The two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel are among the most extraordinary sights in Egypt, and well worth the early start. They stand on the shore of Lake Nasser, around 280 km south of Aswan and close to the Sudanese border, so most people visit on a day trip from Aswan. Here is how it works.
How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan?
By road the drive takes about three to three and a half hours each way on the desert highway, with a rest stop and routine police checkpoints. Day trips leave Aswan very early, usually around 04:00, to arrive as the morning light reaches the temples and before the heat. You are back in Aswan by about 13:30 to 14:00, with the late afternoon free.
You can also fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel, which saves the long drive but costs more and depends on flight schedules. Some of our longer packages include Abu Simbel by air; ask us if you would prefer it.
What you see
- The Great Temple of Ramesses II: four seated colossi about 20 metres high guard the entrance. Inside, pillars carved as Osiris figures line the main hall, and the walls show the Battle of Kadesh. The temple runs 60 metres into the rock to a sanctuary of four seated gods.
- The Temple of Nefertari and Hathor: next door, six standing statues of the king and his queen, with finer, more delicate reliefs inside.
- The rescue story: between 1964 and 1968 both temples were cut into more than a thousand blocks and rebuilt 65 metres higher inside an artificial hill, to save them from the waters behind the new High Dam.
On a day trip you have about two and a half hours at the site, enough to see both temples properly and walk down to the lake.
The sun festival in February and October
Around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines down the length of the Great Temple and lights up three of the four gods in the sanctuary. It is a remarkable event, but the site is very crowded, departures are earlier and the ticket costs more. Ask us before booking those dates.
Tips for the day
- Ask your hotel or cruise for a breakfast box the night before; most will prepare one.
- Bring your passport for the police checkpoints; we register your details in advance.
- Wear layers. It can be cool when you leave and hot by mid-morning.
- Photography without flash is generally allowed inside.
- Plan something gentle for the afternoon, such as a sunset felucca sail or the Nubian Museum in Aswan.
Our Abu Simbel day trip
Our private Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan includes pickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed Egyptologist guide for the whole day, entrance tickets to both temples and bottled water. It is from $69 per person for groups of 6 or more; smaller groups pay more per person, as shown on the tour’s price table.
If you are on a Nile cruise starting or ending in Aswan, Abu Simbel can usually be added as an early-morning excursion. See our guide to choosing a Nile cruise, or our Lake Nasser cruise, which finishes at Abu Simbel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abu Simbel worth the trip?
For most visitors, yes. It is one of the most impressive monuments in Egypt, and the scale of the colossi is hard to imagine until you stand in front of them.
How long do you get at Abu Simbel?
About two and a half hours on our day trip.
Is lunch included?
No. Bring a hotel breakfast box; you are back in Aswan by early afternoon for lunch.