Lake Nasser Cruises with a Private Egyptologist

Last updated: 5 November 2026

Key takeaways

How Do Lake Nasser Cruises Differ From a Nile Cruise?

A classic Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise follows the river through the corridor where Karnak and the Valley of the Kings draw the crowds. A Lake Nasser cruise crosses a man-made lake and reaches Abu Simbel by water, with desert cliffs, birdlife and few other boats in sight.

Here is how the route, nights and sights compare.

A Lake Nasser cruise does not replace a visit to Luxor: take a Nile cruise for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, and a Lake Nasser cruise for open water and the Nubian temples. The full Nile cruise vs Lake Nasser comparison covers the trade-offs in more depth.

Which Temples Does the Cruise Visit?

The 5 days cruise makes 4 temple stops, in this order:

• Kalabsha Temple: dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis and relocated to save it from the rising water of Lake Nasser. Our guide to Kalabsha Temple covers the move.
• Wadi el-Seboua: sphinxes line the approach to a rock-cut temple of Amun and Ra-Horakhty.
• Amada Temple: among Nubia's oldest temples, with interior paintings that have kept their colour.
• Abu Simbel temples: 4 colossal seated statues of Ramesses II guard the Great Temple, and a smaller temple honours his queen Nefertari.

At Abu Simbel your Egyptologist explains how the temples were rescued.

What Does the 5 Days Cruise Include?

The price includes:

• Accommodation: 4 nights aboard a 5-star cruise vessel, full board, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Guiding: a private, certified Egyptologist for the whole cruise.
• Entrance fees: included for the historical sites between Aswan and Abu Simbel.
• Transfers: in modern air-conditioned vehicles.

The 5 days cruise itinerary gives the day-by-day plan.

Why Were the Nubian Temples Moved?

The Aswan High Dam, built near Aswan between 1960 and 1970, created Lake Nasser, and the rising water threatened the temples of Nubia. Our guide explains how the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser in more detail.

UNESCO's International Campaign, which ran from 1960 to 1980, moved temples including those at Abu Simbel, Kalabsha and Amada. The UNESCO World Heritage entry on the Nubian monuments records the rescue.

Can You Combine Lake Nasser With Other Egypt Stops?

Yes, as a tailor-made trip. We can pair the cruise with Cairo sightseeing or a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan and arrange the days around your dates.

Send us the stops you want, and we will build a tailor-made Egypt trip with a Lake Nasser cruise around them.

Plan Your Cruise to Abu Simbel

Questions about Lake Nasser cruises, or ready to book? Message Travel Joy Egypt on WhatsApp +20 106 023 3393 with your dates and group size. We will check availability for the 5 days cruise with a private Egyptologist or sketch a tailor-made route.