Lake Nasser Cruises: Aswan to Abu Simbel by Water

A Lake Nasser cruise sails between the Aswan High Dam and Abu Simbel over three or four nights, stopping at rescued Nubian temples such as Kalabsha, Wadi el-Seboua and Amada that road travelers rarely see, and arriving at Abu Simbel by water. Only a small number of ships operate, so the lake is quiet: no towns, few other boats, and desert shores.

It is in many ways the opposite of the classic Luxor to Aswan cruise. On the Nile between Luxor and Aswan you pass fields, villages, and dozens of other ships, and the big temples are busy. On Lake Nasser you sail through open desert, with long stretches of water between sites and often only your own group at each temple.

This guide explains how the itineraries work, what you see, what life on board is like, who the trip suits and how to combine it with the rest of Egypt.

How a Lake Nasser cruise works

Lake Nasser is the reservoir created by the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. It stretches south from the dam into Sudan, where its southern part is known as Lake Nubia. Cruises use the Egyptian part of the lake, between the dam near Aswan and Abu Simbel.

Itineraries usually come in two directions:

Departures typically run on fixed weekly days, and the two directions fit together so ships sail continuously back and forth. Because the schedules are fixed, your wider Egypt itinerary usually needs to be built around the cruise dates rather than the other way round.

The temples you visit

When the High Dam was built, the rising water threatened dozens of Nubian monuments. An international campaign coordinated by UNESCO moved many of them to higher ground, often in groups. A Lake Nasser cruise visits these relocated sites in sequence.

New Kalabsha

Close to the High Dam, the New Kalabsha site brings together the Temple of Kalabsha, built in the Roman period and dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis, the elegant Kiosk of Qertassi, and the rock-cut Temple of Beit el-Wali from the reign of Ramesses II. It is usually visited at the start or end of the cruise.

Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa

Wadi el-Seboua, the "valley of the lions," takes its name from the avenue of sphinxes in front of its temple of Ramesses II. Nearby, the relocated temples of Dakka and Maharraqa make this a rich stop on the lake.

Amada, Derr and the tomb of Pennut

The small Temple of Amada, dating back to the 18th Dynasty, is known for finely carved and colored reliefs. It was moved as a single block on rails during the rescue campaign. Close by are the rock-cut Temple of Derr and the decorated tomb of Pennut, a local official, also relocated here.

Qasr Ibrim

Qasr Ibrim was once a hilltop fortress and town; today it is an island in the lake. It is an active archaeological site, and visitors usually view it from the ship rather than going ashore.

Abu Simbel

The highlight is Abu Simbel. Ships moor near the temples, so you can attend the evening Sound and Light show and often return early the next morning for a quieter visit. Seeing the façades of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari from the water, the way travelers once arrived, is one of the main reasons people choose this cruise.

Exact sequences and visit times vary by ship and direction. Ask for the named stops on your specific program.

The ships and life on board

Only a handful of cruise ships sail Lake Nasser, and the fleet changes over time. Ships that have operated the route include the MS Kasr Ibrim and MS Eugenie, both designed in a vintage style, as well as the MS Prince Abbas and the Omar El Khayam. Ask which ships are sailing in your travel season.

Standards on these ships are generally comparable to good deluxe Nile ships: air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, full-board dining, a sun deck, and often a small pool. Internet access is very limited or unavailable for much of the cruise, which many travelers come to appreciate.

A typical day combines one or two temple visits, often early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the heat, with long, peaceful sailing stretches. You may see water birds along the shore, and the lake is home to Nile crocodiles, sometimes spotted on the banks. Sunsets and night skies over the desert are memorable, since there is very little light pollution.

When to go

The most comfortable cruising season is roughly October to April. Days are warm and nights can be cool on deck, especially in December and January, so bring a warm layer. Summer is very hot in this part of Egypt, and some ships reduce or suspend sailings during the hottest months. Check the operating calendar before planning around a specific date.

Practical tips for the cruise

A few details make a Lake Nasser cruise more comfortable:

• Bring binoculars. They are useful for spotting birds and crocodiles along the shore and for viewing Qasr Ibrim from the deck.
• Pack sturdy shoes. Some landings involve walking on sand or uneven paths from the shore to the temples.
• Carry a warm layer and a windproof jacket. Mornings and evenings on deck can feel cool, even when afternoons are hot.
• Bring books, cards, or downloads. With limited internet and long sailing stretches, offline entertainment is welcome.
• Ask about medical needs in advance. The lake is remote, and the nearest major facilities are in Aswan, so bring any medicines you need for the whole trip.
• Plan your onward transfer. Confirm how you will travel from Abu Simbel, or reach it, before the cruise begins.

Who a Lake Nasser cruise suits

This cruise suits:

• Second-time visitors who have seen the classic Nile sites and want something quieter.
• Enthusiasts of Nubian history and temples, who will value the relocated monuments.
• Travelers who found the Luxor to Aswan route crowded and prefer a slower, more remote experience.
• Anyone who wants to see Abu Simbel without a pre-dawn day trip, since the ship brings you right there.

It is less suitable as a first and only cruise if you have limited time. The famous temples of Luxor, Edfu and Kom Ombo are on the classic route, and that should usually come first.

Combining Lake Nasser with the rest of Egypt

A rewarding combination is a classic Nile cruise followed by Lake Nasser. For example, you could sail Luxor to Aswan on a four-night cruise, spend a night or two in Aswan, and then board a four-night Lake Nasser cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel. From Abu Simbel you can continue by road or air, depending on what is operating. Together, that is a full river and lake journey through Upper Egypt and Nubia.

Alternatively, start in Abu Simbel with the three-night cruise northbound to Aswan, then continue on a three-night classic cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Either way, add Cairo and Giza at the beginning or end. Our Egypt tours and Nile cruises pages show how these combinations come together.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Lake Nasser cruise?

Most cruises are three or four nights. The four-night version typically sails south from Aswan to Abu Simbel, and the three-night version north from Abu Simbel to Aswan.

Which temples does a Lake Nasser cruise visit?

Typical programs include New Kalabsha with Kalabsha Temple, Beit el-Wali, and the Kiosk of Qertassi; Wadi el-Seboua with Dakka and Maharraqa; Amada with Derr and the tomb of Pennut; a view of Qasr Ibrim from the ship; and Abu Simbel. Exact stops vary by ship, so check the program.

Is a Lake Nasser cruise better than a Luxor to Aswan cruise?

They are different experiences. Lake Nasser is quieter and more remote, with fewer people at each site, while the classic route covers some of Egypt's most famous temples. For a first visit, the classic cruise usually comes first.

Can you see the Abu Simbel Sound and Light show on the cruise?

Most programs that moor at Abu Simbel include or offer the evening Sound and Light show, followed by a morning visit to the temples. Confirm this in your specific program, since arrangements vary.

Is there Wi-Fi on Lake Nasser ships?

Connectivity is very limited for much of the cruise because the lake is remote. Expect to be mostly offline, and let family or colleagues know in advance.

Plan it with Nourbelle

If a Lake Nasser cruise appeals to you, plan your trip with us and we will check which ships are sailing on your dates and how best to connect it with the rest of your journey.