Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan by Flight: Private Day Tour

Two temples, four colossal statues, and the story of how they were moved to save them from the lake

A private day tour from Aswan by flight to Abu Simbel, Egypt's most remote UNESCO World Heritage temples. You'll see Ramses II's rock-cut temple with its four 20-meter seated statues and the adjacent Temple of Hathor built for Queen Nefertari, both carved into sandstone cliffs over 3,200 years ago. Your Egyptologist guide explains the temples' astronomical alignment and the international rescue operation that relocated them in the 1960s to escape Lake Nasser's rising waters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Flight and visit to Abu Simbel temples

• Pickup from hotel or Nile cruise
• Scenic flight to Abu Simbel
• Explore Ramses II temple facade
• Visit interior halls with carvings
• See Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
• Learn about temple relocation
• Relax on return flight to Aswan
• Transfer back to hotel in Aswan

The experience

The flight from Aswan gets you to Abu Simbel in under an hour, which is why this tour works as a single day. You're picked up from your hotel or Nile cruise, flown to the temples with your private Egyptologist guide, and back by early afternoon. The two temples sit carved directly into the sandstone cliff: Ramses II's temple dominates with four colossal statues of the pharaoh, each 20 meters tall, flanking the entrance. Inside, the halls are lined with reliefs depicting his military victories and religious ceremonies. The neighboring Temple of Hathor, smaller and dedicated to his queen Nefertari, sits just beyond.

What sets these temples apart from every other pharaonic site in Egypt is their relocation. In the 1960s, when the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood them under Lake Nasser, an international team cut both temples into massive blocks, moved them 65 meters higher, and reassembled them on the new shoreline. Your guide walks you through how this was done and explains the temples' astronomical alignment: on certain days of the year, sunlight penetrates deep into Ramses II's inner sanctuary to illuminate the statues of the gods. It's engineering that rivals anything built in the modern era.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, bottled water, and the guide's commentary throughout. You'll need moderate fitness for walking the temple interiors and climbing some stairs, but there are no long hikes or strenuous climbs. The pace is set by your group alone, not a larger tour schedule.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Aswan accommodation.
• round-trip flight to Abu Simbel.
• air-conditioned minivan transport.
• private Egyptologist guide speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Your Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?The five- to six-hour duration means you leave early and return by mid-afternoon, fitting easily into a longer Aswan stay without consuming a full day. The private guide and small group size let you move at your own pace through the temples rather than following a larger tour schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan, and how do I get there?

Abu Simbel is about 280 kilometers south of Aswan. This tour flies you there by air-conditioned minivan to the airport and then by plane, making the journey roughly one hour each way. The flight is included in the price.

What are the four giant statues at Abu Simbel, and who do they represent?

The four colossal seated statues guard the entrance to Ramses II's temple. Each statue is 20 meters tall and depicts Ramses II himself, carved directly from the sandstone cliff. They were created over 3,200 years ago as monuments to his power and reign.

Why were the Abu Simbel temples moved, and when did that happen?

The temples were relocated in the 1960s when the Aswan High Dam's construction threatened to flood them under Lake Nasser. An international rescue operation cut both temples into blocks, moved them 65 meters higher, and rebuilt them on higher ground to preserve them for future generations.

What's inside the temples besides the statues?

The interior halls of Ramses II's temple are decorated with intricate carved reliefs showing his military victories, religious ceremonies, and scenes of the gods. The Temple of Hathor, dedicated to Queen Nefertari, contains similar carvings and is smaller in scale but equally detailed.

How long does the entire tour take, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs five to six hours total, including flights, ground transport, and time at the temples. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the air-conditioned minivan, bottled water, and your private Egyptologist guide are all included. Food, drinks beyond water, and gratuities are not included.