4-Day Abu Simbel to Aswan Lake Nasser Cruise
Explore Abu Simbel and the Nile aboard a deluxe cruiser, with transfers, meals, entrance fees and an Egyptologist included.
The short answer
4-Day Abu Simbel to Aswan Lake Nasser Cruise is a 4-day, 3-night trip: 3 nights on a Lake Nasser cruise. Starts on Fridays. It includes an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $924 per person, two sharing (Prestige, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This short Lake Nasser cruise begins at the water's edge below the Abu Simbel temples. You tour them with your Egyptologist on the first day, board your ship there, and spend three nights sailing north past Nubian temples that were moved above the rising lake. Full-board meals are served on board, and the cruise ends with a transfer to Aswan airport. We arrange the ship, transfers and site visits through trusted local partners.
What lingers
- 01Tour both Abu Simbel temples before boarding the ship
- 02Sail three nights on Lake Nasser from Abu Simbel to Aswan
- 03See Kasr Ibrim from the deck and visit Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut
- 04Visit Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka, Maharraqa and Kalabsha, all relocated when the lake formed
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prestigefrom $9245★ deluxe Nile cruises | Lake Nasser Cruise · 3 nightsNubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise | $924May–Sep: from $748 | |
| Luxuryfrom $1,4505★ luxury Nile cruises | Lake Nasser Cruise · 3 nightsSteigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise | $1,450May–Sep: from $1,001 |
Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
4 days
- 1
Your driver collects you from your Aswan hotel or cruise ship and takes the desert road south to Abu Simbel. With your Egyptologist you tour the Great Temple of Ramesses II, fronted by four colossal seated statues, and the smaller Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to Hathor. Afterward you board your Lake Nasser cruise ship right at Abu Simbel and settle into your cabin. Dinner and the night on board.
- 2
The ship sails north across the lake, and from the deck you see Kasr Ibrim, a fortified hill that cannot be landed on. Ashore, your Egyptologist leads you through the Temple of Amada, with its well-preserved painted reliefs, then Derr Temple and the Tomb of Pennut, a Nubian official under Ramesses VI. Back on board you keep sailing. All meals and the night on board.
- 3
Today's stops are three temples grouped along the western shore: Wadi el-Seboua, known for its avenue of sphinxes, Dakka, and the small Maharraqa temple. All three were moved to higher ground when the lake rose. After the visits, the ship sails toward Aswan while you relax on deck. All meals and the night on board.
- 4
After breakfast you visit Kalabsha Temple, a large Ptolemaic and Roman sanctuary to the god Mandulis that now stands on an island-like headland near the High Dam. You then disembark in Aswan. A driver takes you to Aswan airport for your onward flight, or to your hotel if you are staying on.
Bundled in
- Swimming pool
- Sun Deck
- Gymnasium
- Mini-bar
- Room service
- LCD TV
- Air conditioning
- Private bath with bathtub & hairdryer
- Safe box in each cabin
- Laundry service & housekeeping
- Doctor on call onboard
- Onboard entertainment and cultural shows
- Full board gourmet dining
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Assistance of Discovery Tours Egypt personnel during your cruise
- All transfers by modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
- Accommodation for 4 nights onboard 5-star cruise (full board)
- All Nile Cruise excursions as per itinerary
- Entrance fees to all sights between Aswan and Abu Simbel
- Expert Egyptologist guide during the cruise
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Any extras not mentioned in the program
- Tipping
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who have already seen, or will see, the Nile temples and want Abu Simbel and the lesser-visited Nubian temples in one short trip.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who want the classic Luxor to Aswan Nile route, who cannot manage a long road transfer on day 1, or who need step-free access at the temple sites.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Includes
- 3 nights on board, full board · Road transfer to Abu Simbel · Transfer to Aswan airport on day 4 · Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to the listed sites · Service charges and taxes
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher
- Reusable water bottle (refillable)
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Light daypack for temple visits
- Small personal first-aid kit (plasters, rehydration sachets)
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral colors
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple visits and mosques
- A light layer for cooler mornings and evenings
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven stone
Children & families
Minimum age for participation on this itinerary is 5 years, owing to the long coach transfers and early starts required for Abu Simbel. Children aged 2 to 11 normally qualify for child rates; infants under 2 may travel on a parent's lap but must be declared at booking so we can advise on safety restraints and seating. Strollers are usable on the cruise but are impractical on temple approaches and inside archaeological sites where there are steps and uneven ground. Please tell us the ages of all children at time of enquiry so we can confirm exact pricing and any operational limits.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves extended coach transfers, boarding a river cruise via gangway, and visits to ancient temple complexes with uneven stone surfaces and steps. Abu Simbel includes long, paved approaches and multiple steps to access the temple forecourts; there is limited ramp access and little shade at midday. Boarding the cruise typically requires stepping up from the quayside; some boats have a single narrow ramp that may be steep. Coaches are standard, air-conditioned vehicles with one or two steps at entry. If you use a wheelchair, powered scooter, or have limited mobility, please contact us before booking so we can assess feasibility and arrange additional assistance where possible. We can provide one-on-one porter assistance at airports and quays when requested in advance. Please note that some temple interiors and archaeological walkways are not wheelchair accessible, and long walks on uneven ground are often unavoidable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We use air-conditioned Mercedes minibuses or tourist coaches for overland transfers between Aswan and Abu Simbel, and locally operated Nile cruise vessels for river travel. We contract with locally owned suppliers and licensed Egyptologists based in Aswan and Luxor, paying standard local rates and hiring crew from the port communities. Onboard catering sources fresh fruit and vegetables from nearby markets in Aswan and Kom Ombo where possible, reducing food miles. We discourage single-use plastics on board by providing refillable water stations and ask guests to bring reusable bottles. When we plan excursions we favour early departures that reduce idling in congested areas and schedule visits to avoid peak crowds, which helps lower local congestion and pressure on fragile sites. If you have a sustainability preference, tell us at booking so we can confirm suppliers that match your priorities.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Deluxe Abu Simbel Nile Cruise?
It runs 4 days and 3 nights. You travel by road from Aswan to Abu Simbel on day 1, board the ship there, sail on Lake Nasser for three nights, and disembark in Aswan on day 4.02How is a Lake Nasser cruise different from a Nile cruise?
A classic Nile cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan. This one sails Lake Nasser, the large reservoir south of the Aswan High Dam, and calls at Nubian temples that were relocated when the lake formed. Most visitors to Egypt never see them.03Which sites does the cruise visit?
The Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel, then Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut, Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka, Maharraqa and Kalabsha. Kasr Ibrim is seen from the deck only, because it cannot be landed on.04Where do I join and leave the ship?
You board at Abu Simbel on day 1 after a road transfer from your Aswan hotel or ship. You disembark in Aswan on day 4, and we take you to Aswan airport. Exact pickup times are confirmed before you travel.05What is included in the price?
Three nights on board with full board, the road transfer to Abu Simbel and the transfer to Aswan airport, guided visits with an Egyptologist, entrance fees for the listed sites, and service charges and taxes. Drinks and gratuities are not included.06Are tips included?
No. Tipping is customary in Egypt but always at your discretion. Gratuities for the guide, driver and crew are not included.07What should I pack and wear?
Light, breathable layers, comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is appreciated at temples. Evenings on the water can be cool in winter, so bring a light jacket.08Can I book as a solo traveler?
Yes. Cabins are priced per person based on two people sharing, and a single supplement applies for sole occupancy. Contact us for the exact supplement on your dates.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-NIL-181218
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Starts
- Fridays only
- Route
- Abu Simbel → On Lake Nasser → Aswan
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers