Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise
A five-star cruiser with a swimming pool, gym and restaurant, plus cabins overlooking Lake Nasser on the Aswan to Abu Simbel route.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
The Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a four-day Lake Nasser cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Steigenberger Omar El Khayam follows a four-day route across Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel. Its excursion programme includes Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and Kasr Ibrim, within the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments site.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Lake Nasser Cruise
- Destinations
- Aswan · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- Cabin aboard Steigenberger Omar El Khayam · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Sailing between Aswan and Abu Simbel · Shore excursion to Kalabsha · Shore excursion to Wadi El Seboua · Shore excursion to Amada · Visit to Kasr Ibrim
- Best for
- Lake Nasser travellers · Nubian temple enthusiasts · Cruise travellers · Couples
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- The supplied excursion programme names Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and Kasr Ibrim.
What lingers
- 01Visit the temples of Abu Simbel on the southern shore of Lake Nasser.
- 02Explore Kalabsha, a temple complex relocated to higher ground after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
- 03Take shore excursions to Wadi El Seboua and Amada, sites of ancient Egyptian temples.
- 04See Kasr Ibrim, an archaeological site on a promontory above Lake Nasser.
- 05Use the listed on-board amenities: restaurant, pool and gym.
02Overview
A first look
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a five-star ship sailing Lake Nasser, the great reservoir behind the Aswan High Dam and a stretch of Nubia most holidaymakers never see. Between Aswan and Abu Simbel she calls at the temples rescued from the rising waters in the 1960s — Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and the clifftop fortress of Kasr Ibrim — before finishing beneath the colossi of Abu Simbel.
Sailings follow the classic lake pattern: four nights from Aswan on Mondays and three nights from Abu Simbel on Fridays. Cabins and fares are confirmed on request — let us know your dates and we will check availability directly with the operator.
Background
The facts
The Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a Lake Nasser cruise vessel on the Aswan to Abu Simbel route in southern Egypt. Discovery Tours Egypt books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
The route links Aswan with Abu Simbel and includes shore excursions to Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua and Amada. Kasr Ibrim is also part of the programme; access to archaeological sites can depend on local arrangements. Lake Nasser extends south from the Aswan High Dam towards Sudan.
The sites form part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The monuments were relocated during the 1960s UNESCO-led campaign to protect them from the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam. Abu Simbel’s rock-cut temples were built under Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE.
The cruise lasts four days. Excursion schedules and site access may vary with navigation and local conditions. Lake Nasser has little shore-town infrastructure along this route, so passengers generally rely on the vessel for meals and facilities between visits. Confirm current departure dates and excursion arrangements when booking.
Named in this entry
Lake Nasser·Aswan·Abu Simbel·Kalabsha·Wadi El Seboua·Amada·Kasr Ibrim·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·Ramesses II·Aswan High Dam·UNESCO
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children interested in Nubian archaeology, especially travellers who have already seen Luxor and want a quieter route between Aswan and Abu Simbel. It works well for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage temple visits and time aboard.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different itinerary if you want busy shore towns, frequent independent stops or the Luxor to Aswan Nile route. It is also a poor fit for travellers who need step-free access or prefer to avoid early starts and uneven temple paths.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Lake Nasser route is quieter than the main Nile corridor
- Shore excursions focus on Nubian monuments relocated during the Aswan High Dam project
Things to Consider
- Few shore towns or independent activities along the route
- Temple visits involve uneven ground and exposure to the sun
- Excursion timings can mean early starts
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruise itineraries sail between Luxor and Aswan and visit temples along the river. This cruise crosses Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, with excursions to Nubian monuments and few shore towns along the route. Most group shore visits follow a shared schedule. We arrange this cruise with the vessel’s own excursion programme, rather than presenting it as a private sailing.
The route
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Abu Simbel3 nightsupstream, against the current
- Abu Simbel → Aswan2 nightsdownstream, with the current
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on round-trip embarkation from Aswan. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Parking
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Standard site entrance fees
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Pack sun protection for open-deck time; shade can be limited during the brightest part of the day.
- 02
Bring binoculars for views of the Lake Nasser shoreline and sites seen from the vessel.
- 03
Keep a light layer handy on deck, where wind can make evenings feel cooler.
- 04
Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for incidental purchases where card payment may not be available.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us about arranging private transfers in Aswan or Abu Simbel and adding time in either town before or after the cruise. The sailing and shore-excursion programme follows the vessel's schedule, so extra sites or changes to visit times need to be checked before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Place this Lake Nasser cruise between time in Aswan and a visit to Abu Simbel, then continue to Cairo or Luxor. It follows a different route from the usual Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Lake Nasser cruise includes shore visits at Abu Simbel, Wadi El Seboua, Kasr Ibrim and Amada, where paths may be uneven and include sand, gravel, ancient stone and steps. Boarding and leaving the vessel involves a gangway, and some shore visits include a coach transfer between the pier and the monuments. Temple approaches and interiors can have steps and narrow doorways, so wheelchair access may be limited. Walking or standing for 20 to 60 minutes at a time may be needed. Steps may also be present in cabins and public areas, and lifts are not guaranteed. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check access options with the cruise supplier.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers for shore excursions use air-conditioned coaches arranged with local companies based in Aswan. The route has long distances between sites and limited shore infrastructure, so coach travel is a practical part of the programme. Shore visits are led by licensed Egyptologists and guides recruited locally in Aswan and Abu Simbel, keeping some tourism income in the region. Food supplies for the vessel are sourced primarily through Aswan markets and vendors, according to the information provided for this cruise. We coordinate with the vessel team, where possible, to reduce single-use plastics and combine luggage movements. These are practical measures, not environmental certification claims.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and booking confirmation
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with good grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Small amount of Egyptian pounds for personal spending
- Personal medication and a copy of prescriptions
- Light daypack for water and essentials
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- A light layer for cooler or breezy evenings on deck
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Sun hat or cap and neck protection
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip for uneven archaeological paths
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used on coach transfers but are impractical on stepped, uneven temple approaches. Tell us about dietary needs or allergies when booking.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Abu Simbel → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,050single cabin £1,604triple cabin £1,050 | May – September: from £981single cabin £1,223triple cabin £966 |
| 4 nights · Aswan → Abu Simbelembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,333single cabin £2,073triple cabin £1,333 | May – September: from £1,241single cabin £1,564triple cabin £1,222 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £2,141single cabin £3,435triple cabin £2,141 | May – September: from £1,980single cabin £2,545triple cabin £1,946 |
Choose your sailing and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Philae Temple8 km
- Aswan High Dam17 km
- Kalabsha Temple16 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Shore visits include four named Nubian temple sites
02
Full Board covers lunch through breakfast
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise?
This Lake Nasser cruise typically runs for four days and three nights, sailing between Aswan and Abu Simbel. The itinerary includes daily shore excursions to significant Nubian temples along the route.02What is included in the cruise fare for the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam?
Your cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. It also includes all scheduled shore excursions with an Egyptologist, and transfers to and from the vessel.03What meals are provided on board the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam?
The cruise operates on a full board basis, meaning all your main meals are included. This covers lunch on the day you board, dinner each evening, and breakfast up to the day you disembark from the vessel.04What should I wear for shore excursions and on board the cruise?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes and light, breathable clothing are recommended, especially during warmer months. Modest dress is advisable for temple visits. On board, smart casual attire is suitable for evenings.05What is the best time of year to take a Lake Nasser cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally the most comfortable for a Lake Nasser cruise. This period offers pleasant temperatures for exploring the temples and enjoying the deck areas.06Are alcoholic beverages included on the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise?
Typically, alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard full board cruise fare. You can purchase drinks, including alcoholic options, separately on board the vessel.07Is the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise suitable for children?
Yes, children are welcome. Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin.08What kind of shore excursions are offered on this Lake Nasser cruise?
Shore excursions focus on the relocated Nubian temples, including Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, and the iconic Abu Simbel temples. Our Egyptologists provide context at each historical site.09What is the accessibility like on the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient terrain, sand, and steps at temple sites. Travellers with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking.10What is the difference between a Lake Nasser cruise and a Nile River cruise?
A Lake Nasser cruise, like the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam, sails between Aswan and Abu Simbel, focusing on Nubian monuments. Nile River cruises typically operate between Luxor and Aswan, visiting different sites like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-ASW-451028
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