There is no doubt that boat trips are the icing on the cake of any vacation trip to sun and beach destinations. And at Mandala Tours we are experts at it. In this post we show you the traditional and unique boats that we can book for you in the Muslim world, with which you can sail to places as different as the Turkish Turquoise Coast, the Nile River in Egypt, the Red Sea destinations or the Moroccan ports, among other options. And all this, with a level of security and exclusivity in line with our services, aimed at the premium segment.
Gulets in the Turkish Mediterranean
One of the most traditional vessels in Turkey is the gulet. Its origin is not clear, but it seems to be related to fishing activity. And from the 20th century, thanks to Bodrum-based writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, they began to become popular as pleasure boats. They are sailing boats with two or three masts (although they also use a fuel engine) and a length of between 14 and 35 meters, with capacity for up to 24 people, although it all depends on each model. With this vessel you can take small cruises along the Turquoise Coast of up to a week’s duration, enjoying the calm and disconnection offered by destinations such as Fethiye, Kas or St. Nicholas Island, among others.
Dahabiyas and Falukas on the Nile
The dahabiyas are the traditional boats of Egypt, specifically those used to navigate the Nile. Although there are more numerous motorboats, with capacity for hundreds of people, the most premium and relaxing version is this one. They are barge-type vessels, i.e., flat-hulled, with two large sails: one at the bow and one at the stern. In some cases, the length can reach 50 meters, with a capacity that can reach or exceed 15 passengers. The most common route starts in Aswan and travels along the Nile downstream, reaching Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor.
The falukas are also sailing vessels, although smaller, with only one mast and a smaller capacity than the dahabiyas. Therefore, they are not used for multi-day cruises but for shorter excursions, such as from Aswan to the Nubian village. In any case, sailing aboard a falucca is also an unforgettable experience to sail the waters of this mythical river.
Other singular vessels
The schooners, dahabiyas and faluccas are the most traditional boats used by Mandala Tours group agencies. But we also manage crossings in other more modern but equally singular vessels.
For example, boats with transparent glazed hulls are very common in our Red Sea destinations. They are very common in our Red Sea destinations, such as the Egyptian Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada or the Jordanian Aqaba. They have a transparent bottom to make it easier to spot the marine fauna of the place, which is abundant in these places, which is helped by the crystal clear waters of this sea.
If instead your trip takes you to Morocco, we can also organize trips on unique boats. For example, motorboats on the Bou Regreg River, the river that separates the capital Rabat and neighboring Salé. These crossings are becoming more popular in recent years thanks to the emergence of two new tourist attractions on the banks of the river: the Mohammed VI Tower and the Grand Theater of Rabat, icons of contemporary architecture in this country.
On the other hand, in coastal destinations, both in the Atlantic (Agadir, Dakhla) and in the Mediterranean (Al Hoceima, Nador), it is possible to make trips on small yachts or even catamarans, which gives an extra touch of exclusivity and relaxation to the vacation.
