Sandal “Amelia”
Why a Sandal to discover the Nile ?
Far from the big hectic cruise ships, our Sandal, with its 8 passengers maximum opens the possibility of discovering the great river in a more gentle and serene way aboard a traditional Egyptian boat. Indeed:
Tranquility
You will taste the silence of sailing on the Nile, far from the hustle and bustle and the noise of other cruise ships.
Discoveries
You will discover over the days the villages, cultures and palm groves that punctuate the banks of the Nile, as well as the local flora and fauna.
Egyptologist Guide
You will visit the treasures of Egypt in the company of your qualified English-speaking Egyptologist guide, benefiting from 12 years of experience.
Comfort
You will enjoy the comfort of the carefully decorated cabins, the lounge, as well as the relaxation area on the deck.
Typical & Refined Cuisine
You will take your meals, carefully prepared by the chef, on the deck (in the evening by candlelight), a large terrace overlooking the Nile.
Efficiency
You will be received as friends by our guide and the discreet and efficient crew of 5 to 6 people.
The Beautiful Amelia
The Amelia is an authentic Sandal, a traditional Egyptian river sailboat built in 1963. For 40 years this boat has been used as a transporter of materials and goods: stones, straw and sugar cane sailed there from one point to another on the Nile. The boom in road transport having left it inactive for several years, we acquired it in 2009 in order to put it back into operation. In 8 months we have completed the transformations necessary for its new cruise ship functions. equipped with all the necessary facilities for transporting people, Amelia is now sailing between Luxor and Aswan. With a length of 18 meters by 7 meters in width, the boat has 2 large masts 12 meters high, each carrying 1 Latin sail 23 meters high. These masts are tiltable and allow the passage of the locks. The hull of the boat is made of iron, a true goldsmith’s work, where the metal parts intertwine with art to give solidity, stability and efficiency to the boat.
In Summary
18 meter Sandal, 2 sails; 4 double cabins with views of the Nile, private toilet and bathroom; 8 people maximum per cruise (+ 1 or 2 people on request); Crew of 5 to 6 people at your service; living room of 15 m2, bridge of 70 m2, hot water and electric current; English-speaking guide.
Life On Board…
…A Daily Dream
We advise you, even if you are in love with sleeping late, to get up at least once with the sun. It sworth it ! If you go up the river, you will see it appear slowly on the dunes or palm trees. Enjoy the moment, it allows you to commune with the Egyptians through the pleasure of a shared dawn. The reeds on the bank come alive, the birds snort. Breakfast is ready. After the spirit, we nourish the body with pancakes, omelettes, fruits and other good things prepared in the kitchen. It is still early and time to go on a visit before the clouds of coaches land on the sites, unless having docked in a place inaccessible to liners, you have all your time to go to an anthical site where you will be, most often, the only visitor…
Lunch is taken on board after weighing anchor and setting sail. It is generous and varied, typical of the country but adapted to Western tastes. After the meal, rest … in the cabin or on the deck in the shade of a stretched canvas, casually lying on Berber-style cushions, on a lounge chair, or sitting and sipping Egyptian black tea. Then pass around you the spectacle of the banks, the birds, the fishermen, the peasants in their cultivated fields, the reflections on the water of the river which maintain the reverie and push some to nap. Everyone takes care in their own way until the arrival at the landing stage of the evening .Walks on land, visits, discoveries, swimming… Do not miss: the sunset of Amon-Ra which leaves us until morning in a cycle that we particularly feel on the Nile “Father of rivers” and axis of the sun.
The generator (in operation during the hours of shore visits) silently supplies electricity, unless you prefer to live in the special light of alabaster candle jars. There will, of course, be parties on board: songs and dances to Egyptian music. Finally, a night of rest in the freshness and silence of the cabin.
A timeless journey that yet flies to the rhythm of the river, the wind and the sails, punctuated by wonders in the face of nature, culture and the people of this eternal place.
Living spaces
The boat offers several places to live and relax
A large space on the bridge (70 m2) which overlooks the river for a few meters, a good part of which is shaded by a drop of canvas. There is a dining table, lounge chairs, coffee tables, cushions for freer relaxation, etc. A solid wooden balustrade surrounds the deck for optimum safety (children welcome). This place is a marvel both day and night to savor the magnificent landscapes offered by the banks of the Nile, an idyll pleasantly punctuated by meals, readings and other moments of idleness experienced on board, as well as by stopovers and visits of the ancestral land of Egypt. The bridge can be delicately lit at night.
Description of the sandal
The Amelia is an authentic Sandal, a traditional Egyptian river boat built in 1963. For 40 years this boat has been used as a transporter of materials and goods: stones, straw and sugar cane sailed there from one point to another on the Nile. . The boom in road transport having left it inactive for several years, we acquired it in 2009 in order to put it back into operation. In 8 months we have completed the transformations necessary for its new cruise ship functions. Equipped with all the necessary facilities for the transportation of people, Amelia is now sailing between Luxor and Aswan. With a length of 18 meters by 7 meters in width, the boat has 2 large masts of 12 meters high each carrying 1 Latin sail of 23 meters high. These masts are tilting and allow the passage of the locks. The hull of the boat is made of iron, a true work of goldsmithing, where the metallic parts intertwine with art to impart solidity, stability and efficiency to the boat.
The interior
A staircase from the bow descends from the deck to a comfortable lounge (with windows and library) from where a central corridor gives access to the 4 cabins. A second staircase at the stern leads to a large, bright kitchen in which the cook will prepare delicious meals. Let us not forget to mention, for information, the engine room (bottom of shell and optimal insulation) where the electric generator and the water heater is located as well as the complete water filtering station and the mini sewage treatment plant. Electrical sockets are available in various places on the boat for your comfort (including the deck).
Details of the 4 cabins
The Crew
Our goal: to offer you the best of Egypt
We are happy and proud to offer you a quality stay in Egypt, combining seriousness, reliability, friendliness and authenticity. Thus, our Egyptian team looks forward to welcoming you aboard the Amelia:
From left to right :
Hanna Anis : French-speaking graduate Egyptologist guide, 15 years of experience, also fluent in Italian;Ebrahim : Assistant cook;Saaber : 2nd assistant to the Captain of Amelia;Arafa : Chief cook;Gomaa : Captane of the l’Amélia;Ebrahim : Steward;Ali : Captain of the tugboat;Abdou : 1st assistant of the Captain of Amélia;Ebrahim : Assistant of the Captain of the tugboat