I came to Abu Simbel, which is located 280 kilometers southwest of Aswan and only 40 kilometers away from the ongoing civil war in Sudan, just to witness the magnificent rock-cut temple. Apart from the pyramids, Abu Simbel is the most magnificent image of Egypt etched in my mind! This enormous temple is classified as a Nubian monument, along with the Philae Temple downstream, and was designated as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1979.
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◦ Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel was built during the reign of Ramses II. After the completion of the Aswan High Dam, to prevent it from being inundated by the river waters, it took four years of joint efforts by the United Nations and the Egyptian government to relocate the temple, which had been cut into stone blocks, to its current location. Aside from a few noticeable engineering marks, you can hardly detect any traces of construction at the seams. It truly is a remarkable restoration project!
01 | The Eight Statues of Ramses II in the Hall
When you enter the first hall of the temple, which is adorned with pillars, you'll see eight statues of Ramses II, with four on each side. Normally, pharaohs are shown in statues with a specific pose after their death. They are shown holding a crook and flail with their hands crossed over their chest. But Ramses II, who believed he was divine, used these statues to portray himself as a god to everyone.
02 | The Sanctuary
In the innermost part of the Abu Simbel Temple, you'll find four statues arranged from right to left: the sun god Ra-Horakhty, Ramses II, the god Amun-Ra, and the god of the underworld.
◦ Temple of Nefertari
The nearby Nefertari Temple, located next to the Abu Simbel Temple, was built by Ramses II for his beloved queen, Nefertari. At the entrance of the temple, there are statues of Ramses and Nefertari standing side by side, symbolizing her importance in the pharaoh's heart. Ramses represents the king, while Nefertari embodies the goddess of love.
◦ Abu Simbel Light Show
When it comes to sound and light shows, the version in Abu Simbel is impressive. Here, the audience sits in the midst of the twin temples and experiences a captivating sound and light presentation that portrays the achievements of Ramses II, the intense battles of the New Kingdom era, and the touching love story with his wife Nefertari. It's like watching a moving historical narrative, and it's truly heartwarming!
The show is screened irregularly. The staff decides whether to screen it based on whether there are at least ten reservations for the day. It is advisable to make a reservation in advance or inquire at the hotel reception. Since I visited in the summer when there were very few tourists, our group consisted of only seven people. Fortunately, the staff finally agreed to schedule a show for us.
Ticket Price: 500 EGP (07/2023). Tickets can be purchased from the staff at the entrance or inquired about at your hotel.
◦ Recommended Hotel: Tuya Hotel
Tuya Hotel is only one kilometer away from the temple, making it easily accessible by foot. Not only are the rooms clean and equipped with fast internet and a stable supply of hot water in the shower, but the staff's service attitude is also commendable. After the sound and light show ended, I returned to the hotel at 10 PM. To my surprise, the chef was still willing to prepare meals, which was incredibly considerate! On the day of check-out, they even helped me book an affordable tuk-tuk ride to the bus station and negotiated a better fare with the ticket seller over the phone. Such proactive and attentive service is truly rare in Egypt. I highly recommend their accommodation and service!
◦ Transportation: From Aswan to Abu Simbel
01 | Take the Public Bus
Departure Time: Every day at 8 AM. Ticket Price: 120 EGP (07/2023) Location: Aswan Bus Station (4VGW+QGR, أبو الريش قبلي، قسم أسوان،، قسم أسوان، أسوان) Ticket Counter: Simply ask the locals for assistance in finding the ticket counter
02 | Missed the Public Bus? No Worries!
Don't worry! At the same bus station, there are many minivans departing as they fill up, heading towards different destinations. Just ask the locals for help by inquiring about Abu Simbel, and kind-hearted people will assist you in finding the right minivan. Since there were very few tourists during the summer, the public bus didn't run that day. It was thanks to the assistance of the locals that I was able to catch a minivan to Abu Simbel.
Tickets: 300 EGP (07/2023) Location: Aswan bus station (4VGW+QGR, أبو الريش قبلي، قسم أسوان،، قسم أسوان، أسوان)
◦ Transportation: From Abu Simbel to Aswan
01 | Public Bus
There are two daily public buses available for the return journey from Abu Simbel to Aswan. There are two buses available daily, departing at 6 AM and 1 PM. Tickets: 120 EGP (07/2023) Location: You can find it by searching for "Mirkato Caffe" on Google. This place also serves tea and is a rest stop. As the departure time approaches, there will be someone on site selling tickets. Just follow the crowd to purchase your ticket!
02 | Seek Assistance from Accommodation
If you happen to miss the public bus, you can also ask your hotel for assistance in finding a minivan.
Tickets: 300 EGP – 400 EGP (07/2023)