- Duration4 Days / 3 Nights
- Tour typeCruise
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel or Aswan Airport
- PriceFrom $950 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
A Lake Nasser cruise takes you far from the busy Nile Valley into ancient Nubia, where golden dunes and granite hills run straight down to the water. Only a few ships sail this route, so the monuments you visit along the way are often almost empty. Over three nights you travel south from Aswan’s High Dam to Abu Simbel, stopping at temples that were dismantled and moved to higher ground in the 1960s when the dam created the lake.
Each stop tells part of that rescue story. Kalabsha Temple was moved in thousands of blocks; Amada was rolled on rails to its new site; and the colossal temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel were cut apart and rebuilt inside an artificial mountain. Your private Egyptologist guide brings these places to life, explaining both the ancient history and the modern engineering that saved them.
This is a peaceful, unhurried cruise with time to enjoy the sun deck, the pool and the huge night skies. The lake is remote and there are no towns along the way, so mobile signal is patchy and the ship is your base throughout. Sailing times are set by the ship and can change with conditions on the lake. Bring any medicines and essentials you need with you from Aswan.
Highlights
- Cruise the remote waters of Lake Nasser through the desert landscape of Nubia
- Visit Kalabsha Temple, Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Kertassi, rescued from the rising waters
- Explore the temples of Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa in the open desert
- See Amada, Derr and the tomb of Pennut, then view the citadel of Qasr Ibrim from the deck
- Arrive at Abu Simbel by water, the way the temples were meant to be approached
- 5★ cruise ship, full board and a private Egyptologist guide
Itinerary
Day 1 – Aswan, embarkation and Kalabsha
You are collected from your Aswan hotel or the airport and driven to the ship’s mooring above the High Dam. Board and settle in over lunch. In the afternoon, visit Kalabsha Temple, built in the Roman period for the Nubian god Mandulis, along with the small rock-cut temple of Beit el-Wali, carved for Ramesses II, and the elegant Kiosk of Kertassi. Return on board as the ship begins its journey south, with dinner served as the sun sets over the desert.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa
Wake to open desert scenery. After breakfast, walk along the avenue of sphinxes to the Temple of Wadi el-Seboua, the ‘Valley of the Lions’, built by Ramesses II and later used as a church, with painted Christian figures still visible beside the pharaoh. Nearby are the Ptolemaic Temple of Dakka and the small Roman temple of Maharraqa. Spend the afternoon relaxing on deck as the ship continues south through the quietest stretch of the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Amada, Derr, Qasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel
Visit Amada, one of the oldest temples in Nubia, with fine, well-preserved reliefs from the 18th Dynasty. Close by are the rock-cut temple of Derr and the tomb of Pennut, a Nubian official. Sailing on, the ship passes Qasr Ibrim, a fortress-town on a former clifftop that is now an island; landing is not permitted, so it is viewed from the deck. In the evening the ship arrives at Abu Simbel and moors facing the temples, a wonderful sight after dark.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Abu Simbel and disembarkation
Visit the Great Temple of Ramesses II early, before the day-trippers arrive, standing beneath the four colossal seated statues and walking deep into the sanctuary. Next door is the Small Temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. After breakfast you disembark and are transferred to Abu Simbel Airport for a flight onwards, or driven back to Aswan by road, about three and a half hours, depending on the option you choose.
Meals: Breakfast
Good to know: Lake Nasser ships run fixed weekly departures (3 nights southbound, 4 nights northbound). Landing at Qasr Ibrim is not permitted, and sailing times can change with conditions on the lake.
What’s Included
Included
- 3 nights on a 5★ Lake Nasser cruise ship in an en-suite, air-conditioned cabin
- Full board from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 4
- Private Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing
- Entry fees to Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali, Kertassi, Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka, Maharraqa, Amada, Derr, the tomb of Pennut and Abu Simbel
- Meet and assist on arrival
- Private A/C transfer from your Aswan hotel or airport to the ship
- Private A/C transfer from the ship to Abu Simbel Airport, or road transfer back to Aswan
Not included
- International and domestic flights, including any flight from Abu Simbel
- Egypt entry visa
- Drinks with meals and from the bar
- Tips for the crew and guide
- Optional extras such as the Abu Simbel sound and light show
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $1,690 |
| 2 travellers | $1,050 |
| 3–5 travellers | $990 |
| 6+ travellers | $950 |
Per person in USD, based on sharing a double or twin cabin; the single traveller rate includes a private cabin. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book. Prices can be higher over Christmas, New Year and Easter; we confirm the exact price in writing before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do the cruise in the other direction, from Abu Simbel to Aswan?
Yes. Lake Nasser ships usually alternate between a 3-night southbound sailing from Aswan to Abu Simbel and a 4-night northbound sailing from Abu Simbel back to Aswan. The sites are largely the same. Let us know your dates and we will tell you which sailing fits best.
How do I get back from Abu Simbel after the cruise?
You can fly from Abu Simbel Airport, where flights are limited and usually route via Aswan or Cairo, or return to Aswan by road, which takes about three and a half hours. Flight schedules on this route change often and are not guaranteed, so we confirm the best option when you book.
Is this cruise different from a regular Nile cruise?
Very. A regular cruise runs between Luxor and Aswan past towns and farmland, with many ships on the river. Lake Nasser is a remote desert lake with only a few ships, and the temples visited are less known and much quieter. Many travellers combine the two for a complete picture of Egypt and Nubia.
Can I see crocodiles on Lake Nasser?
Nile crocodiles do live in Lake Nasser, and some passengers spot them basking along the shoreline, especially in the cooler months. They keep their distance from the ships, so sightings are never guaranteed. Swimming in the lake is not offered on this cruise; use the ship’s pool instead.
What is the best season for a Lake Nasser cruise?
October to April is the most comfortable, with warm days and cool, clear nights. From May to September temperatures in southern Egypt often exceed 40°C, so sightseeing is kept to early mornings and late afternoons. Pack sun protection all year, and a warm layer for winter evenings on deck.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
