Abu Simbel, Egypt

Abu Simbel Was Cut Into 1,038 Blocks and Moved

Between 1964 and 1968, an international team of engineers and archaeologists dismantled both temples at Abu Simbel into 1,038 blocks, the largest weighing 30 tonnes, transported them 213 feet uphill, and reassembled them on an artificial plateau above the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, would have permanently submerged the original cliff-face site without the UNESCO-coordinated rescue. The relocation was done with sufficient precision that the astronomical alignment was preserved: twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, sunlight still penetrates the inner sanctuary and illuminates the statues of Ramses II and three gods in the innermost chamber. That alignment was intentional by the ancient builders and maintained across the relocation, which is a remarkable fact about both ancient astronomical knowledge and modern engineering precision.

Abu Simbel is 280 kilometres south of Aswan in Egypt’s far south, on the western bank of Lake Nasser. The two temples – the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari – were built around 1265 BCE as monument, propaganda, and religious site simultaneously. The four 21-metre seated statues of Ramses II at the Great Temple facade are among the most imposing pieces of ancient Egyptian monumental sculpture surviving anywhere.

Getting There

Three options from Aswan:

Fly: EgyptAir operates daily flights from Aswan airport, approximately 50 minutes each way. Round-trip tickets run around USD 100-150 depending on timing and availability. This is the fastest and least arduous option and reduces the journey from the full desert day the convoy involves.

Road convoy: An armed security convoy departs Aswan in the early morning (around 03:00-04:00) and travels the 280 kilometres under guard. The journey takes 3-4 hours each way, arriving before the midday heat and returning in the afternoon. Cost through tour operators runs USD 40-80 per person. The early departure is the reason most visitors choose to fly.

Lake Nasser cruise: Multi-day cruises from Aswan stop at multiple relocated temples along the lake (Kalabsha, Amada, among others) and end at Abu Simbel. This is the most thorough way to experience the sites and is worth the premium for those with time.

The Temples

The Great Temple has four seated colossal Ramses statues (one was damaged in an ancient earthquake and the upper section fell, still visible nearby). Inside, Osiride pillars in the form of Ramses line the hypostyle hall; the walls are covered in reliefs depicting military victories including the Battle of Kadesh. The inner sanctuary is the target for the biannual sun alignment.

The Temple of Nefertari is smaller, more refined, and rarer in Egyptian architectural history – a major temple dedicated to a queen, with Nefertari depicted at the same colossal scale as Ramses. Most visitors spend most of their time at the Great Temple; the Nefertari temple rewards equal attention.

Tickets and Visiting

Entrance to Abu Simbel costs approximately 822 EGP for foreign adult visitors in 2026 (around USD 16), with student concessions available. Payment is card only – no cash accepted. Opening hours are 06:00 to 17:00 daily. The best time to visit is between 06:00 and 09:00: the light is lower, the heat is manageable, and the first tour groups haven’t yet arrived in force. By 10:00 the midday desert heat and tour bus traffic make the site considerably less comfortable.

Staying

Most visitors make Abu Simbel a day trip from Aswan. Abu Simbel itself has basic guesthouses in the village, but Aswan is the practical base for food, accommodation quality, and logistics. The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan is the most atmospheric hotel (it appears in Agatha Christie novels for a reason), though mid-range options in Aswan town centre run significantly cheaper. The Nubian Museum in Aswan, covering the culture and history of the Nubian people whose ancestors built alongside Ramses, is an essential complement to the Abu Simbel visit.