Egypt Holidays · Style
Nile Cruise with Abu Simbel Holidays
Abu Simbel is the one temple that does not sit on the Luxor–Aswan run, and a Nile cruise built to include it is how most people add it without losing the river. The standard shape sails the classic cruise for the temples between Luxor and Aswan, then reaches Abu Simbel either by the short morning flight from Aswan or, on the longer voyages, by boat across Lake Nasser to arrive at dawn. Ramesses II carved the great temple into the cliff so the rising sun would reach the sanctuary twice a year; seeing it at first light, by either route, is the reason it is worth the detour. We arrange the cruise and the Abu Simbel leg as one booking and advise on which approach fits your days.
5 matching holidays
The shape
What is a nile cruise abu simbel Egypt holiday?
A Nile cruise with Abu Simbel is a Luxor–Aswan cruise that adds the great rock-cut temple of Ramesses II, 280 kilometres south of Aswan near the Sudanese border. Abu Simbel is reached either by a 45-minute morning flight from Aswan as a day excursion, or by a Lake Nasser cruise that arrives by boat at dawn. The combination is usually seven to fifteen days depending on whether the temple is a flight excursion or a full lake sailing.
The river, then Ramesses II
How the cruise reaches Abu Simbel
- Days 1–2Cairo (optional)Open with the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, or fly straight to the river if the temples are your focus.
- Days 3–5Nile cruiseLuxor to Aswan: Karnak, the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae aboard a 5-star ship.
- Day 6Abu SimbelThe 45-minute dawn flight from Aswan to the great temple and the smaller temple of Nefertari, back for lunch – or, on the longer trip, arrive by boat across Lake Nasser.
- Day 7Fly homeConnect from Aswan or Luxor for the flight home.
Want the Nubian rescue temples too? The Lake Nasser sailing reaches Abu Simbel by water and adds Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua and Amada – we pair it with the river cruise as one booking.
PremiumAbu Simbel by Plane from Aswan – Day Tour
Abu Simbel
We arrange a private return flight from Aswan International Airport (ASW) to Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) for a day visit to the temples at Abu Simbel. Flight time is approximately 40–50 minutes each way. On arrival our English-speaking Egyptologist will guide you at the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. The site forms part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO, 1979). We include standard site entrance fees, airport handling and domestic flight taxes, and private transfers to and from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise. Practical notes and trade-offs: the tour requires an early start and is tightly scheduled according to domestic flight timetables; the on-site visit is usually brief (typically 1–2 hours) so you should expect a short, focused walk around the façades and interiors. There is limited shade at the site and much walking is on uneven ancient stone. Photography opportunities are best outside the temples; the solar alignment that illuminates the inner sanctuary of Ramesses II occurs around 22 February and 22 October each year. Flights use regional aircraft and luggage/weight limits set by the carrier apply. The tour is operated by our Egyptologists and ground team, licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA).
BudgetAbu Simbel by Road from Aswan Day Tour
Abu Simbel
Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel by road with entrance fees included and an Egyptologist guide. Visit the twin temples and return the same day. Enquire now.
6 Days Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Tour Package
Cairo
BudgetAbu Simbel Temples, Aswan
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel lies about 280 km south of Aswan and is reached by a 40‑minute flight or a 3.5–4 hour road transfer. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private early flights and timed private‑car arrivals so clients avoid coach crowds and the hottest hours. The twin sites are the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, moved to higher ground between 1964 and 1968 during an international relocation campaign and included in the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing. Trade‑offs: a same‑day return requires an early start and either a long road journey or a small‑plane seat; shade is limited on the forecourt.
BudgetAbu Simbel Temples – Sun Festival (22 Feb / 22 Oct)
Abu Simbel
See the twice-yearly solar alignment at Abu Simbel on 22 February or 22 October when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary. The twin rock temples were carved for Ramses II and honour Amun‑Re and Ra. They were moved in 1964–1968 and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae'. Abu Simbel is approximately 280 km south of Aswan (about 3.5 hours by road). We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange timed-entry tickets, private road transfers and an Egyptologist briefing when available. Unlike same-day coach runs, we recommend an overnight in Aswan to avoid very early road departures and rushed visits; expect limited shade at the forecourt and large crowds on festival dates.
Practical questions
What clients ask about this style of holiday.
01Should I fly or cruise to Abu Simbel?
If the great temple is the priority, the morning charter flight from Aswan is the most efficient – 45 minutes each way, back for lunch. If you want the whole Nubian story, the Lake Nasser cruise reaches Abu Simbel by boat at dawn and adds Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua and Amada that the flight skips. We book whichever fits your time and budget.
02Is Abu Simbel included in a normal Nile cruise?
No – the classic Luxor–Aswan cruise does not reach Abu Simbel, which lies 280 km further south. It is added as a flight excursion from Aswan or as a separate Lake Nasser sailing. This holiday builds that addition in, so it is part of the booking rather than an afterthought.
03How early is the Abu Simbel trip?
The flight excursion is an early start – a dawn departure from Aswan to reach the temple before the heat and the coaches, back by early afternoon. The Lake Nasser cruise is gentler: you are moored off the temple overnight and walk to it at first light. Both deliver Abu Simbel in the best light of the day.
04Why is Abu Simbel worth the detour?
It is the largest rock-cut temple in Egypt, four 20-metre seated colossi of Ramesses II carved into the cliff, and one of the great feats of ancient and modern engineering – UNESCO cut it from the rock and lifted it 65 metres to save it from Lake Nasser in the 1960s. Twice a year the rising sun still reaches the inner sanctuary. Nothing on the river run compares in scale.
From the Cairo desk
Found the shape. Now make it yours.
Every Egypt holiday we sell is tailor-made – your dates, your party, your pace. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies inside one working day.
– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546