Great Temple of Ramesses II
Four seated colossi, each about 20 m tall, on a facade about 33 m high
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour Abu Simbel Day Tour from Aswan by Road or Flight
A private day trip from Aswan to the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel, by road or by a short flight, with an Egyptologist guide.
- Duration
- Full day by road, shorter by flight
- Where
- Abu Simbel, on the western shore of Lake Nasser
- Pick-up
- Hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan
- Language
- English (other languages on request)
- Site hours
- 6:00 to 17:00 daily (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)
From, per person$1406 or more travellers
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
About this tour
Abu Simbel is far from everything else on a Nile itinerary. The temples stand on the western shore of Lake Nasser, about 300 km by road from Aswan, close to the border with Sudan. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists the site as open from 6:00 to 17:00 every day, and the day is built around that window.
Most of the effort of the day goes into getting there, so choose the way that suits you. The road is a long drive across the desert and costs you a very early start. The flight takes the drive out of the day and leaves you more time at the temples, but flights are limited and we book around the airline schedule. We explain the trade-off below.
This trip suits travellers who care about Ramesses II and the story of the rescue of the temples. It does not suit anyone who dislikes early alarms or long hours in a vehicle (road option), or very young children on the road option. If your time in Aswan is only one day, Philae and the High Dam are an easier choice.
Temple of Nefertari
A small temple to Hathor and the queen, with colossi of the queen as large as the king's
The rescue
Both temples were cut into blocks and rebuilt on higher ground, with the work running from 1964 to 1968
Inner sanctuary
Where the sun reaches the statues on 22 February and 22 October
Lake Nasser
The reservoir created by the High Dam, seen from the temple terrace
How the day runs
- 1
Early startPickup in Aswan
Your Egyptologist and driver pick you up at your hotel or ship. For the road option the start is well before dawn, and we confirm the exact pickup time at booking, together with the current road and timing rules for your date. For the flight option the pickup time follows the airline schedule. We confirm the flight times for your date when you book.
- 2
On the wayThe road across the desert, or the flight
The road runs south from Aswan, about 300 km according to the Ministry, with security checkpoints on the way. Carry your passport for the whole day. By air, you fly between Aswan airport and Abu Simbel airport, which has year-round flights to Aswan, and a vehicle takes you from the airport to the temples.
- 3
MorningThe Great Temple of Ramesses II
Ramesses II had this temple cut into the rock around 1264 BC. Four colossal statues sit on the facade, and one of them fell after an ancient earthquake. Inside, statues of the king line the main hall and lead to a sanctuary with four seated figures. On 22 February and 22 October the sun reaches the innermost statues. The Ministry sets separate ticket rates for those two dates, so tell us early if you want to be there.
- 4
MorningThe rescue story
Your guide explains how the temples were moved when Lake Nasser threatened to flood them. The Great Temple was cut into 807 blocks and the small temple into 235. It was lifted piece by piece to a site 208 m further inland and 65 m higher, and the work was finished in 1968. Its success is credited with helping to launch the World Heritage convention.
- 5
Late morningThe Temple of Nefertari
The small temple stands a short way to the north and is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Nefertari, the king's chief wife. On the facade her statues are the same height as his, which the Ministry describes as very rare. Your guide explains what that says about her place beside the king.
- 6
MiddayLake Nasser and the return
Your guide leaves you free time to photograph the facade and walk the terrace above the lake. Then you return to Aswan, by road or by air, in time to be back at your hotel or ship.
How much does this tour cost?
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $225 |
| 2 travellers | $175 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $155 |
| 6 or more travellers | $140 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included.
What’s included
Included
- Pickup and return from your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to the Abu Simbel temples
- Bottled water, taxes and service charges
- Lunch, as confirmed for your date when you book
Not included
- Domestic flight tickets for the flight option, unless your quote says otherwise
- Tips
- Drinks and personal shopping
Booking policies
Important information
Passport
Bring your passport, not a copy. Police check ID regularly in Egypt and the road to Abu Simbel has checkpoints. The UK Foreign Office lists Aswan and Abu Simbel as exceptions to its warning about the Western Desert, so travel there is covered by its normal advice.
Road or flight
Choose the road if you want to see the landscape and are happy with a very long day. Choose the flight if time matters, if you travel with older relatives, or if you get carsick. Tell us if you have a tight schedule on the following day.
Heat and wear
Aswan averages above 40 °C from June to September, and Abu Simbel lies far to the south of it. Cover your shoulders, wear a hat and closed shoes, and bring water.
Photography
A 2019 decision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities allows personal photography at ministry sites, with no flash indoors. The ministry's Abu Simbel page does not state camera rules, so your guide confirms at the entrance what is allowed inside the temples on your day.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Know before you go
Start early
Pickup around 8:00 gets you to the pyramids before the heat and the coach groups.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, expect sand, steps and uneven ground.
Extra tickets
Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional ticket bought on the day.
Photos
Photos are free outdoors; some tombs charge for cameras. Drones are not allowed.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan?
About 230 km in a straight line and about 300 km by road, according to Wikipedia. The Ministry also gives around 300 km.
Is it safe to go to Abu Simbel?
The UK Foreign Office names Abu Simbel and Aswan among the places excluded from its Western Desert warning. Rules for the road are set by the authorities, so we check them before each departure.
Can I drive myself?
Self-drive is not part of this tour, and reports conflict on whether foreigners may drive the road at all. Our own driver and guide handle the checkpoints.
Should I book for 22 February or 22 October?
Only if the sunlit statues matter to you. The Ministry sets higher ticket rates for those two dates, so book early and ask us what is possible.
How long do we stay at the temples?
The site closes at 17:00, but your own return journey sets the limit, not the gates. We confirm the time at the temples for your date when you book.
Make it a trip
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Before you go
Guides for this trip
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