Luxor & Aswan: The Nile Valley
Temples, tombs and the river between them: five days in Upper Egypt.
Visiting Egypt
24.09° N · Upper Egypt
Aswan & Abu Simbel
Granite islands, white sails and Nubian warmth on the southern Nile.
The place
About Aswan & Abu Simbel
Philae Temple, feluccas among the islands, Nubian villages, and the colossal temples of Abu Simbel to the south.
Aswan is the Nile at its most serene: the river narrows between granite boulders and golden dunes, and feluccas drift between the islands.
From here, travelers make the journey south to Abu Simbel, where Ramesses II carved two temples into the mountainside.
Highlights
What not to miss
-
Philae Temple
The island temple of Isis, reached by boat.
-
Felucca sailing
Around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island at sunset.
-
Nubian villages
Colorful houses and Nubian hospitality on the West Bank.
-
Abu Simbel
The great temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari, relocated in the 1960s to save them from the rising lake.
Practical
Planning a visit
- Ideal stay
- 2 to 3 days
- Best for
- Slow travel, Nubian culture, Monuments
- Getting there
- Fly from Cairo, sail or drive from Luxor. Abu Simbel is reached by road or a short flight.
Gallery
A closer look
How MAG helps
Arrangements in Aswan & Abu Simbel
- Guided Sightseeing Tours Private and small-group tours with licensed Egyptologist guides: the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Luxor’s temples and more.
- Local Transportation Getting between cities made simple: domestic flights, sleeper trains, Nile cruises and private road transfers.
- Hotel Arrangements Hotels matched to your trip: Nile views in Cairo, quiet stays near the Pyramids, and well-placed hotels in Luxor, Aswan and on the coast.
Related
Journeys that include Aswan & Abu Simbel
Discover Egypt: Guided Highlights
Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with expert guides: the classic journey along the Nile.
Visiting Egypt
Along the route
Continue the journey.
Visiting Egypt
Tell us where you are going. We will plan the rest.
Share your dates, who is traveling and what you have in mind. A MAG advisor comes back with a clear plan and options for you to consider.
- 01
Tell us your plans
Dates, travelers and what you have in mind.
- 02
Receive a proposal
A clear plan with options, explained.
- 03
Confirm and travel
We arrange it; you enjoy the trip.