Your private Egyptologist guide and driver pick you up early from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise ship in an air-conditioned vehicle. Depart around 4:30 AM for the 3.5-hour drive across the Nubian desert to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival, explore the Great Temple of Ramses II, examining its massive seated colossi, entrance hall with Osiride pillars, and sanctuary alignment. Next, tour the nearby Temple of Nefertari, admiring its relief carvings depicting the queen presenting offerings to Hathor. After your guided tour, return by private vehicle to Aswan for afternoon drop-off.
Overday Trip to Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan
Travel south from Aswan across the Nubian desert on a private day excursion to Abu Simbel with your private French- or English-speaking Egyptologist guide, exploring the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.
PickupAswan
GuidePrivate, French or English
Group1 to 8 travellers
Duration1 day
Overview
Visit Egypt's most famous southern pharaonic monument on a private excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Situated 280 kilometers south near the border with Sudan, these monumental rock-cut shrines were carved into a sandstone cliff in the 13th century BC by Pharaoh Ramses II.
Accompanied by your licensed Egyptologist guide, you explore the Great Temple of Ramses II, fronted by four 20-meter seated colossi statues, and its inner hypostyle hall decorated with battle reliefs and divine shrines. Next, tour the adjacent Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari. Learn how UNESCO orchestrated the 1960s engineering project that salvaged the temples from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Private round-trip vehicle transfers from your Aswan hotel or cruise ship are included.
Highlights
- Great Temple of Ramses II — rock-cut mountain façade with four 20-meter seated statues
- Temple of Queen Nefertari — royal shrine dedicated to Ramses II's chief wife and goddess Hathor
- UNESCO Salvage Project — historic engineering feat that relocated the entire complex above Lake Nasser
- Private Egyptologist Guide — expert historical commentary on New Kingdom power and iconography
- Private Transfers — round-trip air-conditioned vehicle transfers from your Aswan hotel or cruise ship
Day by day
Day 1
Aswan: Abu Simbel rock-cut temples private day excursion
Included
- Private Egyptologist guide, French- or English-speaking
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for round-trip Aswan to Abu Simbel transfers
- Hotel or Nile cruise ship pickup and drop-off in Aswan
- Bottled water during the trip
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Entrance tickets to Abu Simbel Temples site
- Meals and beverages
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Optional photo permissions if applied
- Travel insurance
Photos
Questions
What time does the Abu Simbel day trip start from Aswan?
The tour typically departs early around 4:30 AM by road to arrive at the site before midday temperatures peak.
How long is the drive between Aswan and Abu Simbel?
The drive takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours each way along a paved desert highway.
Are entrance tickets to Abu Simbel included?
No, entrance tickets are purchased directly at the site ticket office upon arrival at Abu Simbel.
Can we travel to Abu Simbel by domestic flight instead of car?
Yes, round-trip flight transfers via Aswan Airport can be arranged upon request subject to flight schedules.
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