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Marsa Alam – Aswan – Lake Nasser

Your exploration of south Egypt will begin at the luxury Lahmy Azur Resort – the ultimate destination for beach and water activities, cultural sightseeing and close contact with nature.

You'll have some time to relax whilst also combining some culturally-rich activities including a visit to the city of Shalateen, home to a famous camel market, as well as exploring the rock art in the so called "Obelix Valley".

Along with these iconic attractions, you'll also witness a legendary sunset at Qalaan Beach and immerse into the Nubian culture in Aswan visiting the pharaonic temples crowned by Abu Simbel and the mighty Aswan High Dam - a huge architectural project built to cope with the annual flooding of the River Nile on-board of Lake Nasser luxury boat.

Day 1: Airport Marsa Alam - Hotel. 

Airport transfer from Marsa Alam Airport. Welcome to the special atmosphere of Wadi Lahmy Azur Resort. Various pools, beach, sea and Bedouin tent invite you to linger.

Overnight Wadi Lahmy Azur Resort or similar. (D)

Day 2: Hotel - Shalateen - Wadi Gaheleya “Obelix Hausen” (home)  

Today we start exploring the surroundings. First by visiting Shalateen.

Shalateen is about 1 h drive from the hotel. It's a little off the usual tourist radar. Essentially it's a trading town on the border with Sudan. The main draw is the camel market. Thousands of camels are on display here. The camels are brought up from Sudan and are bidded for by the Egyptains. Camels are either bought for work or for meat. Once sold, they are taken for branding and then onto a transportation area. The town has a vibrant souk and has an array of shops for spices and perfumes. On the way back we make a detour into the varied nature of the area. Rock formations reminiscent of the menhirs from famous “old roman comic heroes Asterix and Obelix” stimulate the imagination and invite you to take a short walk.

Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 3: (Gebel Elba N.P.) Wadi Gaheleya - Wadi Hodein

Our outdoor adventure takes us today to Wadi Hodein in the northern part of the Gebel Elba National Park. Greenery and desert sand alternate and always offer the eye new impressions. We will see our first rock engravings.

Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Wadi Hodein - Wadi Dif

Around Ain el Dif we will find plenty of rock engravings and we could explore even more, the entire mountain is full of them. The longer we move in nature, the more we perceive.

Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Wadi Dif - Bir Amreit - Wadi Abu Saafa

Wadi Abu Saafa, might be one of the richest rock engraving areas. We will find some very unique and beautiful artistic pictures engraved in the rocks. We will cruise through parts of the Ababda lands. A night under the stars, a breakfast with Bedouin coffee (Gabbana) – the day starts well.

Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Abu Saafa - Abraq - Wadi Naam

At Abu Saafa, we will visit the ancient water well coming out from the mountain. Nearby further engravings. Then we will find at Abraq rock carvings that are worth their money. On top of a small hill there is an apparent fortress in ruins. Only the outline of the walls are still visible. Its origin is unknown. After Abraq and its lake we will head to Wadi Naam with further engravings. Wadi Naam is characteristic for thousands of handals, quilliquins, or sometimes also known as desert rattles.

Get ready for new adventures.

Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Wadi Naam - Aswan - Heissa Island

Today we cross the Eastern Desert heading to the Nile Valley to Aswan and start to further highlights of our tour. Aswan is known for its beautiful Nile Valley scenery, significant archaeological sites and its peaceful aura.

Heissa is a small island located south of Aswan, squeezed between the Philae Temple and the Nile River Dam. It is one of the oldest standing Nubian islands and the only one that remains to this day. Spending a night here is an insider tip. Experience Nubian hospitality and hilly walks with Nile Views.

Overnight Nopera Hotel or similar. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Heissa Island - Abu Simbel – Safari Boat (Lake Nasser) 

Of course, a visit to Abu Simbel should not be missed in this area. Therefore, in the morning we start by car a 3 h drive towards this attraction. The temples of Abu Simbel are some of the most impressive and unique temples you will see in Egypt. They were dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to the deified Ramesses himself.

It is generally considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of Ramesses II, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt. In the evening you go to our luxury safari boat and move into your cabin there.

Have sweet dreams during your first night on board.

Overnight on board of Dabuka Blue or similar. (B/L/D)

Have sweet dreams during your first night on board.

Day 9: Abu-Simbel - Kasr Ibrim (Safari Boat) 

We will board our boat after the visit of the Ramses II and Nefertari temples at Abu Simbel.The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. They serve as a lasting monument to the king and his queen Nefertari, and commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Their huge external rock relief figures have become iconic.

The Great Temple at Abu-Simbel, which took about twenty years to build, was completed around year 24 of the reign of Ramses the Great (which corresponds to 1265 BC). It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to the deified Ramses himself. It is generally considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of Ramses II, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt. The Temple was discovered in 1813 by the traveler Burckhardt. During the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temple had to be rescued by the UNESCO and relocated on its recent location. Lunch on board. Once on board, we will initiate a four hour sail to Kasr lbrim also known as Ibrim Palace. Converted into a fortress during the Ottoman Period, it is the only monument that stands unmoved from its original location. Although the Palace was victim to several lootings and damage by thugs, it is still home to an assortment of remains from the Christian and Islamic periods. Here we will dock as we plan on spending the night in one of the creeks of the area.

Overnight on board of Dabuka Blue or similar. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Amada - Pennout - Wadi el Arab (Safari Boat) 

Breakfast on board. First thing in the morning we will glance at the various nomadic birds that visit Lake Nasser annually (at certain seasons) as we leave our boat to pursue the temples of Amada, Pennout and El Derr. These temples have been moved by the UNESCO and many other global organizations. The temple of Amada is considered among the most interesting temples in Nubia.They were built by the king Thoutmosis III and the king Amenophis II.

The temple of El Derr dates back to the time of the Great Pharaoh Ramses II, it was dedicated to the God Amon and later on it helped as a church during the Coptic Era. The tomb of Pennout was cut and moved bloc by bloc from the Nubian village of Aniba to its actual place. The faint hum of our boat’s motor will lead us down to the temples of Amada, Pennout and El Derr, which we expect to reach by noon.

After uncovering the wonders of every temple, we will return on board. Lunch on board.

Continue our adventure. Sailing through the mountainous region of Korousko and Wadi El Arab, one of Nubian's largest valleys, our boat will throw its anchor for the night.

Overnight on board of Dabuka Blue or similar. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Dakka - Wadi El Seboua - Meharraqa (Safari Boat) Haissa Island 

Breakfast on board. On this day we travel down Lake Nasser with the goal of discovering three relocated temples, known for their unique sculptures and delicate beauty.

Dakka (Greek: Pselchis): Erected in the same site by the Nubian king Ergamenes II along with Ptolemy II whilst they shared rule over Lower Nubia in the Third century. Later, the temple was refurbished by Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius.

Wadi El Seboua: Accessed through a pathway of sphinxes bearing Ramses's effigy, this temple was built by the Pharaoh Ramses II in dedication to the Gods Amun-Re and Ra.

Lunch on board. Sailing towards Aswan. We will be passing by the site of Abu Steta desert, which is known for its reputation of its golden sand dunes and congregations of exotic birds in the small lagoons such as pelicans, cormorants, flamingo and various of small birds. (at certain seasons) We will anchor to visit the site of Wadi El Seboua, Dakka and Meharraqa. We will pass by the region of Khour El Alaki which is considered the widest area on Lake Nasser as its span width reaches 60 Km. After crossing the area of Bab Kalabsha where the lake in this part is agitated and wavy. (at certain seasons) Boat trip ends in Aswan. Transfer to Heissa Island.

Overnight Nopera Hotel or similar. (B/D)

Day 12 & 13: Heissa Island 

Enjoy your day at this picturesque island. Either just relaxing or walking around or taking the small boat to Aswan to explore the city and temples like Philae. At night there is also a Light and Sound Show. We would be happy to advise you.

Overnight Nopera Hotel or similar. (B/D) 

Day 14: Haissa Island - Aswan Airport 

Airport Transfer and return flight back home. See you again! (B)

  • Private Tour
  • Accommodation 5x hotels, 5x camping, 3x Safari boat cabins
  • Meals: 13 B / 9 L / 13 D
  • Airport transfers
  • Desert stretch by 4x4 cars
  • All transportation's
  • 4 day Safari boat
  • All fees
  • Program like mentioned above.
  • Qualified Egyptologist guide for 4 days.
  • Bottled mineral water
  • Travel insurance and all kind of insurances.
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned.
  • Tips for guide, drivers...
  • Drinks on board of Nasser cruise
  • Anything that is not mentioned in the program.
  1. Dorothee Rieche:

    I am a desert lover – but never expected, that also a unique combination of beach and desert will create the ultimate travel experience.

    By the way – I love the food in Lahmy Azur Resort and the sun set for dinner.

    Will definitely come back

    Dorothee, Germany

  2. Alessandro Menardi:

    I highly recommend Dabuka as a tour operator and Tarek as a friend if you want a safe escort through some of the most beautiful desert scenery Egypt can offer.

  3. Alessandro-Menardi:

    In November 2022, with a close-knit group of Italian friends, all desert enthusiasts, I embarked on a tailor-made tour of Egypt’s eastern desert. Dabuka, the tour operator in the person of Tarek el-Mahdy, was an old acquaintance of mine, having been fortunate enough to live in Cairo for a few years. The tour was inspired to the “Go Deep South” program regularly offered by the agency. There was a premise to this choice; compared to other deserts in the whole world, the Eastern Desert stands out as a very particular region, a treasure chest of natural beauty and archaeological sites, ranging from Prehistory to Roman times. In particular, the southern sector, also known as Etbai in the accounts of 19th century explorers, a land of mystery and fascination, was a corner of Egypt still missing in our experience of the country.

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