11days
Abu Simbel · Aswan · Cairo & Giza · Lake Nasser
Legends of the Nile & Lake Nasser
From€1,800
Destinations
Lake Nasser Cruises
Three- and four-night cruises between Aswan and Abu Simbel to Nubian temples that can only be reached by boat.
Cruising Lake Nasser
Created by the Aswan High Dam, Lake Nasser stretches for more than 500 kilometres into Nubia. A handful of small ships sail between Aswan and Abu Simbel, stopping at temples rescued from the water and rebuilt on its shores: Kalabsha, Wadi el-Seboua, Amada and Qasr Ibrim. With no roads and no crowds, it is the most peaceful way to see Abu Simbel — the ships moor in front of the temples for the Sound and Light Show.
Planning a Lake Nasser cruise
The lake was formed behind the Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960s, and flooded much of ancient Nubia. Several monuments were cut into blocks and moved to higher ground in the international rescue campaign led by UNESCO, which is why the temples now stand together on the shore.
- Season: October to April is the most comfortable; summer is very hot in Nubia.
- Typical stops: Kalabsha near Aswan, Wadi el-Seboua, Amada, and Qasr Ibrim, which is seen from the deck because visitors cannot land.
- Abu Simbel: ships moor in front of the temples, so you can see them at night and again in the morning before the day visitors arrive.
Read our guide to Abu Simbel from Aswan and the Nile cruise guide.
Your Egypt starts with a conversation
Tell us how many days you have and what you dream of seeing. An Egyptologist from our team will design the route and send you a clear quote within 24 hours.