Overview
Take a trip to Abu Simbel on your Egypt Vacation
Abu Simbel is a village in Egypt that lies south of Aswan and is only 40 km (25 mi) north of the Sudanese border. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nubean Monuments which runs from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae. It is an excellent add-on to a stay in Aswan on Egypt tours.
The village is most famous for its temples. The Great Temple of Ramses II, constructed between 1274-1244 BC, is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Egypt. The Temple of Hathor and Nefertari, also known as the Small Temple, is only the second time in Egyptian history that a temple was dedicated to a queen. These complexes became covered in sand and were lost to the world until Swiss explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt discovered them in 1813.
While the temples themselves are fascinating on trips to Egypt, they are not native to Abu Simbel but were originally built further down the Nile. In their original location, these relics were threatened by the rising waters of the Nile due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Beginning in 1959, an international donor campaign to save the monuments was implemented. As a result of this campaign as well as a UNESCO-funded program, between 1964-1968, each temple was carefully sawed into numbered stone cubes and were remarkably reassembled in Abu Simbel. Due to this immense effort, thousands of tourists embark on the temples daily on Egypt tours.
At a Glance
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Egypt is modern and cosmopolitan, yet still rooted in a culture of hospitality. Whether sipping tea with locals or exploring sacred sites, you will find that human connections are as memorable as the monuments themselves
The ancient monuments carry an extraordinary historical significance and relevance. You feel it the moment you are there!
Be prepared for a modest society. Both men and women generally cover their shoulders and knees, and visitors should do the same out of respect.
November to April is the most pleasant weather-wise, while summer can be sweltering with many days over 45 degrees Celsius (about 113 degrees Fahrenheit).
For Egypt's biggest draw, the people have to be on top, but the culture and history are not far behind. It’s a destination where warm hospitality pairs with awe-inspiring history to create an experience like no other.
The gigantic statues of Abu Simbel are a great ...
Rameses II temple is a must inclusion on all Ab...
Abu simbel temple of Rameses ii
Ramses statue at Abu Simbel
The temple of Abu Simbel
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Abu SimbelMostly Sunny
42°C / 107°F
0mm / 0.0"
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