Abu Simbel
One of the most awe-inspiring monuments of Egypt.
It was cut into the living rock by King Ramesses II (the Great) around 1264 BC
Prices and options
Entry of Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel (without guide)
Car (1-3 guests, no guide): $140
Microbus (3-6 guests, no guide): $205usd
Microbus (7-8 guests, no guide): $215usd
With Aswan-Individual, vehicles are for you and your group only. There is no sharing with strangers. Tickets are never included and have to be paid at the ticket counter.
Pickup is at East Bank Hotels or ferry station at East Bank side.
Extra fee for pickup at West Bank side:
plus $13usd for car, $18usd for microbus.
There are great books about Abu Simbel available at Egyptian airports. With a lot of information and beautiful photos. The guide is not allowed to go inside the temples with you! This is why we recommend to visit Abu Simbel on your own. (More about guides and photos: please see „Good to Know“ below.)
Abu Simbel (with guide)
Car (1-2 guests, with guide on third seat): $205
Microbus (3-6 guests, with guide): $235usd
Microbus (7-8 guests): $280usd
Prices for meet at East Bank side. Tickets not included.
A guide to come with you from Aswan to Abu Simbel. But he is not allowed to go with you inside the temples!!! (Same rule as in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor: This is because colors of paintings inside are being endangered from the humidity of many people, and guides would make their guests stay longer inside than when guides talk outside and tourists go inside alone.)
For people in a hurry: Philae Tempel after Abu Simbel
In case you are very short of time, it is possible to visit Philae upon return. But in this case a 4:30am start time for Abu Simbel is required if doing Philae temple the same day. It is not possible to do more than Abu Simbel and Philae in one day due to strict closing times at Philae temple. In case you are spending more than one day in Aswan we advice you to enjoy both sights at two different days.
Our offer: Chauffeur to stop on the way back from Abu Simbel and wait at Philae, guide to wait for you (or have come from Abu Simbel with you), negotiate the motorboat and come with you to explain Philae Temple.
To add Philae please ADD to prices given above for Abu Simbel:
Philae with guide and boat included (our recommendation)
Car (1-2 persons): plus $83usd
Microbus (3-6 guests): plus $96usd
Microbus (7-8 guests): plus $108 usd
Philae on your own
Car (1-3 guests): plus $56usd
Microbus (3-6 guests): plus $69usd
Microbus (7-8 guests): plus $81usd
Inside Abu Simbel
Good to know
3 hours visit and departure times
At the moment convoys are not used, but travelers are free to choose any time between 4 and 11 am. It is 265 km to Abu Simbel, so you need 3 hours to go there, you can stay and visit 3 hours and then it needs 3 hours back again.
Copies of Passports
The tourist police requires copies of your passports (the main page with photo and passport number) from Waleed. He needs them the previous day to prepare the papers for the convoy for you. You can give the copy (copies) to him, if you arrive in Aswan two days before your visit at Abu Simbel, or you can send them to us as jpg or pdf.
Taking photos and guides: Both are not allowed inside the temples
The millennia-old colors would be damaged by flashbulbs. As tourists did not adhere to the flash ban, photography is now completely prohibited. If guides would explain inside the temples, guests would linger longer, more sweating endagers the murals. We recommend the very informative and beautifully illustrated books about Abu Simbel that are sold at Egyptian airports.
Sun festival at Abu Simbel
The sun miracle is twice a year in 22 Feb and 22 October. It had used to be on 21 before saving the temple, but after it has been moved it has become one day later.
Not recommended: Guides at the ticketcounter from Abu Simbel
There are guides in Abu Simbel waiting around the ticket counters to offer their services. Please know they are not allowed to go inside the temple with you! They will stay outside, show you some postcards, talk much within a very short time and then open their hand.
Also (when buying the ticket) you might get a paper that sais in English „guide fees“ – instead it explains in Arabic that part of your ticket price is used to pay pensions for retired guides. To get this paper does not include the service of a guide!
