If you’re looking for a 1 Day trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo prepare for a special day that will take you from Cairo to the Abu Simbel Temple in the far south of Egypt. The trip begins with a short flight then takes you directly in a comfortable private car to one of the greatest temples left behind by the pharaohs.
You’ll visit the Temple of King Ramses II and learn the secrets of its amazing design, accompanied by a guide specializing in pharaonic history.
During the day, you’ll discover how powerful and influential ancient Egypt was, and witness the unparalleled temples carved into the mountain.
Features of a trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo (1 day)
The trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo 1 day offers many benefits including:
- Seeing temples that were completely relocated from their original location to protect them from flooding, making for a unique experience.
- Getting up close to the details of the Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of his wife Nefertari.
- Visit the site where the famous solar alignment occurs twice a year.
- Enjoying the unique visual spectacle overlooking Lake Nasser.
- Professional organization includes transportation, entrance tickets, and lunch relieving the visitor of the burden of arranging.
- Experience Nubian culture and the unique dry desert climate in the far south of Egypt.
- Ideal for travelers who don’t have a lot of time but want to visit remote archaeological sites.
- The price of the trip is reasonable considering the scope of the experience and the sites covered. Visit it.
- A sense of accomplishment after discovering a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a short period.
- Easy to combine with other tour programs in Cairo or Aswan.
Where is Abu Simbel located?
The Abu Simbel Temple is located in the far south of Egypt specifically about 300 kilometers from the city of Aswan and no more than 20 kilometers from the Egyptian border with Sudan.
The temple is located on the western bank of Lake Nasser one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. This site is part of the Nubian region which extends along both sides of the Nile River between southern Egypt and northern Sudan.
You will visit the Nubian region as part of a trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo 1 day. Nubia is known for its ancient history and roots stretching back thousands of years. It has always been home to prosperous civilizations that influenced ancient Egyptian history.
The choice of this specific location to build the Abu Simbel Temple was not a coincidence; rather it was intentional to connect the place to the king’s power and influence in southern Egypt and to secure his southern borders.
Important Facts About the Abu Simbel Temple
There are important facts you should know before embarking on your trip.
Experience a 1 day trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo:
- The temples of Abu Simbel were built more than three thousand years ago by order of King Ramses II one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt.
- The construction of the two temples took about twenty years and was completed in 1244 BC.
- The Great Temple was dedicated to the worship of the gods Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, and was also a means of immortalizing Ramses II’s name and glorifying his power.
- The Small Temple was built in honor of Queen Nefertari his favorite wife, in a rare expression of royal affection for that era.
- Ramses II had eight wives and more than 200 sons and daughters, but Nefertari was the closest to his heart.
- For many years, the temple was completely covered by sand until it fell into oblivion. It was not rediscovered until 1813 by the traveler Burckhardt who noticed the upper reliefs of the Great Temple.
- Later, in 1817, Belzoni was able to remove a large portion of the Sand and access to the temple entrance.
- At the end of the 19th century the temple began to attract visitors and became a global attraction.
- With the construction of the Aswan High Dam, a real crisis arose, represented by the threat of the temple being completely submerged due to rising water levels.
- In the 1960s, a massive rescue project was undertaken involving more than 50 countries. The process of dismantling the temple and rebuilding it in a safe location above the lake took five full years.
- Today, it’s hard to believe that every part of this massive temple was moved from its original location and reassembled with the same precision.
What to expect from a Day Trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo
When you arrive in Abu Simbel by land on a trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo (1 day) you’ll be dropped off directly at the gate of the temple complex allowing you easy and quick access to the archaeological area without the need for any additional transportation. If you arrive by air you’ll find free transportation with EgyptAir.
Once you leave Abu Simbel Airport, you may encounter a number of taxi drivers offering to take you to the temple complex although the distance is very short and doesn’t require much effort. You’ll need to take a taxi, but it’s best to politely decline this offer and take the free bus. The bus ride to the temple complex only takes about five minutes. When you get off it’s recommended to ask when the bus will return to the airport to ensure you plan your time accurately.
Upon disembarking from the bus you’ll find yourself in a small, relatively crowded parking area. In one direction you’ll see Lake Nasser, and in the other direction, you’ll see a group of small buildings.
Just head towards these buildings. On the left you’ll find a food kiosk, a seating area, and then the restrooms which are considered the best on site.
You’ll pass between the food kiosk and the seating area. After passing them you’ll notice a sign pointing to the temple complex. Continue along the road until you reach the visitor center where your enjoyable tour of one of the greatest temples in Pharaonic history begins.
In conclusion, visiting the Abu Simbel Temples from Cairo in 1 day is a unique and unforgettable experience allowing you to closely examine one of the greatest testaments to the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization. Every detail of the trip from the smooth transfers to the tour of the temples provides you with a realistic opportunity to experience history in a simple and clear way.
If you’re planning a short trip with significant archaeological value, a trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo 1 day is a suitable option without hesitation.
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