Egypt · UNESCO Heritage Sites

10-Hour Abu Simbel Temples Tour from Aswan with UNESCO Rescue Story

10 Hours Round trip from Aswan Moderate pace

The Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel
02 Visit the Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
03 Learn how UNESCO relocated the temples to save them from flooding
04 Admire the monumental facade and ancient carvings of this 3,000-year-old site
05 Travel through the desert south of Aswan to Abu Simbel

Discover the Nubian Monuments of Abu Simbel on a full-day journey from Aswan through the desert to one of Egypt's most remarkable archaeological sites. Explore the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari, admire scenes of the Battle of Kadesh, and learn about the extraordinary UNESCO rescue project that relocated the temples to protect them from flooding. This tour also includes lunch at a good local restaurant before returning to Aswan.

At the visitors center, learn about the UNESCO initiative to move both temples to a plateau on the cliffs to protect them from flooding.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Aswan, Abu Simbel

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Abu Simbel Temples and UNESCO Rescue Story

Connect with your tour guide, who will pick you up from your Aswan accommodation and drive south past local villages through the desert to the city of Abu Simbel.
Explore the Nubian Monuments. Around 3,000 years ago, Ramses II built these monumental temples for himself and his beloved wife, Nefertari. The walls are adorned with scenes of his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. The facade of the Great Temple is 35 m high and 30 m long. On February 22 and October 22, sunlight penetrates the inner sanctuary to illuminate three statues at the back wall. Only the fourth statue of Ptah, God of the Underworld, remains in darkness.
Visit the Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari.
At the visitors center, learn about the UNESCO initiative to move both temples to a plateau on the cliffs to protect them from flooding. The temples were dismantled and moved 60 m up the cliff from where they initially stood.
Have lunch in a good local restaurant.
Transfer back to your Aswan accommodation.

Tour ends.