Overview
Ramesses II carved these colossal temples into a mountainside more than 3,000 years ago. In the 1960s they were moved block by block to save them from the rising Nile. Staying overnight lets you see them at sunset and sunrise, without the crowds.
Duration
1 night · 2 days
Best Time to Visit
October to April. 22 February and 22 October bring the famous Sun Festival.
Join a Small Group
Egypt: Pharaohs, Deserts & the Red Sea →What You'll See
Great Temple of Ramesses II
Four 20-metre seated statues guard its entrance.
Temple of Nefertari
Dedicated to Ramesses' beloved queen and the goddess Hathor.
The inner sanctuary
Sunlight reaches it on just two days a year.
Lake Nasser
One of the world's largest man-made lakes.
What You'll Do
- Explore the temples in the quiet of late afternoon
- Watch the Sound & Light show projected onto the temple facades
- Return at sunrise to see the statues glow gold
- Learn the story of the UNESCO rescue of the temples
Sample Itinerary
Day by Day
- 1
Day 1
Aswan to Abu Simbel
Drive or fly south to Abu Simbel. Afternoon temple visit and evening Sound & Light show.
- 2
Day 2
Sunrise & return
Early visit as the sun lights the facade, then return to Aswan.
Every itinerary is fully tailor-made. We'll adjust the pace, hotels and experiences to suit you.
Plan This Journey
