4-Day Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor Tour: Private Guide & Train

Four temples across two cities, connected by desert drive and overnight train

A 4-day private guided tour from Aswan visiting Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk on day one; Abu Simbel's twin rock-cut temples 285 km south on day two; the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut on day three; and Karnak and Luxor temples on day four. A first-class train carries you from Aswan to Luxor overnight, and an air-conditioned vehicle handles all ground transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan tour to temples and dam

• Pick up from hotel at 8 am
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk
• Transfer back to hotel in Aswan

Day 2: Abu Simbel trip and train to Luxor

• Early pick up for Abu Simbel trip
• Drive 3 hours to Abu Simbel
• Visit Abu Simbel Temples for 2 hours
• Drive back to Aswan
• Take first class train to Luxor
• Meet representative and transfer to hotel

Day 3: West Bank tour in Luxor

• Pick up from hotel at 8:30 am
• Drive to Valley of the Kings
• Explore tombs in Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon

Day 4: East Bank tour to Karnak and Luxor

• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer back to hotel in Luxor

The experience

The tour opens at your hotel in Aswan at 8 am on day one, when your guide picks you up by air-conditioned vehicle. You'll take a motorboat to Philae Temple, the island sanctuary of the goddess Isis, then visit the Aswan High Dam built in 1960 to control the Nile's flood and generate power. The Unfinished Obelisk, abandoned in the quarry when a crack appeared, rounds out the morning before you return to your hotel.

Day two starts before dawn, around 4 to 4:30 am, for the drive to Abu Simbel, 285 km south through the Egyptian desert. The journey takes roughly three hours, and you'll watch the sunrise behind the mountains as the landscape opens. At Abu Simbel, you'll spend about two hours exploring the two massive rock-cut temples carved into the mountainside, then drive back to Aswan in daylight. That evening, your guide transfers you to the first-class train to Luxor, a journey of 3 to 4 hours. A representative meets you at the train station in Luxor holding a sign with your name and takes you to your hotel.

Days three and four are based in Luxor. On day three, your guide picks you up at 8:30 am to cross to the west bank, where you'll spend about 45 minutes driving to the Valley of the Kings. There you'll explore the rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, then continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the monument of Egypt's only female pharaoh who ruled for 22 years. A photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon (two 17-meter statues of King Amenhotep III) closes the morning. On day four, you visit Karnak Temple, the largest temple in the world, and finish at Luxor Temple before returning to your hotel.

What’s included

• One-way first-class train ticket from Aswan to Luxor.
• hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle in both cities.
• English-speaking tour guide for all four days.
• Abu Simbel group trip by bus or minibus.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Egypt Super Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Aswan without your own transport and want to see both cities' major temples in one trip: the first-class train between Aswan and Luxor is included, and your guide meets you at your hotel each morning.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is inside the Abu Simbel temples that makes the 285 km drive worthwhile?

Abu Simbel holds two massive rock-cut temples carved directly into the mountainside, each one a feat of ancient engineering. The temples were relocated in the 1960s to save them from flooding when the Aswan High Dam was built, and they remain among Egypt's most impressive monuments.

Do I need to book my own hotel in Aswan and Luxor, or is it included?

You arrange and book your own accommodation in both cities. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle, but the hotel itself is your responsibility.

How much time do I actually spend at each major temple?

At Philae Temple you'll have time to explore the island sanctuary with your guide; Abu Simbel receives about two hours to walk through both temples; the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut together take up most of day three; and day four covers Karnak and Luxor temples before your return to the hotel.

What happens with entrance fees to the temples and sites?

You pay entrance fees separately by card at each site, except for the Aswan High Dam and the motorboat to Philae Temple, which require Egyptian cash. Your guide will tell you the amounts in advance.

Is the Abu Simbel day a private tour or do I travel with other people?

The Abu Simbel trip is shared. You'll travel in a bus or minibus with other travelers. The rest of the tour (Aswan day one, Luxor days three and four) uses a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle for your group.