Egypt · UNESCO Heritage Sites

8-Hour Abu Simbel Temples Tour from Aswan with Private Egyptologist

8 Hours Round trip from Aswan Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the world-famous rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel
02 Learn how UNESCO and the Egyptian government relocated the temples to save them from flooding
03 Admire vast rock relief figures, painted battle scenes, and remarkable bas-reliefs
04 Visit the temples on the banks of Lake Nasser with a private guide from Aswan

Visit Abu Simbel from Aswan to explore the world-famous rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari on the banks of Lake Nasser. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with your private Aswan city tour guide and learn how these 13th-century BC monuments were relocated with the help of the Egyptian government and UNESCO to protect them from the rising waters of the Nile. Admire the vast rock relief figures, painted battle scenes, murals, pillars engraved with images of Hathor and Nefertari, and the incredible engineering that preserved the temples from flooding.

Arrive at the lakeside and take in the jaw-dropping spectacle of the temples, fronted by vast rock relief figures of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Aswan, Abu Simbel

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Aswan to Abu Simbel Temple Exploration

Meet your Aswan city tour guide at 4:00 am at your hotel in Aswan, then cross the desert in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Reach Abu Simbel to see the great temple of Ramses II and the temple of Queen Nefertari, both discovered in 1813 when they were almost entirely covered with sand.
Learn about the UNESCO project to relocate the temples in 1968, a move prompted by the building of the Aswan High Dam.
Arrive at the lakeside and take in the jaw-dropping spectacle of the temples, fronted by vast rock relief figures of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. See the mural depicting the famous victory of Ramses II at the Battle of Qadesh and admire the small temple he built for his favourite wife.
Marvel at the rock sanctuary and its incredible bas-reliefs. Learn how these giant structures were dismantled and then reassembled piece by piece - an incredible feat of engineering that has protected them from flooding.
Your tour ends here.

Where this trip takes you

Abu Simbel temples, Lake Nasser shoreline, Aswan desert crossing

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Aswan 2 cities · 8 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Expert Egyptologist tour guide
Private transportation by air-conditioned minivans
Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel

What's Not Included

Entrance fees/tickets for the temple
Tips/gratuities

Know before you go

Due to the high number of visitors, guides are not permitted to accompany you. However, your Abu Simbel tour guide will inform you about the interiors before you enter, so you can fully understand the treasures inside.

Logistics