Abu Simbel Private Tour From Aswan: Skip the Crowds

Two ancient temples, one private guide, no shared minibus.

A private day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes you 180 kilometers south to Egypt's most remote temples on a single morning and afternoon. Your guide meets you at your hotel, drives you in air-conditioned comfort, and spends three hours walking you through the Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari while you ask as many questions as you want. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, water and snacks are included. The itinerary can shift if you need a comfort stop or want to linger at one temple longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Abu Simbel tour from Aswan

• Pickup from hotel in Aswan
• Drive 3 hours to Abu Simbel
• Visit Abu Simbel temples for 3 hours
• Return drive to Aswan
• Drop off at hotel in Aswan

The experience

The drive south from Aswan takes about three hours each way, which is why most first-time visitors skip Abu Simbel altogether. A private tour removes the logistics: your guide collects you from your hotel at the time you choose, handles the entrance fees, and drives you in an air-conditioned vehicle so the heat and the road do not wear you down before you arrive. The two temples sit on the bank of Lake Nasser, saved from flooding decades ago when the Egyptian government and UNESCO moved them stone by stone to higher ground. A feat of engineering that becomes visible the moment you stand in front of them.

The Temple of Ramses II dominates the site. Four colossal statues of the pharaoh sit carved into the cliff face, and inside, the temple opens into chambers decorated with hieroglyphics and reliefs that tell the story of Ramses' reign and his connection to the sun god Re. Across a short walk stands the Temple of Nefertari, smaller and dedicated to the queen and the goddess Hathor. The two temples were positioned so that the sun aligns with the inner sanctum on specific days of the year. Your guide walks you through both, pointing out details a solo visitor would miss and answering questions as you go. You spend roughly three hours at the site, with time to rest in the shade or move at your own pace.

The return journey follows the same route back to Aswan. Bottled water and snacks are provided during the drive, and you can ask the driver to stop whenever you need a break. Because the tour is private, the schedule bends to you: if you want to spend an extra half-hour at one temple or need to sit down, there is no group waiting. Hotel drop-off happens in the late afternoon, and the full day (drive, temples, return) takes about eight hours from pickup to your door.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to both temples.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Aswan.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• private qualified guide in your chosen language.
• bottled water and snacks during the drive.
• all taxes and fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Car-only option to Abu SimpleGuide in 9 languages · 12 departure times: the first at 04:30, the last at 10:00Car-only option without a guide; this means no guide and no entrance fees. Includes a private car, snacks and water; pickup is included

Private simple trip to AbuGuide in 9 languages · 10 departure times: the first at 04:30, the last at 09:00Full private trip: a private tour guide, a private modern air-conditioned vehicle, snacks and water; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 04:30, the last at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Egypt Tours Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Abu Simbel without renting a car or joining a group. The private guide means you set the pace and ask questions without holding anyone back, and the air-conditioned transport makes the long drive manageable. The fixed pickup time and included fees mean the day is arranged before you leave your hotel, so you spend the morning and afternoon on the temples instead of on logistics.

Traveler reviews

4.53★★★★★★★★★★

96 verified traveler reviews

5 ★76

4 ★8

3 ★3

2 ★5

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan, and how long does the drive take?

Abu Simbel lies about 180 kilometers south of Aswan, and the drive takes roughly three hours each way in an air-conditioned vehicle. The round-trip drive and three hours at the temples make up the full eight-hour day.

What are the two temples at Abu Simbel, and what will I see inside them?

The Temple of Ramses II features four colossal statues of the pharaoh carved into the cliff and interior chambers with hieroglyphics and reliefs depicting his reign and connection to the sun god. The Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the queen and the goddess Hathor, sits nearby and is positioned so that sunlight aligns with its inner sanctum on specific days of the year.

Is the tour flexible if I want to spend more time at one temple or need a rest stop?

Yes. Because this is a private tour, the itinerary can shift to your needs. You can linger longer at either temple, and the driver will stop for comfort breaks whenever you ask during the drive.

What is included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes entrance fees to both temples, hotel pickup and drop-off in Aswan, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a private guide, bottled water and snacks. Bring sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes. The temples have some shaded areas but much of the site is exposed.

Do I need to arrange anything before the tour, or is everything handled for me?

You need to provide a copy of your passport photo during the booking process. Everything else (transport, entry, the guide) is arranged. The driver picks you up from your hotel at your chosen time and handles all the details.