Gorgeous, Tailormade Holidays
to Lake Nasser
Take a breathtaking journey to Abu Simbel
Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser oversaw the building of the Aswan High Dam, which was finally completed in 1970. The Nile stopped flooding, and the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Nasser, was formed.
Striking as the barren terrain is, it’s the story of ancient Egypt which should bring you here. The construction of the dam threatened to wash away countless temples. The fact that you can still visit Abu Simbel today – and several other temples – is a feat of salvage work as magnificent as their very construction.
Possible accommodation: Kasr Ibrim, Lake Nasser cruiser
Moving serenely along the Nile, the Om Kalthoum is a beautiful dahabiya sailing boat which harks back to the inter-war years when such vessels transported Egyptian aristocrats along the waters.
With just eight cabins the boat provides wonderful intimacy. They are all fitted to very high standards, with all the comforts one would expect of a five star hotel. Furthermore, there is a staff of twelve who attend to every culinary need and supply wonderful guiding as one passes the myriad of temples and monuments on the banks of the Nile. To relax on board, there is a delightful sun-deck with a Jacuzzi atop.
Such is the determination to create a tranquil atmosphere that the Om Kalthoum has its own berths away from the throng of cruise ships ferrying up and down the Nile, and a well thought-out itinerary which goes into far more depth to the sites between Luxor and Aswan. The experience is both superb and peaceful.
A Classic Lake Nasser programme
Exploring Egypt by water is a real treat, and if you have your heart set on a trip to Abu Simbel, there’s no finer way to do it.
Most people’s experience of Abu Simbel is a rushed and popular half-day visit by air – better than not seeing it at all, but not a patch on approaching it by water, seeing the temples take shape on the horizon, and exploring them for the afternoon in peace and quiet for perfect pictures.
Of course, you cannot miss out on Egypt’s other treasures, so this programme also takes you through Cairo and the Nile.
All our programmes are privately-guided, with excellent representatives and experts to look after you from start to finish.
Day 1 – Arriving into Cairo, you are met by a local representative and whisked through the city’s busy airport and taken directly in a private car to your hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2 – A day of exploring Cairo’s Pyramid sites with a private guide. The legend of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx is well known, but the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, which you also visit, is older still, and like Dashur’s Bent Pyramid, it is all-too rarely visited.
Day 3 – A day with a private guide to enjoy Cairo itself. You spend some time enjoying Cairo’s markets and mosques, as well as the Egyptian Museum, home to all the country’s finest monuments from antiquity.
Day 4 – Flying down to Aswan, you are met at the airport and driven to the High Dam, from which point you begin your four-night Lake Nasser cruise. There is lunch on board before a sightseeing trip of some recovered sites outside Aswan – the Temple of Kalabsha, Beit al-Wali and the Kiosk of Kertassi.
Day 5 – The journey south takes you down past the Tropic of Cancer and on towards Wadi El Seboua.
Day 6 – After a morning visit to the reconstructed Temple of Wadi El Seboua (the Valley of the Lions), you continue sailing south to the temples of Amada and Derr.
Day 7 – Today, the journey reaches its stunning climax as Abu Simbel comes into sight. You approach from the boat, have a guided afternoon tour, return to see the Sound and Light Show in the evening, and enjoy a dinner on top deck with the temples lit up in the distance.
Day 8 – In the morning you disembark and catch a flight north to Aswan. Starting on the other side of the High Dam this time, you join your Nile cruiser for a four-day adventure north. The afternoon begins with a felucca sailing journey to the Botanical Gardens.
Day 9 – You start the day with a visit of Aswan’s most treasured ancient monuments, the unfinished obelisk, and then the Temple of Philae, situated on an island in the middle of the Nile. In the afternoon, having begun the sailing north, you take in the Temple of Kom Ombo.
Day 10 – In the morning you explore the Temple of Edfu, before moving continuing north towards Luxor, where you spend the night.
Day 11 – In a fabulous morning’s sightseeing you head to the West Bank to see the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, home to some remarkable pharaoh’s tombs, as well as landmarks such as the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatchepsut, while the afternoon is free to enjoy Luxor.
Day 12 – Your Nile cruise culminates with a visit to one of the largest temples in the world, Karnak, as well as neighbouring Luxor Temple. After the visit, you are met by your personal representative in Egypt off the boat and taken into Luxor for a two-night stay in Egypt’s second city.
Day 13 – If you wish, your last full day in Egypt can be a relaxing one, or keen Egyptologists can opt for another day of privately-guided sightseeing around the area.
Day 14 – You are met at the hotel, driven to Luxor Airport, and fly north to Cairo, where you connect with your international flight home.
Like this itinerary? How to book
At African Explorations everything we arrange is on an individual, tailor-made basis, with arrangements made based on your preferences.
If this Lake Nasser itinerary fits the bill then we can book it for you just this way. If not, we can refine it, add or take away from it, or start from scratch until you have the trip you want!
But if you have any questions, or want to begin planning or booking your trip, call our specialists on 01993 822 443 to discuss it further.
Find out more about Egypt
There’s no better way to discuss the alternatives than to give us a call on 01993 822 443 and chat to our Egypt specialist about how to combine this into your trip.
Of course, you can also continue browsing our Egypt section here:
INTRODUCTION TO EGYPT
Attractions in Cairo - The Pyramids of Giza - The Egyptian Museum – Saqqara
Attractions on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan – Valley of the Kings - Workers’ Village, Luxor – Philae Temple
Things to see on Lake Nasser – Abu Simbel
