Aswan & Abu Simbel Tour From Hurghada: A 2025 Review

So, you are sitting by the Red Sea, and it’s almost a perfect scene. The sun is warm, the water is clear, yet, there’s this little feeling, you know, that you should probably see the old stuff Egypt is known for. The thing is that Aswan and the massive temples at Abu Simbel feel a very long way off. A day trip is basically out of the question if you want to keep your sanity. So, we started looking into this private overnight option, which seemed a little bit easier. The whole idea is that it’s all-inclusive, taking care of pretty much everything from the moment you leave your Hurghada hotel. We thought, honestly, why not see what it is really like? This is, more or less, what we found out about the whole deal.

The Drive From Hurghada to Aswan: What to Really Expect

Frankly, the pick-up is very, very early in the morning. Like, it’s still dark outside early. But, a clean, air-conditioned vehicle showing up right on time is, you know, a pretty good start. Unlike a big bus tour, you basically have space to stretch out a little. In some respects, having your own car for the trip changes the entire feel from the beginning. You can just stop for a coffee or a picture whenever you want, sort of. The person doing the driving was actually professional and just focused on getting us there safely. As a matter of fact, the first hour or so is watching the beach hotels disappear behind you.

Then, the scenery really changes over. It’s almost all desert, a massive, sandy, and rocky space that seems to go on forever. You get to see the mountains in the distance, and it is that kind of view that makes you feel very small. Honestly, there are several police and army checkpoints along the way, which is a very normal part of traveling by road in Egypt. Our driver clearly knew the whole routine, handling the papers and getting us through with no trouble at all. It is, in a way, a long drive, about four to five hours, so you definitely should bring a book or some music. At the end of the day, it is a whole lot better than trying to figure out public transport.

First Looks at Aswan and the Mighty Nile

Arriving in Aswan is like, you know, stepping into a completely different part of the country. The air feels thicker, and the whole pace of life is seemingly slower than the resort vibe in Hurghada. Our tour person met us and, well, took us straight to check into the hotel. The fact that this was all pre-arranged and paid for was honestly a huge relief. There was no need to pull out a wallet or try to speak the language; it was just done. Our room, by the way, had a view looking out over the Nile river.

To be honest, seeing the Nile for the first time like that, with the old-style felucca boats sailing by, is one of those moments that really sticks with you. It’s pretty much exactly like the pictures, but, you know, real.

So, after getting settled, the tour started properly. The first stop was the Aswan High Dam, which is an absolutely huge piece of engineering. Our guide gave us the backstory on how it was built and its effect on Egypt, which was really interesting stuff. You can, like, walk along the top and see Lake Nasser on one side and the Nile stretching out on the other. It really gives you a sense of scale. The whole thing was pretty much a great introduction to the area and what the tour was about.

The Centerpiece: An Overnight Stay and the Philae Temple

What really makes this kind of trip work is, basically, the overnight part. Instead of rushing through everything in a few hours, you actually have time to breathe. After the High Dam, we headed over to the landing for the Philae Temple. You literally have to take a small motorboat to get to the island where the temple now sits. The original spot is, you know, underwater because of the dam. The short boat ride itself is just a little bit of fun and gives you amazing views of the temple as you get closer.

The temple, seriously, is dedicated to the goddess Isis and is in amazing condition. Our guide was great; he showed us the key carvings and told the stories behind them, but then he gave us, like, an hour to just wander around by ourselves. This was frankly the best part. You can just explore the different rooms and courtyards at your own speed. It’s a bit of a maze of giant pillars and walls covered in hieroglyphs. It feels almost like you’ve been let into a secret place. Because it was later in the afternoon, the crowds were a little smaller, and the light was just softer, you know? The fact that we weren’t worried about a long drive back to Hurghada that night made the experience so much more relaxed.

The Very Early Morning Convoy to Abu Simbel

Okay, so the wake-up call for Abu Simbel is, well, intense. We’re talking about 3:30 or 4:00 AM. It’s obviously very early. The reason for this is that you join a convoy of other vehicles for the three-hour drive south through the desert. A private car is a huge plus here. While others might be on a crowded bus, you, on the other hand, can try to get a little more sleep. The drive itself is, in a way, quite something. Watching the sun start to rise over the flat, empty desert is a sight you won’t soon forget.

So, you get to Abu Simbel before the real heat of the day kicks in and, more or less, before the masses of tourists arrive from the cruise ships. And honestly, the first time you see those four giant statues of Ramesses II carved into the side of a mountain, you just stop. They are absolutely massive. Seriously, photos just do not capture the sheer size of them. You feel incredibly small standing at their feet. Our guide, once again, explained how the entire temple complex was, like, cut up and moved to higher ground to save it from the rising lake. You can’t even tell; the job they did was just that good. We had plenty of time to go inside both the main temple and the smaller one for Nefertari. Getting there so early really pays off; it was quiet and you could almost feel the history of the place.

Is This All-Inclusive Private Setup Worth the Money?

At the end of the day, a private tour like this one costs more than a group bus trip. There’s no getting around that fact. But what do you actually get for your money? Well, ‘all-inclusive’ in this case meant the private vehicle and driver for two days, a private guide just for you, one night in a pretty decent Aswan hotel, all the temple entry fees, and the boat ride to Philae. Basically, we didn’t have to reach for our wallets for anything other than some small tips and any souvenirs we wanted. This is a very different experience.

Having a private guide is, to be honest, a massive advantage. You can ask as many questions as you want. If you want to spend more time at one spot and less at another, you can just do that. You’re not, you know, waiting for a group of 30 people to take photos. It’s all on your schedule. For a family, a couple, or anyone who just doesn’t want the hassle of managing all the logistics themselves, this setup is almost perfect. It is really a trade-off. You trade a little more money for a lot more comfort, flexibility, and a more personal experience. So, if your goal is to really see and enjoy Aswan and Abu Simbel without the stress, then yes, this sort of arrangement is definitely something you should look at.

Read our full review: [Private Aswan Abu Simbel Overnight From Hurghada Full Review and Details]
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Private Aswan Abu Simbel Overnight From Hurghada])