How do you get to Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel sits near the Sudanese border, about three hours by road from Aswan or a short flight. Day trips leave very early to reach the two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari before the crowds. The temples were famously relocated stone by stone above Lake Nasser in the 1960s.

How much does a Abu Simbel excursion cost?

Private excursions in Abu Simbel start from £110 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.

Are your Abu Simbel excursions private?

Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Abu Simbel hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.

When is the best time to visit Abu Simbel?

October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Abu Simbel year-round.

Is it safe, and are families welcome?

Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.

Tours to the Abu Simbel temples

Abu Simbel Excursions

Ramesses II's twin temples carved into the cliff face – by road from Aswan or by short flight

LengthFull day

From£90 / person

PickupHotel or Nile cruise included

GuideEgyptologist

By the Discovery Tours Egypt desk

Ramesses II's twin temples at Abu Simbel are ancient Egypt's most jaw-dropping feat of engineering – and its most dramatic modern rescue, lifted stone by stone above the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Reach them by a short flight or convoy drive from Aswan; a day tour times your arrival for the cooler morning light, with an Egyptologist to read the colossal facade and the sun-aligned sanctuary.

The best excursion in Abu Simbel is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.

Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988

What you'll see

Abu Simbel, in the order that makes sense

A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.

Inside the Great Temple

Past the four colossi, a hall of Osiris-pillared statues of Ramesses leads to reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh and, deep in the mountain, the sanctuary of four seated gods.

~1 hrHypostyle hall

The Temple of Nefertari

Beside the great temple stands the smaller temple of Hathor – dedicated by Ramesses to his queen Nefertari, her statues carved the same height as his own, almost unheard of in ancient Egypt.

~30 minQueen's temple

Lake Nasser & the rescue

In the 1960s the entire complex was cut into blocks and lifted 65 metres up the cliff to escape the rising lake – the greatest archaeological rescue ever attempted. The setting above the water is half the drama.

~30 minLakeside setting

The solar alignment

Twice a year – around 22 February and 22 October – the dawn sun spears deep into the mountain to light the sanctuary gods, exactly as engineered 3,200 years ago. The Sun Festival fills the site.

Feb & OctSun Festival

Every Abu Simbel excursions

Ways to spend the day

Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.

Abu Simbel by Road from Aswan Day Tour

A full-day road transfer from Aswan to the twin rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, returning the same day. Walk among the four seated colossi of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and cross to the adjacent Temple of Nefertari, both moved above the original Nile shore during the 1960s resettlement. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can confirm local entrance arrangements and Egyptologist-guided visits. The road option lets you see Lake Nasser and the desert landscape between Aswan and Abu Simbel, rather than travelling by air.

From £110 1 Days

Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan – Day Tour

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).

From £440 1 Days

Know before you go

The practical bits

What to wear

Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.

Tipping

Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.

Heat & water

Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.

Cameras & fees

A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.

Questions we hear most