Aswan & Abu Simbel — Into Nubia

Aswan was always the gateway. South of here, the Nile narrows into the granite cataracts that marked the edge of dynastic Egypt — and the beginning of Nubia. The city's monuments tell two stories at once: the engineering ambition of the modern republic, embodied in the High Dam, and the religious authority of the ancients, preserved at the Temple of Philae and the colossal monuments of Abu Simbel, relocated stone by stone in the 1960s to save them from the rising lake. Choose a single-day journey to see Aswan's principal sites, or extend to two days with an early-morning crossing south to Abu Simbel — three hours each way through the open desert to stand before the four seated colossi of Ramesses II. We arrange the river crossing to Philae by private motoscaph, the Egyptologist guide, and an overnight in a floating hotel on the Nile. The temples of Abu Simbel are aligned so that twice each year — 22 February and 22 October — the rising sun illuminates the inner sanctum. These dates are exceptionally popular and require booking well in advance.

• Private Egyptologist guide for the full journey
• Air-conditioned vehicle from your Red Sea hotel
• Private motoscaph crossing to Philae Island
• The colossi of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel
• Curated lunch each day
• Overnight in a floating hotel on the Nile (two-day option)

1. 1

   Day 1

   Day 1 morning

   Departure from Red Sea (~05:30)

2. 2

   Day 2

   Day 1 ~10:30

   Arrival in Aswan

3. 3

   Day 3

   Day 1

   The High Dam

4. 4

   Day 4

   Day 1

   Granite quarries & the Unfinished Obelisk

5. 5

   Day 5

   Day 1

   Philae Temple (private motoscaph)

6. 6

   Day 6

   Day 1 evening

   Overnight in floating Nile hotel (2-day option)

7. 7

   Day 7

   Day 2 4:00

   Departure for Abu Simbel

8. 8

   Day 8

   Day 2 8:00

   ~Temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari

• All private transfers between Red Sea and Aswan
• Licensed Egyptologist guide throughout
• All monument entrance fees
• Private motoscaph to Philae Island
• Curated lunch each day
• Bottled water and refreshments
• One night in a floating Nile hotel with breakfast (2-day option)