Trip highlights
- Scenic Journey: Enjoy bird’s-eye views of the Nile and Lake Nasser on a short, comfortable flight.
- The Great Temple: Stand in awe of the four massive colossi of Ramses II guarding the entrance.
- The Temple of Love: Explore the exquisite Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
- Battle of Kadesh: See the vibrant wall reliefs depicting Ramses II’s legendary military victories.
- Engineering Miracle: Learn the fascinating story of how these temples were cut and moved to save them from the rising waters of the High Dam.
Overview
Maximize your time and travel in comfort with an Abu Simbel from Aswan by Flight: The Majestic Day Trip. Skip the long desert convoy and enjoy a scenic 45-minute flight over Lake Nasser, arriving fresh and ready to explore ancient Egypt’s most impressive masterpiece. Accompanied by an expert Egyptologist, you will stand before the colossal statues of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, witnessing a UNESCO World Heritage site that is a triumph of both ancient engineering and modern preservation.
Itinerary
Day 01A Flight to the Edge of Ancient Egypt
Your journey begins with a private pickup from your hotel in Aswan. You will be transferred in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Aswan International Airport to board your short flight to Abu Simbel. As you soar above the desert, enjoy breathtaking views of the shimmering Lake Nasser, the world’s largest man-made lake.
Upon landing, your private Egyptologist guide will be waiting to whisk you away to the temple complex. As you approach the site, the massive façade of the Great Temple of Ramses II rises from the mountainside. Your guide will explain the significance of the four 20-meter statues and lead you inside, where the hall is lined with Osirid pillars and walls covered in detailed hieroglyphs depicting the Battle of Kadesh.
Just steps away stands the smaller, yet incredibly beautiful Temple of Queen Nefertari. It is one of the few instances in Egyptian art where the statues of the King and Queen are of equal size, a testament to Ramses’ deep love for his wife.
Before leaving, you will learn about the UNESCO International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia. Your guide will explain how these massive structures were sliced into blocks and reassembled on higher ground—a feat of engineering as impressive as their original construction.
After a morning filled with history and wonder, you will fly back to Aswan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a local restaurant for a delicious Late Lunch, savoring the flavors of the region before being dropped off at your hotel, memories of the Pharaohs fresh in your mind.
What is included
Included
- Pick up and drop off from your Hotel in Aswan.
- All airport transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Domestic flight tickets (Aswan / Abu Simbel / Aswan).
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Bottle of mineral water during the excursion.
- Late Lunch meal at a local restaurant in Aswan.
- All service charges and taxes.
Not included
- Entrance fees to the Temples of Abu Simbel.
- Tipping for the guide and driver.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional activities (e.g., photo tickets inside if required).
- Visa to Egypt.
Questions about this trip
Does this Abu Simbel trip use flights from Aswan?
Yes. Domestic flight tickets for Aswan–Abu Simbel–Aswan are included, together with the listed local transfers. The visit needs to be arranged around the available flight schedule.
Are the temple entrance tickets included?
No. Entrance fees to the Abu Simbel temples are excluded. The return flights and transport should not be confused with the admission charge at the archaeological site.
Which Abu Simbel temples will we visit?
The visit covers the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller temple associated with Nefertari. Send any onward flight or cruise departure time so the return connection can be checked.
