Abu Simbel Temples tour from Aswan: Fly to the colossal statues

Colossal statues carved into the mountain, seen from the air and explored on foot

A full-day tour from Aswan that combines a domestic flight to Abu Simbel Temples with guided exploration of the site's colossal statues, hieroglyphics and reliefs. You fly over the Nile and desert, land at Abu Simbel, and spend the morning and early afternoon walking through the intricately decorated temples before returning to Aswan by air. Entry, lunch, and a professional guide in English are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Abu Simbel Temples6h · entry included
2. Aswan Market2h

Visit Abu Simbel Temples by Air

• Pick up at Aswan airport
• Fly over Nile and desert to Abu Simbel
• Explore Abu Simbel temples and statues
• Admire hieroglyphics and reliefs
• Return flight to Aswan
• Enjoy meal at local restaurant or packed lunch

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at Aswan airport and a flight south over the Nile and desert to Abu Simbel. When you land, the imposing statues of Ramses II carved into the mountainside come into view: the site's defining feature and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. You then explore the temples on foot with a professional guide, moving through chambers decorated with hieroglyphics and vivid reliefs that tell stories of gods, battles and the pharaoh's divine legacy. The scale and detail of the carvings reward close attention, and the guide's knowledge anchors what you see to the history behind it.

Lunch happens either at a local restaurant in Abu Simbel or as a packed meal during the flight, depending on the day's schedule. The return flight to Aswan leaves in the afternoon, giving you roughly four to five hours on the ground at the temples. Because the tour moves by air rather than by road, the eight-hour day includes minimal travel time and maximizes your hours at the site itself. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned during any ground transfers.

What’s included

• All entry fees to Abu Simbel Temples.
• domestic flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel and return.
• lunch at a local restaurant or packed meal during the flight.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned ground transport.
• professional guide in English.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 3M Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to maximize temple time over travel time: the round-trip flights get you there and back in one day, leaving you several hours to explore the colossal statues on foot rather than spending most of your day in transit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

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

What are the colossal statues at Abu Simbel made of?

The statues of Ramses II are carved directly into the mountainside rock, not built separately and placed there. The entire temple complex was hewn from the natural stone, which is why the statues rise so dramatically from the cliff face and have survived intact for over three thousand years.

How much time do I spend actually at Abu Simbel on this tour?

You have roughly four to five hours on the ground at the temples after landing, which gives you time to walk through the decorated chambers, examine the hieroglyphics and reliefs, and absorb the scale of the site without feeling rushed.

Is the flight included in the price, or do I pay extra for it?

The domestic flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back are included in the tour price. The operator books them based on current airline schedules, so the exact departure times may vary slightly depending on the day you book.

Can I bring an infant on this tour?

Infants can travel on the tour. They are required to sit on an adult's lap during the flights, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. Mention this when you book.