Overview
Tour Description
Lake Nasser is one of the quietest and most beautiful journeys in Egypt. Only a handful of ships sail this 500-km lake south of the Aswan High Dam, and they stop at Nubian temples that were moved to its shores in the 1960s. This 4-night cruise ends with a night moored in front of Abu Simbel, lit up after dark.
Highlights
- Kalabsha Temple and Beit el-Wali near Aswan
- Wadi el-Seboua and its avenue of sphinxes
- The temples of Dakka and Maharraqa
- Amada, the oldest temple in Nubia, Derr and the tomb of Pennut
- Qasr Ibrim, the only Nubian site still in its original place, seen from the deck
- Arrival by water at Abu Simbel, and a night moored in front of the temples
Itinerary
Day 1: Board in Aswan, Kalabsha and Beit el-Wali
We meet you at Aswan Airport or your hotel and drive you to the Lake Nasser harbor to board your 5-star ship for lunch. In the afternoon your Egyptologist takes you by boat to New Kalabsha Island to see the Temple of Kalabsha, the largest free-standing temple in Nubia, and the small rock temple of Beit el-Wali built by Ramses II.
Meals: Lunch, dinner. Overnight: on board, Aswan.
Day 2: Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa
The ship sails south across open water, with desert dunes running down to the lake. After lunch you go ashore at Wadi el-Seboua, “the Valley of the Lions”, named for the sphinxes lining the approach to Ramses II’s temple. Nearby are the temples of Dakka and Maharraqa.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: on board.
Day 3: Amada, Derr and the tomb of Pennut
You visit Amada, the oldest surviving temple in Nubia, built by Thutmose III and Amenhotep II, with very fine reliefs, the rock-cut temple of Derr and the painted tomb of Pennut, a Nubian governor. The ship then sails on towards Qasr Ibrim.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: on board.
Day 4: Qasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel
From the sun deck you see the fortress of Qasr Ibrim, once on a hilltop and now an island, with layers of Pharaonic, Roman, Christian and Islamic history. Visitors may not land, to protect the ruins. Before lunch the ship rounds the bend to reveal Abu Simbel facing the water. In the afternoon you explore the Great Temple of Ramses II and the temple of Nefertari, and spend your last night moored in front of them.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: on board, Abu Simbel.
Day 5: Disembark at Abu Simbel
After breakfast we take you to Abu Simbel Airport or wherever you continue your journey.
Meals: Breakfast.
Included and Excluded
- 4 nights on a 5-star Lake Nasser cruise ship, full board
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary
- Meet and assist in Aswan and Abu Simbel
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- All service charges, port fees and taxes
- International and domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Drinks and bottled water on board
- Tips for the crew, drivers and guide
- Personal expenses
Prices:
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Tour Attractions
FAQs
How much does the Lake Nasser cruise cost?
It depends on group size: $3,500 per person for a solo traveler, $3,000 each for 2 to 3, $2,500 for 4 to 8, $2,000 for 9 to 15 and $900 for 16 or more.
How is a Lake Nasser cruise different from a Nile cruise?
It is far quieter, with only a few ships, open desert scenery and Nubian temples you cannot reach any other way. It also ends at Abu Simbel, which you see without the day-trip crowds.
Can I sail from Abu Simbel to Aswan instead?
Yes, there is a 3-night cruise in the other direction. Ask us for dates.
How do I get home from Abu Simbel?
There are flights from Abu Simbel to Aswan and Cairo, or we can drive you back to Aswan, about three and a half hours.
How long is a Nile cruise?
Usually four nights from Luxor or three nights from Aswan. Dahabiyas take four to five nights.
