The story behind Ramses II's colossal temples, how to get there from Aswan, and why the early start is worth it.
Abu Simbel means a very early alarm. Most visits leave Aswan before dawn, and the drive takes around three hours each way. So is it worth it? For most travelers, the answer is a clear yes. Here's why, and how to plan your visit.
What is Abu Simbel?
Abu Simbel is a pair of temples carved directly into a sandstone cliff by Pharaoh Ramses II more than 3,000 years ago, in Egypt's far south near the border with Sudan. The Great Temple honors Ramses himself, and its facade is guarded by four colossal seated statues of the king, each about 20 metres tall. The smaller temple beside it is dedicated to his queen, Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor, a rare honor for a queen in ancient Egypt.
Inside the Great Temple, halls lined with statues and carved scenes of Ramses' battles lead deep into the mountain to a sanctuary where the king sits among the gods.
The temples that were moved
Abu Simbel is famous for another reason, too. In the 1960s, the building of the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser, whose rising waters would have flooded the temples. In an international rescue campaign led by UNESCO, both temples were cut into huge blocks, moved to higher ground and reassembled exactly as they were. Standing before them today, it's hard to believe they were ever moved.
The sun festival
The temple was aligned so that, twice a year, the rising sun shines through the entrance and deep into the inner sanctuary, lighting up the statues inside. This happens around 22 February and 22 October, and these days draw large crowds. If your trip falls on these dates, it's a remarkable sight, but expect the site to be very busy.
How to get there from Aswan
Abu Simbel lies roughly 280 kilometres south of Aswan. Most visitors travel by road, leaving very early in the morning and arriving after about three hours, which means you reach the temples before the heat of the day. Short flights from Aswan are also available, at a higher cost. On a Nile cruise, the excursion usually takes place on the morning before or as the ship sails north, so you rejoin the cruise afterwards.
What to expect on the day
Expect an early start, a long but comfortable drive through the desert, and around two hours at the site with your guide. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, since there's little shade, and something warm for the early morning drive in winter, when the desert can be chilly before sunrise.
Is it worth it?
If you love ancient history, it's one of the highlights of Egypt. The scale of the statues, the story of their rescue and the remote desert setting make it unlike anywhere else in the country. If you're short on time or energy, it's the one major excursion you could skip without missing the core of Upper Egypt, but most travelers who go say it was worth every minute of lost sleep.
Tours that include Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is included in The Complete Egypt and Egypt's Living Heritage. On many of our other Nile tours, including Nile Odyssey and Wonders of the Nile, it's available as an optional excursion. For more on the cruise itself, read our Nile cruise guide.
