5-Day Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel

Upon your arrival in Aswan, the gateway to ancient Nubia and one of Egypt’s most beautiful Nile Valley destinations, our representative will welcome you and transfer you in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your Lake Nasser Cruise boat for embarkation and check-in. Enjoy your first lunch onboard while taking in the peaceful views of the legendary Nile River. Later, meet your professional Egyptologist tour guide and begin your unforgettable Aswan sightseeing tour, exploring the city’s most famous ancient and modern landmarks. Your first visit will be the impressive Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s greatest engineering achievements. Built during the 1960s under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the High Dam transformed Egypt’s agriculture, controlled the annual Nile floods, and created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes. Continue your Aswan Nile tour with a scenic motorboat ride across the Nile River to Agilkia Island, home to the magnificent Philae Temple. This spectacular ancient Egyptian temple complex was relocated to the island to save it from rising waters after the construction of the High Dam. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the mother of Horus, Philae Temple represents one of the finest examples of Greco-Roman architecture in Egypt. Complete your Aswan excursion with a visit to the remarkable Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk ever attempted. Carved from Aswan’s famous red granite quarries, this fascinating archaeological site reveals the advanced stone-cutting techniques used by ancient Egyptian craftsmen. After completing your Aswan sightseeing experience, return to your Lake Nasser cruise ship for dinner and overnight onboard, preparing for your upcoming journey through the ancient treasures of southern Egypt.

Enjoy your breakfast onboard while sailing through the peaceful waters of Lake Nasser, surrounded by breathtaking desert landscapes and the timeless beauty of southern Egypt. Later, meet your Egyptologist tour guide and begin your exploration of two of Nubia’s most remarkable archaeological treasures: Kalabsha Temple and Beit El Wali Temple. Your first visit will be Kalabsha Temple, one of the largest and most impressive temples in Nubia. Located near the Aswan High Dam, this magnificent monument is one of the highlights of any Lake Nasser Cruise itinerary. The temple was carefully relocated from its original location approximately 30 miles south after the construction of the High Dam to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Originally started during the Ptolemaic period and completed under the Roman Emperor Augustus, Kalabsha Temple represents a fascinating blend of ancient Egyptian and Roman architectural styles. Its beautifully preserved reliefs depict Roman emperors and Egyptian pharaohs worshiping the ancient gods. The temple was dedicated to Mandulis, the Nubian sun god, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of ancient Nubia. Continue your Nubian heritage tour with a visit to Beit El Wali Temple, one of the important temples rescued from the waters of Lake Nasser. Built by Pharaoh Ramses II, this rock-cut temple features a unique cruciform design, with beautifully decorated halls and impressive wall scenes illustrating religious ceremonies, royal victories, and offerings to the Egyptian gods. After completing your archaeological exploration, return to your Lake Nasser cruise ship to relax and enjoy lunch onboard while continuing your scenic sailing journey toward Wadi El Seboua. During the cruise, experience the unforgettable moment of sailing across the Tropic of Cancer, surrounded by the spectacular landscapes of the Nubian desert and the legendary Nile Valley. Enjoy dinner and overnight onboard.

Enjoy breakfast onboard your Lake Nasser Cruise while sailing through the peaceful landscapes of Nubia. Today, you will explore some of the most fascinating archaeological treasures preserved along the shores of Lake Nasser. Meet your Egyptologist tour guide and begin your visit to Wadi El Seboua Temple, one of the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples in Nubia. The name Wadi El Seboua, meaning “Valley of the Lions,” comes from the famous avenue of sphinxes that once guided visitors toward the temple entrance. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, this remarkable temple was dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty. Like many Nubian monuments, Wadi El Seboua Temple was carefully relocated in the 1960s to save it from the rising waters caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Today, it stands as a testament to one of the greatest archaeological rescue projects in history. After exploring the temple and its fascinating reliefs, return to your cruise ship and enjoy lunch onboard while continuing your scenic Lake Nasser sailing experience toward Amada. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Amada Temple, the oldest surviving monument around Lake Nasser. Dating back to the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom, this ancient temple was built during the reigns of Pharaohs Thutmose III and Amenhotep II, nearly two centuries before the construction of Abu Simbel. Dedicated to Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty, Amada Temple is famous for its beautifully preserved wall decorations and historical inscriptions. Although built before the era of Ramses II, the great pharaoh and his son Merenptah later added their own inscriptions and left their mark on this extraordinary monument. Return to your Lake Nasser cruise ship for dinner and overnight onboard, surrounded by the timeless beauty of ancient Nubia.

Enjoy an early breakfast onboard your Lake Nasser Cruise as you sail through the breathtaking landscapes of southern Egypt toward one of Nubia’s most fascinating historical sites. Your first stop will be Kasr Ibrim, an ancient fortress and archaeological site that once stood as a powerful city overlooking the Nile River. Today, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the former elevated citadel has been transformed into an island surrounded by the waters of Lake Nasser. Although visitors are not permitted to enter the site, you will enjoy a unique viewing experience from the sundeck of your cruise ship, offering excellent photo opportunities and a chance to admire this remarkable symbol of Nubian history. Continue sailing toward the highlight of your Lake Nasser cruise itinerary — the legendary Abu Simbel Temples. Explore the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, one of Egypt’s most iconic ancient monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved directly into the mountainside on the western bank of the Nile, near the ancient border of Nubia, these spectacular temples were built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II (1279–1213 BC). The site includes two extraordinary rock-cut temples: The Great Temple of Ramses II, dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and the deified king himself. The Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramses II’s beloved wife. Discover the incredible story behind the Abu Simbel rescue project, one of the greatest archaeological achievements in modern history. To protect the temples from the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the entire complex was carefully dismantled and relocated in 1968 to a new location approximately 64 meters higher and 180 meters away from its original site. After exploring these unforgettable ancient Egyptian masterpieces, return to your cruise ship and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of sailing through Nubia. Dinner and overnight onboard.

Enjoy your final breakfast onboard your Lake Nasser Cruise while taking in the peaceful views of Lake Nasser and the unforgettable landscapes of ancient Nubia. After breakfast, complete your check-out and meet our representative who will assist you with your transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo, marking the end of your remarkable Nubian heritage cruise experience. Depart with unforgettable memories of ancient temples, legendary monuments, and a unique journey through the history of southern Egypt.

Lake Nasser Cruises offer a more exclusive experience, visiting remote Nubian temples that cannot be included on standard Nile Cruise itineraries while sailing across one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.

You’ll visit Kalabsha Temple, Beit El Wali, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Maharraqa, Amada, Derr, Qasr Ibrim, and the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples.

Yes. The journey concludes at Abu Simbel, giving travelers plenty of time to explore one of Egypt’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Absolutely. This itinerary focuses on Egypt’s hidden Nubian heritage and includes several remarkable temples rarely visited by conventional Egypt tours.

Lake Nasser is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, surrounded by spectacular desert scenery and home to some of Egypt’s most remarkable relocated ancient temples, creating a unique blend of history, nature, and luxury cruising.