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Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
Aswan, Egypt
From $231.42
Price varies by group size
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
See two of Egypt’s greatest ancient spectacles on this private Abu Simbel day trip by minibus from Aswan. With a private Egyptologist guide, drive to western Lake Nasser, and behold the colossal, rock statues of Ramses II of the two iconic lakeside temples. Learn their history, and go inside to see their towering statues, pillars and murals. If time allows before your return to Aswan, check out the visitor center that charts how both the temples were relocated here, piece by piece, in 1968 to save them from flooding.
- Private minibus tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel
- Visit Abu Simbel's Great Temple of Ramses II and smaller Temple of Hathor, Egypt's most-visited sites after the Great Pyramids
- Free time to tour inside both temples
- Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your expert Egyptologist guide on this special private tour
- Pick-up and drop-off from Aswan hotels and port
What's Included
- Experience a Private and an expert Qualified Egyptologist guide.
- Private transportation by air-conditioned minivans ; pick up from hotel and drop off.
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Choose your preferred departure time on booking, and depart your Aswan hotel or Aswan port by air-conditioned minibus.
As you travel, listen as your private guide shares interesting facts about Abu Simbel’s two temples: the Grand Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor, both built in the 13th century BC, and now set on the banks of Lake Nasser. Hear about the UNESCO project that saw them both relocated here in 1968, a move prompted by the building of the Aswan High Dam.
After roughly three hours, arrive at the lakeside and take in the jaw-dropping temples, both fronted by vast rock relief figures of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. Take snaps and then enjoy free time to explore the interiors. Due to the high number of visitors, guides are not permitted to accompany you. However, your guide will talk you through the interiors before you enter, so you can fully understand the treasures inside.
Step inside the Great Temple, and ogle the painted battle scenes and gigantic sculptures of Ramses that line the halls. Then, go inside the Temple of Hathor to see the murals and pillars engraved with images of the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, Ramses II’s favored wife.
Afterward, and if time permits, call at the nearby visitor center that documents the temples’ relocation. Learn how these giant structures were dismantled and then reassembled piece by piece: an incredible feat of engineering that has protected them from flooding.
Finally, drive back to Aswan where your trip ends with a hotel or port drop-off.
As you travel, listen as your private guide shares interesting facts about Abu Simbel’s two temples: the Grand Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor, both built in the 13th century BC, and now set on the banks of Lake Nasser. Hear about the UNESCO project that saw them both relocated here in 1968, a move prompted by the building of the Aswan High Dam.
After roughly three hours, arrive at the lakeside and take in the jaw-dropping temples, both fronted by vast rock relief figures of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. Take snaps and then enjoy free time to explore the interiors. Due to the high number of visitors, guides are not permitted to accompany you. However, your guide will talk you through the interiors before you enter, so you can fully understand the treasures inside.
Step inside the Great Temple, and ogle the painted battle scenes and gigantic sculptures of Ramses that line the halls. Then, go inside the Temple of Hathor to see the murals and pillars engraved with images of the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, Ramses II’s favored wife.
Afterward, and if time permits, call at the nearby visitor center that documents the temples’ relocation. Learn how these giant structures were dismantled and then reassembled piece by piece: an incredible feat of engineering that has protected them from flooding.
Finally, drive back to Aswan where your trip ends with a hotel or port drop-off.
Abu Simbel Temple Complex
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.0
42 reviews
Gillian_R, Feb 2020
So its three hours each way to drive - but seriously it is worth it! My original departure was 4am but after talking to the company it isn't necessary to leave that early unless you have something planned for the afternoon. I got to sleep in a little, we left at 8:45am which meant we missed the crowds - I literally had the temple to myself for 30 minutes before anyone else showed up! My guide was Magdelena - very knowledgeable and friendly.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Thanks for choosing being with us and delighted we had delivered to you the experience you wanted. looking forward to serving you again in the near furture.
Guillaume_C, Jul 2019
Our guide was not very knowledgeable and was unable to answer our questions clearly, always giving blurry answers. Guide and driver were not very welcoming either. I’d recommend choosing another tour agency to go to Abu Simbel. And make sure to leave Aswan at 3:45am and not later (they’ll try to push the time many many times) because the earlier you get there the least tourists.
Response from Host, Aug 2019
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback on your recent experience. We are sorry to hear that you did not receive the best services from the tour guide and we will ensure that this does not reoccur again. The departure time is based on the tourist police instructions and to ensure the road safety needed for this trip.
Again we apologize for any inconvenience and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
ilona_b, Oct 2016
The place itself is amazing and a must do however it was horribly expensive with this company. We had done other tours in egypt that were amazing and less than half the price with guides that were out going and extremely educated on diverse topics. On this tour I felt like we go there, we looked around and went back. On the other tours at least they gave us water, food, and pleasant conversation. I would book once getting there unless you want to throw away a lot of money! The worst thing is after paying all that money, Then they asked for a tip after. I would not go with this company, but I would definitely go to Abu Simbel.
Mats U, Oct 2015
We were met up at the train station at Aswan and immediately felt well taken care of. We then travelled in a mini bus in a convoy to Abu Simbel, which took three hours one way. The guide spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable and gave us the historical background on the Aswan Dam and Abu Simbel. The ride thorough the Sahara desert was an experience in it self. The Abu Simbel temple was magnificent! We had a tight schedule and needed to catch our train to go back to Cairo and the guide and the driver made every effort to make sure we made it on time. The tour was all in all very well organised and we highly recommend it!
Gunner_L, Aug 2015
Fascinating place! Even if a long trip to get there, well worth it!
john g, May 2015
Long journey but worth it, amazing to see
Guide was great
Alex C, Jan 2015
My son characterized this exhibit as the Mount Rushmore of Egypt. He is correct. This is a amazing tour and the statues are along the back of a breathtaking lake. The whole scene is quite picturesque.
** It is a long commute from Aswan to Abu Simbel. 3 hours + / - You drive through the desert with a caravan of other tour vehicles for safety. Bring water and borrow the pillow from your hotel room :-)
Cody S, May 2014
My guide (Michael) and driver (Peter) were both professional and on time. The drive is roughly 3 hours (I left with the early 4 a.m. convoy). Michael spoke fluent English, and upon arrival at the site we walked to the front of the massive mountain monuments. Michael explained both momuments and their interiors (Guides are not permitted inside) for perhaps 20 minutes before giving me a full 2 hours and 15 minutes to explore by myself. This is an amazing place and a must see. Just make sure you grab a drink as soon as you step out of the car because after about 10 minutes alone I walked backed to the parking lot to buy a drink.
Ronald M, Sep 2011
The local agency met us at our boat when we arrived in Aswan and made arrangements to met us the next day at 3:45 am. The boat provided a box breakfast and coffee/tea. My son and I were the only participants, so we basically had a private tour. We went in a car with driver and guide. Abu Simbel is well worth the long drive and early morning departure. Afterwards they took us to our hotel in Aswan and arranged for transportation to the airport the next morning. Very impressed with the service and highly recommend the tour.
GLORIA V, Dec 2010
On time and as advertised, would love to have more time at the temples but the tour guide wanted to go to the papyrus shops which i didn't want to go to. So we just waited for a while until the convoy was ready to go. Overall, a good experience
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Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
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8 hours
Free Cancellation
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$231.42
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