Aswan Excursions From Port Ghalib
Aswan and Abu Simbel Three-Day Tour from Port Ghalib
Description
This Aswan and Abu Simbel tour from Port Ghalib brings together the main ancient and modern sights of southern Egypt over three days on the road. You travel from the Red Sea coast to Aswan, where the Nile, granite islands and major monuments create a setting very different from Port Ghalib. The route also takes in Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu, letting you see several important temples without arranging separate transfers or handling the long distances alone.
Our team collects you from your Port Ghalib or Port Ghalib-area hotel and arranges the overland transport south. The drive is long, so this tour suits travellers who want to see more of Egypt during a limited holiday rather than spend several days travelling at a slower pace. We arrange the sightseeing in a practical order, allowing time for guided visits, photographs, refreshments and rest between the main stops. Your exact pickup and return time depends on your hotel location and the arrangements confirmed with your booking.
In Aswan, you visit The High Dam, the major 20th-century project that changed how Nile water moves through Egypt. You also see the Old Dam, farther upriver, which provides a useful contrast between two stages of modern Nile engineering. At the Unfinished Obelisk, your guide explains how ancient stone workers cut and shaped granite before a crack led them to abandon the monument. Here, you can see the marks left in the quarry rather than only viewing a completed monument.
A boat crossing takes you to Philae Temple, sometimes written in tour searches as Phiala temple. The temple complex was moved to Agilkia Island after construction of the High Dam affected the area around its original island. Courtyards, columns and reliefs dedicated to Isis make this one of Aswan’s most engaging visits, while the short boat ride gives the arrival a clear sense of separation from the city. Your guide can explain the temple’s links with Isis, Osiris and the later Roman additions.
You also have time to sail with a felucca on the Nile. These traditional wooden sailing boats travel with the wind, giving you a quieter view of the river, its islands and the granite shoreline. The sailing is usually a calm part of the programme, although the route and duration can change with river conditions. It breaks up the road sections and temple visits, with a few peaceful minutes during a full sightseeing trip.
Abu Simbel is the main highlight for many travellers. The Abu Simbel temples were carved during the reign of Ramses II and are known for the huge seated figures at the entrance to the Great Temple. Inside, painted chambers and reliefs lead towards the sanctuary. Nearby, the Temple of Queen Nefertari has its own large statues and finely carved scenes linked with Hathor. The temples were relocated in the 20th century to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, a practical detail that helps explain the site today.
On the return journey to Port Ghalib, you stop at Kom Ombo and Edfu. At Kom Ombo Temple, also referred to in some searches as Komompo temple, the unusual double design reflects its dedication to Sobek and Horus. Edfu Temple is dedicated to Horus and is one of the most complete ancient Egyptian temple complexes, with a large pylon, open courtyard and detailed walls. The visits are guided and fitted around the road journey, so you can see Aswan’s principal monuments and return to the Red Sea coast without arranging separate local transport. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a small overnight bag; entrance arrangements, accommodation and meal details are confirmed with your booking option.
- Visit The High Dam and the Old Dam in Aswan
- Explore Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk
- Sail with a felucca on the Nile
- See the Abu Simbel temples and the Temple of Queen Nefertari
- Stop at Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple on the return route
Included
Sightseeing visits listed in the programme
Pickup and drop-off from Port Ghalib or Port Ghalib-area hotels
Accommodation and meals according to the selected booking option
Transport between Port Ghalib, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu
Tour guide assistance during the visits
Felucca sailing on the Nile
Boat transfer to Philae Temple
Excluded
Entrance fees not included in the confirmed booking option
Drinks and meals not stated in the selected booking option
Optional activities and services
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Don't forget
Small overnight bag for the three-day trip
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Passport or accepted identity document
Camera or phone with spare battery or power bank
Light clothing for daytime and a warmer layer for early mornings or evenings
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle and any personal medication
Frequently Asked Questions
This three-day tour includes pickup and return transfer from your Port Ghalib hotel, sightseeing in Aswan, a visit to the Abu Simbel temples, and stops at Kom Ombo temple and Edfu temple on the return journey. The Aswan programme includes Phiala temple on the island, the Unfinished Obelisk, The High Dam, The old Dam, and a Nile sail with Felucca.
Accommodation, meals, entrance tickets, and guide arrangements can vary by booking, so we confirm the exact inclusions with you before travel.
The tour lasts three days and combines planned sightseeing with long road transfers between Port Ghalib, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. You visit Aswan first, travel to Abu Simbel during the programme, then see Kom Ombo temple and Edfu temple on the way back to Port Ghalib.
The days begin early in order to fit the distances and temple visits comfortably. We keep the schedule practical, with time for guided visits and short breaks during transfers.
Our team arranges pickup from your Port Ghalib or Port Ghalib-area hotel and the return transfer at the end of the three-day tour. The journey is by road between the Red Sea coast and Upper Egypt, with the sightseeing stops arranged in the planned order.
We confirm your hotel location and pickup details before the tour. Please provide the correct hotel name and a reachable phone number when booking, since pickup arrangements depend on where you are staying.
Children can usually join the tour, but the three-day route includes long road transfers, walking around temple sites, steps, uneven ground, and outdoor heat. The Felucca sail and island visit also require boarding a boat, so the tour may be tiring for very young children or travellers who need frequent rest.
Travellers with limited mobility should tell us before booking. We can explain the walking conditions at Phiala temple, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo temple, and Edfu temple so you can decide if the itinerary is suitable.
Wear light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes, and bring sun protection, water, a hat, and any personal medication you need. The sightseeing includes outdoor areas at The High Dam, The old Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Abu Simbel temples, where shade can be limited.
A small day bag is useful for your documents, camera, sunglasses, and extra water. Bring a light layer for early morning road travel, as temperatures can change between the coast and Aswan.
You can request the tour by sharing your travel date, Port Ghalib hotel details, and traveller information with our team; we then confirm the arrangements and booking conditions. Cancellation terms depend on the booking date, confirmed services, and any accommodation or transport arrangements included in your package.
Ask us for the applicable cancellation policy before confirming. We will also advise you if any part of the itinerary, including the Nile Felucca sail or Abu Simbel visit, needs to be adjusted because of operational conditions.
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* 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
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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
Our team collects you from your Port Ghalib hotel and begins the road transfer towards Aswan. The drive takes several hours, so you should expect an early start, comfortable clothing and stops as needed along the way. On arrival, we begin to Discover Aswan with a visit to The High Dam, where the wide waters of Lake Nasser meet one of Egypt’s major engineering projects.
Next, we continue to the riverbank for the short boat ride to Phiala Island. At the island, your guide explains the reliefs, courtyards and columns of Phiala temple, which was dedicated to Isis and carefully relocated when the dam was built. We then visit the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, where you can see the marks left by the workers before the stone was abandoned.
A final stop in this group is The old Dam, viewed from the surrounding area before we continue through Aswan. Your guide keeps the visits at a manageable pace, with time for photographs and short walks between the vehicle, boat and monuments.
After the Aswan visits, we continue south by road to the Abu Simbel temples. The complex contains the great temple of Ramses II and the smaller temple built for Queen Nefertari. Inside, you can see the carved figures, columned halls and wall scenes while your guide explains the temples’ construction and their relocation away from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Allow time to walk around both façades and take photographs before returning towards Aswan. The site is open and exposed, so a hat, water and comfortable shoes are useful, particularly during the warmer months. The transfer is part of the day’s plan, and our driver handles the road journey while your guide leads the visit.
We stop for a local meal during the day, with the exact location arranged according to the route and operating conditions. Later, you Sail with Felucca on the Nile for a quieter view of the river, islands and granite shoreline. The traditional sailing boat moves with the wind, so the duration and route can vary with river conditions.
We leave Aswan and travel north towards the Red Sea coast, stopping first at Komompo temple beside the Nile. Your guide leads you through the unusual double temple, where separate areas were dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Look for the carved reliefs, the remaining columns and the ancient medical instruments shown on the walls.
The journey continues to the town of Edfu, where you visit Edfu temple. A short transfer brings you close to the entrance, followed by a walk through the monumental gateway into the well-preserved courtyard and halls. The reliefs describe the conflict between Horus and Set, giving the visit a clear story as you move through the building.
After the sightseeing, we begin the return transfer to Port Ghalib. The road journey is long, with rest stops arranged when practical, and we drop you back at your hotel after the three-day programme. Keep your passport, phone and any medication with you during the transfers rather than placing them in the luggage compartment.