Egypt Discovery
From per person£27
AttractionAswan

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel Temples (22 February / 22 October)

Admission to Abu Simbel’s twin temples on 22 October or 22 February, when sunlight illuminates the inner sanctuary.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Abu Simbel Temples Entry Ticket grants admission to the Abu Simbel temples in Aswan on a sun festival date, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Self-paced
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
The Abu Simbel Temples
Includes
Entry to the Abu Simbel Temples · Access on 22 October or 22 February · Access to the forecourt, colossi and interior chambers, as permitted by the venue
Best for
Ancient Egypt enthusiasts · UNESCO heritage visitors · Independent travellers · Sun festival visitors

Best time to go

The sun festival dates are 22 February and 22 October; the alignment is expected on those dates, subject to weather and site conditions. Aswan is generally cooler from November to March, with daytime temperatures often around 20–30°C, while April to September can reach roughly 35–45°C. Festival mornings are crowded, so arrive early; Ramadan and public holidays can affect visitor numbers and local operating patterns.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket grants admission to the Abu Simbel temples on a sun festival date, subject to venue access.
  • The ticket is sent by email as a PDF after booking confirmation.
  • The product details identify transport, meals, professional Egyptologist services and gratuities as excluded.
  • The product details advise checking photography rules at the entrance.

02Overview

A first look

The twin temples at Abu Simbel were carved for Ramses II in the 13th century BCE and relocated during 1964–1968 to avoid Nile flooding. On 22 February and 22 October the rising sun reaches the inner sanctuary, illuminating the seated statues.

Background

The facts

Abu Simbel is a complex of two rock-cut temples in southern Egypt, carved during the reign of Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. This product is an entry ticket for access on one of the two annual sun festival dates, 22 February or 22 October.

The larger temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty and Ptah; the smaller temple honours Hathor and Nefertari. On the festival dates, sunlight travels along the larger temple’s axis and reaches its inner sanctuary. Entry is timed and capacity is limited, and the entrance area can be busy early in the morning.

Abu Simbel forms part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments. The temples were relocated in the 1960s to protect them from the rising waters associated with the Aswan High Dam project.

The ticket grants admission to the forecourt, colossi and interior chambers as permitted by the venue. Opening hours may vary by season, so check the official site before visiting. Expect security screening and controlled circulation. Photography rules vary; check at the entrance. Tickets are sent by email as a PDF after booking confirmation. Print the ticket if you are unsure whether screen display will be accepted.

Named in this entry

Abu Simbel·Ramesses II·Amun-Ra·Ra-Horakhty·Ptah·Hathor·Nefertari·Nubian Monuments·The Aswan High Dam·Aswan

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This ticket suits independent travellers aged roughly 12 and over who want to explore Ramesses II’s Abu Simbel temples at their own pace, especially those interested in archaeology, UNESCO sites and solar alignment. It works for couples, solo visitors and families comfortable managing their own visit on a crowded festival morning.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another option if you need step-free access, on-site assistance or transport arranged with admission. The timed, busy festival mornings and walking over uneven surfaces may also be difficult for very young children or anyone with limited stamina.

What lingers

  • 01Attend the Sun Festival on 22 February and 22 October – sunlight reaches Abu Simbel's sanctuary, illuminating three statues.
  • 02Sunlight illuminates Ramesses II, Amun‑Re and Ra‑Horakhty inside the sanctuary; Ptah, the underworld god, stays shadowed.
  • 03Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan – road transfer typically 3.5–4 hours each way.
  • 04We arrange private early transfers or a 45‑minute domestic flight from Aswan to reduce travel time and crowds.
  • 05Part of the UNESCO Nubian Monuments; Abu Simbel was relocated 1964–1968 during the Aswan High Dam project.
  • 06Festival tickets and timed entries sell out months ahead; we recommend booking three to six months in advance.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Abu Simbel visits are sold as transport-and-site packages. This product is an entry ticket only; transport, meals and a professional Egyptologist guide are not included.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Entry ticket to the Abu Simbel Temples

Not included

  • Professional Egyptologist guide, which can be booked separately if required
  • Return transport to Abu Simbel
  • Meals and personal costs
  • Photography permit, if applicable; rules vary, so check at the entrance
  • Gratuities

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Arrive early on a festival date; timed entry and limited capacity can make the entrance area busy.

  2. 02

    Check the official site before travelling, as opening hours may change with the season.

  3. 03

    Keep the PDF ticket available offline and print it if you cannot confirm that screen display is accepted.

  4. 04

    Ask at the entrance about photography rules before taking pictures inside the temples.

Tailor it

Make it yours

  • The product is an entry ticket, with no ticket upgrades or visit modifications specified. Transport and an Egyptologist can be arranged separately
  • meals, photography permits where applicable and gratuities are not included.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

– Abu Simbel fits as a focused stop on an Aswan itinerary, or as an extension to a wider visit to Upper Egypt. The sun festival dates are 22 October and 22 February; check ticket availability before arranging travel.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Great Temple of Ramesses II0.0 km
  • Temple of Hathor and Nefertari0.0 km
  • Lake Nasser0.0 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Festival-date admission arranged for 22 October or 22 February

  2. 02

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking confirmation

  3. 03

    Entry access arranged without bundling transport or meals

·In summary

Abu Simbel’s sun festivals take place on 22 February and 22 October, when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary of the larger temple. The two temples were carved under Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE and relocated in the 1960s as part of the Nubian Monuments rescue.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?
    The Abu Simbel Sun Festival is a twice-yearly sunrise alignment at Abu Simbel on 22 February and 22 October. On those mornings sunlight penetrates the Great Temple's sanctuary and lights three seated figures – Ramesses II, Amun and Ra‑Horakhty – while Ptah remains in shadow. The temples were relocated in 1964–68 during the Aswan High Dam campaign and form part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  2. 02When is the Sun Festival held and why those dates?
    The festival is observed on 22 February and 22 October each year. These dates are traditionally linked to Ramesses II’s commemoration (commonly called birthday and coronation), though scholars debate the original intent. The alignment is astronomical: the temple axis was set so sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary at sunrise on those two calendar dates.
  3. 03Do I need a special ticket for the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?
    Yes – the sunrise ceremony uses separate ceremonial tickets that are limited and allocated in advance. These are distinct from the standard Abu Simbel entrance ticket and often sell out months ahead; buyers should not assume general-entry stock will cover the ceremony. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can apply for ceremonial tickets and organise transfers or overnight accommodation on your behalf.
  4. 04How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan and do I need to stay overnight?
    Abu Simbel is approximately 280 km south of Aswan, about a 3.5–4 hour road transfer. Because the alignment happens at sunrise, most visitors either overnight in Abu Simbel or depart Aswan very early (commonly 01:00–03:00). Unlike regular day visits from Aswan, Sun Festival attendance usually requires either an overnight stay or a very early private transfer.
  5. 05Can I take photos or fly a drone at the Sun Festival?
    Personal photography is generally permitted, but drone use is prohibited without official permits. During the sunrise ceremony authorities often restrict tripods, professional filming and flash; security screening is routine. We recommend travelling with compact camera kit and checking the exact restrictions we hold at booking time.
  6. 06Is Abu Simbel accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
    Access around the forecourt is largely level, but temple thresholds include steps, uneven ancient stone and sandy surfaces. Entering the inner sanctuary involves steps and narrow thresholds, so wheelchair users may only be able to view from the forecourt or designated viewing areas. We can advise on practical assistance, reserved seating at the ceremony and arrange accessible vehicles, but interior access remains physically limited.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Senior Egyptologist·Last reviewed 12 April 2026

Last updated 12 April 2026Product ID: TKT-ASW-485647

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