Quick answer
A Lake Nasser cruise sails the reservoir above the Aswan High Dam between Aswan and Abu Simbel, usually 3 nights southbound or 4 nights northbound. Only a handful of ships operate, visiting the rescued Nubian temples of Kalabsha, Wadi el-Sebua and Amada, sailing past the island fortress of Qasr Ibrim, and mooring below Abu Simbel so you see the temples lit at night and again at dawn.
What is a Lake Nasser cruise?
A Lake Nasser cruise is a 3 or 4-night voyage on the lake created by the Aswan High Dam, linking Aswan and Abu Simbel and stopping at Nubian temples that were moved to the shore in the 1960s to save them from the rising water.
It is a completely different trip from a Luxor to Aswan sailing. There are no towns, no riverside villages and almost no other boats between the High Dam and Abu Simbel: just blue water, sandstone hills and desert, with a temple every day and arrival at Abu Simbel by water. The background to the lake and its lost Nubian homeland is on our Lake Nasser and Nubia page, and if you are still deciding whether the lake or the river suits you better, read Lake Nasser cruise vs Nile cruise. This guide covers how the cruise itself works.
What is the day-by-day route?
Southbound cruises typically run 3 nights from the High Dam to Abu Simbel, visiting Kalabsha on day one, Wadi el-Sebua on day two, and Amada with a sail-past of Qasr Ibrim on day three before mooring at Abu Simbel; northbound cruises add a night and reverse the order. Exact timings vary by ship and season.
| Southbound (3 nights) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Board at the jetty south of the High Dam around midday. Many ships visit Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Kertassi in the afternoon, then sail south. |
| Day 2 | Sail through the morning. Afternoon at Wadi el-Sebua with its sphinx avenue, plus the temples of Dakka and Maharraqa nearby. |
| Day 3 | Morning at Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut. Afternoon sail-past of Qasr Ibrim, then arrival at Abu Simbel, often in time to see the floodlit temples or the evening sound and light show. |
| Day 4 | Early visit to Abu Simbel's two temples, then disembark and fly or drive onwards. |
Northbound cruises start at Abu Simbel, usually with the temple visit on the first evening or next morning, and finish at the High Dam on day five. The extra night gives more sailing time. If you start or finish at Abu Simbel without a flight, our Abu Simbel by road or by air guide explains the 280 km transfer.
Which ships sail Lake Nasser?
Only a handful of ships are licensed to sail Lake Nasser, compared with well over a hundred on the Luxor to Aswan stretch, so cabins are limited and the best dates sell out early.
Because boats cannot pass the High Dam, the lake has its own small, separate fleet, and it changes slowly. Long-running examples include the Kasr Ibrim and the Eugenie, both decorated in period styles that recall the golden age of Nile travel; ships come in and out of service, so check which are operating for your dates. Most lake ships are mid-sized, with a sun deck and pool, a restaurant, a lounge and cabins similar in size to a deluxe Nile ship. Facilities are comfortable rather than extravagant, and the atmosphere is quieter and more expedition-like than on the river, with many guests on their second or third trip to Egypt.
Because of the small fleet, there are no five-abreast moorings. Ships tie up on their own at temple landings, sometimes beside a sandy shore with nothing in sight but desert.
What is included on a Lake Nasser cruise?
Lake Nasser cruises are full board and normally include guided visits to the temples on the route, with entry fees often included in packaged fares; drinks, tips, the Abu Simbel sound and light show and transfers may or may not be. Check your booking line by line.
- Usually included: cabin, all meals, tea and coffee, shore excursions with a guide, temple entry on many fares.
- Sometimes included: the sound and light show at Abu Simbel, soft drinks, transfers from Aswan to the embarkation jetty.
- Usually extra: alcoholic drinks, crew and guide tips, the flight or road transfer to or from Abu Simbel, laundry.
A private Egyptologist is worth adding. The lake temples are less familiar than Karnak or Edfu, and the stories behind them, from Ramesses II's Nubian campaigns to the Christian paintings at Wadi el-Sebua, need explaining. Read up before you sail: our guides to saving Abu Simbel and Nubia and Kush are a good start.
What is it like arriving at Abu Simbel by boat?
Arriving by boat is the great reward of the cruise: you see the façades from the water, can walk up to the floodlit temples in the evening, and return at dawn before the day-trippers from Aswan arrive.
Ships moor a short walk or drive below the temples. In the evening most guests watch the lights come up on the four seated colossi, or the sound and light show when it runs. The next morning you see the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari in soft early light, typically with far fewer people than mid-morning. Cruises timed for the Sun Festival around 22 February and 22 October are especially popular and book out well ahead, so enquire early if you want those dates.
What is life on board like?
Life on board is slow, quiet and scenic: long hours on the sun deck watching desert hills, birds and the odd crocodile, with a temple visit most days and very little phone signal.
- Wildlife: Nile crocodiles live in the lake and are sometimes seen basking on the shore; herons, egrets, kites and migrating waterbirds are common. Bring binoculars.
- Night skies: with no towns nearby, the stars are spectacular. See our stargazing in Egypt guide.
- Connectivity: expect little or no mobile coverage for much of the voyage and limited ship Wi-Fi. Download books and maps in Aswan.
- Heat: the lake region is among the hottest in Egypt; even in spring, shore visits are timed for morning and late afternoon.
- No shopping: there are no shops or markets between the dam and Abu Simbel, so bring all medication, sunscreen and cash for tips.
- Fellow guests: groups are smaller and quieter than on the river, and evenings tend towards talks, star-gazing and conversation rather than parties, though most ships hold a galabeya night.
How do you fit a Lake Nasser cruise into an Egypt trip?
The neatest plan pairs a Lake Nasser cruise with a Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise or a few nights in Aswan, adding about a week to a classic Cairo and Nile itinerary.
A common pattern is Cairo, a flight to Luxor, a 4-night Nile cruise to Aswan, one or two nights in Aswan for Philae and the Nubian Museum, then the 3-night lake cruise south to Abu Simbel and a flight back to Cairo, schedules permitting. Northbound works in reverse if you can fly to Abu Simbel. The best season is October to April; from May to September temperatures regularly pass 40°C and some ships reduce departures, so check schedules. Our planned Lake Nasser cruise and Abu Simbel journey shows how the pieces fit, and the Ultimate Egypt trip can be built around it.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Lake Nasser cruise?
Usually 3 nights sailing south from Aswan to Abu Simbel and 4 nights sailing north from Abu Simbel to Aswan. Some ships occasionally run longer itineraries.
Where does a Lake Nasser cruise start?
At a jetty just south of the Aswan High Dam, about 20 minutes' drive from central Aswan, or at Abu Simbel for northbound sailings. Ships cannot pass the dam, so they never reach Aswan town.
Do Lake Nasser cruises visit Abu Simbel?
Yes. Every Lake Nasser cruise starts or ends at Abu Simbel, and the ship moors below the temples so you can see them lit at night and again early in the morning.
Can you see crocodiles on Lake Nasser?
Often, yes. Nile crocodiles live in the lake and are sometimes spotted basking on the shore from the ship, especially in the cooler months.
How far ahead should I book a Lake Nasser cruise?
As early as possible, ideally 6 to 12 months for December to February and Sun Festival dates, because only a few ships operate and cabins are limited.
Is there Wi-Fi on a Lake Nasser cruise?
Ships may offer limited Wi-Fi, but much of the lake has little or no mobile coverage. Plan to be largely offline for three or four days.
