Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan: Private car tour with guide

Two temples carved into the same cliff face, one built for a pharaoh and one for his wife.

A private car tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt's most remote ancient monuments, carved into rock by Ramses II around 1250 BC. You drive south for three hours in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and return, then explore the Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari with a guide who walks you through the history and symbolism of both structures. The tour runs nine hours total and suits travelers who want the temples without arranging their own transport.

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
• Explore Temple of Ramses II
• Explore Temple of Queen Nefertari
• Learn about Ramesses II and Nefertari
• Drive back to hotel in Aswan

The experience

The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes three hours south along the Nile valley. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and drives you in an air-conditioned car to reach the temples by mid-morning. The two temples sit side by side, carved directly into the mountainside: the larger one dedicated to Ramses II and the four universal gods (Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and Ramses II himself), and the smaller one built for Queen Nefertari, who was also honored as the goddess Hathor. The Egyptian government and UNESCO worked together to preserve these temples from flooding, making them a rare example of an ancient monument saved through international cooperation.

Ramses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BC, is regarded as ancient Egypt's greatest pharaoh, and the Abu Simbel temples reflect his power and architectural ambition. The Temple of Ramses II is also called the Sun Temple because of its alignment with the sun. Nefertari, whose name means "beautiful companion," was highly educated and could read and write hieroglyphs: an uncommon skill even for royalty at the time. She used these abilities in diplomatic correspondence with other kingdoms, and Ramses honored her by building her temple at Abu Simbel next to his own monumental structure. Your guide explains the symbolism of both temples and how they were designed to bring Ramses II, Nefertari, Hathor, and the sun god together as one.

After exploring both temples, you return to Aswan by car, arriving back at your hotel in the late afternoon. The tour includes bottled water and all transport in a modern vehicle. Depending on which option you choose at checkout, you can add a guide, entry fees, or lunch. A live guide is available in English, Spanish, German, or Arabic.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• hotel pickup and return transport in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
• a private car for the full journey. Depending on the option you select, you can add a live guide at the temples, entry fees, or lunch.

Options for this experience

4 options

Private car with driver onlyGuide in 4 languages · 07:00 and 08:00Only a private car with driver, pickup included

Private car with tour guideGuide in 4 languages · 07:00 and 08:00Private car and tour guide, pickup included

Car, tour guide and entry feesGuide in 4 languages · 07:00 and 08:00Entry fees, car and tour guide, with pickup included

Car+Guide+Entry Fees+LunchGuide in 4 languages · 07:00 and 08:00Lunch, car, guide and entry fees, with pickup 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 dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Egipto Excursiones

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to reach Abu Simbel without renting a car or navigating the long drive yourself. The private vehicle means you travel on your own schedule and can spend as much time at each temple as you want, with a guide available if you prefer explanation over independent exploration.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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 280 kilometers south of Aswan, a drive of approximately three hours each way in the air-conditioned vehicle.

What are the two temples at Abu Simbel and who were they built for?

The Temple of Ramses II, also called the Sun Temple, was dedicated to the pharaoh and four universal gods. The Temple of Nefertari was built for his wife, who was honored as the goddess Hathor. Both are carved into the same cliff face side by side.

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

The Egyptian government and UNESCO cooperated to save the temples from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temples were relocated to higher ground to preserve them as ancient monuments.

What made Queen Nefertari notable in ancient Egypt?

Nefertari was highly educated and could read and write hieroglyphs, a rare skill at the time. She used these abilities to conduct diplomatic correspondence with other royal courts, and her lavishly decorated tomb in the Valley of the Queens is one of the largest and most spectacular ever built.

Can I choose whether to have a guide on this tour?

Yes. You can book the private car with a driver alone, or add a live guide in English, Spanish, German, or Arabic at checkout, along with entry fees or lunch if you prefer.