Nile Journeys
04 Nights / 05 Days Luxury Lake Nasser Cruise
overview
Journey beyond the traditional Nile route on a 04 nights / 05 days Lake Nasser cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel, sailing through the vast landscapes of ancient Nubia, where temples rise between desert and water and archaeological sites remain remarkably peaceful.
From Kalabsha Temple and the remote sanctuaries of Wadi El Seboua to the beautifully preserved Temple of Amada and dramatic Kasr Ibrim, the journey reveals monuments rarely encountered on a conventional Nile cruise.
The voyage culminates at Abu Simbel, approaching the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari from Lake Nasser before exploring them ashore — an unforgettable conclusion to one of Egypt’s most distinctive cruise journeys.
Exclusive Access (OPT)
Luxury Vessel
Expert Egyptologist
Gourmet Dining
At A Glance
Duration: 05 Days / 04 Nights
Route: Aswan → Kalabsha → Wadi El Seboua → Amada → Kasr Ibrim → Abu Simbel
Cruise Type: Luxury Lake Nasser Cruise
Embarkation: Aswan
Disembarkation: Abu Simbel
Guide: Cruise Resident Egyptologist / Private Egyptologist on Request
Experience: Ancient Nubia, Remote Temples, Desert Landscapes & Serene Sailing
Important Sailing Note
The itinerary represents the planned cruise and sightseeing program. Sailing times, docking locations, and the order of visits may vary according to the selected vessel’soperating schedule and navigation conditions. The final itinerary will be confirmed once the vessel is selected, while preserving the included sightseeing wherever possible.
Summary Itinerary
Day 01 – Aswan | Embarkation & Leisure on Board
Private transfer from your Aswan hotel or Aswan Airport, embarkation, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner on board.
Day 02 – Kalabsha & Sailing into Nubia
Sail to Kalabsha for sightseeing before continuing across Lake Nasser to Wadi El Seboua.
Day 03 – Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr & Pennut
Explore Wadi El Seboua, sail to Amada, and visit Amada Temple, Temple of Derr, and the Tomb of Pennut.
Day 04 – Kasr Ibrim & Abu Simbel
View Kasr Ibrim from the sun deck, sail toward Abu Simbel for a memorable view of the temples from Lake Nasser, then visit the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples.
Day 05 – Abu Simbel | Disembarkation & Departure
Check out after breakfast and transfer privately to Abu Simbel Airport or travel overland back to Aswan.
Start Your Journey
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Itinerary
- Aswan
Day 01 – Aswan | Embarkation & The Beginning of the Journey
Your Lake Nasser journey begins in Aswan, where you will be met at your hotel or Aswan International Airport and transferred privately to your selected Lake Nasser cruise.
After embarkation and check-in, settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch on board.
The remainder of the day is deliberately unhurried. Enjoy afternoon tea and your first views from the vessel as you settle into the distinctive atmosphere of Lake Nasser — a landscape of open water, desert horizons, and profound stillness.
Dinner is served on board, followed by a peaceful first evening in Aswan.
Overnight: Aswan
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 02 – Kalabsha | Gateway to Ancient Nubia
After breakfast, begin sailing toward Kalabsha, home to one of the most impressive temple complexes rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Visit magnificent Kalabsha Temple, originally constructed during the Roman period and dedicated principally to Mandulis, a Nubian solar deity. The temple was dismantled and reconstructed at its present location as part of the international campaign to save the monuments of Nubia.
According to the operating sightseeing program of your selected vessel, the visit may also incorporate nearby monuments associated with the Kalabsha archaeological area.
Return to the cruise and sail deeper into Lake Nasser toward Wadi El Seboua.
As the vessel moves south, settlements become increasingly scarce and the immense scale of the lake and surrounding desert begins to define the journey.
Overnight: Wadi El Seboua
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03 – Wadi El Seboua & Amada | Temples of Ancient Nubia
This morning, explore Wadi El Seboua, the evocative “Valley of the Lions,” named for the sphinxes that once lined the ceremonial approach to the temple.
The principal monument, constructed during the reign of Ramses II, is one of the most fascinating temples of Nubia. Its architecture and reliefs preserve layers of Egyptian and later Christian history, reflecting the changing cultural landscape of the region across centuries.
Return to the vessel and continue sailing south toward Amada.
Upon arrival, explore a remarkable group of monuments beginning with the Temple of Amada, one of the oldest surviving Egyptian temples in Nubia and particularly celebrated for the quality and preservation of its painted reliefs.
Continue to the nearby Temple of Derr, another important sanctuary associated with Ramses II, followed by the Tomb of Pennut, whose decorated chambers provide an intimate glimpse into the life and status of an important Nubian official during the New Kingdom.
Return to the cruise after this exceptionally rich day of archaeological exploration.
Overnight: Amada
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Abu Simbel
Day 04 – Kasr Ibrim & Abu Simbel | The Grand Finale
Sail south toward Kasr Ibrim, one of the most extraordinary landmarks along Lake Nasser.
Unlike the temples relocated during the UNESCO Nubian rescue campaign, Kasr Ibrim remains in its original location. The vessel pauses offshore for approximately 15 minutes, allowing you to photograph the dramatic archaeological site from the sun deck.
Continue sailing toward Abu Simbel.
One of the great moments of the entire journey comes as the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari appear from Lake Nasser. Approaching Abu Simbel by water provides an entirely different perspective on this celebrated archaeological landscape.
After docking, disembark for your visit to the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples. Carved into the mountainside during the reign of Ramses II, the Great Temple is dominated by four colossal seated statues of the king, while the nearby temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor remains one of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable monuments to a royal woman.
The temples were famously dismantled and relocated to higher ground during the international UNESCO campaign to save the monuments of Nubia from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Return to your cruise for your final evening on board.
The Abu Simbel Sound & Light Show can be arranged as an optional evening experience.
Overnight: Abu Simbel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05 – Abu Simbel | Disembarkation & Departure
Enjoy breakfast on board before checking out of your Lake Nasser cruise.
You will then be transferred privately to Abu Simbel Airport for your onward flight.
Alternatively, a private overland transfer to Aswan can be arranged, with the journey taking approximately three hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.
Your Lake Nasser journey concludes after five days of remote temples, ancient Nubian heritage, desert landscapes, and tranquil sailing.
- Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Meet & assist upon arrival & Departure
- 04 nights accommodation aboard your selected Lake Nasser cruise
- Full-board meals
- Services of the cruise’s resident Egyptologist
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
- All taxes and service charges
Excluded
- Flights (to/from Aswan or Abu Simbel)
- Entry visa
- Private access
- Optional excursions
- Beverages & personal expenses
- Gratuities
Choose Your Travel Style
An elegant introduction to luxury Nile cruising, combining carefully selected vessels, refined comfort, and excellent value for a seamless journey along the Nile.
From US$ 1,700 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season, number of travelers, and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
MS Kasr Ibrim. MS Eugenie
Character
Elegant · Comfortable · Refined
The Experience
Carefully selected luxury vessels offering stylish surroundings, comfortable accommodation, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere for experiencing the Nile in refined comfort.
Ideal For
Travelers seeking a sophisticated lake Nasse cruise with an excellent balance of comfort, quality, and value.
An elevated Nile experience for travelers seeking greater sophistication, with distinguished vessels, polished surroundings, and an enhanced sense of comfort throughout the journey.
From US$ 2,000 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season,number of travellers and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
MS Nubian Sea. MS Nubian Queen
Character
Sophisticated · Polished · Distinctive
The Experience
A more elevated expression of lake Nasser cruising, distinguished by sophisticated interiors, attentive service, and an enhanced onboard atmosphere throughout the journey.
Ideal For
Travelers who place greater importance on the vessel itself and appreciate a more polished and distinctive onboard experience.
Our highest expression of Nile cruising, featuring exceptional vessels where exclusivity, distinctive character, and sophisticated surroundings make life aboard an integral part of the journey.
From US$ 2,500 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season,number of travellers and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
Mövenpick Prince Abbas
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam
haracter
Exclusive · Intimate · Exceptional
The Experience
Our most distinguished Nile selection, bringing together exceptional vessels chosen for their individuality, design, intimate atmosphere, and exceptional standards of hospitality.
Ideal For
Discerning travelers for whom the vessel is not simply transportation between ancient sites, but an essential part of the Egyptian experience.
related Day Experiences
Tailor This Journey
Every journey can be fully customized. Contact us to design your private Egypt experience based on your preferred travel style.
FAQ
How is a Lake Nasser cruise different from a traditional Nile cruise?
A Lake Nasser cruise explores the archaeological landscapes of ancient Nubia between Aswan and Abu Simbel. It is generally quieter and more remote than the traditional Luxor–Aswan Nile route, with an emphasis on Nubian temples, desert scenery, and peaceful sailing.
Is sightseeing private during the Lake Nasser cruise?
Standard sightseeing is conducted with the Lake Nasser cruise vessel’s resident Egyptologist and may be shared with other guests on board. A private Egyptologist can be arranged upon request for travelers who prefer an exclusively guided experience.
Which temples are visited during the cruise?
The planned sightseeing program includes Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr, the Tomb of Pennut, Kasr Ibrim from the lake, and Abu Simbel, subject to the final operating itinerary of the selected cruise vessel.
Do we go ashore at Kasr Ibrim?
No. Kasr Ibrim is viewed from the vessel’s sun deck, with an approximately 15-minute photo stop offshore. It is particularly significant because it is the only major Nubian archaeological site along this route that remains in its original location.
Is Abu Simbel included in the cruise itinerary?
Yes. Abu Simbel is the culmination of the journey. The cruise approaches the temples from Lake Nasser before docking, after which guests visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari.
Is the Abu Simbel Sound & Light Show included?
No. The Abu Simbel Sound & Light Show is optional and can be arranged subject to the operating schedule and availability.
How do I return to Aswan after the cruise?
After disembarkation in Abu Simbel, you can transfer to Abu Simbel Airport for an onward flight or arrange a private overland transfer to Aswan, which takes approximately three hours.
Who is this Lake Nasser cruise best suited for?
It is particularly rewarding for travelers interested in ancient Nubia, archaeology, Ramses II, remote temples, and less-visited areas of Egypt, as well as returning visitors who want to explore beyond the traditional Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan route.
What is the best time for a Lake Nasser cruise?
The cooler months, particularly October through April, generally provide the most comfortable conditions for archaeological sightseeing and time on deck.
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