How to Visit Abu Simbel Temples

What are the Abu Simbel Temples?

The Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock-cut temples created by Ramses II (that’s Ramses of the Moses story) in Upper Egypt. Upper Egypt refers to the southern region of Egypt due to its higher elevation. Ramses II had a severe ego problem and built these temples with his own image seated amongst the gods. A pharaoh placing his image with the gods with a big no-no. However, Ramses II truly believed himself to be a god and did it anyway. The four seated images you see on the outside of Abu Simbel are all Ramses. Within the temple, he sat alongside three other gods. Twice a year, the sun shines directly inside the temple illuminating his face – because of course it does. 

The second temple was dedicated to his wife and even includes a small image of her. However, the rest of the temple is classic Ramses II with more than enough images of himself. 

How to Get to Abu Simbel Temples

Traveling to Abu Simbel is a bit of a hike. First, you'll want to be staying in Aswan. Aswan is a flight away from Cairo or an overnight train. From Aswan, Abu Simbel is about a three-hour drive.

There is almost nothing between Aswan and Abu Simbel except one tiny rest stop for coffee and a bathroom break (bring cash to use the restroom). So for hours, you will be staring out at the vast empty desert. This drive taught me why getting banished to the desert was a death sentence. 

You'll want to hire a guide to get you through police checkpoints along the way. You'll likely leave at about 4:00 AM to get to Abu Simbel right when it opens. I suggest putting in some headphones and zoning out on the ride there. The cost of a guide/driver plus the admission fee will put you back about 125 USD.

When you arrive, you'll be able to see Sudan across Lake Nassar. Within that lake is 50,000 crocodiles. Lake Nassar is dammed off so that crocodiles can't swim up the Nile – so yes, you can swim in the Nile in most of Egypt!

You'll want to spend about an hour viewing and going inside both temples. Inside the temples are some of the most well-preserved hieroglyphs I saw the entire trip. Being so dark inside the temples, much of the color was preserved. I definitely felt like Brendon Fraser walking through these dim-lit halls. 

After about an hour, you'll be ready to hop back on your bus and head back to Aswan. Grab some snacks and water for the ride, as you don't want to be stuck in the desert without sustenance.

While this excursion is a hike with an early wake-up call, it's not one you want to miss out on during your time in Upper Egypt.