Is a Two-Day Trip to Abu Simbel & Aswan from Hurghada Right for You? A 2025 Review

So, you are sitting by the Red Sea, and it’s pretty wonderful, right? You’ve got the sun and the clear water, which is, I mean, more or less what you came for. Yet, there’s this little thought in your head, a little whisper, you know, about the big-time history that’s just a bit farther away. The question is that, should you take two whole days away from the beach to go see it? We recently took a private two-day jaunt over to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and honestly, we have a lot of thoughts about it. At the end of the day, leaving the resort bubble opens up a completely different side of Egypt that is, you know, sort of unforgettable. This is pretty much our story about swapping the sea for some of the most amazing old stones you’ll ever see.

Day One: The Long Road and Aswan’s Gentle Charms

Okay, let’s be totally honest about something right up front. The drive from Hurghada to Aswan is, well, pretty long. We are talking hours in a car, seriously. You see the scenery outside the window shift from seaside towns to just this huge, empty desert, which is, in a way, sort of amazing to see. Having a private car is a huge plus here, basically. You can, for instance, ask the driver to stop for a stretch or a coffee whenever you feel like it. When we finally rolled into Aswan, the feeling of the place was, you know, just completely different from Hurghada. It’s so much more relaxed, almost like the whole city moves at the slow pace of the Nile itself. Our guide took us straight to a small boat to reach the Philae Temple, which, by the way, is on an island. You know, floating up to this place that was painstakingly moved to save it from the river is just, kind of, mind-blowing. After that, we saw the High Dam, which is this really massive piece of modern work. It’s a very different type of big construction from the old temples, and that contrast is, you know, quite interesting. The first day really feels like you’re peeling back a new layer of the country, just a little.

Day Two: The Unforgettable Spectacle of Abu Simbel

So, the second day starts extremely early, actually. You have to get up when it is still dark outside to make the drive south to Abu Simbel. To be honest, you might be a little sleepy, but the feeling of driving through the desert as the sun comes up is, well, something special. When you get there, and you walk around a bend and see those four gigantic statues of Ramesses II for the first time, it honestly just stops you in your tracks. I mean, pictures do not do it justice, at all. The sheer size of them is almost hard for your brain to process. Our guide, who was a really knowledgeable person about old Egyptian history, pointed out all the tiny details you would totally miss on your own. For instance, he showed us the smaller statues of the family around the pharaoh’s big legs. Then you go inside, and it is just as incredible. You can still see the colors on the walls after thousands of years, which is just wild. Hearing the story about how they cut the entire mountain into huge blocks and moved it to save it from being flooded by Lake Nasser is, quite frankly, an amazing story of human cleverness.

The Private Guide Difference: A Personal Touch

Now, you might be thinking about if a private tour is actually worth the extra money. It’s a fair question, obviously. You could, sort of, do this trip with a big group on a bus for less. But here is the thing, we found that having a private guide and your own car changes the whole feel of the experience. I mean, you are not waiting for fifty other people at every stop. You can ask your guide, like, a million questions, and they have the time to really answer them. For example, our guide told us stories about the gods and pharaohs that made the carvings on the wall feel so much more alive. He could change the plan a little bit just for us, so we spent more time at the places we were really into. You get a real conversation and a connection, which you just don’t get when you are one person in a crowd following a flag. So, yes, it costs a little more, but what you are paying for is, more or less, freedom and a much deeper look into what you are seeing.

What to Pack and Expect on Your Adventure

Alright, so if you decide to go, there are a few practical things to know. First, definitely wear your most comfortable shoes, you know? You will be doing a lot of walking, and often on ground that is not perfectly even. The sun in Upper Egypt is also no joke, so, seriously, a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock are your best friends. It’s a good idea to bring some small cash with you, basically for things like tipping your guide, the driver, or maybe for buying a cold drink. It’s just easier, you know. Also, make sure your phone or camera is fully charged because, I mean, you will be taking a ton of photos. The pace of the two days is pretty full-on, but it is not a mad rush, especially on a private tour. You have time to look around and just take it all in. The trip is a mix of being in the car and then exploring these really amazing open-air places, so being prepared for both makes everything, you know, a bit more enjoyable.

Frankly, standing in front of Abu Simbel feels less like looking at a ruin and more like, you know, you’re stepping straight into a history book that has come to life. It’s really that powerful a feeling.

A Few Quick Thoughts Before You Go

So, at the end of the day, here’s the rundown of what to keep in your thoughts for this kind of trip:

• The Drive is Part of It: You know, you need to be ready for a lot of time in the car, but it’s a great way to see the actual country between the tourist spots.
• Aswan is a Welcome Break: The city has a very chill feeling, and Philae Temple, sitting on its island, is honestly beautiful.
• Abu Simbel is the Main Event: I mean, it is completely worth the early start. The size and preservation of the temples are just breathtaking.
• Private is Personal: A private tour really does offer a different, more flexible kind of experience, which we think adds a lot of value, you know.
• Be Prepared for the Sun: Comfortable clothing, good shoes, and sun protection are, seriously, not optional items.

Read our full review: [Trip to Abu simbel and Aswan from Hurgada Full Review and Details]

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