Lake Nasser cruiseDeluxe fleet shipsAswan → Abu Simbel

SAÏ

Handmade six-cabin Lake Nasser safari boat

SAÏ is a Nile cruise ship operated by Egitalloyd Travel. It has 6 cabins and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Handmade six-cabin Lake Nasser safari boat. SAI is a small handmade six-cabin safari boat sailing Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, built around unhurried temple visits.

Class Deluxe fleet shipsCabins 6Route Aswan → Abu Simbel

Operator: Egitalloyd Travel
Accommodation: 6 cabins
Decks: 2
Dimensions: 26 × 6.5 m
Route: Aswan to Abu Simbel: Kalabsha, Ghazal, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Pennout, El Derr, Kasr Ibrim. Abu Simbel to Aswan: Kasr Ibrim, Amada, Pennout, Wadi el Arab, Dakka, Wadi El Seboua, Kalabsha, Beit El Wali.
Trip length: 3 · 4 nights

About SAÏ

SAI is a small safari boat sailing Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, handmade from beach pine at the Lake Nasser Yard over roughly five years and decorated in Nubian and Egyptian style. With just six cabins over two decks, the journey is quiet and off the beaten path, built around walks, trekking and unhurried visits to the temples along the shore.

Four main-deck cabins of around 12 square metres each have a private bathroom; the two upper-deck cabins add their own private sundeck of around 10 square metres. Meals are Nubian, oriental and international, all prepared on board and served in the main-deck lounge restaurant or on the 35-square-metre sundeck.

The route runs past Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Amada, El Derr and Kasr Ibrim, reaching the temples of Abu Simbel, with the operator's aim being to promote ecotourism in southern Egypt.

Highlights

Just six cabins for a quiet trip
Handmade in Nubian and Egyptian style
Upper cabins with private sundecks
Meals prepared fresh on board
Walks and unhurried temple visits

At sail

Day by day

SAÏ sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan to Abu Simbel: Kalabsha, Ghazal, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Pennout, El Derr, Kasr Ibrim The temples on this route were moved above the water when the lake filled, and they are called at in a fixed order, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Aswan to Abu Simbel, 4 nights

Day 1
Aswan, embark, and the temples beside the dam
Board at the High Dam quay. Kalabsha and its two smaller neighbours were moved to one site above the dam when the lake filled, so all three stand together a short ride from the mooring.
Visits High Dam · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali · Kertassi
Day 2
Wadi El Seboua
Sail south. Three relocated temples share this mooring and are seen on one walk.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa
Day 3
Amada, then Kasr Ibrim from the water
Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut were regrouped at a single landing. Kasr Ibrim stands where it was built, on its clifftop, and is seen from the boat rather than visited.
Visits Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut · Kasr Ibrim
Day 4
Abu Simbel
The boat moors within sight of the two facades. Most programmes allow both an afternoon and an early-morning visit before disembarkation.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 5
Disembark at Abu Simbel
Check out after breakfast. Onward travel to Aswan is by road or the short flight.

Abu Simbel to Aswan, 3 nights

Day 1
Abu Simbel, embark
Join the boat at Abu Simbel. The two temples are the afternoon, with the lake ahead to the north.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 2
Kasr Ibrim and Amada
Kasr Ibrim is passed and seen from the deck; the Amada landing follows, where three monuments were regrouped.
Visits Kasr Ibrim · Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut
Day 3
Wadi El Seboua, then north to Kalabsha
Two moorings in a day as the boat runs north towards the dam.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali
Day 4
Aswan, disembark
Arrive above the High Dam and disembark after breakfast.
Visits High Dam

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

The fine print

What's included and what isn't

Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.

Included

Accommodation aboard SAÏ in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck and lounge throughout

Not included

Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
Gratuities for the crew
Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Main deck: 4 cabins of around 12 sqm (3 twin-bedded, 1 with a large bed), each with private bathroom
Upper deck: 2 special cabins, each with a private sundeck of around 10 sqm
Dining: Lounge restaurant and bar serving oriental, Nubian and international cuisine, all meals prepared on board
Facilities: Lounge/restaurant of around 20 sqm on the main deck
Bar
Main sundeck of 35 sqm
Private sundecks of around 10 sqm on the two upper-deck cabins
Water filtration system (shower use, non-potable)
250 HP engine with 17KV 220V generator; 12V current at night
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days Aswan to Abu Simbel
3 nights / 4 days Abu Simbel to Aswan

Keep planning

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Good to know

SAÏ questions, answered

How much does SAÏ cost?

Advertised rates start from US$270 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does SAÏ have?

6 cabins.

What route does SAÏ sail?

Aswan to Abu Simbel: Kalabsha, Ghazal, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Pennout, El Derr, Kasr Ibrim. Abu Simbel to Aswan: Kasr Ibrim, Amada, Pennout, Wadi el Arab, Dakka, Wadi El Seboua, Kalabsha, Beit El Wali..

What's included on SAÏ?

Not itemised on the page