• By: RIYANKA
• Feb 13, 2025
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48 Hours in Aswan, Egypt: A Comprehensive Itinerary

After days of contemplating whether to take the night train to Aswan or not, we finally decided on a morning flight from Cairo. We landed in the postcard-perfect town in Upper Egypt on a dry, sunny day in December. Leaving behind the chaos of Cairo, Aswan felt like a quiet hug, embracing us with its rugged beauty.

We had only 48 hours in Aswan, though I wished we had more time! Ideally, two to three days is perfect to explore the best things in Aswan.

As we stepped out of the airport, we already knew Uber wasn’t an option here. The first task was to get a taxi to our hotel. Aswan Airport is about 25 km from the main town, something I had already checked on Google Maps.

A swarm of cab drivers surrounded us in no time! We knew we had to bargain well before agreeing on a price. One young boy offered us a decent rate, but before we could settle, a bigger guy intervened, leading to a heated argument. We stood there, totally confused. Getting a taxi in Aswan is a task – we realized that instantly!

Eventually, the young boy signaled us to follow him, and soon, we were in his car, which had complete Jamaican vibes! That was our first introduction to the unexpected Jamaican influence in Aswan. On the way to our hotel (Hapi Hotel, close to the Nile Corniche, recommended by Lonely Planet), our cabbie pointed out the High Dam – one of the world’s largest embankment dams, built across the Nile between 1960 and 1970.

48 Hours in Aswan, Egypt: A Comprehensive Itinerary

Day 1: A Felucca Ride on the Nile, a Meal at Elephantine Island & the Light and Sound Show at Philae Temple

We checked into the hotel around 2 PM, quickly freshened up, and went for a walk along the Nile Corniche. The sight of the dark blue river flowing slowly through this timeless town left me in awe. The receptionist at Hapi Hotel recommended King Jamaica Restaurant on Elephantine Island for lunch with a Nile view, and we were tempted to try it.

We took a felucca ride across the Nile and arrived at the island, which was bursting with color. A short walk led us to King Jamaica restaurant, where we grabbed a nice table and ordered lunch while basking in the afternoon sunshine. Since we were there in December, the weather was pleasant, but I can imagine the summer sun being unforgiving!

We sat there until sunset, watching the sky transform into a canvas of fiery orange, soft pinks, and deep purples, casting a golden glow over the Nile. The water reflected the colors like a rippling mirror, while feluccas glided by, their sails silhouetted against the fading light.

As darkness crept in, we took another boat back to Aswan. This time, the air was filled with a mesmerizing mix of Reggae and Arabic music, something that Sourav pointed out to me.

Our next stop was the Philae Temple for the Light and Sound Show. We hailed a cab, bargained before hopping in, and headed to the ferry terminal, where we purchased our tickets and boarded a boat to the island-based temple complex. It was around 6 PM, giving us an hour to explore before the show started.

Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis, is an architectural marvel that seems to rise from the water. The grand entrance is framed by towering pylons adorned with intricate carvings depicting ancient Egyptian deities and pharaohs. The temple walls whisper stories of devotion, with hieroglyphs narrating legends that span thousands of years. Columns decorated with lotus and papyrus motifs stand proudly, a testament to the grandeur of the civilization that once flourished here. Under the evening sky, the temple looked gorgeous, with its sandstone walls bathed in a golden hue.

The Light and Sound Show began at 7 PM, and it was absolutely stunning. Narrated through dramatic storytelling, the show transported us back 3,500 years, unraveling the myths and history of ancient Egypt with dazzling lights illuminating the temple ruins.

[Tickets for the Light and Sound Show at Philae Temple: 900 EGP per person]

By 8 PM, the show had ended, and we took a speedboat back to the pier, where our cabbie was waiting for us. He dropped us near our hotel at the Corniche, and from there, we walked to Obelisk Nile Hotel, which has a lovely garden restaurant. The temperature had dropped drastically (it must have been around 5°C), and all we wanted was a quick, warm meal before heading back to our room.

We ordered a margarita pizza and grilled chicken, enjoyed our meal swiftly, and made our way back to the hotel. It was time to call it a night, as an early start awaited us the next morning.

Day 2: A Day Trip to Abu Simbel, and Dinner at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan

While most travelers dream of seeing the majestic pyramids, the one place I was most excited about was the temple of Abu Simbel. And trust me, it is an absolute MUST if you’re exploring Egypt!

We had booked a day trip to Abu Simbel, so we had to start at 4 AM from Aswan. The three-hour drive took us through southern Egypt’s vast, unchanging desert landscape. While I slept through the first couple of hours, I made sure to enjoy the last bit of the journey!

As we got closer to the Sudan border, the mobile network started fluctuating, making it feel even more like a journey into the past!

Once we reached, and got our tickets, our guide led us to see the original site of the temple, which was closer to the Nile. He narrated the whole story, telling us that the temple was later relocated to its current position due to the risk of flooding. When the High Dam of Aswan was built in the 1960s, the rising water levels nearly submerged Abu Simbel, so it had to be carefully dismantled and reconstructed to preserve its ancient grandeur.

But the grandeur of the temple is still the same. Built by Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, Abu Simbel features four colossal statues of the pharaoh himself, meant to intimidate enemies and traders along the Nile. What amazed me most was that the entire temple is carved out of a single rock, using tools from thousands of years ago!

Inside, the intricate artwork left us speechless. The detailed carvings have withstood the test of time, telling stories of battles, gods, and legends.

Dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte, the temple consists of three halls extending 185 feet into the cliff, adorned with Osiride statues and scenes of Ramesses II’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Twice a year (around February 22 and October 22), the first rays of sunlight penetrate the temple, illuminating the shrine deep within, which is proof of the ancient Egyptians’ extraordinary celestial knowledge and precision.

Right next to Abu Simbel is the Temple of Queen Nefertari, built by Ramesses II in honor of his beloved wife. This temple, also carved from a single rock, features six massive statues of the king and queen at its entrance. Inside, exquisite hieroglyphics decorate the walls, narrating the divine status of Nefertari and her importance in Ramesses’ life.

Exploring Abu Simbel with a guide is a must, as they share fascinating stories that you won’t find in any books!

We left Abu Simbel around 12:30 PM and reached Aswan by 4 PM. Exhausted from the journey, we took a quick power nap to recharge ourselves.

In the evening, we headed to the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel, one of the oldest and most iconic hotels in Egypt. I had first read about this hotel in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile when I was in school, and now, I was finally stepping into the place where she had stayed while writing the novel. Built in 1899, the Old Cataract Hotel is a stunning blend of Victorian and Arabian architecture, perched on a pink granite cliff overlooking the Nile.

A young staff member took us around the property and even showed us the Agatha Suite, where Agatha Christie stayed! The hotel also offers a special high tea menu named in her honor.

With multiple restaurants and dining options, we decided to have dinner at Saraya. (Also, it was Christmas Eve, and the whole vibe of the place was beautiful. People were playing carols, children were enjoying their treats, and the festive atmosphere just added to the whole experience.)

[A meal for two at Saraya, Old Cataract, costs around 3,500 EGP]

After dinner, we walked back to our hotel, still buzzing from everything we had seen, the stories we heard, and the incredible people we met.

Day 3: Visiting Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples on the way to Luxor

Our 48 hours in Aswan flew by in the blink of an eye!

We started the day with a lovely breakfast at the terrace café of Hapi Hotel, soaking in the views of the Nile, before setting off for Luxor – our next stop in Egypt.

Instead of flying, we opted for a road trip to Luxor so we could visit the Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples along the way. Kom Ombo, perched right on the Nile, is unique with its twin dedication to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. The symmetry of the temple is fascinating, almost like two temples in one.

A little further ahead, we made another stop at Edfu Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples and it felt like stepping back in time. Dedicated to Horus, its towering walls and intricate carvings told stories of battles, power, and devotion.

And then, we hit the road again – excited for all that awaited us in Luxor.

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, make sure to spend at least 48 hours in Aswan, and don’t skip the Abu Simbel Temple. And if you’ve already visited Aswan, I would love to know about your experience as well.