Discovery Tours Egypt

Abu Simbel, on Lake Nasser.

Abu Simbel holds two rock-cut temples, the Great Temple of Ramesses II with its four seated colossi and the smaller temple of Nefertari, on the western bank of Lake Nasser. We arrange it as an Aswan day by road or air, as a day from Cairo, or from a Lake Nasser cruise.

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Rock-cut facade of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel with its four seated colossi

Aswan & Nubia · Nearest airport Abu Simbel (ABS)

  • Close view of the seated colossi at the entrance of the Abu Simbel templeAbu Simbel
  • Stone pylon and steps of Kalabsha temple on the shore of Lake NasserKalabsha temple, Lake Nasser
  • Wide view of Lake Nasser from the crest of the Aswan High DamLake Nasser from the High Dam

At a glance.

Region
Aswan & Nubia, near the Sudan border on the western bank of Lake Nasser.
Nearest airport
Abu Simbel (ABS), one small terminal.
Aswan by air
Flight of about 40 to 50 minutes from Aswan (ASW).
Aswan by road
About 280 km by road from Aswan, roughly 3 to 4 hours depending on vehicle and traffic. Day tours leave around 03:00 to 03:30.
From Cairo
A private day trip by air takes about 14 hours, usually changing planes in Aswan.
UNESCO
Part of "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae", inscribed 1979.
The site
Cut into blocks and reassembled in 1964 to 1968 on higher ground, about 65 m up, ahead of Lake Nasser. The colossi stand about 21 m tall.
Time on site
Great Temple 1 to 2 hours; Nefertari temple 30 to 45 minutes.
Climate
October to April: 24 to 32 °C. May to September: routinely above 40 °C, with limited shade, so start early.

What we arrange here.

  1. Day tours

    Abu Simbel by road from Aswan, by air from Aswan, and by flight from Cairo, each with a guide.

  2. Transfers

    Private road transfers or domestic flights. An overnight in Abu Simbel village is possible, for sunset or sunrise at the temples.

  3. Lake Nasser cruises

    Lake Nasser cruises are arranged on vessels run by third-party lines. Schedules on request.

  4. Luxury programmes

    A helicopter to Abu Simbel appears as an optional itinerary line. Ask our team what is available.

Programme building blocks.

  1. Day trip by road

    A 3 am start from Aswan, with about 2 hours on site.

    Full day

  2. Day trip by air

    Fly from Aswan; be ready 90 to 120 minutes before the flight.

    Full day

  3. Day from Cairo

    A private day by air, usually changing planes in Aswan.

    About 14 hours

  4. Lake Nasser cruise

    Cruises on Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, on third-party vessels. Durations, ships and dates on request.

    On request

  5. Sun Festival morning

    Sunrise reaches the inner sanctuary twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October. It needs permits and a fixed arrival window, so it is not bundled with other same-day sightseeing.

    A dedicated morning

  6. End of a Nile cruise

    Abu Simbel as an add-on after the Luxor to Aswan cruise.

    Add-on

Planning notes for trade.

  • Confirm Sun Festival dates with us before committing a group. They can shift slightly.
  • The road is a guided convoy. Guests cannot self-drive it.
  • Lake Nasser is roughly 480 to 550 km long in total, depending on water level and how the southern end is measured, running from southern Egypt into northern Sudan. Cruise ships sail south of the High Dam and cannot pass its locks.
  • Ask for the current Lake Nasser cruise schedule.
AswanLuxorCairo

Related reading from our operations desk.

  1. The Wonders of Aswan

    Philae, the High Dam, Abu Simbel, Nubian villages — the Aswan-corridor briefing.

  2. Lake Nasser cruises: operational briefing for trade

    For tour operators: Lake Nasser cruises in Egypt — seasonality, permits, vessel options and itinerary/commercial guidance to develop higher‑value programmes.

  3. Seasonal Guide for Egypt Programmes

    Seasonal planning for Egypt programmes: practical, B2B guidance on weather, crowds, Ramadan and operational windows to optimise itineraries and rates.

  4. Egypt's Top Ancient Monuments You Can't Miss

    The non-negotiable sites that anchor any first-time Egypt itinerary.

Choose how your group reaches Abu Simbel.

Road, air, Lake Nasser or Sun Festival: tell us the dates and we will confirm what is open.

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