The most awe-inspiring monument in Egypt — twice rescued from history.
Abu Simbel is a destination on Egypt's Nile cruise and tour routes, home to Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari. The best time to visit is Year-round (Feb 22 + Oct 22 for the sun alignment).
What is on the cruise or in the package, and what is worth adding.
The Great Temple
Four colossi outside, eight Osiris pillars inside, and the sanctuary where the sun reaches the statues twice a year. Ten minutes inside is unforgettable.
The small temple
Dedicated to Hathor and to Ramses' favourite wife, shown at the same height as the king — unique in Egypt.
Walk behind the temples to see the artificial mountain UNESCO built around them. The engineering is as impressive as the art.
Lake Nasser
Stay the night (Seti Abu Simbel hotel) for the sound & light show and the temples at sunrise with nobody there.
3 or 4 nights from Aswan on Prince Abbas or Omar El Khayam — Kalabsha, Wadi el Seboua, Amada and arriving at Abu Simbel by boat.
22 Feb & 22 Oct
Twice a year the sunrise lights the statues in the sanctuary. Thousands come; book months ahead if the date matters to you.
Hot and dry all year. Coolest in December–February (18–25°C daytime); summer peaks 40°C+. Always bring sun protection — there's almost no shade at the site.
Hotels, flights, transfers and the cruise, planned as one trip and quoted in writing.
Luxury
There's no shopping cart because a Nile cruise shouldn't be bought like a pair of shoes. A specialist handles it end to end.
Dates, route, style, budget — or just "help". Use the finder above, the form below or WhatsApp.
A specialist replies with ships that fit, live availability, exact inclusions and a written price.
Swap ships, add Cairo or Abu Simbel, ask anything. We hold your cabin free while you decide.
Deposit by card link or bank transfer, balance before sailing. Vouchers and a WhatsApp line for the trip.
Temperature drives both comfort and price — and a few small things (tipping, tickets, what to pack) make the difference between a good cruise and a great one.
Hover or tap a month for temperatures and crowd levels.
Linen or cotton that covers shoulders and knees — you'll be walking in full sun at Karnak and Edfu. A scarf doubles as sun cover and mosque-visit modesty.
Tomb floors in the Valley of the Kings are ramps and steps. Sandals for the deck, closed shoes for the sites.
Deck evenings and air-conditioned lounges are cooler than you expect. November–February nights drop to 8–12 °C.
The pool is the afternoon plan. Sunscreen on board costs three times the price at home.
Tomb interiors are dim and phones die fast in the heat. Plug type C/F (European two-pin), 220 V.
For the Galabeya night and the captain's dinner — or buy a galabeya at the Esna market for $10 like everyone else.
Roughly $3–5 for the crew (pooled envelope at the end of the cruise), $5 for your Egyptologist and $2 for drivers. We put this in writing so nothing feels awkward.
ATMs in Luxor and Aswan work fine; on board only cash is accepted for tips. $1 and $5 notes are gold for bathroom attendants and carriage drivers.
Drinks (packages from $35/day), laundry, spa, and optional excursions like Abu Simbel or the balloon. The bar takes cards on most deluxe and luxury ships.
Tutankhamun's tomb (~$20), Seti I (~$60) and Nefertari (~$60) are extra at the sites. Nefertari is the best-preserved tomb in Egypt — say yes.
EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many more: $30 sticker at the airport bank counter, or an e-visa online in advance. Passport valid 6+ months.
Both have daily flights from Cairo (1 h) and some direct European charters. We match your arrival day to a departure day so you don't lose a night.
First excursion is the same afternoon; last day ends around 08:00–09:00. Book flights after 12:00 on disembarkation day.
Not included and strongly advised. Egypt's private hospitals in Luxor and Aswan are good; the ship's doctor is on call 24 h.
You're at a temple in the morning, on deck for lunch as the banks slide past, and docked by evening. Ships often moor side by side — you may walk through another ship to reach the shore.
Grouped by language. Private guide upgrades are available on every ship for about $40–60 per day.
Optional, fun and slightly cheesy. The sun deck under the stars is the alternative.
Vegetarian, gluten-free and halal handled easily; tell us about allergies when you book and the kitchen is briefed in writing.
No age limit on motor ships. Connecting or triple cabins on request — we only quote ships that have them free on your dates. Children 2–11 usually pay 50%.
Single supplements run 50–75% of the double rate, but several ships halve or waive it in low season.
Under-80-guest ships and private sail boats are the quiet ones. Tell us — cabins get a welcome upgrade where we can.
Lifts on most deluxe and luxury ships; temples involve uneven ground and steps. Tell us and we'll pick a ship with a lift and lower-deck cabins.
Yes — it is the one thing guests who skipped it regret. The two hours on site are the most impressive of the whole trip, and you are back on the ship for lunch.
Road if you do not mind the early start — it is cheaper and the desert drive is part of it. Air if you are short on time, travelling with older guests, or visiting in summer.
Yes, as a day trip from an Aswan hotel, or from Cairo on a very long day by air. But almost everyone combines it with a cruise; we quote both together.
A 3- or 4-night cruise between Aswan and Abu Simbel on a dedicated ship, visiting the Nubian temples that were moved above the lake. Arriving at Abu Simbel by water is the best way to see it.
No account, no payment, no obligation. Tell us the basics and a named specialist does the rest.
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