Traveler Description
This ancient complex consisting of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, built in honor of of Ramses II, and the smaller Temple of Hathor was hewn out of a solid cliff in the 13th century BC.


Traveler Reviews

long day
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Aug 10, 2008


We went here at the hottest time of the year so that took away from it also our 3:00 am flight arrived late so our guide had to rush us. All in all it is worth doing but be prepared for a long day.

Highlight of my trip!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on May 31, 2008


There were so many wonderful and awesome sights in Egypt, that the title of this review must sound pretty bold. We had done a Nile cruise to get down to Aswan. I knew before I left home that I wanted to see Abu Simbel and would pay for this optional excursion. Most of the temples we had visited along the way had been earlier in the morning or later in the day so the experiences had not been so hot. This, however, was located almost at the Sudanese border and was visited in the middle of the day. (I would suggest that if you have any say in when to go, go early in the morning.) We were driven to the Aswan airport to board our flight to Abu Simbel. First, let me say you should not believe the monitors about the times flights board and take off. These did not seem to be updated correctly. Second, some of the security folks did not allow sunscreen to go through (they were using the 3 ounce rule like in the US and Britian) so either check a bag, or take something 3 ounces or less. Sit on the left side of the plane (looking toward the cockpit) and you will be able to see Abu Simbel from the air before landing. I am from Arizona so I am more used to the heat than some. **I suggest taking a big zip-lock bag and asking for ice that you wrap in a towel and put in the bag. I put that in my back-pack and used it after walking around the place. It was refreshing! Other refreshing things included an air-conditioned room by the entrance that shows you how they moved this temple piece by piece to rescue it from being under water when the High Dam was built, and a coffee shop at the exit that had ice cream treats! This was the most well-preserved temple I had been in. They do not let you take photos inside so buy some postcards or a book and take mental pictures that will last a lifetime. Good ole' Ramses sure had a big ego! He equated himself with the gods in the holy of holies - even to having the sun hit his statue's face first before the statues of the other gods. The paintings are wonderful in the side rooms on the walls and the ceilings. Even the walls in the hall of columns show Ramses, larger than life, squashing his tiny enemies. I will give Ramses some credit, though. He is the only pharaoh I know that also built a temple for his wife, Nefertiti which is also on the property. On his temple outside to the right there is a plaque about the moving of the temples. Also, if you look at the base of the 4 statues of Ramses on the facade, you will see small statues of his children around his legs. This is an experience I will never forget! If you ever go to Egypt, this is a MUST see!

Best Temple in Egypt - Don't miss it!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Apr 5, 2008


I agree 100% with other reviewers. The King Ramses II temple and Queen Nefertari Temples at Abu Simbel are the most magnificent and memorable temples that you shall see while in Egypt and should not be missed. You have to see them to appreciate the size and the architectural genius of carving them from the mountains. It is nearly as amazing the way the temples were moved 200 metres to avoid them being destroyed by rising Lake Nasser when the Nile was dammed at Aswan. Don't be dissuaded by the long drive to get there. It is well worthwhile. My tips are: 1. Take pictures as soon as you arrive before the temples are surrounded by bus loads of tourists. 2. Go into the smaller Nefertari temple first as most people go into the bigger Ramses temple first. Then by the time you have finished the smaller temple, most people have finished looking at the Ramses II temple. This way you are not waiting in long queues and have more time to see both temples without being as pushed and crowded!

Simply amazing...
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jan 16, 2008


One of the best moments of mankind! Absolutely stunning, especially taking into account the enormous effort of transporting it piece by piece and the amazing restoration work. Also, the way to Abu Simbel is a unique experience. Try to hire a car and a driver instead of riding a bus; it will be much more comfortable and you'll have at least half an hour more by yourself at the site. If there is one site to see in Egypt, it's Abu Simbel!

Wow!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on May 25, 2006


I agree w/the previous posting - thought I was suffering from "pharoah's phatigue" after a two week 'run" thru Egypt on an Eclipse Tour. This site was our last and well worth it. The 2:30 wake up call, 4am convoy thru the "Mars-like" landscape of Abu Simbel was worth every last bit of sleep deprivation. You do need to arrive way before noon, because they day we visitied, arriving around 7:30am, it was already at least 85-90 degrees fahrenheit. There is no shading really, until you reach the temples near Lake Nassar. When you walk around the right side of this structure and round the bend to see Ramses in all his glory, goosebumps run up and down your arm; it is that awe-inspiring. I could have spent all day, just gazing up at Ramses. If your tour agent tells you the run down as I have described above; don't miss out...even if you are literally on your last leg. This is the best of Egypt!