Aswan Excursions From El Gouna
Aswan and Abu Simbel 3-Day Tour from El Gouna
Aswan and Abu Simbel three-day tour from El Gouna takes you into southern Egypt, where ancient temples, Nile scenery and major engineering works come together in one carefully arranged trip. We collect you from your hotel in El Gouna or Port Ghalib and travel south by air-conditioned vehicle, with planned stops, local guidance and enough time to see the main sights without cramming the whole region into one long day.
In Aswan, your visit begins beside the Nile at the High Dam and the old Dam. The High Dam changed Egypt’s water management and created Lake Nasser, while the old Dam gives you a different view of the river and its surrounding islands. Your guide explains how both projects affected farming, transport and nearby monuments. These stops provide useful context before you continue to the temples and archaeological sites.
On an island in the Nile, Phiala temple—also known as Philae Temple—is reached by boat. The sanctuary was dedicated mainly to Isis and has courtyards, columns and reliefs that are easy to appreciate at a relaxed walking pace. Across the water, the Unfinished Obelisk shows how ancient stoneworkers shaped granite before a flaw brought the work to a halt. The marks left in the quarry make the construction process easier to understand than a finished monument alone.
A short felucca ride adds a quieter interlude to your time in Aswan. These traditional lateen-sailed boats stay close to the water, giving you time to watch the riverbanks, islands and changing light. The exact route depends on river conditions and local arrangements. The ride is gentle, but boarding means stepping between the shore and boat, so tell our team in advance if you need mobility assistance.
Abu Simbel is the main highlight of the journey. The Abu Simbel temples were cut into the rock during the reign of Ramses II, with four large seated figures guarding his temple. Nearby, the temple of Queen Nefertari has detailed figures, painted reliefs and a more intimate layout. We allow time to walk through both monuments and hear how they were moved during the creation of Lake Nasser. The early start and road travel make this part demanding, but its scale and setting reward travellers interested in ancient Egypt.
On the return to El Gouna, we visit Kom Ombo temple, usually called Kom Ombo, where two sets of sanctuaries honour Sobek and Horus. Its riverside position and unusual double layout set it apart from the temples in Aswan. Edfu temple comes next on the route back. Dedicated to Horus, it has a large pylon, broad courtyard and long covered halls with well-preserved inscriptions. The order of stops may change slightly according to road conditions and the operating schedule.
Our team handles the long-distance transfers, sightseeing coordination and practical arrangements, while a guide provides context at the monuments and keeps the pace manageable. This tour suits travellers who want to cover Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu in one organised journey rather than arrange several separate transfers. It is less suitable if you want a slow resort break, dislike early departures or find extended road travel uncomfortable. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and keep your passport and travel documents accessible during the trip.
Pickup and drop-off from hotels in El Gouna or Port Ghalib
Sightseeing visits listed in the itinerary
Accommodation and meals according to the selected tour arrangement
Entrance tickets to the included archaeological sites
Felucca sailing experience in Aswan
Air-conditioned transportation for the tour route
Boat transfer to Phiala temple
Professional English-speaking guide
Personal expenses
Tips for the guide and driver
Accommodation upgrades or optional services
Any activities not listed in the itinerary
Drinks and extra meals not stated in the selected arrangement
Travel insurance
Cash for personal expenses and tips
Reusable water bottle
Light, breathable clothing and a warmer layer for early mornings
Sun protection, including sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen
Passport or valid travel document
Small bag for daily essentials
Comfortable walking shoes
Any required medication
This three-day tour includes pickup from your El Gouna or Port Ghalib hotel, transfers between the Red Sea coast and Upper Egypt, visits to Aswan, the Abu Simbel temples, Komompo temple and Edfu temple, plus the sightseeing and Nile activities listed in the itinerary.
The booking details should confirm whether accommodation, meals, entrance tickets and any guide services are included, as these arrangements can vary by package.
The three-day itinerary has a steady sightseeing pace: you explore Aswan, see The High Dam, The old Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Phiala temple, then visit Abu Simbel before returning through Kom Ombo and Edfu.
You also Sail with Felucca on the Nile in Aswan. Visits involve walking across temple grounds and archaeological sites, so the schedule suits travellers who are comfortable with full sightseeing days and road transfers.
Pickup is available from hotels in El Gouna or Port Ghalib, followed by a road transfer to Aswan and the scheduled sights in Upper Egypt.
Your confirmed pickup location and time are arranged after booking because the route depends on your hotel and the day’s driving plan. We recommend being ready in the hotel lobby and sharing accurate hotel details with our team.
The tour can suit children who manage long road transfers and several sightseeing stops, but travellers with limited mobility should ask our team about the route before booking because The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Phiala temple and the Abu Simbel temples include uneven ground, steps or outdoor walking.
Felucca boarding also requires stepping onto a traditional boat. Tell us about mobility needs, pushchairs or medical considerations in advance so we can explain the practical arrangements.
Wear light, modest clothing with comfortable walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, water and any personal medication for the three-day Aswan and Abu Simbel tour.
A light layer can help during early departures or air-conditioned transfers. Bring your passport or accepted identification if requested in your booking documents, and keep valuables secure while visiting temples and travelling between sites.
You can request the tour by providing your preferred date, hotel in El Gouna or Port Ghalib, traveller details and any mobility or dietary requirements; our team will then confirm the arrangements and booking conditions.
Cancellation terms depend on the confirmed package and are shown before payment. Contact us as soon as your plans change so we can explain the applicable policy and any supplier restrictions.
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.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Your Itinerary
Our team collects you from your hotel in El Gouna or Port Ghalib and begins the overland transfer to Aswan. The journey takes much of the morning, so we recommend having breakfast before departure and carrying water, sun protection and comfortable shoes. Your guide keeps you informed about the route and the plan for the day, with rest stops arranged when needed.
On arrival in Aswan, the first look at the Nile comes near The old Dam, built before the later High Dam and still part of the city’s modern water history. You then continue to The High Dam, where the guide explains how the project changed irrigation, electricity production and the seasonal flow of the river. There is time to take in the broad lake views before continuing into Aswan for the ancient sites.
From the dam area, we continue to the boat pier for the short crossing to Phiala temple on Agilkia Island. The temple complex is dedicated mainly to Isis, and your guide points out the reliefs, columns and gateways while explaining how the monuments were moved during the UNESCO rescue campaign. The island setting makes this a calm visit, with time to walk through the main court and take photographs.
Back on the eastern bank, we visit the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries. The cut stone still lies in the bedrock, showing the marks left by workers and explaining how obelisks were shaped before transport. Later, you Sail with Felucca on the Nile. The traditional boat moves with the wind, and the pace is usually quiet as you pass islands and riverside scenery. After the sail, there is a meal stop at a local restaurant before the next part of the route.
The route continues to Abu Simbel temples, the great rock-cut monuments built by Ramses II. Inside the main temple, four seated statues of the king face the entrance, while the sanctuary and wall scenes show the power of the pharaoh and his connection with the gods. Nearby, the smaller temple belongs to Queen Nefertari and is dedicated to Hathor. Your guide explains the original location of the temples and their relocation during the construction of Lake Nasser.
On the return journey, we stop at Komompo temple, set beside the Nile and dedicated to Sobek and Horus. The reliefs and unusual double design make the visit easy to follow with a guide. We then continue to Edfu temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temple buildings, where the tall pylon and carved processional scenes lead into the inner courts. After the visits, our driver begins the transfer back to your hotel in El Gouna or Port Ghalib, with comfort stops along the road as appropriate.