A cruise down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca (small wooded boat) is a treat that should not be missed in a country awash in historical fortunes. It is quintessential Egypt. Skimming across the surface of the Nile River as the sun sets over the Sahara Desert can create a perfect end to a day full of interesting experiences.

The father of modern history, Herodotus, said that Ancient Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Without it, the fertile strip of land that runs through the heart of the country would probably be as dry as the Sahara Desert surrounding it, and the history that existed around it probably never would've happened. But instead, today, it is lined with a great many marvels of the ancient world. In a country full of treasures too dense to appreciate in one trip, a felucca cruise on the Nile should be a priority Egyptian travel experience.

The Nile is the world's longest river and has been the source of Egypt's livelihood for many millennia. As you peacefully sail along one of the world's most famous rivers in the traditional felucca, ancient cities, temples thousands of years old, and (of course) the Great Pyramids line its river banks.

The north-flowing Nile River runs through ten African countries, with headwaters as far away as Tanzania in the southern hemisphere, and empties into the Mediterranean Sea on the north side of Egypt. It is the product of the Blue and White Nile, which converge just outside the capital city of Khartoum in Sudan, and runs a total of 4,132 miles (6,650 km). In ancient Egyptian it means "Great River," and in Coptic it's translated as "The River." Whichever translation you prefer, the River Nile is a river of beauty and legends. Explorers have marvelled over it for centuries, filmmakers have chronicled it for decades, and today it is still used to transport goods throughout the continent as it was long ago in the days of Ancient Egypt.

Nearly all of the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt can be found as your felucca cruises down the banks of the river Nile. Some of the largest Eqyptian cities, like Luxor, Cairo and Alexandria, have many tourist facilties to book felucca tours on the Eqyptian Nile. These range from short sunset felucca cruises, to more lavish all-inclusive tours of a full day or several days, and include meals and entrance fees to attractions. Many longer felucca cruises depart from the city of Aswan, which is one of the driest recorded places on earth.

Peak travel season in Egypt runs from mid October to May, which is the coolest time of year to visit. From May until October the temperatures are fairly high, especially in Luxor and the southern parts of the country, but the summer is a great time to see Egypt without hassle from school children, or from the crowds of tourists.

During spring the weather is fairly moderate, but try and avoid the “The Khamsin wind” season (brief dust storm) that runs between March and April

Some travellers may avoid travelling to Egypt during Ramadan because alcohol is not allowed during this month, especially during the daytime. Also, many of the restaurants are closed during Ramadan, and all tourist sites would usually close entry at least two hours earlier than usual. However, the month of Ramadan is a month-long festival where coffee shops are open and full of people who will stay up till the early hours.

It can be incredibly hot in Egypt, and so it's best to come prepared. Find out beforehand if drinks are provided on your felucca cruise, and make sure to bring them if not. It's not socially or religiously acceptable to wear shorts in most parts of Egypt, so dress appropriately in loose fit clothing with colours that reflect the sun. Sunscreen and a hat aren't bad ideas either.

Ensure to have plenty of small bills easily accessible in your pockets for baksheesh, or tips. Many Egyptians work off tips by pointing out different items of interest to tourists, and it's only polite to tip them for their effort. It's considered socially unacceptable and rude if you don't tip them, but this can wait until the end of the cruise or tour.