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Attractions in Aswan: Philae & Abu Simbel Excursions
Discover the essential Aswan attractions with Semelegantvoyage: a private Aswan excursion with an English-speaking guide from £35 per person. Half-day, full-day, or an Abu Simbel from Aswan extension by coach or by plane. Fully private, never a shared 20-30 person coach. Ideal for visiting Aswan as a cruise extension, on an independent stay, or as a starting point for planning what to do in Aswan.
Our 4 Aswan Excursion Packages - Transparent Prices
Four packages for every kind of traveller, from an express half-day to a full day in Aswan, with the option of Abu Simbel by coach (convoy) or Abu Simbel by plane (domestic flight). All prices are per person on a private basis, with air-conditioned transport, site entries, a private English-speaking guide and SEV insurance included.
Essential Half-Day
- Philae Temple (boat return)
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Aswan souk (15 min)
- Private English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned transport
Full Nubian Day
- Everything in the Half-Day, plus
- Aswan High Dam
- Elephantine Island by felucca
- Nubian village (hibiscus tea)
- Nubian lunch included
- Aswan Botanical Garden (Kitchener's Island)
Abu Simbel by Coach
- 3.5h each way, Aswan to Abu Simbel
- Temples of Ramesses II & Nefertari
- Site entries included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Packed breakfast
Abu Simbel by Plane
- Return flight Aswan-Abu Simbel (45 min)
- Temples of Ramesses II & Nefertari
- Airport transfers included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Back in Aswan before noon
2-Day Comfort Combo - Full Nubian Day + Abu Simbel by Coach + a 4-Star Night
For those who want more than a single day: combine the Full Nubian Day + Abu Simbel by Coach + 1 night in a 4-star Nile-view hotel on full board in Aswan. Supplement +£310 per person. Perfect for avoiding an exhausting same-day return, and for enjoying a felucca at sunset.
Aswan's Essential Sites - What to Do in Aswan
Philae Temple (Agilkia Island)
Dedicated to Isis, moved stone by stone in 1970-80 to escape the rising Nile. Reached by felucca in 15 min. Incredibly well-preserved painted interiors. A UNESCO site. 2-3 hours to visit, included in all our packages.
Unfinished Obelisk
In the ancient pink-granite quarries. 1,200 tonnes, cracked before it could be extracted, a living witness to pharaonic techniques. Around 45 min. The Unfinished Obelisk is the only site in the world that documents the original quarrying methods.
Aswan High Dam
Built between 1960 and 1970, 111 m high and 3.8 km long. It holds back Lake Nasser (550 km long). Nubian panorama and a view of the Soviet-Egyptian Friendship monument. A 45 min visit; the Aswan High Dam is included in the Full Day.
Elephantine Island & Nubian Museum
Elephantine Island holds the ruins of Khnum and the Temple of Satet. The adjacent Nubian Museum: 5,000 years of Nubian history, jewellery and Kushite artefacts. A 10 min felucca crossing from the Corniche. Included in the Full Nubian Day.
Nubian Villages (Gharb Soheil)
Vivid colours, turquoise-blue houses, pet crocodiles (yes, really - a living tradition) and hibiscus tea on the terrace. The Nubian village of Gharb Soheil is the real thing: welcoming locals, crafts and oral storytelling. By felucca from the Corniche.
Monastery of St Simeon
Fortified Coptic ruins from the 7th century, on the desert's edge. Reached by camel or 4x4. A panorama of the Nile and dunes. The Monastery of St Simeon is a rare stop on classic circuits. Option +£15 per person, added to the Full Nubian Day (half-day).
Botanical Garden (Kitchener's Island)
An entire island turned into a garden, with exotic plants from all 5 continents, royal palms and banyans. The Aswan Botanical Garden is reached by felucca in 15 min. Absolute calm, ideal at the end of the day. Included in the Full Nubian Day or an option at +£8 per person.
Tombs of the Nobles (West Bank)
On Aswan's west bank, hills above the Nile. The tombs of the governors of Elephantine (Middle Kingdom). Less busy than Luxor, and more intimate. Option +£20 per person, added to the Classic Half-Day.
Abu Simbel from Aswan: Coach or Plane?
The choice between Abu Simbel by coach and Abu Simbel by plane comes down to your budget, how you feel about a 3.30am start, and how much time you have. Here is a transparent comparison:
| Criteria | Abu Simbel by Coach | Abu Simbel by Plane |
|---|---|---|
| SEV price | £110/pers | £230/pers |
| Total duration | 14h (4am-6pm) | 5h (7am-noon) |
| Departure | 4am (police convoy) | 7am (domestic flight) |
| Journey | 3.5h each way x2 = 7h by coach | 45 min each way x2 = 1.5h by plane |
| Time on site | 2.5-3h | 2h |
| Tiredness | Very high (a full day by coach) | Moderate (a half-day) |
| Ideal for | Budget travellers, younger visitors, value for money | Busy professionals, families with children under 10, 4-star/5-star |
| Included | Transport, entries, English-speaking guide, packed breakfast | Flight, transfers, entries, English-speaking guide, a quick return |
Is Abu Simbel worth the trip? Yes, without a doubt. The two temples of Ramesses II are among the most photographed in the world, and the twice-yearly solar alignment (22 February and 22 October) lights up the inner sanctuary - a precise astronomical calculation from 3,200 years ago. Do not leave Aswan without seeing it.
When to Visit Aswan? Weather & Crowds
- October to April: the ideal season, 24-30°C by day, cool nights. December to February: very popular, so book 2-3 months ahead.
- May to September: 35-45°C by day, few tourists. The Abu Simbel flight is recommended (no 7h coach in 45°C heat). SEV runs a 25% discount.
- Abu Simbel solar alignment: 22 February and 22 October, so book 6-8 months ahead. Abu Simbel hotels fill up.
Practical - Aswan Airport & Transfers
Aswan (ASW) is served by EgyptAir from Cairo (1h30) and from Luxor (40 min). The airport is 25 km from the centre. SEV includes airport transfers on all full-day packages. To visit Aswan from Cairo without going via Luxor: take the direct Cairo-Aswan flight, then a same-day SEV excursion is possible (arriving in the morning).
Continue your journey - SEV Excursions and Packages
An Aswan excursion is often the start or the finish of a longer programme. Combine it with:
- Little Golden Program (a 3-night mini Luxor-Aswan cruise, from £390 per person)
- Nile Cruise 7 nights, Luxor-Aswan (from £1,030 per person)
- Nebyt Dahabiya 5 nights (from £1,430 per person)
- Dahabiyas of Nuun & Nuut, a 6-night flotilla (from £1,750 per person)
- Cairo - Attractions, Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Attractions in Luxor - Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut
