Unforgettable Abu Simbel Tour from Aswan – Discover the Temples of Ramses II

Your Abu Simbel tour begins early in the morning as your professional Egyptologist guide meets you at your hotel in Aswan. Travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle through the serene Nubian Desert, enjoying peaceful views of the sunrise over the golden sands. During the drive—approximately three hours—your guide will share the story of Ramses II, the powerful pharaoh who ruled during Egypt’s New Kingdom and ordered the construction of the two great temples at Abu Simbel over 3,000 years ago.

Upon arrival, you’ll immediately be struck by the majesty of the site. The Abu Simbel tour takes you first to the Great Temple of Ramses II, where four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh guard the entrance. Each statue rises nearly 20 meters high, carved directly into the sandstone cliff. Step inside to explore the temple’s corridors and halls, beautifully decorated with carvings that depict scenes of battle, divine offerings, and Ramses’ relationship with the gods.

Your guide will explain how the temple’s orientation aligns perfectly with the sun—allowing light to illuminate the inner sanctuary twice a year, on dates believed to mark the king’s coronation and birthday. While this rare solar phenomenon occurs only on specific days and isn’t part of the standard tour, learning about it adds an intriguing glimpse into the advanced astronomical knowledge of ancient Egyptians.

Continue your Abu Simbel tour by visiting the nearby Temple of Queen Nefertari, built in honor of Ramses’ beloved wife and dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the symbol of love, beauty, and music. The temple’s façade displays six statues—four of Ramses and two of Nefertari—standing side by side in equal height, a rare artistic tribute to the queen’s importance. Inside, the walls are adorned with delicate reliefs showing the royal couple worshiping the gods, surrounded by vibrant, timeless art.

Before leaving, your guide will tell the remarkable story of how these temples were saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. In the 1960s, the Egyptian government and UNESCO launched an ambitious international campaign to cut both temples into massive blocks and reassemble them on higher ground—a groundbreaking engineering achievement that preserved these treasures for future generations.

After exploring, taking memorable photos, and enjoying free time to admire the panoramic view of Lake Nasser, your Abu Simbel tour concludes with a comfortable drive back to Aswan. You’ll return filled with admiration for Egypt’s ancient past and the incredible human effort that continues to protect it.