Abu Simbel-tempel in Aswan

This was a perfect tour, air-conditioned the entire way on the bus. Nice and early start so I could get the best photos with no proplr in them. Very greatful!

Hi, I recently ended, with great regret, a 3 day private trip to Aswan and Abu Simbel organized by SANSIMON TRAVEL AND TOURISM. I say "with great regret" because it was a wonderful trip and I wish it hadn't ended so quickly. It is true that it was quite difficult, because we started from Hurghada and the distance traveled by car was long, and I chose the most inappropriate time for such a trip, that is, in the middle of summer, when the temperatures are very high. But my guide, Sameh tried and even managed to ensure comfortable enough travel conditions for me, so that the distance and heat remained just details. I didn't have time to get bored on the way because Sameh has a lot of things to tell, not only about the sights we had on the schedule and the history of 3000 years ago, but also about the recent history of his country and about the people who are now achieving impressive things in Egypt, despite the strange conditions that nature offers. It was a pleasure to listen to him, because he talks with a lot of passion and a lot of love for his country and his people. In fact, the whole trip was a pleasure, because I achieved the main goal (visiting the temples and the dam), but I also had surprises along the way: accommodation in the Nubian village where you feel like in another world, the visit to the house with crocodiles, the felucca ride and the visit to the botanical garden and the sweetest and most fragrant mango I have ever eaten. Thanks Sameh for a great trip.

I feel the need to write two reviews in one. The first review is about the tour, and the second review is about the tour operator. The tour to Abu Simbel is straightforward. Like most, I got up early (3:30 a.m. in my case due to my hotel location) and took a car to meet a van that then drove a few hours to the temple complex. We ended up waiting a moderate amount of time for the van to meet us, but given police controls and other issues, I'm willing to let that pass. The temple is impressive. If you've already seen the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, you may be underwhelmed by the carvings, color, and relief, but it's still something to behold due to its size, scale, and the history and engineering behind how it was moved from where it would have been to submerged with the building of the high damn to the new/current site. My tour was supposed to be a private tour, but my tour guide engaged other individuals during the tour to include them for additional money, which was distracting and unpleasant, particularly given the short time typically available to visit the temples. Despite this, my tour guide had studied archaeology, and his passion for the topic was clear and enjoyable. He did a good job providing background, and I appreciated the excitement with which he answered questions. Tour experience: 4 stars. Now for the tour operator. Egypt Sansimon Travel and Tourism is awesome. Without going into too much detail, the fellow that runs it is an awesome guy. I'll say, somewhat sadly, that interactions with him are one of the few times in Egypt that I felt like somebody was doing something out of sincere care and desire to make a connection. I appreciated his kindness and his openness. Egypt Sansimon Travel and Tourism: 5 stars.