These splendid Abu Simbel temples are located in the Nubian village in southern Egypt about 230 km southwest of Aswan near the borders of Sudan. To visit this breathtaking complex, most travelers choose a Day Trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel to witness the statues that were carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century B.C during the reign of the 19th dynasty pharaoh Ramesses II. These gorgeous temples are the lasting historical monument for the king and his queen, Nefertari. They commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. The temples were first explored by the Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni in 1817. The complex was relocated in 1968 or they would have been submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser. To experience this architectural marvel as part of a fully hotel-based grand itinerary, booking a comprehensive 9 day Egypt tour offers the perfect route, effortlessly connecting your flight to Abu Simbel and Upper Egypt's wonders with the coastal charm of Alexandria and the iconic highlights of Cairo. Through our article you wil know:

The Description of Abu Simbel Temples

The construction of Abu Simbel temple started in 1264 B.C and lasted until 1244 B.C. the purpose of the two temples was to impress Egypt’s southern neighbors. On the entrance of the temple, there are figures of Ramses II that are 20 meters tall. Small figures of Ramesses’ children, his queen, “Nefertari”, and his mother, “Muttuy” are carved around the statues. There is graffiti inscribed that have provided important evidence of the early history of the Greek alphabet. Abu Simbel temples can be divided into two main temples. For travelers who wish to standalone witness this deep-south architectural wonder without committing to a multi-day river cruise, booking our comprehensive 8 Days Cairo, Luxor, Abu Simbel & Hurghada Tour is the ultimate alternative, seamlessly blending private overland tours to Abu Simbel and Luxor with the treasures of Cairo and a deluxe beach retreat in Hurghada via domestic flights.

The Great Temple of Ramses II

The Great temple of Ramses II was dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re, Ptah and Re-Horakhte. The 4 seated colossi in front of the temple were sculptured from the rock in the temple before the temple was moved. All statues in the temple represent Ramses II seated on a throne wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

The inner part of the temple is similar to the ancient Egyptians temples. It has rooms and its structure is complex and unique because it has many chambers. There is a hypostyle hall that is 18 m tall and consists of eight huge pillars that depict Ramses linked to the god Osiris. There is a second pillared hall that consists of four pillars decorated with beautiful scenes of offerings to the gods. To experience the grandeur of these sacred halls firsthand during the spring, our 6 Days Cairo & Upper Egypt Easter Tour offers the most efficient way to explore Abu Simbel and the wonders of the Nile Valley with ease and luxury. For travelers seeking a more extended exploration that balances these hidden southern gems with coastal retreats, our customized 12 day egypt tour flawlessly connects your Abu Simbel excursion with the shores of Hurghada and the heritage of Alexandria.

The Small Temple of Queen Nefertari

The temple of Hathor and Nefertari, which was built about one hundred meters northeast of the temple of Pharaoh Ramses II. It was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramesses II’s chief consort, Nefertari, the most beloved wife for Ramesses. Queen Nefertiti was the first queen to have a temple dedicated to her by Akhenaten and Nefertari was the second one to have such a chance. The statues are more than two meters high. On the sides, there are statues of the king.

The hypostyle hall of the statue is supported by six pillars, which is followed by a vestibule, access to which is given by three large doors. Ramesses II and Nefertari are depicted making offerings to god Horus on the west wall of the temple. The priest on each temple represents the king in his daily religious ceremonies. Capturing the essence of these ancient rituals in the deep south naturally serves as a perfect prelude to a wider exploration, which is fully realized in our balanced 10 days Cairo, Hurghada, and Nile cruise itinerary that smoothly bridges this remote Nubian wonder with the grand ruins of Upper Egypt, the monuments of the capital, and a refreshing coastal holiday.

The Relocation of the Abu Simbel Temples

An international donations campaign began to save the monuments that were under threat from the rising of the water of the Nile, which could be caused by the construction of Aswan High Dam in 1959. The rescuing mission of Abu Simbel temples started in 1964 by the most skilled archeologists and engineers under the UNESCO banner. The relocation process cost $40 million. The large blocks were cut, dismantled, lifted to a new location 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from the river. It was one of the greatest challenges of archaeological engineering in history.

It was one of the greatest challenges of archaeological engineering in history. Today, you can witness this miracle yourself; for a worry-free experience, our 5 Days Cairo, Aswan & Abu Simbel tour provides the fastest and most efficient way to reach this remote site by flight, while our 6 Days Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Senior Trip offers a more relaxed pace for seniors.