TEMPLES & SHRINES · ABU SIMBEL & PHILAE TEMPLE TOURS
Three hours each way through the desert, on convoy times nobody negotiates. These 10 cover the road trips, the flights and the combinations that add Philae on its island, priced and timed honestly.
Leave Aswan early for Abu Simbel by air-conditioned group bus. Choose a self-guided visit or add an English, Arabic, French, German, or Spanish guide. Guides such as Waleed Adnan, Ahmed Abdelwahab, Mido, and Mostafa explain the temples before you explore them.
“Mido Excellent guide, presented detailed description of the temples. Bonus, he did it with lot of humor.”
Travel from Luxor to Abu Simbel in a private car, meet an English-speaking guide at the temple, explore the colossal façade and twin sanctuaries, then enjoy lunch in Aswan before returning. Guides such as Mustafa, Hani, and Ahmed Achraf are praised for clear explanations and generous photo time.
“Mou (aka Mahmoud Haggag) was truly the best Egyptologist we could’ve hope for! Very detailed and precise explanations on all the sites we visited. The visit includes all the main points on interest of Luxor and its whereabouts. Get ready for a long but very satisfying day! Thank you Mou”
Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel in a private air-conditioned car, with hotel or cruise pickup, bottled water, and flexible timing. Choose transport only or add entrance fees, a local guide, and lunch. Expect about three hours each way and roughly three hours at the temples.
“The temple is incredible and it was so worth the effort to go to Aswan and then take the drive there. It is not to be missed.”
Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel by air-conditioned minibus, with hotel or cruise pickup, about two hours at the temples, and return transport. Choose independent sightseeing or add a guide such as Ahmed. The $24 price excludes temple admission.
“The tour started with 25 minutes delay by picking us up from our hotel. It was fine as we have told that it might be some minutes delay. Tour leader has a good knowledge and he gave us very good information about the place. It seems they arranged different kind of tours together because some people had no idea that we needed to be picked up and dropped off at our hotel. Because at the end when they wanted to drop us off at our hotel many people complaining why they are going to our hotel to drop us off. When I wanted to explain they stopped the car and…”
Travel from Aswan by private vehicle and motorboat to Philae Temple, where an Egyptologist such as Mary, Eman, or Waleed can explain Isis, Osiris, and Horus. The three-hour outing includes tickets, water, transport, and time for photos, with guides speaking English, Arabic, French, German, or Spanish.
“Aladino was the best tour guide, he gave us a very detailed explanation of the temple history and is very kind. We loved the tour!”
This budget shared shuttle leaves Aswan at 4:00 am, drives about three hours each way, and gives you independent time at Abu Simbel. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and a driver are included. An optional guide may explain the temples outside, with guides such as Ahmed Ashraf, Aida, or Ahmed Abdeen available on some departures.
“An amazing deal for the price. The driver picked us on time and our guide Ahmed Abdeen gived us a pre introduction prior to entering the temple and some highlights inside of it .”
Travel from your Aswan hotel by car and motorboat to Philae Temple, where an English-speaking guide such as Mary, Emad, or Ahmed Abdelwahab explains the carvings, Isis worship, and UNESCO relocation. Expect about two hours at the temple, with time for photos.
“Rasha was an incredible guide. She took care of all the details and makes the experience enjoyable and smooth. I do recommend to anyone.”
Leave Aswan at 4:00 am for Abu Simbel in a shared, air-conditioned vehicle. You get hotel pickup, transport, and time at the Great Temple and Temple of Hathor. A guide is optional, though one may join the group even if you book transport only.
“Prelievo dall'hotel in perfetto orario. Minivan pulito e con aria condizionata funzionante. La guida ci ha evitato la fila per l'acquisto dei biglietti ed è stata molto simpatica e preparata. Lo consiglio”
Travel from your Aswan hotel to Philae Temple by private vehicle and motorboat. An English-speaking Egyptologist such as Mary, Miriam, Ahmed Sony, or Heba explains Isis and Osiris reliefs, then you get time to explore and take photos before returning to your hotel.
“Well organized tour. The guide, Mary, gave detailed explanations and there was sufficient time to explore by oneself and take pictures.”
Travel north from Aswan to two superb Nile temples with a private guide and driver. See Kom Ombo’s unusual double sanctuary and Edfu’s great Horus temple. The tour takes about eight hours, includes hotel transport and water, and can finish in Aswan or Luxor.
“It was our second experience withe the driver and we confirm he is a very kind and reliable person. Unfortunately our guide for the temp le was very poor. The feeling was that there was a lack of willing to share information and maybe a lack of preparation”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
