Luxor & Aswan Guided Tour with Abu Simbel by Train

Summary

Three Days in Egypt: Temples, Trains & Nubian Life

You’ll step inside ancient temples along the Nile, sip tea with locals in a Nubian village, stand quietly before Abu Simbel’s colossal statues, and ride Egypt’s first-class train between Aswan and Luxor with an expert guide by your side—moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember stepping off the train in Aswan — that first breath of dry air, a little dusty but somehow sweet. Our guide, Ahmed, waved at us from behind a crowd of taxi drivers. He had this easy smile and kept saying “no rush” even though I was already fumbling for my sunglasses. We hopped into an air-conditioned van (thank god for that), and before I knew it we were gliding down the Nile on a motorboat toward Philae Temple. The water was quiet except for the slap of the hull and some birds overhead. Ahmed pointed out carvings on the temple walls — honestly, I’d seen photos before but standing there as the sun hit those stones felt different. It’s hard to describe; you just feel small in the best way.

Later that day we visited a Nubian village — Siou or maybe Koti, I’m not sure which one now. The houses were painted these wild blues and yellows, and kids ran past us laughing. One woman handed me tea so strong it made my eyes water (in a good way). Our group tried to say thank you in Arabic — Li totally butchered it and everyone laughed, including our host. That night I slept like a rock back at the hotel, even though my brain was still buzzing from everything we’d seen.

The next morning started early — like “why am I awake?” early — for Abu Simbel. It’s about three hours each way from Aswan but honestly worth every minute. When we finally stood in front of those giant statues, nobody said much at first. There’s something about seeing them up close that just shuts you up for a second. On the ride back, Ahmed told us stories about Ramses II and his queen; I probably only caught half because I kept staring out at the desert rolling by.

Our last day was Luxor: Valley of the Kings (the tombs are cooler than you think — literally), Queen Hatshepsut’s temple with its sharp lines against the cliffs, then Karnak Temple where columns go on forever. By then we were all sweaty and tired but happy to keep going. We ended at Luxor Temple as dusk settled in; lights flickered on and tourists thinned out so it almost felt private for a second. Sometimes travel feels like ticking boxes but this trip didn’t — maybe because Ahmed kept telling us little things about his childhood here or maybe just because Egypt is like nowhere else I’ve been.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aswan: Philae Temple & Nubian Village

• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Tour Nubian Village and transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Abu Simbel & Train to Luxor

• Visit Abu Simbel temple
• Transfer to Aswan train station and travel to Luxor

Day 3 — Luxor West & East Banks Tour

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• See Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Stop at Memnon statues
• Explore Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple and transfer back

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel?

The round-trip drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes about six hours total, plus time spent exploring the site itself.

Is pickup included for this Luxor & Aswan guided tour?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel, train station or airport in both Aswan and Luxor as part of your booking.

Do I need to arrange my own accommodation during this tour?

Yes, accommodation and meals are not included—you’ll book your own hotels but all transfers are covered.

What sites do we visit on this 3-day tour?

You’ll visit Philae Temple, a Nubian village near Aswan, Abu Simbel temples, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.

Are entrance fees included in this package?

No—entrance fees should be paid separately by credit card at each site during your visits.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes—the itinerary is suitable for all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible according to local providers.

How do we travel between Aswan and Luxor?

You’ll take a first-class air-conditioned seated train between Aswan and Luxor; tickets are included in your booking.

What’s included

Your three days include pickup from your hotel or arrival point in both Aswan and Luxor, guided tours with an expert Egyptologist at every major site (including Philae Temple by motorboat), transportation throughout in modern air-conditioned vehicles—even that early morning drive to Abu Simbel—and your first-class train ticket between cities so you don’t have to worry about logistics along the way.