Abu Simbel Temples day tour from Aswan: Private guide and entry

Two colossal temples carved into a cliff face, rescued from the Nile's flood and waiting 180 kilometers south.

A day tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel Temples with a private Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned minivan transport, hotel pickup and entrance fees. You drive south for three hours, spend around three hours exploring the Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari, then return to Aswan. The temples were relocated by UNESCO and the Egyptian government to save them from flooding, and they stand as masterpieces of ancient Egypt's New Kingdom.

Step-by-step itinerary

Abu Simbel Temples day tour

• Pick up from hotel in Aswan
• Drive 3 hours to Abu Simbel
• Visit Abu Simbel Temples for 3 hours
• Return drive to Aswan

The experience

How do you get to two temples carved into a cliff 180 kilometers away without renting a car or joining a crowd? A guide picks you up from your hotel in Aswan at a time you choose, and you travel south in an air-conditioned minivan with WiFi. The drive takes around three hours. Your Egyptologist guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of four other languages, and they travel with you the whole way.

The Temple of Ramses II, also called the Sun Temple, was dedicated to four universal gods (Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re), and to Ramses II himself. The Temple of Queen Nefertari was built for Hathor, the wife of the Sun God. You spend around three hours at the temples, walking the sites with your guide. Both temples were moved stone by stone in the 1960s when the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood them. UNESCO and the Egyptian government carried out the rescue together. The temples reflect the glory and grandeur of Egypt's New Kingdom, and their unique style makes them masterpieces of ancient architecture.

After three hours at the temples, you head back to Aswan. The full day runs ten hours from pickup to drop-off. Note that this tour requires police permission, which must be arranged before 6 PM the day before, so bookings cannot be confirmed after that time. The minivan is wheelchair accessible, and all areas of the temples are accessible as well. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan with WiFi.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Aswan.
• entrance fees to both temples.
• a private Egyptologist guide for the full day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private car with driver onlyGuide in 8 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 08:00Private car with driver only, includes pickup

Private car and tour guideGuide in 8 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 08:00Private car and tour guide, includes pickup

Private Car+Guide+Entry feesGuide in 8 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 08:00Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Lasts 10h, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 139 per person, with live guides in 8 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Upper Egypt Services

Is this one for you?Book the private car with guide and entry fees if you want everything arranged (transport, access and expert commentary) in one booking. If you prefer to pay for entry separately or travel with just a driver, those options are available at checkout.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What are the two temples at Abu Simbel, and why were they moved?

The Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari stand at Abu Simbel, carved into a cliff face. In the 1960s, UNESCO and the Egyptian government relocated both temples stone by stone to save them from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam. The Temple of Ramses II was dedicated to four universal gods and to Ramses II himself. The Temple of Nefertari was built for Hathor.

How long is the drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel, and how much time do I spend at the temples?

The drive south from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes around three hours in an air-conditioned minivan. You spend around three hours at the temples exploring both sites with your guide, then drive back to Aswan. The full day runs ten hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

Is the tour accessible for people in wheelchairs or traveling with infants?

Yes. The minivan is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces of the temples are accessible as well. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What's included in the tour, and what do I need to book separately?

Your booking includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan with WiFi, hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees to both temples, and a private Egyptologist guide for the full day. You choose at checkout whether to add entrance fees to your booking or arrange them separately. Gratuities for the guide are not included.