Aswan · Upper Egypt · Private tours and Nile cruises
Granite quarries, a temple rescued from the rising waters and villages painted in every colour. Aswan rewards visitors who choose the right experience.
A motorboat crossing to Philae Temple. A visit to a Nubian family home in Gharb Soheil. A journey south to the temples of Abu Simbel. When you visit Aswan, Egypt, the experience you choose shapes your time as much as the destination itself.
Our Aswan tours include short excursions, longer archaeological journeys and Nile cruises connecting Aswan with Luxor. You can focus on temples and ancient engineering, explore the river and village life, or make Aswan part of a journey with accommodation on board.
The experiences below are separate tours, each with its own itinerary and inclusions. This guide explains their differences so you can visit Aswan Egypt on a plan that suits your interests and the time you have available.
9
published Aswan experiences to compare
2 hrs – 5 days
from an evening show to a Nile cruise
Luxor ↔ Aswan
a day tour and two cruises link the cities
On request
pricing confirmed for your dates and group
Compare Your Aswan Tour Options
Whichever way you choose to visit Aswan Egypt, start with your departure point and available time. A sightseeing tour beginning at your Aswan hotel is a different commitment from an excursion departing from Luxor.
| Tour and time needed | Best for |
|---|---|
| Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk About 4 hours | Three classic Aswan stops with a Philae motorboat ride |
| Nubian Village Motorboat Tour About 3 hours | Nile scenery, Gharb Soheil and a family-home visit |
| St Simeon Monastery and Tombs of the Nobles Half-day | West Bank tombs, a camel ride and a desert monastery |
| Philae Sound and Light Show About 2 hours overall | An evening at the temple (group show, private transfers) |
| Abu Simbel by road About 9 hours | Both temples, with about 3 hours of driving each way |
| Abu Simbel by plane About 6 hours | Both temples, with return flights included |
| Luxor–Aswan day tour About 16 hours | Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan from Luxor, returning by seated train |
| Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise 3 nights / 4 days | Sailing with guided sightseeing from Aswan to Luxor |
| Luxor–Aswan Nile cruise 4 nights / 5 days | Luxor’s temples first, then Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan |
Durations describe the published itineraries. Confirm departure times and arrangements for your travel date before making connecting plans.
Which Experience Suits You When You Visit Aswan Egypt?
Short on time
Choose the Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk tour: three classic Aswan stops in about four hours.
Drawn to river life
Take the Nubian Village Motorboat Tour for Nile scenery, Gharb Soheil and a visit to a Nubian family home.
Want to sleep on the Nile
Make Aswan part of a Nile cruise with guided sightseeing and full-board meals.
Explore Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
For a focused introduction to Aswan’s monuments, this approximately four-hour private tour brings together three contrasting stops.
You begin with pickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise and travel by private air-conditioned vehicle. Three stops follow, each very different in mood.
Stop 1
Unfinished Obelisk
The visit introduces the granite quarries and the stone-working techniques discussed by your guide.
Stop 2
Aswan High Dam
The itinerary includes views of Lake Nasser and an explanation of the dam’s role in flood control, irrigation and electricity generation.
Stop 3
Philae Temple
A motorboat takes you to Agilkia Island. The visit includes the Temple of Isis, Temple of Hathor, Kiosk of Trajan and surrounding structures before your return crossing.
What is included?
Included
- Aswan hotel or Nile cruise pickup and return.
- Private air-conditioned transportation.
- Entrance fees and the return motorboat journey.
- A professional English-speaking guide.
- Bottled water, taxes and service charges.
Not included
- Meals.
- Additional services or attractions.
- Personal expenses.
- Tipping.
Philae belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage site Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, which makes it a natural anchor for any Aswan itinerary.
If these three sites match your interests, explore our Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk tour for the full itinerary.
Discover Nubian Aswan by Motorboat
If you want to visit Aswan Egypt beyond its monuments, the Nubian Village Motorboat Tour shifts the focus to the river landscape and a visit to Gharb Soheil.
This approximately three-hour private excursion begins with pickup from your Aswan hotel or cruise. You then board a private motorboat for a journey through the Nile landscape around the First Cataract, passing rocky islands and West Bank scenery.
A welcome in Gharb Soheil
In Gharb Soheil, the itinerary focuses on the village’s colourful houses, local market and community life. You also visit a Nubian family home, with tea, coffee or karkade included.
Possible views along the way
The route may offer views of landmarks including Elephantine Island, the Botanical Garden and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. These are possible views along the journey, rather than advertised admission stops.
What is included and excluded?
Included: a local guide, private motorboat, pickup and return, refreshments, bottled water, taxes and service charges.
Not included: meals, village purchases, additional activities and tipping.
See the full itinerary on our Nubian Village Motorboat Tour page.
Visit St Simeon Monastery and the Tombs of the Nobles
To visit Aswan Egypt away from the main temple circuit, this private half-day excursion combines a river crossing, hillside tombs and a desert monastery.
After collection from your Aswan accommodation, you cross the Nile by private motorboat to the West Bank. The route then climbs toward the Tombs of the Nobles at Qubbet el-Hawa, where you explore the tombs available on the day.
A camel ride takes you onward through the sandy landscape to St Simeon Monastery. The visit includes the surviving walls, rooms and defensive features of the monastic complex before you return to the river and cross back.
Plan for the terrain
Because the itinerary involves a climb and a camel ride, describe any mobility concerns when enquiring so we can discuss the published route with you.
What is included and excluded?
Included: hotel pickup and return, motorboat transportation, the camel ride, entrance fees, taxes and service charges.
Not included: meals, personal expenses, tipping and additional services.
Read more on the St Simeon Monastery and Tombs of the Nobles tour page.
Experience Philae After Dark
An evening at the temple, told through narration, light and projection.
The Philae Sound and Light Show offers an evening experience built around narration, lighting and projections within the temple complex.
Private air-conditioned road transfers connect your Aswan accommodation with the boat landing. Return motorboat transportation takes you to Agilkia Island for the presentation and back afterwards.
The complete experience is listed as approximately two hours, including transfers. The show itself is a group presentation; private transfers do not make it a private performance. A private Egyptologist-guided temple tour is not part of this experience.
What is included?
Your show ticket, transportation, bottled water, taxes and service charges are included. The show schedule and narration language need to be checked for your intended date.
Details and availability are on the Philae Sound and Light Show page.
Choose an Abu Simbel Tour from Aswan
If you want to add Abu Simbel when you visit Aswan Egypt, both published options visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari. The principal difference is how you travel.
Abu Simbel by road
The private road tour takes approximately nine hours overall, including about three hours of driving each way.
The package includes Aswan pickup and return, private air-conditioned transportation, an English-speaking Egyptologist, Abu Simbel admission, bottled water, taxes and service charges. Meals, personal expenses, optional activities and tipping are excluded.
This option requires a substantial part of the day for road travel, which should be considered when planning other activities.
Abu Simbel by plane
The flight itinerary is listed at approximately six hours overall, with approximately 40 minutes of flying time each way.
Return Aswan–Abu Simbel flights, private local transfers, meet-and-assist service, an English-speaking Egyptologist and temple entrance fees are listed as included. Meals and services not specifically included remain separate.
The advertised flying time is only one part of the excursion: airport transfers and other arrangements are included within the longer overall itinerary.
Want the full story before you choose? Read our guide to an Abu Simbel trip from Aswan, or explore the history and relocation of the Abu Simbel temples.
Include Aswan in a Nile Cruise
A cruise is another way to visit Aswan Egypt: it combines sightseeing with overnight accommodation on board. Our published itineraries offer two directions.
Three nights from Aswan to Luxor
This four-day journey begins in Aswan with the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple. It continues toward Kom Ombo and Edfu, through Esna and onward to Luxor’s East and West Bank sites.
The package includes a cruise cabin, guided sightseeing and full-board meals, with breakfast only on the final day. The same Egyptologist accompanies the guided stops.
Your cabin and guide are private, but the vessel carries other passengers. Abu Simbel, a Nubian village visit and the other listed optional experiences are separate paid additions.
Four nights from Luxor to Aswan
This five-day itinerary begins with Luxor’s temples and West Bank monuments before continuing to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.
Four nights of cabin accommodation and full-board meals are listed, with breakfast only on the final day. Abu Simbel is optional.
Confirm before you book
The listed inclusions mention the Unfinished Obelisk, but the cruise programme may place it differently, so confirm that stop in your final itinerary. Neither cruise description names a specific vessel or cabin category, so establish those details before booking.
Cruise itineraries also include Luxor’s East and West Bank sites. Browse all of our Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan, or see how a four-day cruise with an Abu Simbel tour works.
Can You Visit Aswan on a Day Tour from Luxor?
Yes, you can visit Aswan Egypt in a single day. Our published Luxor–Aswan day tour combines Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, the Crocodile Museum, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae.
01
Edfu Temple
02
Kom Ombo Temple
03
Crocodile Museum
04
High Dam
05
Unfinished Obelisk
06
Philae
You travel south by private air-conditioned vehicle and return to Luxor by first-class seated train, followed by a hotel transfer. Lunch, listed entrance fees, Philae motorboat transportation and an English-speaking Egyptologist are included.
At approximately 16 hours, this is an intensive excursion. It suits a different travel plan from a short tour beginning in Aswan and should be assessed with that longer commitment in mind.
Practical Tips to Visit Aswan Egypt Comfortably
Mind the season
Aswan is hot for much of the year. The cooler months, roughly October to April, are generally more comfortable for sightseeing.
Start early
Morning departures help you enjoy open-air sites such as Philae before the heat builds.
Dress for sun and stone
Bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for steps and boat landings, with modest clothing for temples and villages.
Pace your days
Abu Simbel and the Luxor–Aswan day tour are long days. Pair them with lighter plans rather than stacking excursions.
Prices and Details to Confirm Before You Enquire
Before you visit Aswan Egypt, note that our tour pages advertise price on request, rather than fixed rates. Each experience also has its own inclusions: lunch is included on the Luxor–Aswan day tour, for example, while meals are excluded from the standalone Philae and Abu Simbel tours.
When requesting information, provide:
- Your preferred experience and travel date.
- The number of travellers.
- Your hotel, cruise ship or intended pickup point.
- Any mobility requirements.
- Any optional activities you would like to discuss.
For a cruise, also request:
- The vessel name.
- The cabin category.
- Exact entrance-ticket coverage.
- The confirmed sightseeing programme.
Avoid assuming that an optional excursion or an unlisted service forms part of the quoted package.
Keep Exploring Aswan Egypt and the Nile
Abu Simbel Trip from Aswan
Private road and plane tours explained, so you can pick the better fit for your day.
Abu Simbel Temples Facts
History, relocation and a practical travel guide to the temples of Ramses II.
Aswan to Luxor Cruise with Abu Simbel
A four-day cruise route that adds the great temples to your Nile itinerary.
Luxury Egypt Tours with Nile Cruise
Plan Aswan as one chapter of a wider Egypt journey.
What Travellers Say About Egypt Luxury Trips
Read recent guest reviews from Tripadvisor before you plan your visit to Aswan Egypt.
Visit Aswan Egypt: Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to visit Aswan, Egypt?
Many travellers allow one to two days for the main sights. Our published Aswan tours range from about two hours (the Philae Sound and Light Show) to about nine hours (Abu Simbel by road), so two days lets you combine the Philae, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk tour with a village visit or an Abu Simbel excursion. A Nile cruise adds three or four nights.
What are the main things to see when you visit Aswan Egypt?
Highlights in our itineraries include Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil, the Tombs of the Nobles at Qubbet el-Hawa and St Simeon Monastery. Abu Simbel is reached on a separate road or flight excursion.
Is Abu Simbel worth visiting from Aswan?
Both published options visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari. The road tour takes about nine hours including roughly three hours of driving each way, while the flight option takes about six hours overall with around 40 minutes of flying each way.
Can I visit Aswan on a day trip from Luxor?
Yes. Our Luxor–Aswan day tour takes approximately 16 hours and combines Edfu, Kom Ombo, the Crocodile Museum, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae. You travel south by private air-conditioned vehicle and return to Luxor by first-class seated train.
Is the Philae Sound and Light Show a private experience?
No. The show itself is a group presentation. Private air-conditioned transfers and the return motorboat are included, but a private Egyptologist-guided temple tour is not part of this experience.
Can I include Aswan in a Nile cruise?
Yes. We publish a three-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor and a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Both list a cruise cabin, guided sightseeing and full-board meals, with breakfast only on the final day. Abu Simbel is an optional addition.
How much does an Aswan tour cost?
Our Aswan tour pages list price on request. Send your dates, party size, preferred tour and pickup point, and our team will confirm the arrangements and pricing for your journey.
When is the best time to visit Aswan?
Aswan is hot for much of the year, so the cooler months, roughly October to April, are generally more comfortable for sightseeing. In any season, early starts help with open-air sites such as Philae.
Are the Aswan tours suitable for travellers with mobility concerns?
The St Simeon Monastery tour involves a climb and a camel ride, so describe any mobility concerns when you enquire and we will discuss the published route with you. Other itineraries have their own pacing and terrain, so ask about the tour you prefer.
Plan Your Visit to Aswan with Egypt Luxury Trips
Ready to visit Aswan Egypt? Choose the experience around what you want to see and how much time you want to spend travelling. Philae combines temple sightseeing with a boat crossing; Gharb Soheil focuses on the river and a village visit; Abu Simbel requires a longer excursion; and a Nile cruise connects Aswan with a broader itinerary.
Fill out the enquiry form with your dates, party size and preferred tour. Our Egypt Luxury Trips team can provide more information, check the available arrangements and pricing, and discuss how the experience fits into your journey.
