Luxor and Aswan 2-Day Tour from Cairo
Description
This 2-day Luxor and Aswan tour from Cairo by flight covers the main ancient sites of southern Egypt in a carefully arranged private trip. You will visit the Abu Simbel temples, see Aswan’s monuments, cross the Nile by felucca and continue to Luxor for royal tombs and large temple complexes. It suits travellers who want to see a great deal in a short time without joining a large group.
Abu Simbel is the first major stop for many travellers. Ramses II built the two rock-cut temples beside Lake Nasser, with four large seated figures guarding the entrance to the main temple. Inside, your guide can explain the scenes of royal power and the temple’s link with the sun. The early start makes this a long day, but the temples’ scale and setting give the journey a clear purpose.
Back in Aswan, we visit Phila Temple, also written in some search listings as Phiala temple. The sanctuary stands on Agilkia Island and you reach it by boat, with a short ride across the water before the visit. You will see the columns, reliefs and courtyards dedicated to Isis, then continue to the High Dam, the modern structure that changed the Nile’s flow and created Lake Nasser.
A felucca sail offers a quieter view of Aswan. These traditional wooden sailing boats move with the wind, so the route and duration depend on river conditions. The pace is gentle, with views of the riverbank, islands and granite landscape. Your private guide and driver organise the transfers around the flights and sightseeing, while the trip remains flexible enough for reasonable stops.
Luxor brings another concentration of ancient sites. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings holds tombs cut into the desert hills for New Kingdom rulers. Your guide will explain the painted walls and burial beliefs, while the number of tombs open to visitors may vary. Nearby, Queen Hatshepsut Temple rises in terraces against the cliffs, and The Colossi of Memnon mark the approach to the old Theban necropolis.
On the east bank, Karnak Temple shows how successive pharaohs expanded one sacred precinct over many centuries. Its hypostyle hall, lined with huge columns covered in inscriptions, needs time even on a fast-paced tour. Luxor Temple feels more compact, with statues, courts and remaining columns along the Nile-side route.
- Visit the Abu Simbel temples with a private Egyptologist guide
- Explore Phila Temple and the High Dam in Aswan
- Sail on a felucca and travel between sites by private vehicle
- See the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple and The Colossi of Memnon
- Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor
This tour suits travellers who are comfortable with early departures, flights, several hours of sightseeing and quick changes of location. We arrange the main transfers and coordinate the sightseeing, so you can focus on the monuments rather than local transport. The schedule is less suitable for travellers who need a slow pace, extended rest periods or step-free access at every site; tell our team about mobility needs before travel so we can discuss the route and vehicle arrangements. Bring your passport for the domestic flights and expect security checks at airports and major monuments.
Included
Entrance fees to the listed archaeological sites
Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing
Private licensed Egyptologist guide
Felucca sailing in Aswan
Airport and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo and southern Egypt, according to the confirmed itinerary
One-night accommodation and meals where specified in the selected package
Domestic flights between Cairo and southern Egypt as arranged for the tour
Excluded
Optional tomb or site tickets not included in the standard entrance fees
Gratuities for the guide and driver
Personal expenses
Any services not listed under inclusions
Drinks and meals not specified in the confirmed package
Don't forget
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
A light layer for early departures and air-conditioned vehicles
Small bag for daily essentials
Camera or phone with spare battery or power bank
Sun protection, including sunscreen and sunglasses
Light, breathable clothing and a hat
Refillable water bottle
Passport required for domestic flights
Frequently Asked Questions
This 2-day Luxor and Aswan tour from Cairo includes domestic flights, private airport and sightseeing transfers, and a private tour guide for visits to the Abu Simbel temples, Phila Temple, Aswan High Dam, and Luxor’s main ancient sites.
The sightseeing plan also includes a felucca sail, with entrance fees, meals, accommodation and other services confirmed in your booking details because inclusions can vary by package.
This 2-day trip has a full sightseeing pace, combining flights with guided visits to Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor, so it suits travellers who want to cover the main highlights in limited time.
You will visit Abu Simbel first or according to the flight schedule, then see the High Dam, Phila Temple and felucca sailing in Aswan before exploring the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. The order may change with flight arrangements.
Pickup and transfers are arranged around your Cairo accommodation and domestic flights, with private transport connecting the airports, sightseeing stops and drop-off points in Aswan and Luxor.
Our team confirms the practical details before travel, including where to meet your driver and guide. Flight schedules and local traffic can affect the exact timing, so keep your phone available on the travel days.
Children can join this private Luxor and Aswan tour, while travellers with limited mobility should discuss their needs with our team before booking because the itinerary includes walking over uneven ground, steps and temple approaches.
The Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel temples and Queen Hatshepsut Temple can involve heat and walking between sites. A private tour makes it easier to adjust the pace, but it cannot remove every step or uneven surface.
Wear light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes for this Luxor and Aswan tour, and bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, water and any medication you need during the long sightseeing days.
Shoulders and knees are best covered when visiting temples and religious sites. A small day bag is useful for flights, the felucca sail and visits to the Abu Simbel temples, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
You can request this 2-day Egypt tour by sharing your preferred travel date, Cairo pickup details and traveller information; our team then confirms the current flight and tour arrangements before final booking.
Cancellation and amendment terms depend on the booking conditions, flight reservations and services secured for your date. Review those terms before confirming, especially if your plans may change.
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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 day begins with a flight from Cairo to Aswan, followed by a private transfer south to the Abu Simbel temples. Set against the edge of Lake Nasser, the two rock-cut temples were built by Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. Your guide explains the huge seated statues, the temple chambers and the careful relocation of the monuments before you return to Aswan. The drive takes several hours each way, so this is an early and full day.
Back in Aswan, visit the High Dam and continue by boat to Phiala temple on Agilkia Island. The temple complex, reached across the water, is dedicated mainly to Isis and includes reliefs from several periods of Egyptian history. Afterward, take a short felucca sail on the Nile, depending on wind and local conditions. We then arrange the evening transfer north to Luxor by private vehicle, giving you time to rest before the following morning’s West Bank visits.
After breakfast in Luxor, cross to the West Bank with your guide. Begin at the Valley of the Kings, where selected tombs lead below the desert cliffs and their painted burial scenes remain visible on the walls. Continue to Queen Hatshepsut temple at Deir el-Bahari, a terraced monument built into the limestone landscape. The final stop on this side of the river is The Colossi of Memnon, two large statues that once guarded the entrance to a vast mortuary temple.
Cross back into eastern Luxor for Karnak temple, where the Great Hypostyle Hall, processional avenues and sacred precincts show the scale of ancient Thebes. Your guide sets the visit at a comfortable pace and explains the main areas before you continue to Luxor temple. Its courts, columns and statues are especially clear in the changing afternoon light. After sightseeing, we transfer you to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo, allowing time for airport procedures without adding an unplanned stop.