As a local Egyptian solo female traveler, I was low-key ashamed that it took me so long to finally cross the Abu Simbel tour off my bucket list. Aswan is one of the destinations that hold a special place in my heart, but every time I visited, I couldn’t make time for a day trip to Abu Simbel and I kept telling myself I’d do it “next time”. On my last trip, when I went all the way to Luxor to cross another experience off my bucket list, I thought I might as well extend my trip and go to Aswan so I could finally pay a visit to the stunning Abu Simbel Temples.
In this read, I’ll tell you all about the spellbinding destination and why you must include the Abu Simbel tour in your Egypt itinerary. Especially if it’s your first trip to Egypt–don’t wait as long as I did–the long drive is absolutely worth it! Read along to know how to plan the perfect Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan.
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About Abu Simbel
The Abu Simbel Temples are located in Nubia, in Aswan governorate, near Egypt’s southern border. King Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty cut into the existing rock formations to build the world-famed temples. The main temple is known for its iconic facade where the 4 colossal seated statues are located; 2 on each side of the entrance. Below their feet, there are small figures representing the king’s family. You can also see fragments of one of the colossal statues on the ground as a result of an ancient earthquake.
On the inside, there are 3 interconnected halls and detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls, including battle scenes from Ramses’ victory at the Battle of Kadesh. There are more colossal statues of Ramses posing as Osiris, lined up and leading to the innermost sanctuary, where the 4 deities are sitting: Amun Ra, Ra Horakhty, Ptah, and a deified version of Ramses II.
A smaller temple, also rock-cut, sits to the north of it. However, this one is dedicated to Ramses II’s wife, Queen Nefertari, and Hathor, the goddess of the sky, women, fertility, and love. On the facade are 6 colossal statues of the king and queen.
Abu Simbel’s Relocation
The construction of the High Dam posed a threat to submerge the Abu Simbel Temples. So, in 1968, the temples were carefully dismantled and relocated to a higher ground just like the Philae Temple. And almost a decade later, in the late 70s, Abu Simbel was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to Book the Abu Simbel Tour
There are tons of tour operators and travel agencies in Aswan that will offer to take you to Abu Simbel, but how to know which ones are the best? In a touristy country like Egypt, the abundance of options can be overwhelming. What I personally recommend, and what I’ve done myself, is reading reviews online. Look at what other explorers, especially solo travelers if you’re venturing alone, are saying online about tour operators. Aside from platforms like TripAdvisor and Yelp, travelers will be reviewing specific experiences on booking platforms like Get Your Guide, Viator, and Klook–these are some of my favorites.
Here are some of the Abu Simbel tours online with the best ratings:
- Abu Simbel Private Full-Day Tour from Aswan on Viator
- Private Tour To Abu Simbel From Aswan By Private Car on Viator
- From Aswan: Abu Simbel Temple Day Trip with Hotel Pickup on Get Your Guide
- If you’re traveling from Luxor: Luxor: Abu Simbel Temple Private Guided Day Trip with Lunch on Get Your Guide
What the Abu Simbel Tour Typically Consists Of
A day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel will require an entire morning as the drive to the archaeological site will take approximately 3-4 hours–so there are 6 hours wasted just on the road. That said, expect a very early hotel pickup. I guarantee you it’s absolutely worth it, though!
- Early morning pick-up: Aside from the long drive, it’s best to go as early as possible to beat the crowds. Expect to be picked up as early as 3 to 4 AM, which depends on the driver’s route, if it’s not a private tour and you’re sharing it with others. For instance, I was picked up around 4 AM; however, I was the last person to be picked up from a small group of 5 as I was staying in the Nubian village.
P.S. If you’re not staying in Aswan, the city, and you’re staying elsewhere, expect an extra cost for an extra means of transportation like a speedboat or a motor tricycle. For example, the mini-bus couldn’t pick me up from the Nubian village of Gharb Seheil as it would’ve wasted the entire group a lot of time and the road wasn’t really mini-bus-friendly. So, a motor tricycle picked me up and dropped me off at another pick-up point so I could join my group.
- 3-hour ride to Abu Simbel: If you can sleep in a moving vehicle, that’s great, because this is your only chance to recharge for your Abu Simbel tour. Expect to be woken up by a stunning sunrise–take it in and snack on your packed breakfast as you’ll have a long day ahead of you.
- Meeting your guide: Your driver will drop you off at the parking lot right outside the Abu Simbel Temples, and there, you’ll meet your tour guide. On your way inside, you’ll make a stop at the ticket office to purchase your ticket(s) as they’re often not included in the Abu Simbel tour itself.
- Quick history lesson: Upon your arrival in front of the Abu Simbel Temples, your tour guide will tell you all about the temples’ history and what you’ll see inside. This is to save time spent inside each temple so you wouldn’t overcrowd the site.
- Exploring the temples: Afterwards, your guide will give you some free time to explore at your own pace. Generally, the main temple will require 30 minutes and the small temple will take around 15 minutes (photography time included).
- Back to Aswan: Depending on the agreed time for regrouping you might have some time for souvenir shopping on your way out–you can also buy snacks or use the restroom if you need to. Then, you’ll head back to Aswan and will probably arrive sometime between 1 and 2:30 PM, depending on your tour’s itinerary and route.
The Best Times to Visit Abu Simbel
Winter months are the best time to go on the Abu Simbel tour, or visit Aswan, in general, as it’s in the most southern, and hottest, part of Egypt. So, December through February are the best months to visit, weather-wise, but bear in mind that this is also the peak season.
If you’re traveling to Egypt in October or February, then make sure you plan your trip with the solar alignment in mind. You see, twice every year, on the 22nd of October and the 22nd of February, the sun penetrates the Temple of Abu Simbel, illuminating the inner sanctuary.
P.S. Tickets are more expensive on these 2 days. See below.
Fun fact: Before relocating the temple, the solar alignment took place on the 21st of October and February, instead of the 22nd.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to witness the solar alignment even though I went on the 21st of February! Due to some circumstances, I had to make some changes to my travel plans so I left Aswan later on the 21st, a couple of days earlier than I originally planned.
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Practical Information About Your Abu Simbel Tour
Opening Hours
The site is open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM (last entry at 4 PM). However, bear in mind that in Ramadan, entry is from 7 AM to 3 PM.
Tickets
Ticket Prices All Year Long
- Foreign adults: EGP 750
- Foreign students: EGP 375
- Egyptian/Arab adults: EGP 30
- Egyptian/Arab students: EGP 10
Ticket Prices on October 22nd and February 22nd
- Foreign adults: EGP 1,200
- Foreign students: EGP 600
- Egyptian/Arab adults: EGP 60
- Egyptian/Arab students: EGP 20
P.S. Prices are always subject to change due to inflation or other economic factors.
Tips to Make the Best Out of Your Abu Simbel Tour
- The earlier you start your Abu Simbel tour, the better. If you can start as early as right after sunrise, do so. The site is often overcrowded with tourists and that can ruin your experience, especially if you have to deal with entitled tourists like I did–that’s the worst kind!
- Don’t forget to pack breakfast, since you’ll miss it at the hotel, as well as snacks for the long day. There’s a cafeteria there, but I don’t recommend you rely on that as you’ll be overcharged for everything. If you inform your hotel that you’re going on the Abu Simbel tour, they will most likely pack you a breakfast box in the morning–it’s a common thing in Aswan.
- Make sure you bring a hat and apply (and reapply) sunscreen so you won’t get a heatstroke. Speaking of which, also pack a large water bottle to stay hydrated.
- As you walk out of the site, you’ll be forced to walk through souvenir shops. If you don’t want to be overcharged or stopped by vendors every few seconds, walk in the exit direction without letting your eyes wander, be assertive, and it’s best if you learn a couple of helpful Arabic phrases. “Laa Shokran” is “no, thank you” and “Khalas” is “enough!”
The Abu Simbel tour is more than just ticking off another historic site–it’s walking into a masterpiece of ancient engineering. The world-renowned temples are a tribute to power and a testament to the great lengths we’re willing to go to preserve our history. So, whether you find yourself drawn to the sheer grandeur of the site, the magnetic spiritual aura in its halls, or its fascinating story, Abu Simbel is a truly wonderful experience you will never forget.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
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Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Get Your Guide, Viator, Tiqets, or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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You might also like:
- An Authentic Stay in the Nubian Village: Hadouta Masreya Review
- Sleeper Train, Talgo Train, or Flight – How to Go to Luxor/Aswan?
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
