Lake Nasser and the Nubian Desert

Extreme southern Egypt, in the heart of the Nubian Desert, the Nile expects man's goodwill to lead him towards the Mediterranean.
Settling comfortably in the boat, let yourself daydream and enjoy the scrolling scenery.
Setting foot on an island and discovering the Nubian people, hiking until sunset when the oblique sun rays set the dunes ablaze to then die in the turquoise waters of Lake Aswan.
Visit the greatest sites in Upper Egypt and finish by enjoying the sweet indolence of being on a boat.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Cairo
• Day 2/  Pyramids of Giza and Sakkara - train: Cairo-Assoua
• Day 3/  Aswan, high dam, unfinished obelisk, etc
• Day 4/   Lake Nasser
• Day 5/  Lake Nasser - Wadi Es Seboua Temple - Wadi Temsa (valley of the crocodiles)
• Day 6/  Wadi El Arab Dune, spectacular panoramic views
• Day 7/  Kasr Ibrahim (pharaonic temple) - Besharia Island (prehistoric rock art)
• Day 8/  Besharia -Abu Simbel Temple - Aswan
• Day 9/  Aswan - Valley of King Hatsepshut's temples- Luxor
• Day 10/  Luxor, Karnak, Madinet Habu, tombs
• Day 11/  Visit either Luxor or Cairo museum, flight Luxor - Cairo
• Day 12/  Depart from Cairo.

Extreme southern Egypt, in the heart of the Nubian Desert, the Nile expects man's goodwill to lead him to the Mediterranean.
Settling comfortably in the boat, let yourself daydream and enjoy the scrolling scenery.
Setting foot on an island and discovering the Nubian people, hiking until sunset when the oblique sun rays set the dunes ablaze to then die in the turquoise waters of Lake Aswan.
Visit the greatest sites in Upper Egypt and finish by enjoying the sweet indolence of being on a boat.

Day 1/ Arrival in Cairo
Meet and assist at airport - Transfer to Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel in Cairo's center. Dinner.

Day 2/ Pyramids of Giza and Sakkara - train Cairo - Aswan
Transfer to Sakkara (visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Serapeum). Lunch and transfer to the Pyramids of Giza. In the afternoon, transfer to the train station, Pullman 1st class to Aswan.

Day 3/ Aswan
Arrival and check-in at the Hotel (Basma). Lunch in the Souk - Visit the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. In the afternoon, visit Elephantine Island on board of a felucca. Admire the sun set on the Nile. Traditional Nubian dinner. Attend the sound and light show at the Philae Temple. Night at the Basma 4 star Hotel.

Day 4/ Lake Nasser
Transfer to the south of the High Dam. Lunch on board. Our first walk in the Nubian Desert to reach a high point overlooking the Lake. Dinner and night on board.

Day 5/  Lake Nasser - Wadi Es Seboua - Wadi Temsa
Hike to reach an area with Hieroglyphics. Lunch, and possibility to swim. Sail to the Wadi Es Seboua Temple. Afternoon stroll to reach Wadi Temsah (Valley of the crocodiles). Dinner and night on board.

Day 6/  Wadi El Arab Dune
An early morning walk to witness the spectacular panoramic view of the sunrise overlooking the lake and the desert. Lunch on the shore of Wadi El Arab. Possibility to swim. Sailing and an afternoon hike. Dinner and night on board.

Day 7/  Kasr Ibrahim - Besharia Island
Hike in the morning to the most beautiful valleys of the Nubian Desert. Sailing to Kasr Ibrahim. Kasr Ibrahim is the only unmoved Pharaonic site on the lake. Lunch in the vicinity of the temple.  Sailing and walking to discover the enigmatical prehistoric rock art. Dinner, night on board, Besharia Island.

Day 8/ Besharia - Abu Sinbel - Aswan
Cross the island on foot (1H30). Last possibility to swim before arriving in Abu Simbel. Sailing and lunch on board. The end of the boat trip. Visit the Abu Simbel Ramses II Temple. Transfer to Aswan (around 2H30). Lunch and check-in at the Basma 4 star Hotel.

Day 9/ Aswan - Valley of the Kings - Luxor
Transfer in the morning to Luxor. Lunch on the western bank of the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) and the Hatshepsut Temple. Transfer to Luxor. Free afternoon. Dinner and check-in at the Mercure 4 star Hotel (Nile view).

Day 10/ Luxor
In the morning, visit the Karnak Temple. Lunch and visit the Madinet Habu Temple and the tombs of the artisan village. Free afternoon. Dinner and night at the hotel Mercure (Nile view). In the evening, it will be possible to visit the Luxor Temple or to attend the Sound and Light show at Karnak (optional, at your expense -  Luxor Temple $8  8$ - Karnak Sound/Light show $12 - Taxi $10).  

Day 11/ Luxor - Cairo
Depending on the domestic flight schedule, visit either the Luxor or the Cairo Museum. Lunch and free afternoon. Dinner and night at the Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel (Nile view).

Day 12/ Depart from Cairo
Transfer and assistance to airport for your return flight.

Short walks between 2 to 3 hours per day, coupled with visits to temples and historical sites. Several options for swimming in Lake Nasser.
Please note that depending on the location of the boat, this trip could be made in one of 2 directions, Aswan - Abu Simbel or Abu Simbel-  Aswan. In either case, the program and the visits do not change.
- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice. 

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). Transport is ensured by the assistance vehicle or the boat depending on the day.

The guide
- An Egyptian English-speaking Mountain World Travel guide, a specialist in the customs and archeology of the Nile region, as well as the history of the country.
- A cultural specialized guide when visiting sites and monuments.
The local team
- The staff on the boat: captain, assistant, cook.

Private minibus with air conditioning for all land transfers.
The national airline, Egyptair, for the domestic flights.
Train, Pullman 1st class Cairo to Aswan
Our Boats
·     a boat (55 X 14 feet); 4 comfortable double cabins, with fans, toilet and a collective hot water shower on board.
·     Upper deck is an open terrace overlooking landscapes lending to great photographic opportunities. Cabins on lower deck.  
The boat is equipped with life vests.

- Cairo: Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel, 2 nights
- Luxor: Mercure 4 star Hotel, 2 nights
- Aswan: Basma 4 star Hotel, 2 nights
- Boat: 4 double cabins, 4 nights.
- Train: wagon lit, Pullman 1st class, 1 night.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

On the boat
Local Nubian cuisine with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The cook takes special care of meals and will amaze you with the quality of his dishes!
In town, in villages and on the oases
- Meals in restaurants
Beverages: mineral water provided. Tea and "carcade" infusions (local beverage made from hibiscus flower petals) will be served regularly.

It is the only boat on Lake Nasser. Similar to a Nile cruise but with the ability to debark and take many walks along the lake.
Early booking will better ensure you a  spot.  We have to confirm boat availability before we can give you a confirmation answer or offer you other dates.  It is a very exclusive voyage that allow only 8 people at a time.
We'll need photocopy (pdf format) of passeport one month before departure.

• International flights in/out Cairo
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and coffee/tea during lunch & dinner)
• Personal expenses.
• Egyptian country exit tax (up to date $15)
• Tips for guides and local staff.
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Cairo:
-  Egyptair, the national airline, flies daily from New York to Cairo
-  Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental), in cooperation with Air France / KLM flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo through Paris / Amsterdam
-  United Airlines, in cooperation with Lufthansa, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through Munich/Frankfurt
-  American Airlines, in cooperation with British Airways, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; visa needed.
The visa will be issued upon arrival in the country at the Cairo airport (included in the trip price), normal day of the trip.
Documents required for visa on arrival:
- Passport (with an additional photo)
For US Citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Egyptian embassy of your country.
We'll need photocopy (pdf format) of passeport one month before departure.

Vaccines
We however advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health

Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.

LEVEL 1
2 months prior:  Hike 6 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  Pay attention to your lifestyle and your weight.

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles.

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).