2 D Abu Simbel ,Luxor By Plane, Balloon, 5*Hotel & Entrance Fees

Abu Simbel is the great prize here: four huge figures of Ramses II carved into a sandstone cliff, with the smaller Temple of Nefertari nearby. In only two days, you also reach Luxor’s tombs and temples, then see the Nile Valley from a hot-air balloon before most of the sightseeing begins.

I like the way this tour handles difficult distances, using domestic flights, a train, and private transfers instead of asking you to spend two days on the road. I also like the broad coverage: Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Luxor Temple, and Karnak are all included.

The tradeoff is the pace. Day one starts early and includes Abu Simbel plus the transfer to Luxor, while day two begins at 4:30 AM and packs in both banks of the river before your flight back to Cairo. You gain a lot, but you will need stamina.

Key points to know before booking