Abu Simbel Temples Private Tour from Aswan: Full Day with Pickup

Two temples carved into a cliff, a Nubian village, and nine hours to take it in without rushing

A private full-day tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel Temples with hotel pickup, air-conditioned van and driver included. The itinerary pairs three and a half hours each way by road with two hours at the temples themselves, then a stop at a Nubian village on the west bank before returning to your hotel. The guide uses local storytelling to frame what you're seeing, and the pacing leaves room for photography and personal exploration instead of moving the group through on a fixed schedule.

The experience

The van picks you up at 4 AM from your Aswan hotel: early enough to reach Abu Simbel while the light is still manageable for photographs. The drive covers three and a half hours each way across the desert, and the air conditioning stays on the whole time. If you're staying on Elephantine Island or the west side of Aswan, you'll arrange a motorboat to the east bank pickup point yourself. The tour operator handles everything else from there.

At Abu Simbel, you have about two hours to walk around the two temples and take pictures. The guide brings the history and the engineering into focus through storytelling rather than a rigid script, so you're learning as you go instead of standing still for a lecture. The temples themselves are carved directly into the cliff face. That's the scale you're standing in front of, and the time is yours to spend on whatever draws you: the colossal statues, the interior chambers, or the angles that work best for a photograph.

On the drive back to Aswan, the tour includes a stop at a Nubian village on the west bank. The pacing throughout is built to avoid the feeling of rushing. You're not cramming five stops into an afternoon, and the guide's focus on local perspectives means you're getting context about the places you're moving through, not just checking them off. Drop-off happens back at your hotel on the east side of Aswan.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Aswan.
• private air-conditioned van with driver for the full day.
• guide with local storytelling expertise.
• tourism police permission.
• visit to Abu Simbel Temples and a Nubian village on the return.

Information

Lasts 9h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 110 per person, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:30, 05:00 and 06:00

GroupUp to 8

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 44 pickup points.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Travel The Nile

Is this one for you?Your guide delivers the history and context through storytelling rather than a script, so you'll follow along comfortably whether you're interested in ancient architecture, photography or the local culture, and the relaxed pace means you're not racing through the temples or the village to stay on schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 9 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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 much of the day is spent driving?

Abu Simbel is about three and a half hours away by road each way, so six to seven hours of the nine-hour tour is travel time in the air-conditioned van. The remaining time is split between two hours at the temples and a stop at the Nubian village.

What exactly is there to see at Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel consists of two temples carved directly into a cliff face. The larger temple features four colossal statues at its entrance, and both temples contain interior chambers and detailed carvings. You'll have two hours to explore them at your own pace with the guide available to explain the history and significance.

Does the tour include entrance tickets to the temples?

The tour includes pickup, the van, the driver and the guide's commentary, but you'll purchase the Abu Simbel entrance ticket separately. Tourism police permission is included as part of the tour.

What time does the tour start, and when will I be back at my hotel?

Pickup happens at 4 AM from your Aswan hotel. The full tour runs nine hours, so you'll return to your hotel by early afternoon, depending on traffic and how much time you spend at each stop.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour. You'll want to bring snacks and water for the drive, and you can arrange a meal in a restaurant during the Nubian village stop or plan to eat after returning to Aswan.