Abu Simbel Overnight Tour from Aswan

Afternoon Pickup

Your WOW Egypt Tours representative and driver will pick you up in the afternoon from your hotel, Nile Cruise, Aswan Airport, Aswan Train Station, or your location in Aswan. You will be transferred by private modern air-conditioned vehicle to begin your Abu Simbel Overnight Tour from Aswan.

Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel

Start the road journey from Aswan to Abu Simbel by private air-conditioned vehicle. Abu Simbel is located about 280 km / 174 miles south of Aswan, and the driving time is usually around 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on road and operating conditions.

During the transfer, you will travel through the desert road south of Aswan toward Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel. Lake Nasser extends for about 500 km / 310 miles southward between Egypt and Sudan and was created after the construction of the Aswan High Dam between 1960 and 1970. Your representative or driver will assist during the journey and with the hotel check-in on arrival.

Check-in Your Nubian-Style Hotel

Upon arrival in Abu Simbel, check in at your Nubian-style hotel near Abu Simbel Temples. The overnight stay gives you more comfortable timing and allows you to visit the temples early in the morning before returning to Aswan.

Sunset Motorboat Ride on Lake Nasser

In the afternoon, enjoy a sunset motorboat ride on Lake Nasser. The lake was created after the construction of the Aswan High Dam between 1960 and 1970 and became one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. Lake Nasser extends for about 500 km / 310 miles southward between Egypt and Sudan.

During the motorboat ride, you will see Lake Nasser views, the desert landscape around Abu Simbel, and the quiet setting near the relocated temples. The route and duration depend on lake conditions and operating arrangements on the day of your tour.

Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel Temples

After the sunset motorboat ride on Lake Nasser, continue to the Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel Temples. The evening show presents the history of Ramses II, Queen Nefertari, the Great Temple, the Small Temple, and the story of the temples’ relocation during the UNESCO Nubian monuments rescue campaign in the 1960s.

During the show, the temple facades are illuminated while narration and music explain the historical and religious importance of Abu Simbel. The Great Temple of Ramses II is known for its 4 seated statues, each about 20 meters / 66 feet high, while the Small Temple of Queen Nefertari has 6 standing statues, about 10 meters / 33 feet high. The show gives a different view of the temples before your sunrise visit on Day 2.

Dinner

Dinner is served at your Nubian-style hotel or local restaurant according to the tour arrangement.

Overnight

Overnight at your Nubian-style hotel near Abu Simbel Temples.

Sunrise Visit to Abu Simbel Temples

Early in the morning, visit Abu Simbel Temples at sunrise. The early visit gives you more comfortable timing and allows you to see the temple area before the main daytime crowds arrive from Aswan.

The Abu Simbel Temples were built by Pharaoh Ramses II during the 19th Dynasty, around the 13th century BC, and were carved into the rock on the western bank of the Nile south of Aswan. Today, they stand near Lake Nasser after being relocated to higher ground during the 1960s. Lake Nasser extends for about 500 km / 310 miles southward between Egypt and Sudan.

Great Temple of Ramses II

Start your visit with the Great Temple of Ramses II, the larger of the two Abu Simbel temples. It was dedicated to Ramses II himself and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah.

The temple facade is known for its 4 massive seated statues of Ramses II carved directly into the rock. Each statue is about 20 meters / 66 feet high and represents royal power and the importance of Ramses II as one of the most powerful pharaohs of the New Kingdom.

Inside the temple, your private Egyptologist guide will explain the main halls, side chambers, relief scenes, and religious carvings. You will see scenes connected with royal offerings, military victories, gods, and the image of Ramses II as a powerful ruler. Ramses II ruled Egypt for about 66 years during the 19th Dynasty.

The Great Temple is also known for its solar alignment. Twice a year, around February 22 and October 22, sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary and illuminates statues inside the temple, except the statue of Ptah, who was connected with the underworld. Your guide will explain the meaning of this event and its importance in the temple design.

Small Temple of Queen Nefertari

Continue to the Small Temple of Queen Nefertari, built by Ramses II during the 13th century BC and dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. This temple is one of the important examples of a major royal temple dedicated to a queen in ancient Egypt.

The facade includes standing statues of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, with the queen shown at a similar scale to the king, which reflects her high status during his reign. The facade has 6 standing statues, about 10 meters / 33 feet high, showing Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.

Inside the temple, your guide will explain the scenes connected with Hathor, music, offerings, royal worship, and Queen Nefertari’s religious role. The temple gives important context about royal women, divine queenship, and the relationship between Ramses II, Nefertari, and Hathor.

UNESCO Relocation Project

Your guide will also explain the relocation of Abu Simbel Temples during the 1960s. The temples were moved to higher ground as part of the UNESCO Nubian monuments rescue campaign after the construction of the Aswan High Dam between 1960 and 1970 and the creation of Lake Nasser.

The relocation project is one of the most important archaeological rescue projects of the 20th century. The temples were cut into more than 1,000 large blocks, moved about 65 meters / 213 feet higher and around 200 meters / 656 feet back from their original location, then reconstructed in a new position that preserved their original appearance and orientation as much as possible.

Breakfast

After visiting Abu Simbel Temples, return to your Nubian-style hotel for breakfast.

Check-out

After breakfast, complete the check-out formalities at your Nubian-style hotel. Your driver will assist with luggage before the return transfer to Aswan.

Return Transfer to Aswan

After check-out, return to Aswan by private air-conditioned vehicle. The return distance is about 280 km / 174 miles, and the journey usually takes around 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on road conditions.