Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise
A 5-star Lake Nasser cruiser with a pool, gym, restaurant, and lake-view cabins for shore excursions between Aswan and Abu Simbel.
The short answer
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Lake Nasser cruise ship. Embark in Abu Simbel on a Friday for 3 nights to Aswan, or in Aswan on a Monday for 4 nights to Abu Simbel or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,395 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, Lake Nasser lies almost silent beyond Aswan, with desert ridges reflected in the water and the deck opening onto a landscape without shore towns. From your cabin, the view changes slowly as the vessel sails south, then shore excursions bring you to Nubian monuments including Kasr Ibrim and the temples of Abu Simbel.
Our Egyptologists put each site into context, from the temples relocated above the rising lake to the details you might miss on your own. We select and arrange the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise, coordinate your transfers and shore visits, and remain available throughout the sailing.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Abu Simbel → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,395double cabinsingle cabin $2,145 | May – September: from $946double cabinsingle cabin $1,383 | Peak dates: from $1,551double cabinsingle cabin $2,411 |
| 4 nights · Aswan → Abu Simbelembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,777double cabinsingle cabin $2,778 | May – September: from $1,179double cabinsingle cabin $1,761 | Peak dates: from $1,985double cabinsingle cabin $3,131 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $2,868double cabinsingle cabin $4,619 | May – September: from $1,821double cabinsingle cabin $2,840 | Peak dates: from $3,232double cabinsingle cabin $5,238 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your cruise 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.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Board your Lake Nasser cruiser near the High Dam and enjoy lunch aboard. Visit the temples of Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Qertassi, relocated above the lake.
- 2
Sail south to the temple group of Wadi el-Seboua, with its avenue of sphinxes, and the neighbouring temples of Dakka and Meharraka.
- 3
Visit the temples of Amada and Derr and the rock-cut Tomb of Pennout, among the oldest Nubian monuments on the lake.
- 4
View the clifftop fortress of Kasr Ibrim from the deck, the only site still on its original location, then sail on towards Abu Simbel.
- 5
Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel, then disembark for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Abu Simbel and enjoy lunch aboard. Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari before sailing north.
- 2
View the fortress of Kasr Ibrim from the deck, then visit the temples of Amada and Derr and the Tomb of Pennout.
- 3
Visit Wadi el-Seboua with its avenue of sphinxes, the temples of Dakka and Meharraka, and the Kalabsha group near the High Dam.
- 4
After breakfast, disembark near the High Dam at Aswan for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board near the High Dam and enjoy lunch aboard, then visit the temples of Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Qertassi.
- 2
Sail south to the temple group of Wadi el-Seboua and the temples of Dakka and Meharraka.
- 3
Visit the temples of Amada and Derr and the rock-cut Tomb of Pennout.
- 4
View the clifftop fortress of Kasr Ibrim from the deck and sail on towards Abu Simbel.
- 5
Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari, with time to see the temples again at a quieter hour.
- 6
A relaxed northbound day across the open water of Lake Nasser, with time on deck to watch for shoreline wildlife.
- 7
Call at any temple groups not yet visited on the northbound leg before mooring for your final night near the High Dam.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark near the High Dam at Aswan for your onward transfer.
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Parking
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise, day cruise on Lake Nasser
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Abu Simbel
From $1,141 per person
- Nubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Abu Simbel
From $869 per person
The route
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Abu Simbel3 nightsupstream, against the current
- Abu Simbel → Aswan2 nightsdownstream, with the current
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Aswan · Abu Simbel
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed booking confirmation
- Lightweight daypack for water, hat and camera
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Reusable water bottle
- Small amount of local currency (Egyptian pounds) for incidentals
- Any personal medication, plus a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for daytime heat and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple visits and mosques
- A sun hat or cap and neck protection
- A light waterproof or windproof layer for breezy evenings on deck
- Closed-toe shoes for walking at archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are usable on coach transfers but are impractical on temple approaches and at many sites where there are steps and uneven surfaces. Child meals follow the vessel's Full Board provision; please notify us at booking of any special dietary requirements or allergies.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Lake Nasser cruise involves walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, gravel and temple steps at multiple shore-excursion sites such as Abu Simbel, Kasr Ibrim and Amada. Expect gangways to board and disembark the vessel, plus a short transfer by coach between the pier and some monuments. Cabins and public areas on the vessel may include steps; elevators are not guaranteed. Wheelchair users should be aware that full independent access to temple interiors is often not possible due to narrow doorways and stepped approaches. If you use a mobility aid or require assistance, please tell us at booking so we can arrange help, reserve a cabin with easier access where available, and brief local teams. For guests with limited mobility we recommend discussing specific needs with our reservations team before confirming, as some shore visits will require standing, climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces for 20 to 60 minutes at a time.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers for this Lake Nasser cruise use air-conditioned coaches that meet current Egyptian road-safety and emissions standards; we contract local coach companies based in Aswan that service the route regularly. Shore excursions employ licensed Egyptologists and guides recruited locally in Aswan and Abu Simbel, which keeps tour income within the region. Food for the vessel is supplied primarily by Aswan markets and vendors, supporting local producers and suppliers. Where possible we coordinate with the vessel crew to limit single-use plastics on board and to consolidate luggage handling, reducing extra vehicle runs. Shore-visit timetables are planned to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth driving between sites. These measures are practical steps we take; they are not 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
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
Last updated Product ID: CRU-ASW-451028
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Aswan · Fri in Abu Simbel
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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