Abu Simbel Tours
Carved into a mountainside above Lake Nasser, the twin temples of Abu Simbel are Ramesses II's boldest statement — four colossal seated figures, 20 metres tall, guarding a sanctuary aligned so the sun reaches the inner gods just twice a year. Most guests visit as a private day trip from Aswan, by road or by air.
Visiting Abu Simbel from Aswan
The classic route is a pre-dawn private drive from Aswan (about 3.5 hours each way) arriving as the morning light hits the facade, or a short domestic flight for a more relaxed start. Your Egyptologist explains the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller temple of Queen Nefertari, and the extraordinary UNESCO engineering project that lifted both temples above the rising lake in the 1960s.
Combining Abu Simbel with a Nile Cruise
Abu Simbel slots neatly into any Aswan stay: cruise guests typically visit on disembarkation morning before sailing or flying onward. All our Cairo–Luxor–Aswan packages can add Abu Simbel with one message — private car, entry tickets and guide included.
Our Abu Simbel Tours & Packages
- Ultimate Egypt & Hurghada Extension, A luxurious 12-day journey featuring extra hotel nights in Aswan and Luxor before hitting the Red Sea. (12 days, from $3380 USD)
- Private Dahabiya Nile & Cultural Odyssey, A breathtaking 16-day slow travel experience sailing on a private Dahabiya. (16 days, from $4200 USD)
- Short Dahabiya Escape (Luxor to Aswan), A 6-day boutique sailing experience on a traditional wooden Dahabiya. (6 days, from $1920 USD)
- Short Nile Cruise: Luxor & Aswan in 5 Days, Short on time? A focused five-day, three-night Nile cruise covering the very best of Luxor and Aswan, with an optional Abu Simbel add-on. (5 days, from $780 USD)
- African American Group Tour: Egypt & Nubia Heritage Journey, A private, all-inclusive group journey through Egypt and Nubia, designed for African American travelers, sororities, church families and friend crews. (8 days, from $1390 USD)