Lake Nasser Cruise: Aswan to Abu Simbel 5-Day Tour

Summary

Explore Ancient Nubia by 5-Star Lake Nasser Cruise

You’ll travel deep into Nubian history aboard a comfortable 5-star cruise ship—visiting temples most people only read about, guided by real experts who bring every carving and legend to life. If you want ancient Egypt without crowds or hassle, this is your trip.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember stepping off the plane in Aswan—the air felt warm even in the early morning, and there was this faint scent of spices drifting from somewhere nearby. A friendly rep from Canary Tours met us right outside baggage claim, holding a sign with my name. We zipped through the city’s busy streets (watch for tuk-tuks darting around corners) and boarded the Movenpick Prince Abbas. The ship itself felt like a floating hotel—cool air conditioning, polished wood everywhere, and staff who seemed to know exactly when you needed a cold drink.

After lunch on deck (the lentil soup was surprisingly good), our Egyptologist guide, Hossam, gathered us for a trip to the High Dam. He explained how President Nasser built it in 1960 to control the Nile’s floods—standing there, you can see just how massive it is. Later, we took a small motorboat across to Agilika Island. The Temple of Philae rises up out of the rocks, dedicated to Isis—Hossam pointed out carvings I’d have missed on my own. Before heading back to the ship for dinner, we stopped at the Unfinished Obelisk; you can still see ancient tool marks in the granite.

The next morning started early—coffee on deck as fishermen paddled by in little wooden boats. We visited Kalabsha Temple, which sits within sight of the dam but was actually moved here stone by stone after Lake Nasser was created. There’s this odd mix of Roman emperors and Egyptian gods carved into its walls. Not far away is Beit el-Wali; I hadn’t heard of it before, but our guide explained how Polish archaeologists saved it from being lost underwater.

Sailing south towards Wadi El Seboua, we crossed the Tropic of Cancer—a tiny sign marks it on deck if you’re paying attention. At Wadi El Seboua (“Valley of the Lions”), sphinxes line up along the sand leading to Ramesses II’s temple. It feels remote—just wind and birds overhead—and most groups don’t linger long here. Lunch back on board as we drifted toward Amada; that temple is older than Abu Simbel and covered in faded hieroglyphs that tell stories from over 3,000 years ago.

The following day brought an early view of Kasr Ibrim from the sundeck—it looks like a fortress rising out of nowhere above the waterline (our guide said it used to be high above the river before they built the dam). By afternoon we reached Abu Simbel itself. Those two temples are huge—you really do feel tiny standing beneath Ramesses II’s statues. Our guide shared how UNESCO moved them piece by piece in 1968; you can still spot seams where they put everything back together.

That night’s Sound & Light Show at Abu Simbel was something else—colored lights flickering across ancient faces while music echoed off stone walls. They hand out earpieces so you can follow along in your language; honestly, it gave me goosebumps seeing history come alive like that under a sky full of stars.

On our last morning, after one more breakfast with strong coffee and sweet pastries (the chef makes these little honey cakes), we checked out and were driven straight to Aswan airport for our flight back to Cairo. The whole trip felt seamless—never rushed but always something new just around the bend.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Aswan Sightseeing

• Transfer to Lake Nasser Cruise and lunch onboard
• Visit Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and Unfinished Obelisk

Day 2 — Kalabsha Temple and Wadi El Sebou

• Visit Temple of Kalabsha and Bait El Wali
• Lunch onboard and sail to Wadi El Sebou

Day 3 — Wadi El Sebou and Amada Temple

• Visit Temples of Wadi al-Sebua
• Visit Temple of Amada

Day 4 — Kasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel

• View Kasr Ibrim and visit Abu Simbel Temple
• Sound & Light Show at Abu Simbel

Day 5 — Disembark and Departure

• Breakfast, check out, and transfer to airport

Top questions

Is this Lake Nasser cruise suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! The ship is stroller-friendly and has specialized infant seats available. Most areas are wheelchair accessible too.

How much walking is involved at each temple stop?

There’s some walking at each site (often over uneven ground), but guides pace things well and there are shaded spots for breaks.

Are meals included? What kind of food should I expect?

All meals are included onboard—expect Egyptian classics plus international dishes. Vegetarian options are available daily.

Will there be Wi-Fi or phone signal during the cruise?

The ship offers Wi-Fi in common areas but signal can be patchy when sailing between remote sites on Lake Nasser.

What’s included

Your tour covers full-board accommodation on a 5-star cruise ship (all meals included), guided visits with an Egyptologist at every major site between Aswan and Abu Simbel, entrance fees for all attractions listed in your itinerary, airport transfers in modern vehicles, plus all service charges and taxes. Wheelchair access and family-friendly facilities are provided throughout your journey.