Nile and Lake Nasser Cruises
Dahabeya Amirat (Click on to Expand)
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A cruise on the Nile is much more than a simple holiday — it is a journey through history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. The Nile, the world’s longest river, has been the lifeblood of Egypt for millennia, shaping its civilisations and offering an unparalleled way to discover the country’s treasures.
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Nile Cruises
Choosing a Nile cruise is an unparalleled way to explore Egypt’s treasures, offering ease, comfort, and a unique perspective on both ancient wonders and everyday life. Travelling by river allows you to visit numerous historic sites with minimal hassle, while enjoying the luxury of your accommodation and all-inclusive amenities. The gentle pace, ever-changing scenery, and opportunities for cultural immersion make a Nile cruise an ideal choice for anyone eager to experience the best of Egypt in style and serenity.
Motor Cruise or Dahabeya?
Motor cruiser Sonesta St George
Dahabya Samarah
When considering a journey along the Nile, travellers often choose between a motor Nile cruise and a Dahabeya cruise, each offering a distinct experience. Motor Nile cruises are typically larger vessels with multiple decks, providing a wide range of facilities such as swimming pools, spas, and entertainment options. They follow a set itinerary and operate on a scheduled basis, making them ideal for those seeking convenience, efficiency, and a lively social atmosphere. These cruises can accommodate more guests and are suited to those who appreciate modern comforts and a bustling onboard environment.
In contrast, a Dahabeya cruise offers a more intimate and traditional way to explore the Nile. Dahabeyas are elegant, wind-powered sailing boats, usually carrying fewer passengers and prioritising a slower pace. This allows for a personalised journey, with the flexibility to stop at smaller villages and less-visited sites along the river. On a Dahabya, guests can enjoy a quieter, more relaxed ambience, closer to the water and the natural surroundings, making them perfect for travellers seeking tranquillity, authenticity, and a closer connection to the river’s timeless landscapes.
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Lake Nasser Cruises
Choosing a Lake Nasser cruise offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore some of Egypt’s most remote and remarkable sites, many of which are inaccessible by other means. Unlike the busier stretches of the Nile, Lake Nasser provides a tranquil and less crowded environment, allowing you to appreciate the majesty of ancient Nubian monuments such as Abu Simbel in peace. The journey reveals hidden gems scattered along the lake’s shores, including temples rescued from the rising waters during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, offering a unique perspective on both ancient history and modern engineering achievements.
In addition to unrivalled access to archaeological wonders, Lake Nasser cruises are renowned for their serene atmosphere and stunning landscapes. You’ll glide past dramatic desert vistas, vast stretches of open water, and encounter wildlife unique to this region. The experience is enhanced by the comfort and luxury of your floating accommodation, ensuring relaxation as you travel between sites. For those wishing to delve deeper into lesser-known chapters of Egypt’s story while enjoying the ultimate in peace and exclusivity, a Lake Nasser cruise is truly an unforgettable adventure.
Sample Nile Cruise and Lake Nasser Itineraries:
Motor and Dahabeya Cruises on Lake Nasser and between Luxor and Aswan
Temple of Philae (Click on to Expand)
4 Night Nile Motor Cruise Luxor to Aswan
Day 1: Monday – Luxor
Morning: Embarkation before lunch.
Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 2: Tuesday – Luxor / Esna / Edfu
Morning: Cross the West Bank and explore the Necropolis of Thebes, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
Afternoon: Sail to Esna, cross the lock, and continue to Edfu for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Wednesday – Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Morning: Early visit to the Temple of Edfu. Sail to Kom Ombo.
Afternoon: Visit the Temple shared by the gods Sobek and Haroeris. Sail to Aswan for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Thursday – Aswan
Morning: Visit the High Dam and the Temple of Philae.
Afternoon: Enjoy a felucca (sailing boat) ride around Elephantine Island with a view of the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 5: Friday – Aswan
Morning: Disembarkation after breakfast.
Temple at Esna (Click on to Expand)
7 Night Nile Motor Cruise Luxor to Luxor
Day 1: Monday
Check-in onboard in Luxor and overnight stay.
Day 2: Tuesday
Morning: Explore Luxor's West Bank, including the Necropolis of Thebes, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
Afternoon: Sail to Edfu and overnight onboard.
Day 3: Wednesday
Morning: Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the temple.
Afternoon: Continue sailing to Aswan for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Thursday
Morning: Visit the Temple of Philae and the High Dam.
Afternoon: Free time at leisure. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 5: Friday
Morning: Free time to explore or relax.
Afternoon: Enjoy a felucca (sailing boat) ride. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 6: Saturday
Morning: Sail to Kom Ombo and enjoy views of the temple. Continue sailing to Edfu for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Sunday
Morning: Early visit to the Temple of Edfu, then sail to Esna.
Afternoon: Sail back to Luxor for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Monday
Morning: Disembark after breakfast.
Temple at Edfu (Click on to Expand)
5 Night Dahabeya Nile Cruise Esna to Aswan
Day 1 – Sunday:
Embarkation Esna – El Hegz Island
Embarkation takes place at lunchtime. Move into your cabin, your cozy home.
We sail for about 4 hours to our first destination, El Hegz Village.
Enjoy your lunch and the trip to the island, El Hegz Village is a small village in the north of Edfu and we will spend our first night there.
Day 2 – Monday:
El Kab | Edfu
Early in the morning we sail for about an hour to El Kab. After breakfast we visit the tombs of El Kab and then we return to the dahabeya and sail for about 3 hours to Edfu.
We visit the Edfu Temple together, then we continue the journey for about an hour to El Fauaza Island, where we dock for the night and spend our second night.
Day 3 – Tuesday:
Gebel El Silsila
After breakfast we sail from El Fauaza for about three hours to the village of El Ramady, walking around the village to explore the landscape.
From El Ramady we continue the Dahabeya Nile cruise for about three hours and reach Gebel El Silsila.
After lunch we visit Gebel el Selsela and sail about an hour further to the village of Fares where we will spend our third night.
Day 4 – Wednesday:
Kom Ombo
After breakfast we walk through the village and then sail for about 3 hours to Kom Ombo.
Enjoy your lunch and then we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo.
After the impressive sightseeing, you can relax by sailing to the island of Harbyab, which we reach after about two hours. Here we spend our fourth night.
Day 5 – Thursday:
Aswan Dam | Philae Temple
Early in the morning we sail from Harbyab Island and after about four hours we reach the southernmost point of the Nile cruise Aswan!
Enjoy your lunch on board and go on a sightseeing tour in Aswan to the Philae Temple and the Aswan Dam.
Optional: trip and visit to the Abu Simbel Temple. (can be booked on site with your tour guide).
We spend the fifth night in Aswan.
Day 6 – Friday:
Aswan
After breakfast, disembarkation.
Kiosk of Qertassi (Click on to Expand)
3 Night Lake Nasser Cruise - Abu Simbel to Aswan
Day 1 - Friday:
Abu Simbel
13:00 Check-In. 13:30 Lunch on board. 14:00 Visit Abu Simbel Temple. 16:00 Tea Time. 20:00 Optional Visit to Sound & Light Show. 21:00 Dinner On Board. Overnight in Abu Simbel.
Day 2 - Saturday
Abu Simbel/Wadi as-Sebua
07:30 Sail to Kasr IbrimM. 11:30 Over View Kasr Ibrim 16:30 Visit Temple of Amada. 18:30 Sail to Wadi as Sebua. 19:15 Cocktail Party. 21:30 Nubian Show. Over Night at Wadi al Sebua.
Day 3 - Sunday
Wadi as-Sebua/Aswan
07:00 Visit Temple of Wadi Seboua. 09:00 Sail To Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 4 - Monday
Aswan
07:00 Visit Temple of Kalabsha. 09:00 Check Out.
Further Information:
Tours and Detailed Information on Places to Visit and Major Sites of Interest
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