Journey to Egypt｜Aswan on the Nile 🌅

With a “you-have-to-visit-Egypt-at-least-once” mindset, my friends and I joined the “Kingdom of Pharaohs” tour by Strawberry Tours during the National Day holiday. Overall, the itinerary was well-designed: 9 days and 8 nights covering Cairo (2D) → Aswan (2D) → Luxor (2D) → Hurghada Red Sea (1D). This post focuses on Aswan. 🏨 Accommodation Tolip Aswan Hotel (5-star / Booking.com 7.6) 🎯 Activities 🔹 Nile Sunset Felucca Cruise In my opinion, the Nile sunset is a must-see in Aswan! ⛵🌅 Lying on the boat waiting for the sunset, I truly felt the meaning of: “As long as the Nile flows and the sun still shines.” 📌 Tip: Check the sunset time and arrive one hour early. 🔹 Philae Temple Both temples we visited in Aswan were submerged due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. What we see now are the relocated versions. Of all the temples I visited, Philae remains my favorite 💖. Built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, it stands on a solitary island — with the temple on one side and the Nile on the other — absolutely beautiful 🏛️💧. It’s dedicated to the goddess Isis, known as the symbol of the perfect wife and mother. Inside, carvings show Isis nursing Horus — said to be the inspiration for Christian depictions of the Virgin Mary. 🔹 Abu Simbel Temple Built by Pharaoh Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty to commemorate himself and his wife, this is the most famous structure in a grand complex 🗿. It’s located so remotely to demonstrate power to Nubia in the south. On Ramses’ birthday and coronation day, sunlight shines deep into the inner sanctuary and lights up the statues ✨. Very long drive 🚗: located near the Egypt-Sudan border with military control and almost no lodging — must return to Aswan same day (7h round trip). All those perfect photo spots you see onquire fewer people. Many arrive at 9 AM right at opening, but that’s actually peak time. We arrived around noon and found it less crowded (as many leave in the afternoon for return trips or felucca rides). Extremely sunny ☀️ — no shade in front of the temple. Sunscreen is a must! 🔹 Old Cataract Hotel Afternoon Tea & Sunset Watching the sunset at the Old Cataract Hotel was one of my most anticipated moments 🍹🌇. Unfortunately, we returned from Abu Simbel too late and missed it. Make sure to plan your time wisely if you want to catch that perfect sunset shot! #Egypt #NileRiver #Aswan #AbuSimbel #PhilaeTemple #SunsetCruise #TravelEgypt 🌍✈️