Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan

Aswan, Egypt

Walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs at the majestic Abu Simbel Temples on this 10-hour private tour by air-conditioned minibus from Aswan. See the enormous sandstone temples built by Ramses II more than 3,200 years ago, and Lake Nasser, created when the Nile was dammed by the Aswan High Dam, with private Egyptologist guide.

Your private driver will collect you from your Aswan hotel around 3:30am – please note that for some Aswan hotels pickup may be earlier, and for others pickup may not be possible at all. Catch forty winks in air-conditioned comfort as you drive for three and a half hours across the desert to the small town of Abu Simbel – you may wish to order a breakfast box from your hotel.

At the site, your private Egyptologist guide will explain the history of the UNESCO-listed temples. He'll clarify how they were built, for Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, and how they were transported, piece by piece, to this new location when the Aswan High Dam was set to flood their original location. You'll also learn about the meanings of the statues and inscriptions that adorn the temples, and have free time to explore and capture pictures of the temples reflected in Lake Nasser.

After around three hours at the site, which includes time for shopping, coffee, and snacks (own expense), you'll drive back to Aswan, arriving at your hotel around 1:30pm, depending on location.