Thebes to Abu Simbel

For the first British travellers to cruise the Nile from Cairo to Abu Simbel, the highlight was the last two sections of the journey – between Luxor and Aswan and then on to Abu Simbel, Egypt’s most southerly landmark. Crossing the Cataract at Aswan always caused a hiatus with a change of vessel or the hauling of the vessel over the Cataract. Following the building of the Aswan dams, this itinerary became awkward to fulfil in a week but now the problem can be solved by switching between two fine vessels to allow a cruise on both the Nile and Lake Nasser in just one week. The bustle of the Nile cruise contrasts with the calmer atmosphere of Lake Nasser, where a very special highlight is the Sound & Light at Abu Simbel.