- DurationApprox. 9–10 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise at about 04:00
- PriceFrom $69 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan takes you 280 km south through the Nubian desert to the two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II, on the shore of Lake Nasser close to the Sudanese border. You leave before dawn in your own air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed Egyptologist, arrive as the morning light reaches the façades, and are back at your hotel in the early afternoon.
At the site you have about two and a half hours, enough to walk through the Great Temple, visit the smaller Temple of Nefertari and stand by the lake where the story of the relocation makes sense. Because the tour is private, your guide works around the coach groups and you set the pace. Both entrance tickets and bottled water are included.
Highlights
- Great Temple of Ramesses II with its four 20-metre seated colossi
- Temple of Nefertari and Hathor, where the queen stands as tall as the king
- The 1960s UNESCO rescue that moved both temples above Lake Nasser
- Around two and a half hours at the site with your own Egyptologist
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, entrance tickets and water included
- Back in Aswan by early afternoon, in time for a sunset felucca
Itinerary
04:00 – Pickup in Aswan
Your driver and guide collect you from your hotel or Nile cruise. Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before; most will prepare one. The drive south on the desert highway takes about three to three and a half hours, with a short rest stop and routine police checkpoints, for which we register your passport details in advance.
07:30 – Arrival at Abu Simbel
From the visitor centre a short path leads around the hill to the lakeside, where the four seated colossi of Ramesses II suddenly come into view. Your guide explains the cartouches, crowns and the small family figures carved between the legs before you go inside, ideally before the main wave of visitors.
07:45 – Great Temple of Ramesses II
Inside, eight pillars carved as Osiris figures line the main hall, and the walls show the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites. The temple runs 60 metres into the rock to a sanctuary where, around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun lights three of the four seated gods. Photography without flash is generally allowed.
09:00 – Temple of Nefertari and Hathor
Next door, six standing statues of about ten metres, four of the king and two of his queen, guard a temple dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Inside, the reliefs are finer and more delicate, showing the queen making offerings and being crowned by the goddesses.
09:45 – The lake and the rescue story
Walk down to the shore of Lake Nasser. 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. You have free time for photos before meeting your driver.
10:15 – Drive back to Aswan
The return drive takes about three and a half hours, with a rest stop on the way. You are dropped at your hotel or cruise around 13:30 to 14:00, leaving the late afternoon free for a felucca sail or the Nubian Museum.
Good to know: Around 22 February and 22 October (the sun festival) the ticket costs more, the site is very crowded and departures are earlier; ask us before booking those dates.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver, fuel and road permits
- Private licensed Egyptologist guide for the whole day
- Entrance tickets to the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari
- Bottled water and all taxes
Not included
- Breakfast and lunch (bring a hotel breakfast box)
- Sun festival supplement around 22 February and 22 October, about $9 per adult
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $235 |
| 2 travellers | $125 |
| 3–5 travellers | $95 |
| 6+ travellers | $69 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Planning your visit? Read our Abu Simbel day trip guide: timings, the sun festival and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we leave so early?
The drive takes over three hours each way, and the desert gets very hot by midday for much of the year. Leaving at about 04:00 means you reach the temples in soft morning light, before the heat and many of the coach groups, and you are back in Aswan for a late lunch.
Can we go by plane instead?
Yes. There are short flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel, about 45 minutes each way, but schedules are limited and seats can be expensive. If you prefer to fly, tell us your dates and we will check availability and send a quote including the airport transfers and guide.
How much walking is involved?
Expect around 1.5 to 2 km of easy walking on paved and sandy paths from the visitor centre to the temples and back, with a few steps inside. There is little shade near the façades, so bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Your guide can slow the pace whenever you need.
Can we add Philae Temple on the way back?
Yes. Because you are back in Aswan by early afternoon, Philae Temple or the Unfinished Obelisk can be added the same day. It makes a long but rewarding day. Ask for the combined price when you book, as it adds the extra tickets and boat.
Can we see the sun festival?
The sun lights the sanctuary around 22 February and 22 October each year. These mornings are extremely popular, with very early departures, long queues and a higher ticket price. We can arrange it, but cannot guarantee a view of the inner sanctuary at the exact moment.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
