatman speaks only basic English, but we can add one on request.

Background

The facts

Banana Island lies in the Nile a short way upstream from Luxor, reached by boat from the corniche. The West Bank hills form the backdrop at sunset.

Named in this entry

Nile River at Luxor·West Bank hills·Egyptian motorboat·Mint tea

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Families, couples and non-swimmers who want a quiet evening on the Nile.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for anyone who wants a guided history programme, or for wheelchair users.

What lingers

  • 01A private motorboat with a boatman, just for your party
  • 02A walk through the banana and mango groves on the island
  • 03Bananas off the tree and mint tea on the riverbank
  • 04Sunset on the return leg, with the West Bank hills behind
  • 05Hotel or cruise boat pick-up and drop-off in Luxor
  • 06A calm, unhurried trip with no swimming needed

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • A calm, private way to see the Nile
  • No swimming needed
  • Fruit and tea included

Things to Consider

  • A guide is an optional extra
  • Mosquitoes can be a nuisance near the water

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Pick-up and return to your Luxor hotel or cruise boat
  • A private motorboat and boatman for your party
  • The island entry fee
  • Fresh fruit, mint tea and bottled water on the trip

Not included

  • Tips for the boatman and island staff
  • A guide (the boatman speaks basic English, and we can add a guide on request)
  • Anything you buy for yourself

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Take a thin layer for the ride back, when the air cools

  2. 02

    Ask the farmer which fruit is in season

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and are counted in your party size. The boat trip and island walk are gentle, so it suits most ages. Please give their ages when you book so we can check life jackets are available.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Is this boat trip private?
    Yes. The motorboat carries your own party only, with a boatman. Up to eight people can travel on one boat.
  2. 02Does a guide come with us on the boat?
    Not by default. The boatman speaks basic English and the farmer shows you the island. If you would like a guide for explanations, we can add one on request when you book.
  3. 03Do I need to swim?
    No. You stay on the boat and the island, and there is no swimming. The trip suits non-swimmers.
  4. 04What do we eat and drink?
    Fresh fruit, mint tea and bottled water are included. Dinner is not part of the trip, so you will be back in time for an evening meal at your hotel or on your boat.
  5. 05What time do we get back?
    You return at about 18:30. The programme follows the sunset, so the times change slightly with the season.
  6. 06How does cancelling work?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-LUX-307926

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