Private Lake Nasser Cruise

Description

Embark on a luxurious private boat cruise on Lake Nasser, a tranquil oasis in the desert. Explore ancient Nubian temples, observe wildlife, and fish for big catches. Enjoy expertly prepared meals and swim at secluded beaches. Customize your journey and detox from technology amidst stunning natural vistas. Start and end your adventure in Aswan, soaking in Nile views and exploring historic sites.

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.

Price

6 persons : 3,799 €

8 persons : 2,799 €

Supplement for a single room: 690 €.

Accommodation

2x overnight stay at a 5* hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan (half board). 4x overnight stay at a private boat (full board). 1x overnight stay at a 5* hotel Mövenpick Aswan (half board).

Location

Terms and conditions

Payment:
• 30% of the package price when the reservation is confirmed (with an additional 22 € for the registration fee)
• the remaining 70% to be paid at 15 days prior to departure

Cancellation:
• Cancellation is free of charge until 35 days prior to departure
• Afterwards 100% cancellation charges will apply

Included/not included

Included:
2x overnight stay at a 5* hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan (half board). 4x overnight stay at a private boat (full board).
1x overnight stay at a 5* hotel Mövenpick Aswan (half board).
1x lunch in Aswan. All transfers and sightseeing in the programme.
English-speaking local guides for all sightseeing in the programme.
Accompanying and assistance by an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency, assistance at airports and check-ins/check-outs.
24-hour availability over the phone of an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency.
Costs of arranging and organizing the journey.

Not Included :
Any international flights.
Any local flights.
Entry visa to Egypt ($25).
Personal expenses.
Other sightseeing and transfers not included in the programme.
Customary tipping (€60–80 per person).

Further information

• Hotel address : Aswan, Egypt
• Duration : 7 nights
• Contact details : botler@boticonline.com

Recommended equipment:
– Comfortable walking shoes.
– Bright-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of natural materials for sightseeing.
– Warmer clothing for evenings/nights in the desert.
– Layered clothing for flexibility as temperatures can change rapidly due to the strong sun.
– A hat for sun protection, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen. .

Agency

BOT SAS