Aswan & Abu Simbel: 2-Day Private Tour from Hurghada with Overnight

A Crack in the Stone: What Stopped Ancient Builders Cold

You travel privately from Hurghada to Aswan and Abu Simbel over two days with a qualified Egyptologist guide. You see the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk in its original quarry, the Temple of Isis, and the two colossal temples of Abu Simbel—all without arranging separate transport, guides, or meals. One night in a 3-star Aswan hotel, lunch, and return to Hurghada are included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aswan highlights and Abu Simbel visit

• Drive to Aswan High Dam
• Visit Temple of Goddess Isis on Phiala Island
• Explore the Unfinished Obelisk quarry
• Tour Abu Simbel temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari
• Lunch in Aswan
• Drive back to Hurghada hotel

The Experience

The Unfinished Obelisk sits exactly where it was abandoned 2,500 years ago—a 1-tonne block of red granite with a fissure running through it that made the whole thing worthless the moment it appeared. Your Egyptologist guide will show you the quarry marks, the tool grooves, the exact spot where the crack killed a project that had taken weeks to carve. It's the kind of thing you don't expect to see intact, and it changes how you think about ancient engineering. This two-day private tour from Hurghada takes you there, along with the temples of Abu Simbel, the Aswan High Dam, and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, with an overnight stay in Aswan and all meals included.

Day one starts with a drive from your Hurghada hotel to Aswan, roughly 280 kilometers south. You'll stop at the High Dam first—a 1960s engineering feat that created Lake Nasser and reshaped the entire region. From the top you can see across the lake to Kalabsha Temple in the distance and the power station sprawling to the north. Then comes the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries, where your guide walks you through how the ancients carved these massive stones and why that single crack meant abandonment. After that, the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, built around 690 BC and one of the last temples constructed in the classical Egyptian style. You'll have lunch in Aswan, then check into your 3-star hotel for the night.

Day two is Abu Simbel—the two colossal temples carved directly into the mountainside between 1274 and 1244 BC. The Great Temple has four massive statues of Ramses II and was dedicated to him and three gods; the second temple honors Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Both were dismantled stone by stone in the 1960s and rebuilt on higher ground to save them from Lake Nasser's rising waters. UNESCO called it their greatest preservation achievement, and standing in front of those 67-meter-high facades, you understand why. After exploring both temples, you'll drive back to Hurghada, arriving in the evening.

The whole thing is private—just you, your guide, your driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Bottled water is included throughout, and the guide is qualified to explain the archaeology and engineering behind what you're seeing, not just point at it. Wheelchair accessibility is available across all sites and transport, and the itinerary is flexible enough for families with young children.

What’s included

Your tour includes private air-conditioned transportation from your Hurghada hotel, an overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in Aswan, lunch on both days, bottled water throughout, entry fees to all sites (the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Temple of Isis, and both Abu Simbel temples), and a qualified Egyptologist guide who explains the history and engineering of each location. Return transport to Hurghada is included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Drive Now Hurghada

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Abu Simbel and Aswan's main sites without arranging separate transport, guides, or meals—the private format means no group schedules, and the overnight stay makes the full itinerary possible in two days instead of a rushed one-day dash.

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Top questions

How far is Aswan from Hurghada?

Approximately 280 kilometers south. The drive takes most of the first day.

What is included in the tour?

Private transportation, overnight accommodation at a 3-star hotel in Aswan, lunch, bottled water, all entry fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an Egyptologist guide.

Why is the Unfinished Obelisk important?

It shows how ancient quarrymen carved massive granite blocks. A crack appeared during carving around 2,500 years ago, and the obelisk was abandoned where it lay—giving us a rare look at an incomplete ancient project.

When were the Abu Simbel temples built?

Between 1274 and 1244 BC, during the reign of Ramses II. Both temples were moved to higher ground in the 1960s to prevent flooding from Lake Nasser.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. All areas, surfaces, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can use a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle.

What is the Temple of Isis on Philae Island?

A temple built around 690 BC to honor the goddess Isis. It was one of the last temples constructed in the classical Egyptian style and one of the last places where Isis was worshiped.

How long is the tour?

Two days and one night, departing from your Hurghada hotel and returning in the evening of day two.