Introduction: A Journey Through Time
Imagine standing before colossal statues carved directly into a mountainside, testaments to the power and grandeur of ancient Egypt. This is the allure of Abu Simbel, a site so remarkable it was meticulously moved to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. While a day trip is possible, an overnight tour from Aswan offers a more immersive and less rushed experience, allowing you to witness the temples under the magical glow of dawn and truly soak in the atmosphere. This 600-word guide will take you through the highlights of an unforgettable overnight adventure to Aswan and Abu Simbel.
The Allure of Abu Simbel: A Masterpiece of Ancient Engineering
Abu Simbel is home to two magnificent temples carved during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC. The Great Temple, dedicated to Ramses II himself, is dominated by four colossal statues of the pharaoh, each reaching over 20 meters high. Inside, intricate carvings depict his victories and his divine connection. The smaller temple, dedicated to his beloved wife Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, is equally stunning, with graceful statues and beautiful hieroglyphs. The sheer scale and artistry of these temples are breathtaking, a true marvel of ancient Egyptian engineering and artistic skill.
Why an Overnight Tour? Embracing the Magic of Dawn
While a day trip to Abu Simbel is feasible, an overnight tour offers distinct advantages. The journey from Aswan is approximately three hours, meaning a day trip involves significant travel time. Staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace and, crucially, the opportunity to witness the temples at sunrise. As the first rays of light illuminate the colossal statues and the temple facades, the atmosphere is truly magical. The golden hues of the desert landscape against the ancient stone create a breathtaking spectacle, a moment you won’t soon forget.
Your Overnight Itinerary: From Aswan to the Desert
Your overnight adventure typically begins with a transfer from your accommodation in Aswan to a comfortable hotel or guesthouse near Abu Simbel. This allows you to settle in and prepare for the early morning visit to the temples. In the late afternoon, you might have the option to visit the temples briefly to get a sense of their scale in the fading light, or simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of the desert surroundings.
The highlight of the overnight tour is undoubtedly the sunrise visit to Abu Simbel. You’ll wake before dawn and make the short journey to the temple complex. As the sun begins to rise, you’ll be among the first visitors, experiencing the temples in their most serene and beautiful state. After exploring both the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari, you’ll return to your accommodation for breakfast before beginning your journey back to Aswan.
Beyond Abu Simbel: Exploring Aswan’s Treasures
While Abu Simbel is the star of this tour, your starting and ending point, Aswan, is a fascinating city with its own wealth of ancient and modern attractions. Depending on your schedule, you can extend your stay in Aswan to explore sites like the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the beautiful Philae Temple, which was also relocated to save it from Lake Nasser. A felucca ride on the Nile at sunset is another quintessential Aswan experience, offering stunning views of the river and the surrounding landscape.
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Egyptian Experience
An overnight tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel is more than just a trip to ancient ruins; it’s an immersive journey into Egypt’s rich history and a chance to witness a truly awe-inspiring sight under the most magical of conditions. The experience of seeing the colossal temples emerge from the dawn light is something that will stay with you long after your trip is over. If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure that combines ancient wonders with breathtaking natural beauty, this overnight tour is an absolute must for your Egyptian itinerary.
Enjoy your Aswan Day Tour. Our Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan to enjoy a day tour in the amazing city Aswan. Start your tour by a visit to the High Dam, an engineering miracle built in 1960 protecting Egypt from annual floods from the Nile.
Then proceed to visit the Unfinished Obelisk which shows the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to cut obelisks. Most probably this obelisk belongs to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of king Tuthmosis II. This queen was the owner of her Temple in the eastern bank of Luxor. Also there is an opinion said that it belongs to Queen Nefertiti.
Move on to visit the majestic Philae Temple which was built on the honor of Goddess Isis the chief deity of the island. Later you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Enjoy your Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan. Our Ancient Egypt Tours Representative will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan by a PRIVATE air-conditioned vehicle. It is about 03 hours and half, one way driving from Aswan to Abu Simbel. You will enjoy Abu Simbel area with its main attraction “the great sun temple of Ramses II” and the temple of queen Nefertari. Both temples were discovered in 1813 it was almost completely covered with sand. Then both temples were moved in 1960 by the help of Egyptian government and UNESCO to avoid the rising water of the Nile. Ramses II built the temple mostly to honour himself as inside there is a mural depicting his famous victory at Kadesh battle where his army defeated his enemies. On the north of Ramses temple, the Nefertari Temple which was built by Ramses II to his favourite wife Queen Nefertari among other 200 wives and concubines. After finishing the visit you will be escorted back to your hotel or Airport in Aswan by your private air-conditioned vehicle. Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant.
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 500 $ |
| Twin Room | 380$ |
| Triple Room | 330$ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 400 $ |
| Twin Room | 300 $ |
| Triple Room | 250 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 450 $ |
| Twin Room | 330 $ |
| Triple Room | 280 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 360 $ |
| Twin Room | 250 $ |
| Triple Room | 200 $ |
Price quotes are in USD per person per tour except for celebration. Please inquire for the prices of New Year, Christmas and Easter.
Tipping for a job well done is customary and highly expected in Egypt though it is not obligatory. Please feel welcomed but not obliged to offer a tip to your service provider
Notes:
Children policy is applied to children who share rooms with their parents (Maximum 1 OR 2 Child under 5 years old sharing parent’s room)
Children policy is not applied on all kinds of transportation (Flight, train or bus) full ticket payment is required
We are offering a considerable down payment of just 20% to secure your space on the tour including hotel room, cruise cabin, domestic flight ticket, and other travel-related services and 30% during Christmas, New Year and Easter Holidays. The remaining balance can be paid up to two days prior to your arrival date or in cash upon arrival at the destination. Therefore, your booking will be a risk-free investment.
In case you cancel your trip, the following charges will be applied:
At any time after your booking is confirmed, Ancient Egypt Tours holds a 20% non-refundable deposit
7 days or less before departure, we will retain the 50% payment you have paid in relation to your booking.
We advise all clients to purchase travel insurance in the event that travel is unexpectedly interrupted due to illness. To confirm the booking, the client must pay a deposit of 20% of the total tour price.
Should the reservation be canceled, customers will be charged a fee depending on how far beyond the departure date the cancellation is made. To cancel, the Customer must notify the Tour Organizer in writing.
Full payment forfeiture in case of no show
All Transportation tickets are nonrefundable and there’s also a 5% transaction fee on refunds.
Here, at Ancient Egypt Tours, we prioritize your well-being and safety above all else and for that reason, we have adapted our cancellation policy to reflect our values. We offer a very flexible cancellation policy in case the government or the airline issues a NOT TO TRAVEL warning to the designated destination. In the event of this happening, we will refund you the amount paid according to cancellation policy, unless you prefer to keep your payment available for future travel credit and travel voucher that can be used towards any of the destinations, we operate tours in. You have the flexibility to apply this amount towards new travel services booked. Reservations will be adjusted to reflect these travel credits automatically.
After your tour is confirmed, we will email final confirmation and voucher to print and bring with you. Details will include contact numbers of your tour operator and customer care and additional information for your convenience.
