Abu Simbel Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Abu Simbel Tours & Trips

• What is the best time of day to visit Abu Simbel temples?

  The optimal visiting window is between 4:00-6:00 AM when the desert air is cool and visitor numbers are low. Tours typically leave Aswan at 4:00 AM making the 3-hour desert journey to reach the temples at sunrise. Visitors usually spend about 2 hours exploring both the Great Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Hathor. The morning light creates ideal conditions for photography and comfortable sightseeing before the desert heat intensifies. The Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort offers convenient accommodation for early access.

• How long does it take to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel?

  The desert journey spans 280 kilometers taking 3-3.5 hours each way by air-conditioned vehicle. Tours begin in the pre-dawn hours around 4:00 AM to maximize morning viewing time at the temples. Professional drivers navigate the well-maintained desert highway in modern buses or minivans. The actual temple visit takes about 2 hours allowing visitors to return to Aswan by early afternoon.

• What accommodation options are available near Abu Simbel?

  While most visitors base themselves in Aswan at properties like the Movenpick Resort or Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort provides rooms with Lake Nasser views for those wanting to stay closer to the temples. The manageable 3-hour drive from Aswan allows visitors to easily experience the temples as a day trip while enjoying Aswan's broader range of dining and accommodation choices.

• Is Abu Simbel included in most Nile cruise packages?

  Abu Simbel appears as an optional add-on for most Nile cruises though select luxury itineraries like the Nile Odyssey include it as standard. The excursion coordinates with cruise schedules departing from ships docked in Aswan early morning and returning in time for lunch onboard. This integration allows for a smooth experience while maintaining the regular cruise programming.

• What's unique about the Abu Simbel temples' location?

  The temples occupy a remarkable position 280 kilometers south of Aswan near Sudan carved into the mountainside. Their current location reflects an extraordinary 1960s engineering feat. The entire complex was cut into massive blocks and reassembled 65 meters higher to prevent flooding from Lake Nasser. This preservation effort saved one of Egypt's most significant archaeological treasures while maintaining its original grandeur and architectural integrity.

• What's the best way to avoid crowds at Abu Simbel?

  Early morning visits starting with 4:00 AM departures from Aswan help bypass the main tourist rush which peaks between 9:00-11:00 AM when cruise ships arrive. The shoulder seasons of October-November and February-March see fewer visitors. During these months the temples' detailed carvings and colossal statues can be appreciated in relative tranquility especially during early morning hours.