Abu Simbel Private Tour from Aswan: Ramses II Temple

The temples were moved stone by stone in 1960 to save them from flooding, and the solar alignment still works.

A private tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel, Egypt's most extraordinary UNESCO site, with an Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup and return, and all transport by air-conditioned vehicle. The Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari sit a hundred meters apart on the mountainside, carved into rock the ancient Egyptians called "The Pure Mountain." You'll learn about the remarkable engineering that lets sunlight reach the sanctuary only twice a year, and the 1960 relocation that saved both temples from Lake Nasser's rising waters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan

• Pick up from Aswan hotel
• Drive 3.5 hours to Abu Simbel
• Explore Great Temple of Ramses II
• Visit Temple of Queen Nefertari
• Learn about temple relocation history
• Return drive to Aswan hotel

The experience

Abu Simbel lies three and a half hours south of Aswan by private air-conditioned vehicle. A hotel pickup gets you started early, and the drive itself is part of the day: bottled water comes with you. The Great Temple dominates the site: Ramses II built it mostly to honor himself, and inside a mural depicts his famous victory at the Battle of Kadesh. The temple was discovered buried under sand in 1813 and lay hidden until the Egyptian government and UNESCO moved it in 1960 to protect it from the Nasser Dam's floodwaters.

The Temple of Queen Nefertari sits just north of the Great Temple, a smaller but intricately carved sanctuary Ramses II built for his favorite wife. The facade holds six statues. Inside, the pillar hall and transverse hall lead to a small sanctuary with two adjacent rooms. The temple scenes show daily religious ceremonies: flowers being presented, wine poured, incense burned over offerings. A detail worth noting: Ramses II controlled the imagery here too, appearing in seventeen scenes compared to Nefertari's twelve, and he carved four statues for himself on the facade against two for his wife.

The solar alignment phenomenon is what makes Abu Simbel an engineering marvel. Twice a year, sunlight penetrates deep into the sanctuary: a feat of ancient Egyptian astronomy and architecture that still functions exactly as intended. After exploring both temples and learning their stories from your guide, you're driven back to your Aswan hotel, completing the day's journey.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• hotel pickup and return in Aswan.
• bottled water on board.
• professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the full day.
• all service charges and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (3 to 90 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 18

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Ragab

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want a dedicated Egyptologist guide to yourself rather than sharing one with a group, and if you need hotel pickup from Aswan to reach the site.

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Top questions

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 long is the drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel?

The drive is about three and a half hours each way by private air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water provided on board.

What's inside the Great Temple of Ramses II?

The Great Temple holds a mural depicting Ramses II's famous victory at the Battle of Kadesh, along with scenes honoring the pharaoh himself. The temple was buried under sand when discovered in 1813 and remained hidden until its relocation in 1960.

What is the solar alignment at Abu Simbel?

Sunlight reaches the sanctuary inside the Great Temple only twice each year, a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian engineering and astronomy that still works as designed thousands of years later.

Who was Queen Nefertari's temple built for?

The Temple of Queen Nefertari was built by Ramses II for his favorite wife among his many wives and concubines. Located a hundred meters north of the Great Temple, it features a facade with six statues and interior scenes of religious ceremonies.

What's included in the pickup and transport?

Hotel pickup and return in Aswan are included, along with all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water on board, and a professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the day.