Sahel Hashesh to Aswan Day Tours
Aswan And Abu Simbel 2-Day Tour from Sahel Hashesh
Description
Aswan and Abu Simbel 2-day tour from Sahel Hashesh takes you into southern Egypt for Nubian landscapes, ancient temples and time on the Nile. It is a practical way to see Aswan’s main sights and Abu Simbel without arranging long-distance transfers, local guiding and sightseeing separately.
In Aswan, you visit the High Dam, the major engineering project that changed the Nile’s flow and created Lake Nasser. You also see the Old Dam, built earlier in the twentieth century, and compare its lower structure with the much larger High Dam. Your guide explains the role of both projects in modern Egypt and how the relocation of ancient monuments became part of the region’s wider story.
A boat carries you across the Nile to Phiala Island and Phiala Temple, also commonly called Philae Temple. Dedicated mainly to the goddess Isis, the temple has carved columns, courtyards and reliefs that are easy to appreciate as you walk through the complex. You arrive by water, then explore the sanctuary at a steady pace, with time for photographs and questions.
The Unfinished Obelisk offers a different view of ancient stonework. Cut directly from the granite quarry, it shows how craftsmen shaped monumental stone and what caused the work to stop. The exposed surface, tool marks and scale help travellers understand how Egypt’s obelisks were made, rather than seeing only the finished monuments.
There is also time to sail with felucca on the Nile. These traditional sailing boats move quietly with the wind, at a slower pace than the road journeys between the sights. The ride depends on local sailing conditions and may be adjusted by the boat crew. Bring a light layer, as the open deck can feel cooler once the boat is moving.
The Abu Simbel temples are the focus of the second day. The larger temple was built by Ramses II and has four seated figures of the king on its facade. Inside, reliefs show military victories, religious scenes and royal ceremonies. Nearby, the smaller temple belongs to Queen Nefertari and is dedicated to Hathor. Its columns and statues give the complex a more intimate feel. Our guide puts both temples in context and points out details that are easy to miss on a short independent visit.
- Visit the High Dam and the Old Dam in Aswan
- Take the boat to Phiala Temple on Phiala Island
- See the Unfinished Obelisk and learn about granite carving
- Sail with felucca on the Nile
- Explore the Abu Simbel temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari
This tour suits travellers looking for a focused cultural excursion and comfortable with the long road journey from Sahel Hashesh to Upper Egypt, an overnight stay and an early start for Abu Simbel. We organise the transfers, sightseeing order and local arrangements, leaving you to focus on the monuments rather than coordinate separate vehicles and tickets. A licensed Egyptologist guide accompanies the visits where included, and the pace involves walking over uneven ground, steps and exposed areas. Travellers with limited mobility should tell our team before booking so we can discuss the practical arrangements.
Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, sun protection and a small day bag. Temple grounds can be bright and warm, while the felucca may feel breezy. We confirm the final pickup and drop-off details with your accommodation in Sahel Hashesh. The exact road schedule can vary with traffic and local operating conditions.
Included
Entrance tickets to the listed sights where included in the booking option
Sightseeing visits to Aswan and Abu Simbel
Transfers by road during the tour
Pickup and drop-off from Sahel Hashesh hotels
Felucca sailing on the Nile
Boat transfer to Phiala Temple
English-speaking licensed Egyptologist guide where stated in the booking details
Accommodation and meals according to the selected tour package
Excluded
Personal expenses
Any entrance tickets not listed in the inclusions
Gratuities for the guide and driver
Optional activities or services
Drinks and extra meals not listed in the booking details
Don't forget
Reusable water bottle
Valid passport or identification document
Cash for drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
Comfortable walking shoes
Small overnight bag and personal medication
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Light, breathable clothing and a light layer for the felucca
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2-day Abu Simbel and Aswan tour from Sahel Hashesh includes hotel pickup and drop-off, road transfers, visits to Aswan’s main sights and the Abu Simbel temples, and assistance from our team during the journey. The sightseeing plan includes Phiala Temple, the unfinished Obelisk, The High Dam, the old Dam and a Nile felucca sail.
Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and any optional services depend on the package selected, so check the booking details before confirming.
This is a two-day road journey from Sahel Hashesh, with sightseeing divided between Aswan and Abu Simbel rather than completed in one rushed day. The schedule includes time for Aswan’s monuments, a short sail with Felucca and the Abu Simbel temples, including the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.
Travel involves long road sections, early starts may be needed, and the exact order can change with traffic, road conditions or local arrangements.
Our team arranges pickup from your Sahel Hashesh hotel and the road transfer to Aswan, then continues with the planned sightseeing and return arrangements. Pickup details are confirmed after booking because the exact time depends on your hotel location, the route and the day’s travel schedule.
Please provide your hotel name and a reachable phone number when booking. We will share the meeting point and transfer information before departure.
Children can generally join this Abu Simbel and Aswan tour, but travellers should be prepared for long road transfers, walking across archaeological sites and time in the heat. The tour may be tiring for anyone with limited mobility because surfaces at the High Dam, the unfinished Obelisk, Phiala Temple and Abu Simbel are not uniformly flat.
Tell us about mobility needs, young children or medical concerns before booking so our team can explain the walking conditions and discuss suitable arrangements.
Wear light, breathable clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection for this Aswan and Abu Simbel trip. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, personal medication and a small bag for essentials during the sightseeing stops and Nile felucca ride.
A light layer is useful for early departures and air-conditioned vehicles. Bring your passport or required identification if it is requested in your booking documents.
You can book the 2-day journey to Abu Simbel and Aswan from Sahel Hashesh by submitting your travel details, hotel information and preferred date to our team. Cancellation terms depend on the booking conditions for your selected package, so the applicable policy is shown before confirmation and should be checked before payment.
If your plans change, contact us as soon as possible with your booking details. We can then explain the available options under the relevant terms.
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Why travelers choose A1Toureg
- Transparent pricing with no unexpected fees.
- Reserve today and pay on the day of your tour on most excursions.
- Free cancellation on selected tours.
- Organized with trusted licensed Egyptian partners.
- Fast confirmation and personal assistance.
- Comfortable transportation for every journey.
- Support in English, German, French, Italian, Russian & more.
- We're with you every step of the way.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Keep things flexible!
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Ways You Can Pay!
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
Your Itinerary
Your two-day journey begins with a road transfer from your Sahel Hashesh hotel to Aswan. The drive takes several hours, so we recommend travelling with water, sun protection and comfortable clothing. After arriving in Aswan, our guide takes you first to the High Dam, the major engineering project that changed the flow of the Nile and created Lake Nasser. You then see the historic old Dam, built earlier in the 20th century, where the contrast between the two structures is easy to understand.
Next, take a boat across to Agilkia Island for the Phiala temple, dedicated mainly to Isis. The temple courts, columns and carved reliefs were moved here when the original island was threatened by rising water. Continue to the unfinished Obelisk, where you can see how ancient stone workers began shaping a single granite monument before abandoning it after a crack appeared.
Later, Sail with Felucca on the Nile around the islands near Aswan. The pace is quiet and gives you a different view of the river, granite rocks and riverbank scenery. After the cruise, check in to your Aswan accommodation and rest before the early start for Abu Simbel.
Leave Aswan by road for Abu Simbel, travelling south through the desert beside Lake Nasser. The journey is long but direct, and our team arranges the transfer so you can focus on the visit. On arrival, walk towards the Abu Simbel temples, carved into the rock during the reign of Ramses II. The entrance temple has four large seated figures of the king, while the inner chambers carry reliefs linked to his rule and military campaigns.
Continue to the smaller temple built for Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Its facade includes statues of the queen and Ramses II, and the interior reliefs give the visit a different character from the larger temple. Your guide explains the temples' history and the relocation project that protected them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
After the visit, return by road towards Aswan and continue to Sahel Hashesh. This is a full travel day, with rest stops arranged along the route where practical. You arrive back at your hotel later in the day or evening, completing the two-day excursion.