"Magical place" Abu Simbel by vdoortje

Abu Simbel Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 26 photos

Since the daring conquest in 1967 (?) to save these tempels from the rising waters of Lake Aswan this place is world famous. To a lot of people they haven't been to Egypt when they haven't visited Abu Simbel.
And it is not that simple to go there. The temples are situated on the Western shores of Lake Nasser, about 300 km. south of Aswan.
You can get their by bus/car in convoy, by plane or by ship.
2,5 years ago we went there by bus. That is quite a challenge and I will never do that again. Having to raise at 3am in order to pick up the convoy that leaves at 4.30am from Aswan. Driving for more than 3 hours in the barren desert and than you will be arriving there with hundreds of other visitors, who all want to enter the place as soon as possible. I hate crowds!! After a visit of hardly 2 hours, the whole bunch will take their transportation. Another 3 hours back to Aswan.
Never again.

Another way to reach Abu Simbel.

View from Lake Nasser

This year we went there by Cruise Ship. The ship will leave from Aswan and sail in 4 days to Abu Simbel. During that trip other sites along the shores of Lake Nasser are visited. Some tempels and one tomb. These are sites that only a handfull of people will see; only the people that come by ship.
You can get there by car, but that needs a lot of organization, like getting your own police guidance.

This cruise is wonderful! Sailing Lake Nasser is a unique experience and seeing the tempels of Abu Simbel appear in the distance across the water is something I will never forget!

Just to show you the difference

Abu Simbel in Convoy

This picture was taken 2,5 years ago, when we visited Abu Simbel with the convoy. Very crowded! There were picket lines in order to enter each of the tempels. And just 2 hours to see all of it.
With the cruise we could pick our own time. We were with just 4 people and our guide heared the other people on the cruise were going to visit the tempels at 4.30 pm. So we went at 2 pm. Quite hot outside, but the tempels have climate control, so inside it was really great. And most of the treasures of this site is to be seen inside. Magical!!
We practicaly had the site for ourselves and when the other people of the ship came, we had a nice seat on the terrace of the nearby cafe with a cold drink.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Unique place
Cons:Don't go there by convoy
In a nutshell:A must!!!

Last visit to Abu Simbel: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Oct 5, 2004
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Reviews (6)

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Amada Tempel

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Written Jan 14, 2005

8 photos

Cruising Lake Nasser

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Comments (7)

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uglyscot Oct 2, 2010 at 11:28 PM

We flew to Abu Simbel and arrived early so were able to go inside before there were too many people. As we stayed the night, we were able to see the son et lumiere and flew back early in the morning to Aswan. The cruise sounds very nice; maybe next time?
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angiebabe Nov 15, 2007 at 1:29 AM

thanks for more interesting tips and tour of the sights of Egypt!
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sayedaburas May 27, 2005 at 11:09 PM

Kha-msa Wekh-me-sa! :x
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Luchonda May 23, 2005 at 7:59 PM

Hi, leuk van de trip nog eens te doen via je reportage. Goede commentaren en thx voor de "Negrashi" tip !!
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Beograd Apr 25, 2005 at 1:50 AM

Nice page..
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novsco61 Apr 7, 2005 at 11:46 PM

Thank you for sharing the info with us. Egipt is magic.
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globetrott Dec 6, 2004 at 6:10 AM

great infos and pics ! Abu Simbel & cruising the Nile is on the top of my travel-dream-list !