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This abu simbel day trip takes you from Aswan to the most dramatic ancient temples in Egypt — the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari, carved from the living sandstone cliffs above Lake Nasser in the 13th century BC. Saved from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam in one of history’s greatest engineering rescues, Abu Simbel is unlike any other place on earth. This private excursion is guided by a licensed Egyptologist who will bring the colossal facades and interior chambers to life.
Abu Simbel is 280 km south of Aswan. We offer two transport options for your abu simbel day trip:
Four colossal seated statues of Ramesses II — each 20 metres tall — guard the entrance to this rock-cut temple, built to project pharaonic power south toward Nubia and north toward Egypt. Inside, eight more Ramesses statues line the hypostyle hall, and walls covered in battle reliefs record the famous Battle of Kadesh (1274 BC) in extraordinary detail. The innermost sanctuary holds statues of Ramesses II flanked by three gods — designed so that twice a year (21 February and 21 October) the rising sun illuminates all four figures simultaneously. Your guide explains the astronomical alignment, the UNESCO rescue operation, and the full history of this extraordinary abu simbel day trip destination.
Standing beside the Great Temple, the smaller Temple of Nefertari is dedicated to Ramesses’ chief wife and the goddess Hathor. It is the only Egyptian temple ever built by a pharaoh to honour his queen as a deity — a gesture of extraordinary devotion. The interior paintings are among the most vivid and well-preserved in all of Egypt, and the facade statues (alternating Ramesses and Nefertari figures) are uniquely graceful. No abu simbel day trip is complete without spending time inside both temples.
The abu simbel day trip by flight departs Aswan at approximately 6:30am and returns by 1:00pm. The road option departs at 3:30am and returns by 3:00pm. Available daily. Best season: October through April — summer temperatures at Abu Simbel can exceed 45°C. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Elias Tours Egypt is a professional licensed tour operator. Our abu simbel day trip is completely private — your guide, your schedule. Explore our Egypt Tour Packages, browse Egypt Activities, read about Egyptian Culture, or contact us via our contact page. More at Egyptian Tourism Authority.
By flight: 5-6 hours total (45 min flight each way + 2 hours at the temples). By road: 11-12 hours total (3.5 hr drive each way + 2 hours at the temples).
The flight is faster and more comfortable. The road trip is an adventure — the pre-dawn desert convoy is atmospheric and the sunrise arrival is magical. Both options give you the same 2 hours at the temples.
Yes, with a connecting flight via Aswan or Luxor. Contact us for a Cairo–Abu Simbel itinerary. Most visitors combine Abu Simbel with a Nile cruise or multi-day tour.
The solar alignment illuminates the inner sanctuary on 21 February (Ramesses II’s coronation) and 21 October (his birthday). These dates draw large crowds — book well in advance for the abu simbel day trip on those days.
Daily Tour
15 people
English
| # | Discount group | From adult | To adult | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solo (1 Guest) | 1 | 1 | 0% |
| 2 | Small Group (2-3) | 2 | 3 | 20% |
| 3 | Group (4-5) | 4 | 5 | 35% |
| 4 | Group (6-10) | 6 | 10 | 45% |
| 5 | Large Group (11-15) | 11 | 15 | 50% |
| # | Discount group | From children | To children | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solo (1 Guest) | 1 | 1 | 0% |
| 2 | Small Group (2-3) | 2 | 3 | 20% |
| 3 | Group (4-5) | 4 | 5 | 35% |
| 4 | Group (6-10) | 6 | 8 | 45% |
| 5 | Large Group (11-15) | 9 | 15 | 50% |
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