Abu Simbel Day Trip from Luxor

Abu Simbel lies about 500 kilometres south of Luxor, so the day begins very early with a pickup from your hotel in the small hours. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle along the Nile valley and then across the Nubian desert, with rest stops on the way. Your Egyptologist travels with you and uses the long drive to tell the story of Ramesses II, his wars and his queen, so you arrive ready to understand what you see.

Arrive at Abu Simbel on the shore of Lake Nasser. The Great Temple of Ramesses II is fronted by four seated colossi of the king, each about 20 metres tall, and its inner halls are carved with scenes of the Battle of Kadesh. Beside it stands the smaller Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari. In the 1960s both temples were cut into blocks and rebuilt 65 metres higher to save them from the rising waters of the High Dam, one of the great rescue projects of the 20th century.

After free time for photos on the lakeshore, begin the journey back north via Aswan, arriving in Luxor in the evening. Bring a light jacket for the cool early morning, a hat and sunscreen for the temples, and your passport, which may be checked on the road.