Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise
A five-star cruiser with a swimming pool, gym and restaurant, plus cabins overlooking Lake Nasser on the Aswan to Abu Simbel route.
The short answer
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Lake Nasser cruise ship. Board in Abu Simbel on a Friday for 3 nights to Aswan, or in Aswan on a Monday for 4 nights to Abu Simbel or a 7-night round trip. Fares start from £1,037 per person, two sharing a double cabin, with full board, guided sightseeing and transfers included.
02Overview
A first look
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a five-star ship sailing Lake Nasser, the great reservoir behind the Aswan High Dam and a stretch of Nubia most holidaymakers never see. Between Aswan and Abu Simbel she calls at the temples rescued from the rising waters in the 1960s — Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and the clifftop fortress of Kasr Ibrim — before finishing beneath the colossi of Abu Simbel.
Cabins and fares are confirmed on request — let us know your dates and we will check availability directly with the operator.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and fares
Fares are per person in GBP, based on two sharing a double cabin. Each fare includes the full cruise, the guided sightseeing programme on the way, and transfers between the boat and the local airport or railway station at both ends.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Abu Simbel → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,037double cabinsingle cabin £1,595 | May – September: from £703double cabinsingle cabin £1,028 | Peak dates: from £1,153double cabinsingle cabin £1,792 |
| 4 nights · Aswan → Abu Simbelembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,320double cabinsingle cabin £2,064 | May – September: from £876double cabinsingle cabin £1,309 | Peak dates: from £1,475double cabinsingle cabin £2,327 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £2,131double cabinsingle cabin £3,433 | May – September: from £1,353double cabinsingle cabin £2,111 | Peak dates: from £2,402double cabinsingle cabin £3,893 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Pick your cruise and date in the booking panel to see the exact fare.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Join your Lake Nasser cruiser near the High Dam and have lunch on board. Explore Kalabsha and Beit el-Wali temples, along with the Kiosk of Qertassi, moved to higher ground above the lake.
- 2
Head south by boat to Wadi el-Seboua’s temple group and its avenue of sphinxes, as well as the nearby temples of Dakka and Meharraka.
- 3
Explore the temples at Amada and Derr, plus the rock-cut Tomb of Pennout, among the lake’s oldest Nubian monuments.
- 4
From the deck, admire Kasr Ibrim’s clifftop fortress, the sole site that remains in its original location, before sailing onwards to Abu Simbel.
- 5
Explore Abu Simbel’s Great Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari, then leave the boat for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board in Abu Simbel and enjoy lunch aboard. Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari before sailing north.
- 2
Take in the fortress of Kasr Ibrim from the deck, before exploring the temples at Amada and Derr and Pennout’s Tomb.
- 3
Explore Wadi el-Seboua and its sphinx-lined avenue, the temples at Dakka and Meharraka, and the Kalabsha group close to the High Dam.
- 4
Disembark after breakfast near Aswan’s High Dam, ready for your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard near the High Dam for lunch, followed by visits to Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Qertassi.
- 2
Head south by boat to the Wadi el-Seboua temple group, then see the temples of Dakka and Meharraka.
- 3
Discover the temples of Amada and Derr, along with Pennout’s rock-cut tomb.
- 4
From the deck, take in Kasr Ibrim’s clifftop fortress as you continue sailing towards Abu Simbel.
- 5
See Ramses II’s Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari, with time to revisit the temples at a quieter time of day.
- 6
Enjoy an easy-paced day sailing north over the open waters of Lake Nasser, with time on deck to look out for wildlife along the shore.
- 7
Visit any temple groups missed on the northbound journey before mooring near the High Dam for your last night.
- 8
Disembark after breakfast near Aswan’s High Dam, ready for your onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Visit the temples of Abu Simbel on the southern shore of Lake Nasser.
- 02Explore Kalabsha, a temple complex relocated to higher ground after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
- 03Take shore excursions to Wadi El Seboua and Amada, sites of ancient Egyptian temples.
- 04See Kasr Ibrim, an archaeological site on a promontory above Lake Nasser.
- 05Use the listed on-board amenities: restaurant, pool and gym.
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Parking
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Standard site entrance fees
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Pack sun protection for open-deck time; shade can be limited during the brightest part of the day.
- 02
Bring binoculars for views of the Lake Nasser shoreline and sites seen from the vessel.
- 03
Keep a light layer handy on deck, where wind can make evenings feel cooler.
- 04
Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for incidental purchases where card payment may not be available.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
After you disembark
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us about arranging private transfers in Aswan or Abu Simbel and adding time in either town before or after the cruise. The sailing and shore-excursion programme follows the vessel's schedule, so extra sites or changes to visit times need to be checked before booking.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children interested in Nubian archaeology, especially travellers who have already seen Luxor and want a quieter route between Aswan and Abu Simbel. It works well for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage temple visits and time aboard.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different itinerary if you want busy shore towns, frequent independent stops or the Luxor to Aswan Nile route. It is also a poor fit for travellers who need step-free access or prefer to avoid early starts and uneven temple paths.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Lake Nasser route is quieter than the main Nile corridor
- Shore excursions focus on Nubian monuments relocated during the Aswan High Dam project
Things to Consider
- Few shore towns or independent activities along the route
- Temple visits involve uneven ground and exposure to the sun
- Excursion timings can mean early starts
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra
Where it fits
Place this Lake Nasser cruise between time in Aswan and a visit to Abu Simbel, then continue to Cairo or Luxor. It follows a different route from the usual Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruise itineraries sail between Luxor and Aswan and visit temples along the river. This cruise crosses Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, with excursions to Nubian monuments and few shore towns along the route. Most group shore visits follow a shared schedule. We arrange this cruise with the vessel’s own excursion programme, rather than presenting it as a private sailing.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest fares. Fares are per person, two sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise, day cruise on Lake Nasser
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Abu Simbel
From £848 pp
- Nubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Fri from Abu Simbel
From £646 pp
The route
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Abu Simbel3 nightsupstream, against the current
- Abu Simbel → Aswan2 nightsdownstream, with the current
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Lake Nasser Cruise
- Destinations
- Aswan · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- Cabin aboard Steigenberger Omar El Khayam · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Sailing between Aswan and Abu Simbel · Shore excursion to Kalabsha · Shore excursion to Wadi El Seboua · Shore excursion to Amada · Visit to Kasr Ibrim
- Best for
- Lake Nasser travellers · Nubian temple enthusiasts · Cruise travellers · Couples
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and booking confirmation
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with good grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Small amount of Egyptian pounds for personal spending
- Personal medication and a copy of prescriptions
- Light daypack for water and essentials
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- A light layer for cooler or breezy evenings on deck
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Sun hat or cap and neck protection
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip for uneven archaeological paths
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50%; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used on coach transfers but are impractical on stepped, uneven temple approaches. Tell us about dietary needs or allergies when booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Lake Nasser cruise includes shore visits at Abu Simbel, Wadi El Seboua, Kasr Ibrim and Amada, where paths may be uneven and include sand, gravel, ancient stone and steps. Boarding and leaving the vessel involves a gangway, and some shore visits include a coach transfer between the pier and the monuments. Temple approaches and interiors can have steps and narrow doorways, so wheelchair access may be limited. Walking or standing for 20 to 60 minutes at a time may be needed. Steps may also be present in cabins and public areas, and lifts are not guaranteed. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check access options with the cruise supplier.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers for shore excursions use air-conditioned coaches arranged with local companies based in Aswan. The route has long distances between sites and limited shore infrastructure, so coach travel is a practical part of the programme. Shore visits are led by licensed Egyptologists and guides recruited locally in Aswan and Abu Simbel, keeping some tourism income in the region. Food supplies for the vessel are sourced primarily through Aswan markets and vendors, according to the information provided for this cruise. We coordinate with the vessel team, where possible, to reduce single-use plastics and combine luggage movements. These are practical measures, not environmental certification claims.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam Lake Cruise?
The itinerary includes daily shore excursions to significant Nubian temples along the route.02What is included in the cruise fare for the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam?
Your cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. It also includes all scheduled shore excursions with an Egyptologist, and transfers to and from the vessel.03What meals are provided on board the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam?
The cruise operates on a full board basis, meaning all your main meals are included. This covers lunch on the day you board, dinner each evening, and breakfast up to the day you disembark from the vessel.04What should I wear for shore excursions and on board the cruise?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes and light, breathable clothing are recommended, especially during warmer months. Modest dress is advisable for temple visits. On board, smart casual attire is suitable for evenings.05What is the best time of year to take a Lake Nasser cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally the most comfortable for a Lake Nasser cruise. This period offers pleasant temperatures for exploring the temples and enjoying the deck areas.06Are alcoholic beverages included on the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise?
Typically, alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard full board cruise fare. You can purchase drinks, including alcoholic options, separately on board the vessel.07Is the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise suitable for children?
Yes, children are welcome. Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, while those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin.08What kind of shore excursions are offered on this Lake Nasser cruise?
Shore excursions focus on the relocated Nubian temples, including Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, and the iconic Abu Simbel temples. Our Egyptologists provide context at each historical site.09What is the accessibility like on the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cruise?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient terrain, sand, and steps at temple sites. Travellers with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us before booking.10What is the difference between a Lake Nasser cruise and a Nile River cruise?
A Lake Nasser cruise, like the Steigenberger Omar El Khayam, sails between Aswan and Abu Simbel, focusing on Nubian monuments. Nile River cruises typically operate between Luxor and Aswan, visiting different sites like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-ASW-451028
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Aswan · Fri in Abu Simbel
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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