- DurationApprox. 2 hours (about 1 hour in the carriage)
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- PriceFrom $29 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Aswan horse carriage city tour is an easy, unhurried way to see the town itself, not just its monuments. You ride in a traditional open carriage, the kind locals call a hantour, along the palm-lined Nile Corniche and through the streets of the centre, with your guide explaining what you pass.
The route takes in the riverfront with its feluccas and island views, the large Coptic Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and the El-Tabia Mosque on its hill, before you step down for a walk through the souk, Aswan’s long market street of spices, baskets and Nubian crafts. It works well on an arrival afternoon or after dinner.
Highlights
- A private horse-drawn carriage ride along the Nile Corniche
- Views of Elephantine Island, feluccas and the west bank dunes
- The Coptic Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and El-Tabia Mosque
- Free time in Aswan’s spice-scented souk
- A stop for tea or coffee at a local café
- Guide, carriage and hotel transfers included
Itinerary
Pickup and meet your carriage
Your guide collects you from your hotel or Nile cruise and takes you a short distance to meet your carriage and driver on the Corniche. If your hotel is on the Corniche, the carriage may collect you at the door. Each carriage seats up to four.
Ride along the Nile Corniche
Trot along the riverside road past the felucca landings, with Elephantine Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum across the water. Your guide points out the historic buildings on the riverfront and explains how Aswan grew from an ancient frontier town and quarry into a winter resort.
Cathedral, mosque and city streets
Turn into town to pass the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, one of the largest churches in Egypt, and El-Tabia Mosque on its rise above the river. The carriage continues through residential streets where you see everyday Aswan life, schools, workshops and cafés.
Souk walk and café stop
Leave the carriage for a stroll through the souk, where stalls sell hibiscus, dried dates, spices, baskets and Nubian scarves. Your guide helps with prices if you want to buy. Stop for mint tea or Turkish coffee at a local café before your transfer back to your hotel or cruise.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- Private horse carriage for about one hour (up to four people per carriage)
- English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers where needed
- Bottled water and all taxes
Not included
- Drinks at the café
- Shopping and personal expenses
- Tips for the guide and carriage driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $99 |
| 2 travellers | $52 |
| 3–5 travellers | $39 |
| 6+ travellers | $29 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for a carriage ride?
Late afternoon and early evening are best, when the heat has gone and the Corniche and souk are at their liveliest. From May to September, avoid the middle of the day. A morning ride is quieter and also pleasant in winter.
How many people fit in one carriage?
Each carriage seats up to four adults, or two adults and two or three children. Larger groups ride in two or more carriages travelling together, with the guide in one of them. The price per person already includes the extra carriages.
Are the horses well treated?
We work with carriage drivers who keep their horses fed, shaded and rested, and we avoid the hottest hours of the day. If you are ever unhappy with a horse’s condition, tell your guide and we will change the carriage or end the ride.
Can we go inside the cathedral and mosque?
The tour passes both from the outside. If you would like to go in, your guide can arrange a short stop when they are open to visitors, outside prayer and service times. Dress modestly, and women should carry a scarf for the mosque.
You May Also Like
Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
