Cruising on Lake Nasser on a private boat is a relaxing getaway enriched by stunning views, the authentic sounds of nature, a touch of history, and exquisite cuisine. You will cruise in luxury on a motor boat with four cabins, covering 280 km from Aswan to Abu Simbel. You will enjoy peace and quiet while gazing at the lake and its picturesque shores. Lake Nasser is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, and you could call it an oasis in the middle of nowhere, as it is surrounded by the desert from all sides. What adds to its charm are the numerous temples of the ancient Nubian kingdom, relocated to higher locations before the flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. You can explore them in peace, as you will likely be alone during your visit. You will be able to observe the wintering birds and might even spot a crocodile. Due to its length and depth, the lake is ideal for big fish, and many anglers boast about record catches here. You can try your luck and contribute to the meals, expertly prepared by an Egyptian chef. The warm sun will entice you to swim in the lake at one of its secluded beaches. During stops on the shore, you can take walks in the desert surrounding the lake and savour the beautiful colours of the sunset. The boat will be exclusively yours, allowing you to tailor the program to your desires. There is no signal in many areas of the lake, providing an opportunity for a digital detox. The views of the blue lake bathed in sunlight and surrounded by the desert, along with the tranquillity and connection with nature, have a soothing effect on the body and soul. Your journey will start and end in Aswan, where you will visit the Philae Temple and the Nubian Museum. You will experience marvellous views of the Nile, surrounded by sandy hills, either from your hotel room, the poolside terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel or during a felucca sail on the Nile to the botanical garden.
Day 1: Arrival to Aswan
At Aswan Airport, a representative from the RTS agency will be there to welcome you. They will transfer you to a and assist you with check-in. You will also discuss with them the start of your journey the next day. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Aswan
After the tour, you will sail on the yacht to the pier of the Old Cataract Hotel, just in time to enjoy a proper English tea at five o’clock (not included in the price) on the hotel’s terrace while observing the sunset. Dinner is planned on the hotel’s terrace, with a magnificent view of the Nile. However, we recommend you end your day with an exquisite culinary experience at the renowned à la carte hotel restaurant, 1902 (not included in the price). You will spend the night at the Old Cataract Hotel.
Day 3: Aswan – Lake Nasser Cruise
After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from RTS will be waiting for you at the hotel reception and will assist you with the check-out. You will then travel with your guide to the pier on Lake Nasser, where you will board a motor boat for a visit to the temples on the New Kalabsha Island near Aswan, marking your first encounter with the attractions of the Nubian Kingdom. There are two temples on the island and a kiosk, all relocated there before the flooding. In contrast to the tourist-crowded temples, you will be able to enjoy the peace and delve deeper into the life of the pharaohs by observing rich reliefs. The most famous of the three temples is the Kalabsha Temple, the only free-standing Nubian temple dedicated to the god Mandulis, the Nubian g,od of the sun. The temple boasts columns, reliefs, and statues depicting pharaohs, gods, and goddesses from Egyptian mythology. The other smaller temple, Beit al-Wali, is carved into the rock and was built in honour of Pharaoh Ramesses II. The temple’s interior features exceptionally well-preserved colourful paintings. The Kiosk of Qertassi was originally located at the entrance to a quarry and was visible from afar. It is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the protector of miners and quarry workers. After the visits, you will return to the pier, where your private cruise boat on Lake Nasser will await you. During the cruise, you will have lunch on the boat and in the afternoon, you may stop at a sandy beach, where you can swim in the lake. You will continue cruising to El Ekhtessara. In this part, the lake narrows, offering numerous wonderful views of the desert shores of the lake until it reaches a safe harbour. You can walk along the shore at sunset and visit a fishing village. After dinner, you may watch the film ‘Temples Saved from the Nile’ to better understand the events surrounding the construction of the dam and the creation of the lake. You will spend the night on the boat.
Day 4: Lake Nasser Cruise
During the cruise to the Lion’s Valley (Wadi el-Sebua), you can observe the awakening of the lake at sunrise. Then, a hearty breakfast awaits you while relaxing on the deck and enjoying the picturesque nature. On the way, you will cross the Tropic of Cancer, and after lunch, you will explore three temples in the Lion’s Valley with your guide. These include the smallest temple on the shore, the Temple of Maharaqqa, then the moderately sized Temple of Dakka on a hill with a magnificent view, and the largest and best-preserved Lion Temple dedicated to the sun god Amon, which you will ascend via a staircase lined with sphinxes. On the way, you will have a tea break on the shore. Afterwards, you will continue your cruise towards Wadi el-Arab and enjoy the sunset on the lake. Dinner and an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 5: Lake Nasser Cruise
This day continues with the cruise towards Amada, with breakfast and a relaxing drift on the lake. During a stop on the shore, you will visit Amada, the oldest Nubian temple dedicated to the god of the sun, Amon. The temple features numerous colourful reliefs depicting the lives of pharaohs and hieroglyphic inscriptions about Amenhotep II’s military campaigns in Asia. You will also explore the rock-cut Temple of Derr, constructed by Ramesses II, following a similar plan to Abu Simbel. The third attraction is the funerary chapel of the Nubian sub-king Pennout. After lunch, you will have free time to relax and swim on one of the beautiful sandy beaches. Later, you will continue the cruise towards the fortress of Qasr Ibrim, built in the 8th century BC. It is the only ancient monument that survived the flooding of the Nile and remained in the same location, albeit now on a small island. For safety reasons, it can only be viewed from the boat. While cruising towards Toshka, you will be able to admire the sunset and the play of colours on the lake’s shores. Dinner and an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 6: Lake Nasser Cruise – Abu Simbel
On the last day on the boat, during a cruise of approximately five hours to Abu Simbel, you will be able to enjoy the lake’s vastness, which resembles a sea, and its ever-changing desert shoreline. After lunch, you will be treated to a stunning view of the Abu Simbel temples from the lake. You will experience the same view that Ramesses II desired. Upon arrival, you can visit the temples with your guide.
Day 7: Abu Simbel – Aswan
Following an early breakfast, at around 08:00, you will disembark and drive along the desert highway to Aswan. To conclude your journey through the Nubian kingdom, you will visit the Nubian Museum, which will provide further insights into this ancient civilization. Afterwards, a motorboat will take you to a small island with a Nubian restaurant for lunch. Following lunch, you will be transported to your hotel, which is located on an island in the middle of the Nile. A representative from the RTS agency will assist you with the hotel check-in. You will have free time to enjoy the view of numerous sailboats cruising along the Nile and witness the final sunset. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Departure from Aswan
After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11:00) and enjoy some free time until your departure to the airport (typically 3 hours before your flight). At the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. You will be driven to the airport, where they will assist you with the check-in for your flight.
This marks the conclusion of your trip with a flight to your chosen destination.
*Please note that we reserve the right to make programme changes due to public transportation schedules, weather conditions, and other circumstances beyond our control.
