| For years, River Nile cruises have attracted visitors | | | | cruises start at Aswan and head south for Abu |
| wanted to see some of ancient Egypt's finest | | | | Simbel at the far end of the lake. As the cruise |
| treasures but in more recent times, an alternative | | | | heads south, it stops off at various points of interest |
| cruise destination in Egypt is on offer. The lake was | | | | including the temples at Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, |
| created between 1958 and 1970 when the Aswan | | | | Amada and of course, Abu Simbel. After 4 days, |
| High Dam was built across the River Nile as a | | | | your cruise ship arrives at Abu Simbel at the far end |
| hydro-electric project. The lake is more than 300km | | | | of Lake Nasser and from there passengers can |
| long and is 35km wide at it's widest point. The rising | | | | disembark and take the 3 hour road journey back to |
| waters also meant that a number of ancient temples | | | | Aswan. Alternatively, the longer cruise returns |
| had to be relocated as well as some villagers whose | | | | passengers to Aswan by sailing back north back up |
| former homes were swallowed up. | | | | Lake Nasser, this time without stopping on the way. |
| Lake Nasser has turned into a real attraction for | | | | Its not just the ancient Egyptian sites that are |
| anglers with some excellent fishing for those in | | | | impressive, the scenery around Lake Nasser is |
| search of Perch, Catfish and Tiger Fish. These fish | | | | spectacular. The desert landscapes transform from |
| were all originally found in the River Nile before the | | | | rugged hills to flat, sandy beaches. A few local |
| Aswan High Dam was built and once the lake was | | | | Bedouin and fisherman live near the lake and can |
| formed, these species thrived on their new | | | | occasionally be seen. There is also a variety of bird |
| environment. The Perch fishing in here is considered | | | | life living near the lake including ducks, geese, pelicans, |
| to be the best in the world. | | | | heron as well as various birds of prey. Reptiles such |
| As an inland cruise destination, Lake Nasser is coming | | | | as monitor lizards and crocodiles can also be seen as |
| into it's own. The format is similar to Nile cruises with | | | | well as desert animals such as gazelle, jackals and |
| cruises starting at Aswan and sailing the length of | | | | foxes. |
| Lake Nasser south to Abu Simbel. There are various | | | | Although the popularity of cruising the River Nile is as |
| stops on the way for passenger to explore some of | | | | strong as ever, Lake Nasser offers tourists an |
| the lesser known ancient Egyptian sites but are | | | | alternative cruise exploring ancient Egypt's past in a |
| nonetheless impressive. | | | | spectacular setting. |
| Lake Nasser cruises last either 4 or 7 nights. Both | | | | |