5-Day Aswan and Abu Simbel Historical Tour with Edfu and Kom Ombo

• Meet your tour guide after arriving at Aswan International Airport, where a representative will assist you with the arrival procedures and take you to the hotel. At the hotel, the tour manager will help with a smooth check-in and review your holiday itinerary with you to establish and confirm the pick-up times for each tour.

Overnight in Aswan.

(Welcome drinks)

• Have breakfast and visit the world-famous High Dam, an engineering miracle constructed between 1960 and 1970. It was built to increase economic production by regulating the annual river flooding, providing water storage for agriculture, and later generating hydroelectricity. The dam had a significant impact on the economy and culture of Egypt.
• Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk. This obelisk is believed to belong to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of King Tuthmosis II. The Unfinished Obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk, located in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan. It is unknown which pharaoh created this structure. It is nearly one-third larger than any ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected. If finished, it would have measured around 42 m and weighed nearly 1,200 tons.
• You can book an evening trip to the fabulous sound and light show at Philae Temple. (Optional)

Overnight in Aswan.
(Meal: lunch)

• Have breakfast and visit Edfu, the majestic temple dedicated to Horus. It is the second largest temple after Karnak and was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna. The temple was dedicated to the falcon god Horus and was built during the Ptolemaic period, originally oriented east-west instead of the current north-south configuration. The oldest part of the temple is the section from the Festival Hall to the Sanctuary; this was begun by Ptolemy III in 237 BC and completed by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator. The Hypostyle Hall was added by Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC), and the pylon was erected by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC). The final touches to the temple were added under Ptolemy XII in 57 BC. The falcon-headed Horus was originally the sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon.
• See the Temple of Kom Ombo standing on high ground overlooking the Nile. The Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo, also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple, dates back to 180 BC during the Ptolemaic era, with additions made in Roman times. It was also built under Ptolemy VI. Since this bend in the Nile was a favoured spot for crocodiles to bask in the sun and threaten locals, it is natural that the temple would be dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. However, it also honours Haroeris, a form of the falcon-headed god Horus. The hypostyle halls were added under Ptolemy XIII (51-47 BC), and the Roman emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) added the forecourt and outer enclosure walls.
• Return to the hotel.

Overnight in Aswan.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch)

• Have breakfast and start your trip to Abu Simbel Temples. It takes about 3 hours and a half to drive one way from Aswan to Abu Simbel by a private air-conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival at Abu Simbel, enjoy the impressive Temples of Ramses II, dedicated to the four universal gods - Ptah, Re-Harakhte, Amun-Re, and Ramesses II. Then enjoy your lunch box during the drive back to Aswan. These temples are considered masterpieces of ancient Egypt and reflect the glory and grandeur of the New Kingdom. The Egyptian government and UNESCO decided to cooperate in order to save these temples from the flood. (You will be provided with a lunch box at the hotel.)
• Continue to explore the Temple of Queen Nefertari, also called the Temple of Hathor, who was the wife of the Sun God. Symbolically, the two Temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari bring Ramesses II, Nefertari, Hathor, and the Sun God together as one. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Aswan and enjoy your free time.
• Head back to Aswan airport.

(Meals: breakfast, lunch)

• Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward destination.

(Meal: breakfast)