Abu Simbel in a Day by Air from Cairo: Private Guide and Both Temples
About 14 hours, return flights, a private Egyptologist guide, both temples and lunch.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
A private 14-hour day from your Cairo or Giza hotel to Abu Simbel and back by air, usually changing planes in Aswan, with return flights, a private guide, both temples and lunch.
- New
- Private
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Great Temple of Ramses II · Temple of Nefertari · Lake Nasser
- Includes
- Return economy flights between Cairo and Abu Simbel · Cairo airport pick-up and drop-off by private car · Car between Abu Simbel airfield and the temples · A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel · Admission to the Abu Simbel temples
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April is the most comfortable. In summer the temperature at Abu Simbel can be very high, so the visit is best kept short.
- Licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
02Overview
A first look
Abu Simbel stands far in the south, close to the Sudanese border, and the usual way to reach it is a long road from Aswan. From Cairo, flying is the only way to do it in one day. This trip is honest about the cost: you start at about 03:30, you normally change planes in Aswan on both legs, and you have a little over two hours at the temples. In return you see the two great rock temples without spending a night away. Your driver collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel and takes you to the airport. Hotels can usually prepare a breakfast box for a start this early, so ask at reception the evening before.
Background
The facts
Abu Simbel stands on the western shore of Lake Nasser in the far south of Egypt, close to the Sudanese border, about 280 kilometres from Aswan.
Named in this entry
Ramses II·Nefertari·Cairo Airport
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travellers who want to see Abu Simbel in a single day from Cairo and accept a long day with a short time at the temples.
Maybe not, if
- Not suited to anyone who dislikes early starts, airports or changing planes, or who needs a relaxed pace.
What lingers
- 01The four seated colossi at the front of Ramses II's Great Temple
- 02Nefertari's smaller temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor
- 03The temples' setting on the shore of Lake Nasser
- 04Return flights and Cairo airport transfers arranged for you
- 05A private Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel
- 06Lunch in a local restaurant
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Abu Simbel in one day without an overnight stay
- Flights, transfers, guide and lunch arranged
- Private guide at the temples
Things to Consider
- A 03:30 start and a late return
- Usually a change of plane in Aswan each way
- A little over two hours at the temples
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Return economy flights between Cairo and Abu Simbel
- Cairo airport pick-up and drop-off by private car
- Car between Abu Simbel airfield and the temples
- A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel
- Admission to the Abu Simbel temples
- Lunch in a local restaurant
- Drinking water during the day
Not included
- Tips for your guide and driver
- What you drink with lunch
- Anything you buy for yourself
- A camera ticket for taking photographs inside the temples
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the evening before
- 02
Decide in advance whether you want a camera ticket
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children are welcome and count towards your party size. Each traveller needs a passport for the flights. The day starts at about 03:30, includes two flights each way and ends in the evening, so it suits older children used to long days. Please tell us their ages when you book.
These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
On the ground
Your route
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How do I book this excursion, and when do I pay?
You book online. No payment is taken at that point. Our team then checks flight seats for your date and confirms availability and the final fare, and only after that do you pay. If seats are not available, we tell you and you pay nothing.02Is it a direct flight?
Not normally. The route usually changes planes in Aswan on both the outward and return journeys. Flight times follow the airline timetable on your date, and we confirm them when we confirm your booking.03How long do we get at the temples?
A little over two hours at the temples, then lunch. It is a long day of about 14 hours for that time, so it suits people who have decided Abu Simbel is worth it. If you can spare a night, a stay in Aswan gives a calmer visit.04What do I need to bring?
Bring the passport you used for the booking, as you need it for the domestic flights. Wear comfortable shoes, and carry a sun hat, sun cream and some cash for tips and a camera ticket if you want one.05What about food at such an early start?
Ask your hotel the evening before for a breakfast box. Hotels usually provide one free of charge. Lunch at Abu Simbel is included in the fare.06What happens if I cancel?
You are refunded in full if you cancel three or more days before. Between three days and 24 hours before, half is refunded. After that, or if you miss your pick-up, there is no refund. Once the flight tickets have been issued, the airline's own rules apply to the flight part of the trip.
If plans change
Plans change? We make it easy.
- More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
- Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
- Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
- Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.
Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds
Continue reading
From the archives
Product ID: EXC-CAI-742461
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