The long road south
Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan
Ramses II's rock temples on Lake Nasser, three and a half hours south of Aswan.
This Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan takes you to the two temples Ramses II cut into the rock above Lake Nasser, near Egypt's southern border. They were built to impress anyone arriving from the south with the power of the king.
The drive from Aswan takes about three and a half hours each way through the desert. Departures run daily between 5 am and 9 am. The earliest start reaches the temples first; a later start trades the dawn light for a quieter visit as the morning groups leave. Tell us which you prefer.
At the Great Temple, four colossal seated statues of Ramses II guard the entrance, and inside, the halls lead to a sanctuary aligned with the sun. Beside it stands the smaller temple of Hathor, built for Queen Nefertari. Your guide explains both, and the story of how UNESCO cut the temples into blocks and rebuilt them on higher ground in the 1960s, when the Aswan High Dam flooded their original site.
Seven hours of the day are spent on the road. That is the price of Abu Simbel by land, and it is worth knowing before you book.
- Travel time
- About 3.5 hours each way by road
- Time at sites
- Ask us: time at the temples depends on your departure slot
- Transport
- Round trip by air-conditioned vehicle
- Departure
- Daily, between 5:00 am and 9:00 am
- Meeting point
- Your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- Guide languages
- English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Best time to go
- A later departure for fewer people; the earliest one for the morning light
- Intensity
- Moderate
What the day includes
- The Great Temple of Ramses II
- The temple of Hathor and Nefertari
- The UNESCO rescue of the 1960s
- Lake Nasser
Places you visit
- Abu Simbel
- Great Temple of Ramses II
- Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
- Lake Nasser
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to the Abu Simbel temples
- Round-trip air-conditioned transfer
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Entrance tickets
- Included: Abu Simbel temples
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
- Tour format
- Private
How the day runs
05:00–09:00
Pickup in Aswan
Collection from your hotel or cruise at your chosen time.
Drive south
About three and a half hours through the desert.
Great Temple of Ramses II
The colossi, the halls and the sun-aligned sanctuary.
Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
The smaller temple beside it.
Return to Aswan
About three and a half hours back to your hotel or boat.
Questions about this tour
How long is the drive to Abu Simbel?
About three and a half hours each way from Aswan, so roughly seven hours on the road in a 10-hour day.
What time should I leave?
Departures run between 5 am and 9 am. The earliest arrives with the first light; a later slot usually means fewer people at the temples.
How much does it cost for my group?
Prices are per person and fall as the group grows: 1 person $200; 2–4 people $120 each; 5–7 people $117 each; 8–10 people $115 each. All prices are in US dollars.
What should I wear?
Light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice at every site; bring a hat, sunscreen and water.