Abu Simbel Tours, Temples & Visitor Guide
Everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Ramesses II's great temples — what to see, how to get there from Aswan, the Sun Festival, and private Egyptologist-guided day tours that handle the long desert journey for you.
What to See at Abu Simbel
Two temples, a solar miracle, and one of history's greatest rescue stories — here is what makes the journey worth it.
Great Temple of Ramesses II
Four 20-metre colossal statues of Ramesses II guard the façade carved into the mountainside — the most imposing temple front in Egypt.
Temple of Hathor & Nefertari
The smaller temple, dedicated by Ramesses II to his queen Nefertari — a rare honour, with statues of the queen the same height as the king.
The Sun Festival
Twice a year (around 22 February and 22 October) the rising sun aligns through the temple to illuminate the inner sanctuary — a 3,200-year-old feat of solar engineering.
Battle of Kadesh Reliefs
The interior walls record Ramesses II’s campaigns in vivid carved detail, including the famous Battle of Kadesh.
Lake Nasser Setting
The temples sit dramatically above the blue waters of Lake Nasser, near the Sudanese border — one of Egypt’s most photogenic sites.
The UNESCO Rescue
In the 1960s the entire complex was cut into blocks and relocated 65m higher to save it from the rising Aswan High Dam reservoir — an engineering legend you can still see seams of.
Plan Your Visit
Getting There
Abu Simbel is about 280km (a 3–3.5 hour drive) south-west of Aswan, or a short 45-minute flight. Most visitors come on a day trip from Aswan with an early start; we arrange private A/C transfers or flights.
Tickets
A single entry ticket covers both temples (the Great Temple and the Temple of Hathor). The evening Sound & Light Show is a separate ticket. We include the right tickets in every private tour.
Opening Hours & Timing
The site is generally open daily from around 5:00am to 6:00pm. Arrive early to see the colossi in soft morning light and before the midday heat and tour buses.
Visit Hassle-Free
The long desert journey, early start, and ticketing are best handled for you. A private Egyptologist guide turns the trip into a smooth, story-rich day rather than a logistics puzzle.
Private Abu Simbel & Aswan Tours
Hand-picked Aswan and Abu Simbel experiences with licensed Egyptologist guides, tickets handled, and private transfers or flights.
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Abu Simbel FAQ
Where is Abu Simbel and how far is it from Aswan?+
Abu Simbel sits on the shore of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt, about 280km (roughly a 3 to 3.5-hour drive) south-west of Aswan, close to the Sudanese border. It is most often visited as a day trip from Aswan.
How do you get to Abu Simbel from Aswan?+
You can reach Abu Simbel by road (a private or convoy drive of about 3–3.5 hours each way) or by a short 45-minute domestic flight. Our private Aswan tours arrange comfortable A/C transfers or flights with a licensed Egyptologist guide.
When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?+
The Sun Festival happens twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, when the rising sun shines through the temple to light up the statues in the inner sanctuary. These are the busiest, most spectacular days to visit.
How much do Abu Simbel tickets cost?+
A single entry ticket covers both the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor; the evening Sound & Light Show is ticketed separately. Prices are set by the Ministry of Tourism and change periodically, so we include the correct tickets in every private tour and keep them current for you.
Can you go inside the Abu Simbel temples?+
Yes — both temples are open to enter, with the famous interior halls and reliefs of the Great Temple and the elegant sanctuary of the Temple of Hathor. A guide explains the carvings outside; photography rules apply inside.
Is a guided Abu Simbel tour worth it?+
Given the distance, early start, and the depth of history, a private Egyptologist-guided tour is the easiest and most rewarding way to visit — transfers, tickets, and timing are handled so you focus on one of the ancient world’s great monuments.
Want the full history and the relocation story? Read our in-depth Abu Simbel guide.