3-Day 2-Night Tour to Aswan, Abusimbel & Luxor

Abu Simbel is the big draw here, but the clever part is how much ancient Egypt you fit around it. In three days, you see Philae, the High Dam, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor Temple. I especially like the first-class train ride from Aswan to Luxor and the practical pickup options from the airport, train station, or bus station.

I also like that the price includes three-star hotels, breakfasts, three lunches, entry tickets, and guides, rather than leaving the main costs to surprise you later. The trade-off is a serious one: day two begins at 4:00 am and runs for about 14 hours, so this is a sightseeing sprint, not a slow Nile holiday.

Key points to know before booking

• Abu Simbel starts at 4:00 am: You receive a breakfast box and make the long day trip from Aswan to the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.
• The Aswan to Luxor train is first class: The three-hour rail journey breaks up the road travel and includes a station transfer on arrival.
• Three tombs are included in the Valley of the Kings: Your guide recommends which open tombs are best on the day.
• Philae requires a boat ride: The temple visit is paired with the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and a felucca ride.
• The group is capped at 15 people: That is small enough for a more manageable guided visit without promising a fully private tour.
• The tour ends with flexible drop-off: You can finish at Luxor train station, Luxor Airport, Hurghada bus station, or another chosen location, with private transfers to Hurghada or Marsa Alam available by arrangement.

Why this three-day Upper Egypt route works

This tour is built for you if you want the major sights of southern Egypt without arranging every transfer yourself. Aswan and Luxor are not close enough for casual day trips between them, and Abu Simbel adds another early start and long drive. Having one company handle the hotels, meals, train ticket, guides, drivers, and station pickups removes much of the planning work.

The route also has a good geographic logic. You begin in Aswan, go south to Abu Simbel, then travel north by train to Luxor. On the final day, you cover Luxor’s west bank and east bank before heading to your next destination.

The pace is brisk. You will not have much spare time for wandering markets, sitting beside the Nile, or adding optional sights. I would treat this as a focused introduction to Upper Egypt, especially useful if your wider trip includes Cairo or the Red Sea and you have only three days available for the ancient monuments.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is worth noting because a small group can make station transfers and guided visits easier, but it is not the same as having a private guide and vehicle at your disposal.

Day one: Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk

Your first day begins with pickup from Aswan Airport, Aswan train station, or the Aswan bus station. That flexibility matters if you are arriving by overnight train, domestic flight, or bus rather than starting from a hotel.

The first visits are the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Each stop gives you a different angle on Aswan. The High Dam is a major modern engineering project tied to the Nile’s control and Egypt’s modern development. The Unfinished Obelisk shows how ancient stoneworkers shaped enormous monuments, with the abandoned work providing a clear look at the process.

Philae is the most atmospheric stop of the morning or afternoon. The temple complex was moved to higher ground after the construction of the High Dam threatened the original island site. You reach it by boat, which makes the arrival feel distinct from the road-based monuments later in the trip. The tour description calls this a half-day outing, with the full day listed at about eight hours including lunch and transfers.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant. It is included, along with two other lunches during the trip. The exact menu is not specified, so I would view this as a convenient part of the schedule rather than a reason to book on its own.

Afterward, a felucca ride takes you toward your hotel. This is a welcome change of pace after the monument visits. It is also one of the more local-feeling parts of the route, since you are seeing Aswan from the Nile instead of only from a car or coach.

You then check in to a three-star Aswan hotel. Breakfast is included with the accommodation, and the rest of the day is free. That free time is useful because the next morning starts very early. I would keep the evening quiet and prepare for the Abu Simbel departure rather than trying to squeeze in another major sight.

Day two: Abu Simbel and the first-class train to Luxor

The second day is the tour’s toughest and most rewarding stretch. Pickup is scheduled for 4:00 am, and a breakfast box is prepared at the hotel lobby. You should expect a long day, with the Abu Simbel visit, lunch, hotel checkout, a station transfer, and the train to Luxor all taking place before bedtime.

Abu Simbel is made up of the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, dating to around 1290 BC. The scale and carved façades are the main event, but the setting is part of the appeal too. This is not a quick roadside stop. The temples are far enough from Aswan that the early departure is necessary for a same-day return.

The tour returns to Aswan at about 1:30 pm. You have lunch, check out, and transfer to Aswan train station. The first-class ticket covers the roughly three-hour journey to Luxor. I like this arrangement because it replaces another long road transfer with a rail ride, giving you a chance to sit down after the Abu Simbel outing.

On arrival in Luxor, a representative waits in front of your train carriage with a sign showing your name. That small detail can save a lot of confusion at a busy station, especially after a long day and in an unfamiliar city. You are then transferred to your Luxor hotel for the night.

The schedule is efficient, but do not underestimate it. The listed duration is about 14 hours. If you need regular breaks, dislike early mornings, or prefer to spend several hours at each site without watching the clock, this day may feel too compressed. If Abu Simbel is a personal priority, though, the effort is hard to avoid on a three-day route.

The organization is one of the stronger points here. Mahmood Ali is identified as the tour contact and is described as quick to respond, proactive about checking how the arrangements are going, and attentive to the hotels and outings. The tour has a 5.0 rating from 24 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That does not erase the demanding timetable, but it suggests that communication and coordination are central strengths.

Day three: tombs and temples across Luxor

After breakfast, you meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 8:00 am. The first drive takes about 30 minutes to the west bank of Luxor, where you visit the Valley of the Kings.

Your ticket includes entry to three tombs. The guide recommends the best three open tombs on the day, which is a sensible approach because access can vary. The Valley is not one single monument with a fixed route. Tombs differ in decoration, size, and condition, and the most famous choice is not always the best choice available at that moment.

The included ticket does not automatically cover every special tomb or extra admission. The information specifically promises three tombs, so ask your guide what is included before paying for anything additional.

Next comes the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Its broad terraces and strong position against the cliffs make it very different from the underground tombs. You then stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two huge seated statues that have watched over the west bank for centuries. This is a shorter stop, but it fits neatly into the route and gives you a chance to see one of Luxor’s best-known roadside monuments.

Lunch is served at El Marsam, described as a highly recommended restaurant. It is included in the package. As with the other meals, the main value is convenience: you do not need to interrupt the sightseeing plan to find a place to eat.

After lunch, you cross to Luxor’s east bank for Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Karnak is the larger and more sprawling complex, with monumental courts, columns, gateways, and sacred spaces. Give it your attention even if you are beginning to tire. It is the biggest temple complex on this route and can be difficult to absorb quickly.

Luxor Temple offers a different experience. Its location within the modern city gives it a closer connection to everyday Luxor, and the visit provides a strong final stop after the west bank’s tombs and funerary monuments. The contrast between the two banks is one of the best features of this day: royal tombs and memorials on one side, major religious temples on the other.

The full day lasts about 10 hours. After the visits, you check out and receive drop-off at Luxor train station, Luxor Airport, Hurghada bus station, or another location you select. Private transfers to Hurghada or Marsa Alam can also be arranged.

What the $450 price includes

At $450 per person, this is not a bare-bones sightseeing excursion. The package includes two nights of three-star accommodation, breakfasts, three lunches, admission tickets, guiding, drivers, and the first-class train from Aswan to Luxor.

The price is strongest for you if you value coordination. Booking separate hotels, Abu Simbel transport, entrance tickets, a guide, a train ticket, and several station or airport transfers could become time-consuming. Here, the route is already assembled and the main transport links are covered.

The hotels are three-star, so set your expectations accordingly. The supplied information does not name the properties or promise luxury facilities. You are paying for a practical base in Aswan and Luxor, not a resort stay.

Tips for guides and drivers are not included. Keep that extra cost in mind when working out your total budget. The tour is confirmed at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and a minimum number of participants is required for the departure.

Who should book this route

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time and want the main Upper Egypt sights handled in one continuous plan. It is especially useful if you arrive in Aswan by air, train, or bus and want to finish in Luxor, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, or another onward destination.

It also suits people who want a guide at the monuments rather than relying on guidebooks alone. The route includes a lot of context-heavy sites, from the Unfinished Obelisk to Hatshepsut’s temple and the royal tombs. A guide can help you decide which three Valley of the Kings tombs deserve your time.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed holiday. The 4:00 am Abu Simbel pickup, 14-hour second day, and 10-hour final day leave little room for slow meals or unplanned stops. The tour is also less suitable if you want a private vehicle, since the maximum group size is 15.

Final verdict: a strong short route with one exhausting day

You should book this tour if Abu Simbel is essential and you want the main monuments of Aswan and Luxor without arranging the complicated connections yourself. The included tickets, meals, hotels, first-class train, and multiple drop-off options give the $450 price useful practical value.

You should skip it if your priority is rest or a flexible schedule. The route works because it is tightly planned, and that same efficiency is its main weakness. For a short, organized introduction to Upper Egypt, though, it covers an impressive amount of ground and gives you the right sights in the right order.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights of accommodation, one night in Aswan and one night in Luxor.

Where can pickup take place in Aswan?

Pickup is offered from Aswan Airport, Aswan train station, or Aswan bus station.

What time does the Abu Simbel trip begin?

Pickup for the Abu Simbel day tour is scheduled for 4:00 am. A breakfast box is prepared at the hotel lobby.

Is the Aswan to Luxor train ticket included?

Yes. A first-class train ticket from Aswan to Luxor is included. The journey takes about three hours.

How many tombs are included at the Valley of the Kings?

Admission to three tombs is included. The guide recommends the best three open tombs on the day.

What meals are included?

The package includes breakfast at both hotels and three lunches during the tour.

Where can the tour end?

Drop-off can be arranged at Luxor train station, Luxor Airport, Hurghada bus station, or another chosen location. Private transfers to Hurghada or Marsa Alam can also be arranged.