Lake Nasser cruise: Abu Simbel by boat
Lake Nasser is the reservoir behind the Aswan High Dam. The dam body was finished in July 1970 and inaugurated on 15 January 1971, and the lake reaches into Sudan. A Lake Nasser cruise is a separate trip from a cruise between Luxor and Aswan. It starts at Aswan or at Abu Simbel and visits temples on the lake shore.
The ship on the lake has 65 cabins including suites. It sails from Aswan or from Abu Simbel, with programmes of 4 nights from Aswan and 3 nights from Abu Simbel. The dock is confirmed with the programme, so do not assume a mooring on the Corniche in the centre of Aswan. Fares and child rates depend on the date and cabin, so ask the operator for a current quote.
Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser tours
Cruises, excursions and day trips to Abu Simbel and the Aswan area, with live prices and availability.
Lake Nasser cruise route
A sample 4-night programme from Aswan.
Aswan and Kalabsha
The programme sails on from Aswan to Kalabsha.
Wadi El Seboua
The next stop on the shore, followed by Amada, Derr and Pennut.
Kasr Ibrim
Kasr Ibrim is a photo stop from the sun deck. The programme does not promise a landing.
Abu Simbel
The programme ends at Abu Simbel with a temple visit. The sound and light show is an optional extra.
A sample programme boards on a Monday and disembarks on a Friday. Days, stops and order can change, so check them before you plan around them. Departure dates and operating months differ by ship and year, so ask for the current schedule.
Abu Simbel tickets and hours
Entry for foreign visitors in 2026.
Entry for foreign adults is EGP 750 to 822, and for students EGP 375 to 445.50. On the sun alignment days, 22 February and 22 October, the price is EGP 1,200 to 1,272 for adults and EGP 600 to 670.50 for students. Confirm the amount when you buy.
The site opens at 6 a.m. daily, and the last entry is at 4 p.m. Whether entry is part of your fare depends on the fare, so check your contract. The temple has its own guide on Abu Simbel.
Before you book a Lake Nasser cruise
The points that change the trip.
Dock and transfer
Ask where the ship docks and how you get there from your hotel. Do not plan around the Corniche in the centre of Aswan.
What the programme includes
A temple visit at Abu Simbel is in the programme. The sound and light show and the entrance ticket may be extra, depending on the fare.
Landings
Some stops are views from the ship and not landings. Kasr Ibrim is the clear example, a photo stop from the sun deck.
Travel advice
The UK Foreign Office lists Aswan and Abu Simbel among the exceptions to its warning for the western desert (advice updated August 2026). The German Foreign Office has a partial warning for the north of Sinai and remote desert areas. Neither is a risk-free rating of every activity, so read the current advice before you go.
Lake Nasser or Luxor to Aswan
Two different Nile trips.
| Lake Nasser | Luxor to Aswan | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Reservoir behind the High Dam | The river Nile |
| Start | Aswan or Abu Simbel | Luxor or Aswan |
| Nights | 4 from Aswan, 3 from Abu Simbel | 3 or 4, 7 for a round trip |
| Main sights | Lake temples and Abu Simbel | Karnak area, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae |
The two are separate trips. For most first-time visitors who want the classic temples, the cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the easier start, and Abu Simbel can be added as a separate excursion. Choose Lake Nasser if the lake temples are the reason for the trip. The classic route is on the Luxor to Aswan page.
Plan around Aswan
The dam, the town and the cruise options.
Aswan and the High Dam
Philae, the High Dam, the obelisk and the Nubia Museum.
Nile cruise
Hotel ships between Luxor and Aswan, with dated price examples.
Dahabiya
A small sailing boat between Esna and Aswan.
For the Nubian villages and culture around Aswan, see the Nubian village guide.
Lake Nasser cruise: frequently asked questions
Where does a Lake Nasser cruise start?
At Aswan or at Abu Simbel. The dock is confirmed with the programme and may not be on the Corniche in the centre of Aswan.
How long is a Lake Nasser cruise?
The ship sails 4 nights from Aswan and 3 nights from Abu Simbel.
What do you see on a Lake Nasser cruise?
A sample programme includes Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr and Pennut, a view of Kasr Ibrim from the sun deck, and Abu Simbel. Confirm the current stops with the operator.
Is entry to Abu Simbel included?
That depends on the fare. The programme includes a temple visit, but you cannot assume that the ticket is in every price. Check your contract.
How much does a Lake Nasser cruise cost?
Fares depend on dates and cabin. Ask the operator for a quote for your dates, including whether entry and the sound and light show are part of it.
Is the-nile.org run by a Lake Nasser cruise operator?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to shipping companies, travel agencies, authorities or museums.