If you are thinking about taking a tour of Egypt, you cannot leave a visit to Abu Simbel off your list. This incredible resort is located almost 300 km from Aswan, right on the border with Sudan.
This monument has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most important places in Egypt.
In this post I tell you about how to visit Abu Simbel, its history, curiosities, what to see, how to get there, prices... Everything you need to know to prepare your perfect visit.
WHAT TO SEE IN ABU SIMBEL
Abu Simbel is one of the essential places to see in Egypt and is a must on any route through the country. It is an archaeological site about 230 kilometers from the city of Aswan. The site consists of two rock-cut temples built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II, who ruled Egypt for 66 years. He was the pharaoh who ordered the construction of more temples and historical buildings in Egypt.
The main temple is dedicated to Ramses II himself, as well as other gods such as Amun, Ptah and Ra-Horakhty. The second, much smaller temple in the complex is dedicated to Ramses II's wife, Nefertari.
In ancient times, Abu Simbel was one of the most important religious temples in Egypt and was visited by pilgrims from all over the country.
The temple was buried by the desert for centuries and it was not until 1813 that a Swiss explorer discovered it. Later, in 1960, the Aswan Dam caused many floods, destroying temples and historical places, so the government was afraid that the same thing would happen to Abu Simbel and sent a large group of engineers and archaeologists to move the stone temple to stone to a further and higher area.
The Temple of Ramses II or the Great Temple
The Temple of Ramses II, also known as the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, is a rock-cut temple on the shores of Lake Nasser.
The temple was built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II and is dedicated to both Ramses II and the gods Amun, Ptah and Ra.
The temple impresses with its enormous façade 30 meters high by 38 meters wide and the 4 colossal sculptures of Pharaoh Ramses II. Each of them measures 20 meters and represents the pharaoh sitting on a throne, with the nemes and the crown of upper and lower Egypt.
The interior of the temple is also amazing. It is divided into three rooms. The largest room is dedicated to Ramses II to the gods Amun, Ptah and Ra. The second chamber is in honor of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari and finally, the third chamber is dedicated to the gods Amun, Ptah and Ra.
The Temple of Queen Nefertari or Lesser Temple
The Temple of Queen Nefertari is the second temple in the complex and the smallest. Although no less impressive for that reason. It is also known as the minor temple or the Temple of Hathor. It is a temple carved into the rock, located on the shores of Lake Nasser. It was built in the same period as the previous one, during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II.
The temple has a façade that is 23 meters high and 30 meters wide. On the façade there are two enormous 10-meter statues of Ramesses II's wife, Nefertari. The statues represent Nefertari sitting on a throne with the crown of the goddess Hathor. Right next to these two statues of Nefertari are 4 statues of Ramses II.
The interior of the temple is also divided into three rooms. The largest is dedicated to Hathor and Nefertari. The second room, the middle one, is dedicated to Ramses II and Nefertari. And finally, the third room is dedicated to Hathor, Satis, Horus, Anubis and Khnum.
HOW TO VISIT ABU SIMBEL
The fastest and most comfortable way to visit Abu Simbel is by hiring an excursion. There are different excursions, some include 1 day and some include a few more days, with other visits in the itinerary.
Excursions and tours to visit Abu Simbel:
There are several organized tours to visit various destinations in Egypt for several days. They are a comfortable and carefree way to travel around Egypt without having to worry about a thing:
ENTRANCE PRICES TO ABU SIMBEL
If you have booked an organized excursion, the tickets are included. But if you arrive on your own by public transport or private transfers, you must buy the tickets at the ticket office that you will find at the entrance to the monument. Payment must be made in cash, they do not accept credit cards.
The entrance fee for adults is 255 Egyptian pounds.
Admission for students and children aged 6 to 12 is 133 Egyptian pounds.
Children under 6 years old are free
The sound and light show at Abu Simbel costs 300 Egyptian pounds for adults and 200 pounds for children aged 6 to 12.
If you want to take photographs inside the temple, they charge an additional fee of 300 Egyptian pounds and they will ask you to take them without a flash. If you also want to use the tripod, you must pay a supplement of 20 Egyptian pounds (all of these supplements must be purchased in advance at the temple ticket office.
TIMES TO VISIT ABU SIMBEL
Anu Simbel is open daily from 5am to 6pm. During the time of Ramadan the schedule may change. If you want to see the light and sound show in Abu Simbel (something I recommend) you should go to the temple at 7 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday or at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW IN ABU SIMBEL
In Abu Simbel, as in the pyramids of Giza, they put on a light show three days a week. Through a set of laser lights they tell the history of the temple.
The time to enjoy the show is at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It is possible that during Ramadan the schedule may change.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR ABU SIMBEL
If you go on your own and need to book accommodation you can find some options in the city of Abu Simbel, near the temple. There aren't many options, but you can find available hotels and their rates in Abu Simbel here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Egypt a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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