Day Trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan by coach

From
$95.00
Duration
9 Hours
Tour Type
Egypt Private Tours

Awards & Recognitions

Tour Details

	Duration	9 hours
	Tour Schedule	Daily
	Tour Location	Abu Simbel
	Pickup & Drop Off	Your Hotel in Aswan

Embark on a fascinating journey with our trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan, where you’ll explore the extraordinary rock-carved temples that grace the banks of Lake Nasser. Join us for an early morning adventure, departing from Aswan in a modern air-conditioned coach.

Your private guide, ready to enhance your experience, will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan at 04:30 A.M. The three-hour drive south will be a comfortable ride in your own private air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring a personalized tour of Abu Simbel.

These two majestic rock-cut temples, constructed during the reign of the great Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, stand as architectural masterpieces of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Dedicated to Ramses II and his wife, Nefertari, these temples faced relocation due to the construction of Aswan’s High Dam. In a collaborative effort between the Egyptian government and UNESCO, both temples were saved from the flood, preserving their historical significance.

Your guide will lead you to the Great Temple, also known as the Sun Temple, honoring Ramses II and dedicated to him and four other gods. Additionally, you’ll explore the smaller temple dedicated to his wife Nefertari, also recognized as the Temple of Hathor. As a qualified Egyptologist, your guide will delve into the intricacies of the rock-cut carvings and statuary, offering insights into the temples’ preservation from the flood.

After spending approximately two hours at these awe-inspiring temples, you’ll return to Aswan, arriving at around 12:30 PM. This private tour ensures a comprehensive and personalized exploration of Abu Simbel’s cultural treasures.

Tour Included

Pick up service from your hotel in Aswan and return.
Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
Entrance fees to the mentioned historical places.
All transfers by a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
Bottled water on board your vehicle.
All service charges and taxes.

Tour Exclude

Any extras not mentioned in the program.
Tipping

Tour Itinerary

Attractions highlight:

Abu Simbel Temples
The Abu Simbel Temples, ranking among the most famous in all of Egypt after the Giza Pyramids, stand as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture and the enduring legacy of Pharaoh Ramses II and his wife, Nefertari. Here’s more about these remarkable twin temples:
1. Construction:
Built during the 13th century BC, during the reign of Ramses II, the Abu Simbel Temples are rock-cut structures carved into the mountainside on the west bank of the Nile. They were constructed to honor Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari.
2. Purpose:
The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, also known as the Sun Temple, is dedicated to Ramses II and is adorned with colossal statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne. The smaller temple is dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, representing a rare example of a temple dedicated to a queen.
3. Architectural Marvel:
The temples are renowned for their architectural brilliance and the colossal statues that guard the entrance. The façade of the Great Temple features four colossal statues of Ramses II, each reaching a height of about 20 meters. The interior is adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Ramses II’s reign.
4. Relocation:
Due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the subsequent flooding of Lake Nasser, the temples faced the threat of submersion. In a remarkable feat of engineering and international collaboration led by UNESCO, the temples were relocated in the 1960s to higher ground to preserve their historical and cultural significance.
5. Solar Alignment:
The orientation of the Great Temple is designed so that twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd, the rising sun illuminates the inner sanctum, highlighting the statues of the gods seated within, including a statue of Ramses II himself.

Visiting the Abu Simbel Temples offers a captivating journey into ancient Egyptian history, art, and engineering prowess, showcasing the enduring legacy of Ramses II and the dedication to preserving Egypt’s cultural treasures.