Egypt Discovery

Egypt Holidays · Style

Nile and Lake Nasser Cruise Holidays

Two cruises, one holiday: the classic Nile river run and the Lake Nasser sailing back to back, with the changeover at Aswan handled as a single booking. The river leg covers the dynastic temples between Luxor and Aswan – Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae. The lake leg crosses the water the High Dam created to reach the Nubian rescue temples UNESCO moved stone by stone in the 1960s, ending at Abu Simbel by boat at dawn. Most returning travellers regard the Lake Nasser half as the more atmospheric of the two, and seeing both in sequence is the most complete way to sail Egypt's waters. We arrange the two ships, the Aswan changeover and the High Dam port transfer so it reads as one trip.

2 matching holidays ·

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The shape

What is a nile and lake nasser Egypt holiday?

A Nile and Lake Nasser holiday pairs a three- or four-night Luxor–Aswan river cruise with a three- to four-night Lake Nasser cruise, joined at Aswan. The river leg sails the dynastic temples; the lake leg sails the Nubian rescue temples – Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Qasr Ibrim – and ends at Abu Simbel by boat. It is the complete two-cruise itinerary, usually ten to twelve days with Cairo added, for travellers who want the whole river and the whole lake.

River first, then the lake

How the two-cruise holiday runs

  1. Days 1–4Nile river cruiseLuxor to Aswan aboard a 5-star ship: Karnak, the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
  2. Day 5Aswan changeoverDisembark the river ship; transfer to the High Dam port and board the Lake Nasser vessel after lunch.
  3. Days 6–7Lake NasserKalabsha, Wadi El Seboua and Amada – the Nubian rescue temples – sailing south across the lake.
  4. Day 8Abu SimbelMoored off the great temple for dawn, the facade lit by the first sun off the lake, then disembark.

Add two nights in Cairo at the start for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum and the holiday becomes the full ten- to twelve-day Egypt itinerary.

  1. Deluxe Abu Simbel Nile CruisePremium

    Deluxe Abu Simbel Nile Cruise

    Lake Nasser

    A three-night cruise on Lake Nasser from Abu Simbel to Aswan, spread over four days. The first day brings a drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel, time at the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari, and boarding. You then visit Amada, Derr, the Tomb of Pennut, Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa, with Kasr Ibrim viewed from the deck because it cannot be landed on. Kalabsha Temple follows on day 4, before you leave the ship at Aswan and are taken to the airport. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange the ship, your Egyptologist and the transfers. The fare covers full board, entrance fees for the sites in the programme, service charges and taxes. Gratuities are not included.

    From £5414 Days
  2. 5-day Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser cruise from AswanBudget

    5-day Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser cruise from Aswan

    Lake Nasser

    This five-day cruise from Aswan visits Nubian monuments along Lake Nasser and ends at Abu Simbel. Four nights are arranged aboard a 5-star cruise ship with full-board meals. An Egyptologist guides the included sightseeing, which covers Kalabsha Temple, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut. At Kasr Ibrim, the programme includes a photo stop from the sundeck. Transfers are by modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. Unlike a direct excursion to Abu Simbel, this route includes several temple sites along Lake Nasser. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and ground services through suppliers.

    From £6765 Days

Practical questions

What clients ask about this style of holiday.

  1. 01What is the difference between the Nile and Lake Nasser cruises?

    The Nile river cruise sails the Luxor–Aswan stretch of the river and visits the dynastic temples. The Lake Nasser cruise sails the lake the High Dam created and visits the Nubian rescue temples UNESCO relocated in the 1960s – Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Qasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel. Different water, different temples, only three ships on the lake.

  2. 02How long do I need for both cruises?

    Eight days covers a four-night river cruise and a three-night lake cruise with the Aswan changeover. Add two nights in Cairo at the start and it becomes a ten- to twelve-day holiday that takes in the Pyramids as well – the most complete Egypt itinerary we book.

  3. 03How does the changeover at Aswan work?

    You disembark the river ship at Aswan in the morning and we transfer you to the High Dam port to board the Lake Nasser vessel after lunch the same day. It is a short transfer handled by our Aswan office, with the luggage moved for you. No wasted night between the two.

  4. 04Is two cruises too much of the same thing?

    No – they feel quite different. The river is busy, green-banked and lined with towns; the lake is wide, empty and silent, with the temples appearing out of open water. Travellers who expect repetition almost always say the Lake Nasser half was the surprise of the trip.

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From the Cairo desk

Found the shape. Now make it yours.

Every Egypt holiday we sell is tailor-made – your dates, your party, your pace. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies inside one working day.

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– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546