About this blog: If you are debating whether Abu Simbel is worth your time and effort for the Long pending Egypt trip, I am here to convince you. I had seen the great pyramids of Giza, strolled around the many (stunning) temples of Luxor; yet the Enormous Statues of Ramses the second facing Sun by the banks of ancient Nile remains etched in my mind as the favourite postcards from Egypt. Yes it takes time resource and effort to make the trip to Abu Simbel, although the recent airport connection between Aswan and Abu Simbel has brought the world closer to this UNESCO world heritage site. However, Abu Simbel is worth every minute of this long arduous journey!
Abu Simbel Temples, also known as the Nubian ancient temple complex, is a group of ancient statues by the Mighty Pharao Ramses the second and his beloved wife Netertari. He erected two temple complexes, dedicating to the three state Gods of ancient Egypt.
Like all the mighty emperors of yesteryears, these temple complexes were not immune to the gnaw of time. In a few thousand years, they were buried under a sand dune, was sunk to the bottom of Nile river. Their memories remains in the folklore of the local Nubians and the Caravan dwellers who braved the length of Sahara.
I remember Aswan from the blissful window glass of our air conditioned car, that was stranded somewhere in the Sahara desert. The Sun, a perfect big orange drop, as supple as an egg told emerged at the horizon. The car had stopped, as a part of the tour that seemed permits and clearance from the border control.
The Mythical Abu Simbel temple was flooded and almost sunk to the bottom of Nubia lake until it did not. I love places that sends chill down my spine, making me wonder, what stars crossed path in the Galaxies that made it possible for me to stand in front of those ancient stone in twentieth century?
Abu Simbel was one such spot.
It is located at the far end of the course of Nile river, teasing the international Sudanese border at Arm’s length.
It is the Sudan border that has tightened security of the region. We rented a car, for tourist cars were dirt cheap in the peak of August summer in the region. Cars were plenty and tourists were sparse making it a very sweet deal for us.
But if you happen to visit Nubia during the peak tourist season, you may well want to check out the morning bus that leaves Aswan at 8 am. It’s very affordable and actually takes tourists (not all bus in the region are accepting of tourists, but you experience May differ if you are a POC).
The bus leaves Aswan at 8 in the morning, reaches Aswan at 12 noon and leaves in about an hour. You may as well want to stay there for the night.
Until recently it was a forlorn place with those gigantic statues welcoming the Sun at the break of the dawn but Instagram plays a humongous role in the make or break of a destination. Anu Simbel is no different.
With Instagram crowd came the economy of demand supply and a bunch of Nubian looking houses that mushroomed the area. Most of these accommodations are active in the season, meaning winter months.
The summer months bring scorching heat. Only a handful of tourists dare venture in the wilderness of this No Man’s Land.
Apart from seeing the temple of Abu Simbel, there is nothing more to do in the area. The nights would be, I am afraid, boring. However if you spend the night in one of the luxury resorts that offer pool, delicious food and other luxuries, you may enjoy, like many locals love this spot.
I recommend you take the tour. If not the tour, at least a bus to go in and out at night at least.
It’s a long 8 hour full day tour, just of which is spent on the road, journeying through the arid desert.
To reach Abu Simbel, you need to spend the night at Aswan. Aswan is a sweet spot along the course of Nile. Banks of the river dotted with Nubian villages in colourful grafitti. It is a small city that has a center doubling as a market.
There is a handful things to do at Aswan. It is often considered to be the door to Abu Simbel Temples. Aswan is a spot along the Nile river cruise as well, the multi day ones. We took the night sleeper train from Cairo.
Is it safe to visit Abu Simbel?
The road to Abu Simbel is open from 5 am to 5 pm. The road runs high on security.
I felt safe visiting Abu Simbel but for full disclosure, it is located at the border of Sudan. Borders can get vilitile like any other part of the world so you may want to exercise caution, however I want to emphasise our visit was absolutely safe.
Temple of Hathor
Built in the memory of the Queen Nefertoti, this temples are equally awe inspiring and also a remnant of the kings love for the Queen. It has. Bunch of reference points with the temple of Nefertiti from Luxor, another stop you must visit on your Egypt travels.
Unlike the other temples of the region, Hathor has the queen depicted almost as big as the King, which is pretty unique to the time.
Temple of Ramesis
The temples were built in memory of the most powerful pharaoh of yesteryears, Ramesis 2.
They remain as one of the most well preserved Egyptian temples of ancient world, with columns, frescoes, pillars and everything almost intact.
It almost feels eerie how cold the interiors are while sun sets the world ablaze outside. With almost no one around, I was transported back to the world of caravan dwellers who stumbled upon these temples
The temple was moved, brick by brick, with little help by the then Soviet Union.
I would not have believed it’s possible to move an Egyptian temple until I saw one at the MET, NYC. Not only did they live the temple, they bright it right at the heart of New York. I might as well believe in King Cong!
To be honest , I was templed out after an evening in Luxor. I do not want to sound obnoxious but I could really do away with visiting ancient Egyptian temples for a while after a couple of days in Luxor. Then Abu Simbel happened.
I could scream if I had to convince people to visit these temples. They are worth every second and penny you spend to reach this end of the desert land which is truly a no man’s land between to frenimy states of Sub Saharan Africa!
The statues are gigantic, very well preserved. The frescoes inside the temple are speak to you with the live poignant strokes of brush. They are mind boggling!
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