2-Day Abu Simbel Tour from Luxor: Philae Temple & Aswan

The two Abu Simbel temples were moved stone by stone to save them from flooding.

A 2-day tour from Luxor visiting Philae Temple, Aswan's High Dam and the twin temples of Abu Simbel, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and return. Day one covers the drive to Aswan, Philae Temple and a felucca ride to a Nubian village with lunch included. Day two starts before dawn for Abu Simbel, where you see both the Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari before returning to Luxor. Overnight accommodation in Aswan is not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Aswan and sightseeing

• Meet at Luxor hotel
• Transfer to Aswan
• Visit Philae Temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Felucca ride to Nubian Village
• Transfer to Aswan hotel
• Free time and overnight stay

Day 2: Abu Simbel tour and return

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Abu Simbel Temples
• Lunch at local restaurant in Aswan
• Free time in Aswan
• Travel back to Luxor hotel

The experience

The tour starts at 7am with pickup from your Luxor hotel and a drive to Aswan. Once there, you visit Philae Temple, built on an island in the Nile and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, then you board a felucca, a traditional wooden sailboat, for a ride to a Nubian village on Elephantine Island, where you can see how Nubian families live along the river. You'll have free time in Aswan before checking into your hotel for the night.

Day two begins at 5am with a box breakfast provided by the hotel. Your guide and driver take you to Abu Simbel, two massive temples carved into a cliff face that UNESCO and the Egyptian government relocated in the 1960s to protect them from the Aswan High Dam's floodwaters. The larger temple was built by Ramesses II and dedicated to four gods: Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and Ramesses II himself. The smaller temple belonged to Queen Nefertari and honors the goddess Hathor. After exploring both temples, you have lunch at a local restaurant and free time before the drive back to Luxor.

The tour includes an English-speaking guide throughout, bottled water during transfers and sightseeing, all entrance fees, and hotel pickup and return to Luxor. You'll also see the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam during your time in Aswan.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for both days.
• hotel pickup in Luxor and return.
• lunch on day one at a local restaurant in Aswan.
• box breakfast on day two.
• bottled water throughout tours and transfers.
• entrance fees to Philae Temple, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and both Abu Simbel temples.
• felucca ride to the Nubian village.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Lovely Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Abu Simbel's twin temples and have time to explore Aswan's sites without rushing. The two-day pace lets you visit Philae Temple and take a felucca ride on day one, then spend the early morning at Abu Simbel on day two without cramming everything into a single afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Philae Temple and why does it matter?

Philae Temple sits on an island in the Nile and was built to honor the goddess Isis. It was one of the temples relocated by UNESCO to save it from flooding when the Aswan High Dam was built.

Do I need to book accommodation in Aswan separately?

Yes, accommodation in Aswan is not included in this tour. You'll need to arrange and book your own hotel for the overnight stay between day one and day two.

What time does the tour start each day?

Day one begins at 7am with hotel pickup in Luxor. Day two starts at 5am in Aswan with a box breakfast before heading to Abu Simbel.

What does the felucca ride involve?

A felucca is a traditional wooden sailboat. You'll ride one to a Nubian village on Elephantine Island to see the daily life of local Nubian families along the river.

Are the Abu Simbel temples difficult to walk around?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The temples are carved into a cliff, and you'll explore both the larger Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari during your visit.