5 Days Steigenberger Omar El-Khayam

After a hearty breakfast on board, today in Aswan with your tour guide, you will visit Kalabsha Temple. The city was known in ancient times as Talmis and was relocated to an island and reconstructed due to the construction of the Aswan Dam, which flooded it from Lake Nasser.

You will visit first in Kalabsha:

Kalabsha Temple – A Monument of Many Eras

The majestic Kalabsha Temple, originally dedicated to the Nubian sun god Mandulis and the goddess Isis, stands as the largest free-standing temple complex of Lower Nubia, measuring an impressive 36 by 72 meters. Reconstructed by Emperor Augustus, the temple reflects a blend of Roman and ancient Egyptian architectural influence. In the 6th century AD, parts of the temple were repurposed as a Christian church, a transformation still visible today through the preserved Christian symbols carved into its walls.

Right next to the temple is the:

Kiosk of Kertassi – A Graceful Relic of the Greco-Roman Era

The Kiosk of Kertassi is a small yet striking structure from the Greco-Roman period, originally positioned at the entrance of an ancient quarry in the Nubian town of Kertassi, once a Roman outpost. This elegant temple building was relocated to safety near the Temple of Mandulis after the area was submerged by the waters of Lake Nasser, following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Today, both monuments stand together as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized since 1979, preserving a glimpse of Nubia's multicultural past.

After your final visit of the day, you will return to your ship, where your dream journey across the Nile truly begins. The Steigenberger Omar-El-Khayam, sets sail from Aswan, gliding over the tranquil waters of Lake Nasser toward Wadi El Seboua. As the sun sets over the desert horizon, enjoy a relaxing evening on board, complete with a gourmet dinner and the unique ambiance of the lake’s serene beauty. Spend the night docked at Wadi El Seboua, ready to explore more wonders in the days ahead.

After a leisurely breakfast on board, you will visit Wadi El Seboua with your tour guide:

Temple of Wadi El Seboua – The Valley of the Sphinxes

Once located in the so-called Valley of the Lions—a name inspired not by wild animals but by the sphinx statues lining its approach—the Temple of Wadi El Seboua is one of the few Nubian temples to preserve such monumental guardians. Built by Ramses II from sandstone, the temple was partially flooded during parts of the year before its relocation. Inside, visitors can admire striking depictions of the pharaoh in various divine forms: as a sphinx, a god in human shape, and a mighty king. The temple is dedicated to the powerful deities Amun-Re and Re-Harakhte, echoing the religious devotion of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom.

Afterwards, you visit the:

Thoth Temple of Dakka

The Temple of Dakka is relatively young, it was built by the Meroitic king Arqamani around 200 BC in the Ptolemaic period. As can be seen from the pylon, the temple was not completed – for example, the final smoothing of the stones and the reliefs are missing. The temple was dedicated to the god of scribes, Thoth – and thus to magic and science:

The last temple you visit in Wadi El Seboua is the

Temple of Dakka – Sanctuary of Thoth, God of Wisdom

The Temple of Dakka, though relatively young in comparison to other ancient monuments, was built around 200 BC by the Meroitic king Arqamani during the Ptolemaic period. Dedicated to Thoth—the god of wisdom, writing, magic, and science—the temple served as a center of intellectual and spiritual reverence. Though impressive in scale, the temple was never fully completed, as evidenced by the unfinished pylons and unsmoothed reliefs. Even in its incomplete state, the Temple of Dakka stands as a remarkable testament to the fusion of Nubian and Greco-Egyptian artistry.

After the visit, the ship continues to Amada where it docks.

In Amada, you will visit with your tour guide:

temple of Amada – The Oldest Treasure on Lake Nasser

The Temple of Amada, carved from sandstone, is the oldest standing monument on Lake Nasser. It was built during the reigns of Thutmose III, Amenophis II, and Thutmose IV of the 18th Dynasty, and dedicated to the sun gods Amun-Re and Re-Harakhte. Renowned for its exquisite and well-preserved reliefs, it is considered one of the most beautifully decorated temples in Lower Nubia. To protect this ancient masterpiece from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, a remarkable engineering effort was made: the entire temple was moved intact to its new location, preserving its fragile artwork for future generations.

Afterwards, you visit:

Temple of Derr – Ramses II in the House of Re

Commissioned in the 30th year of Ramses II’s reign, the Temple of Derr stands as a tribute to the gods Ptah and Amun—and to Ramses II himself, honored as a deified ruler. Known in ancient times as the “Temple of Ramses in the House of Re,” this rock-cut sanctuary was originally carved into a cliff along the Nile. Today, what remains includes two colonnaded halls leading to the inner sanctuaries, still echoing the grandeur of the New Kingdom and the divine legacy of one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs.

As the last item on the agenda of the day, you visit:

Tomb of Pennut – The Last Legacy of Ancient Aniba

The rock-cut Tomb of Pennut is a unique survivor of the ancient fortress town of Aniba, once known as Miam. It is the only monument from this site that was not surrendered to the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Pennut, a high official during the reign of Ramses VI, is honored here through a wealth of inscriptions and vivid wall scenes that reveal his prestigious role in the administration of Nubia. The tomb stands as a rare and invaluable testament to the lives of elite officials during Egypt’s 20th Dynasty.

Afterwards, this impressive day ends and you will be taken back to the ship.

Today the ship continues to Abu Simbel, where you can admire the former fortress Kasr Ibrîm from the sun deck on the way, the only archaeological site that was not buried by the waters of Lake Nasser.

After lunch on board in Abu Simbel, you will visit with your tour guide the highlight of Upper Egypt, the legacy of Ramses II:

Abu Simbel Temples

The two temples of Abu Simbel were built by Ramses II in 1260 BC and were under the sand until 1817 when the Italian Belzoni freed the two temples from the sand. The Ramses Temple extends 60 m directly into the rock and is 30 m high. The Temple of Nefertari is 21 m deep and 12 m high. After the construction of the dam, both temples were moved approximately 62 m higher between 1964 and 1968 to protect them from flooding by the reservoir.

Dinner & overnight on board in Abu Simbel. Enjoy your last evening on board and reflect on the unforgettable impressions.

Tip of the day:

In the evening, you have the opportunity to enjoy the impressive sound and light show in the temples of Abu Simbel. (optional)

Today your Nile cruise ends. You disembark and have a transfer from Abu Simbel to Aswan Airport.