Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise
A 5-star Lake Nasser cruiser with a pool, gym, restaurant, and lake-view cabins for shore excursions between Aswan and Abu Simbel.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Class
- 5-star
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Aswan · Abu Simbel
02Overview
A first look
At first light, Lake Nasser lies almost silent beyond Aswan, with desert ridges reflected in the water and the deck opening onto a landscape without shore towns. From your cabin, the view changes slowly as the vessel sails south, then shore excursions bring you to Nubian monuments including Kasr Ibrim and the temples of Abu Simbel.
Our Egyptologists put each site into context, from the temples relocated above the rising lake to the details you might miss on your own. We select and arrange the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise, coordinate your transfers and shore visits, and remain available throughout the sailing.
The route
ASWAN and Abu Simbel
Choose your direction
- ASWAN → Abu Simbel3 nightsupstream, against the current
- Abu Simbel → ASWAN2 nightsdownstream, with the current
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on round-trip embarkation from ASWAN. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
On property
What's here
- restaurant
- gym
- pool
- parking
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Lake Nasser cruise involves walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, gravel and temple steps at multiple shore-excursion sites such as Abu Simbel, Kasr Ibrim and Amada. Expect gangways to board and disembark the vessel, plus a short transfer by coach between the pier and some monuments. Cabins and public areas on the vessel may include steps; elevators are not guaranteed. Wheelchair users should be aware that full independent access to temple interiors is often not possible due to narrow doorways and stepped approaches. If you use a mobility aid or require assistance, please tell us at booking so we can arrange help, reserve a cabin with easier access where available, and brief local teams. For guests with limited mobility we recommend discussing specific needs with our reservations team before confirming, as some shore visits will require standing, climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces for 20 to 60 minutes at a time.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed booking confirmation
- Lightweight daypack for water, hat and camera
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Reusable water bottle (refillable where possible)
- Small amount of local currency (Egyptian pounds) for incidentals
- Any personal medication, plus a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for daytime heat and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple visits and mosques
- A sun hat or cap and neck protection
- A light waterproof or windproof layer for breezy evenings on deck
- Closed-toe shoes for walking at archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin); two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are usable on coach transfers but are impractical on temple approaches and at many sites where there are steps and uneven surfaces. Child meals follow the vessel's Full Board provision; please notify us at booking of any special dietary requirements or allergies.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers for this Lake Nasser cruise use air-conditioned coaches that meet current Egyptian road-safety and emissions standards; we contract local coach companies based in Aswan that service the route regularly. Shore excursions employ licensed Egyptologists and guides recruited locally in Aswan and Abu Simbel, which keeps tour income within the region. Food for the vessel is supplied primarily by Aswan markets and vendors, supporting local producers and suppliers. Where possible we coordinate with the vessel crew to limit single-use plastics on board and to consolidate luggage handling, reducing extra vehicle runs. Shore-visit timetables are planned to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth driving between sites. These measures are practical steps we take; they are not certification claims.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRU-ASW-451028
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