Abu Simbel Tours — Temples of Ramesses II & Nefertari

Where is Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel lies in the far south of Egypt, near the border with Sudan, on the western shore of Lake Nasser. It sits roughly 280 km south of Aswan, which is the closest city and the usual starting point for a visit.

The two rock-cut temples were carved during the reign of Ramesses II. In the 1960s they were cut into blocks and moved to higher ground in a UNESCO-led rescue operation, so that the rising waters of Lake Nasser would not submerge them.

Getting to Abu Simbel from Aswan

Most visitors travel by road from Aswan along the desert highway, which is why departures are usually early in the morning. Some travellers instead take the short domestic flight between Aswan and Abu Simbel, which allows a much shorter day.

Because departure times, road conditions and flight schedules change through the year, we confirm the exact pick-up time for your date rather than publishing a fixed timetable.

Day trip or overnight stay?

A day trip from Aswan is by far the most common way to see Abu Simbel, and it works well: the site itself is compact and most people are satisfied with a couple of hours there.

Staying overnight in Abu Simbel is worth considering if you want to see the temples in the quieter late afternoon or early morning light, or if you plan to attend the Sun Festival, when the village is busy.

The temples of Abu Simbel

The Great Temple of Ramesses II is fronted by four seated colossi of the king, each around 20 metres high. Inside, a hall lined with Osiride pillars leads through decorated chambers to the sanctuary at the rear.

Beside it stands the smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Queen Nefertari — unusual in ancient Egypt, because the statues of the queen on its façade are carved at the same scale as those of the king.

The Abu Simbel Sun Festival

Twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October, sunlight travels the length of the Great Temple and illuminates the statues in the sanctuary. The event draws large crowds and both accommodation and transport fill up well in advance.

Practical tips for visiting

Abu Simbel is hot and exposed for much of the year. The cooler months, roughly October to April, are the most comfortable for sightseeing, and early morning is the easiest part of any day.

• Bring water, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream.
• Wear comfortable shoes — the walk around the site is on open ground.
• Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours at the temples for an unhurried visit.
• Photography rules differ between the site and the temple interiors; your guide will explain the current rules on the day.
• Carry your passport, as identity checks can happen on the road south.

Abu Simbel as part of an Aswan or Nile itinerary

Abu Simbel fits naturally either side of a Nile cruise, or as an extra day in Aswan alongside Philae Temple, the High Dam and a felucca sail. A private tour makes this easier to arrange, because the departure time can be matched to your cruise embarkation or flight.