Aswan is Egypt's southernmost governorate, a sun-drenched city on the banks of the Nile renowned for its ancient Nubian heritage, towering pharaonic monuments, and dramatic desert-island scenery. It serves as the gateway to iconic sites including Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the legendary Abu Simbel temples.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Abu Simbel Temples
The most spectacular day trip from Aswan and arguably from anywhere in Egypt — the twin rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated in the UNESCO rescue operation of the 1960s-70s, stand on the shores of Lake Nasser in magnificent desert isolation. The solar alignment events on February 22 and October 22 draw thousands of visitors.
Highlights: Four 20m colossal statues of Ramesses II · Inner sanctuary with pharaoh and deity statues · Nefertari Temple dedicated to Hathor · Lake Nasser panorama · Abu Simbel village
Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples
A classic double-temple day trip combining the unique dual-deity temple at Kom Ombo (dedicated to both Sobek and Horus) and the magnificent Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu — one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. Together they represent the finest Ptolemaic architecture in the Nile Valley.
Highlights: Kom Ombo dual temple on the Nile bend · Mummified crocodiles at Kom Ombo museum · Temple of Horus at Edfu (best preserved in Egypt) · Calèche horse-carriage ride to Edfu temple from the riverbank
West Bank Heritage Trail (Aswan)
A half-day or full-day excursion across the Nile to the west bank of Aswan combining the Nobles' Tombs (Qubbet El-Hawa), the Agha Khan Mausoleum, St. Simeon's Monastery by camel, and a visit to the Gharb Soheil Nubian village for lunch. A brilliant and varied day that encompasses ancient Egypt, Islamic heritage, desert adventure and Nubian culture.
Highlights: Nobles' Tombs with painted reliefs · Panoramic hilltop views from Qubbet El-Hawa · Agha Khan Mausoleum · Camel trek to St. Simeon's Monastery · Gharb Soheil Nubian village and lunch
Lake Nasser Cruise and Temple Tour
A motorboat excursion on Lake Nasser to visit the relocated temples of Kalabsha, Gerf Hussein and Beit el-Wali on their lakeside island. The vast lake — the world's third-largest man-made reservoir — is a remarkable landscape in its own right with desert cliffs, empty horizons and Nile crocodiles.
Highlights: Temple of Kalabsha · Kiosk of Kertassi · Temple of Beit el-Wali · Lake Nasser wildlife (crocodiles, migratory birds) · Desert landscape from the water
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
A full-day (or overnight) excursion to Luxor — Egypt's greatest open-air museum — combining the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, the Luxor Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Luxor is best done as an overnight stop to do it justice, but ambitious day-trippers can cover the highlights with an early train departure.
Highlights: Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun's tomb) · Temple of Karnak · Luxor Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Valley of the Queens
Sehel Island Inscriptions and Nubian Village
A relaxing half-day felucca trip to the small island of Sehel, covered with over 250 ancient rock inscriptions and stelae carved between the Middle Kingdom and the Ptolemaic period. The island is also home to a Nubian village and offers dramatic First Cataract granite boulder scenery.
Highlights: Famine Stele (332 BC) · 250+ ancient rock inscriptions · Nubian village visit · First Cataract granite scenery · Felucca sailing through the cataracts
Elephantine Island Full Day
A full day exploring this mid-Nile island: the southern ancient ruins and Aswan Museum, the Nilometer, the Nubian villages of Siou and Koti (with painted houses and henna artists), the Movenpick Resort gardens, and a leisurely lunch in the village.
Highlights: Aswan Museum and ancient ruins · Nilometer · Siou and Koti Nubian villages · Henna art session · Movenpick garden café
Daraw Camel Market
One of Egypt's largest and most colourful camel markets, Daraw attracts Sudanese and Nubian herders every Tuesday (and smaller sessions on other days) to trade hundreds of camels, goats and sheep. The market provides a fascinating window into traditional animal trade that is completely off the main tourist trail.
Highlights: Large-scale camel trading · Nubian and Sudanese herders · Authentic market atmosphere · Haggling over livestock in Arabic and Nubian
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from $30-100 including transport, guide and entry fees — most hotels can arrange these
- Private
- Private car and driver hire from $60-120/day for custom itineraries to Kom Ombo, Edfu or surroundings
- Public
- Service taxis to Kom Ombo (EGP 20), Edfu (EGP 40), Luxor (EGP 50-80 by train); public transport to Abu Simbel is not practical
- Rental
- Car rental not recommended — road convoys to Abu Simbel require joining organised tours; Nile road to Luxor is straightforward
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Abu Simbel is best visited by flying from Aswan — the 3.5-hour road journey each way is gruelling; flight is 45 minutes
Book Abu Simbel road convoy trips the day before through your hotel — convoys depart at 4-5 AM and 11 AM
Kom Ombo and Edfu work well as a combined day trip by taxi — depart by 7 AM to beat the heat
Luxor deserves at least one night — as a day trip by train it works but is exhausting
The Sehel Island felucca trip is a perfect half-day that can be combined with a west bank afternoon
February 22 Abu Simbel solar alignment requires booking accommodation several months in advance