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Abu Simbel Excursion 1 Day Trip from Aswan (Sharing Bus & Egyptologist Guide)

Aswan, Egypt

9 to 11 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan

from $89

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Overview

Visit Abu Simbel the easy way, with a package that includes an Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup, and round-trip minivan transport for a group of just 14 people. As tales of the Egyptian gods ring in your ears, you’ll check out Abu Simbel’s Great Temple of Rameses II and the Temple of Hathor — two masterpieces of ancient Egypt. Note that entry fees are at your own expense.

Book online and leave the planning of your Abu Simbel trip to the experts
Enjoy hotel pickup and door-to-door transport by air-conditioned minivan from Aswan
Hear commentary from an Egyptologist to demystify the ancient monuments
Have the chance to meet like-minded travelers with a small-group experience

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Egyptologist english speaking tour guide
free pick up from hotels in the est bank of Aswan ( extra fees for hotels in gharb sohel west bank)

the entrance fees 750 EGP
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

we pick up all travelers for free from any hotel in the est bank of Aswan but if your hotel locates in the nubian village of Gharb sohel there will be additional fees. pick up time is 4 am . we need : 1- your hotel name . 2- the room number . 3- nationality

Operating hours
.4:00 am

Itinerary

Abu Simbel Temple

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

3.9

based on 54 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Driver were good they are...

rebecca813, Sep 2025

Driver were good they are on time and responsible but tour guy is talking to fast and not very well in english

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you, Rebecca, for your valuable feedback; we will give your comment regarding the local guide our utmost consideration.

Abu Simbel

Rachel_R, Mar 2025

I realized I never wrote the review, so I’m doing it now. Very professional, on time. We were picked up at 3am as we were told. Aswam is such a beautiful historic place, so worth the drive! I highly recommend it. I will share some pictures

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thanks a lot for your feedback

The site was very amazing

Rick_G, Dec 2024

Our guide spoke very good English and gave a good "lecture" He gave a very thorough answers to our questions . We were picked up from our cruise ship around 4:30 and arrived to Abu Simbel around 8:00 and there was already a very large crowd!! When we left around 10:30 the crowd was much smaller. A later arrival (10:00 to 11:00) would have been much better to see the site and take pictures with fewer people there.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Dear Rick, Thank you for your feedback. You're correct that for private tours, we generally recommend a 7:30 AM departure to avoid crowds. However, for shared bus tours, a 4:00 AM departure is necessary because some participants need to return before 2:00 PM to catch Nile cruises or travel to Cairo or Luxor in the afternoon.

Abu Simbel is a magnificent experience!

Kendy_S, Mar 2024

This was a shared bus tour. We had a private Egyptologist doing the tour of Abu Simbel. It was definitely worth getting picked up at 4:15am! Abu Simbel is magnificent. The guide cannot go into the temples with you so his talks are prior to our entering the temple.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks a lot for your feed back

Abu Simbel

Moises_C, Jan 2024

Loved Abu Simbel. The drive was smooth and the explanation by Muhammad was excellent. Really enjoyable experience since we learned a lot

Brave-hearts only

AmanDeep_R, Jun 2023

waking at 3 in the night for a 4 am journey can be really too much for someone who is on a vacation then sleeping on a 4 hr ride in a bus is where the fun goes.Sorry if I am dampening some high spirits but it is what it is. then coming back again to your hotel takes ages. nothing against Viator they did their best and all kudos to them but its just the long journey that makes you tired . Brave-hearts only.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thanks for your comment , the journey takes more than usual because they are doing renovations on the road they are doing double road to Abu Simbel but usually it takes 3 hours . So hopefully they can finish the work soon

Amazing adventure

duskandherembrace, Apr 2023

The good: It was amazing being there and seeing such a huge monument. It's been on my bucket list for ages and the site itself was truly a marvel. We were picked up on time and the communication was great, we felt like we had enough time and there were plenty of amenities at the site. The bad: It was a 4 hour journey there, plus 4 hours back and the seats weren't particularly comfortable..... but the views of the desert were nice and it was well worth it. The ugly: Despite having the cash available our guide told us to 'sneak' the child in our group through and we ended up waiting about in the security area feeling like plonkers waiting for him to go back and get a child ticket. It delayed us going in and I wish he'd just listened and bought the ticket up front as I suggested.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thanks a lot for this great feedback I think the guide wanted to help you but as you said you didn't ask for that and you was ready to pay for the child .

Abu Simbel Fantastic

Cukiegirl_2, Mar 2023

Amazing place... Great guide. Very knowledgeable . The van was good. Was on time. The driver great. They all spoke English.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks à lot for your great feedback

Disappearing Tour Guide

Dee_S, Jan 2023

The trip to Abu Simbel was good. The problem was the guide. He rushed through explaining all the information that I barely. I had to ask him to slow down because he was speaking a mile a minute. He then sent us inside the small Temple. When we returned 5 min. later and he was gone. 20 min later, we found him with another visitor. He was supposed to be assigned exclusively to us. Pay for the drive; not a guide!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks for your review We took note about the guide we work with more than one guide so we will take care of that next time .

I did not do the tour!!! They canceled me the night before!! I need a refund

MarieIris_M, Jan 2023

My tour was canceled the night before. If I did not message the tour operator they would not have told me. They told me that they will refund me the money so I want a refund!! The tour operator is a scam!!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

We are very sorry, but as you booked sharing bus tour we have minimum number of persons to operate the tour and till 7 pm you were the only one booked the tour so we waited to have more reservations but as it was low saison and we didn't have other bookings we canceled and we refunded the money. We are sorry again

Great tour for a good price!

Katrin_V, Oct 2022

The tour went exactly as described. Pick up was on time. Air conditioned van with 8 travelers. We arrived at the site at 8 am and had 2 hours for the visit. I was a bit worried at first that this may not be sufficient, but it was. A local guide picked us up at the temple site and showed us around. He explained a few things and gave us enough space to explore on our own and take pictures. The ride back to Assuan took 3 hours so that we were back around 1 pm.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks a lot for your feedback

Lost guide

Garazi_M, Oct 2022

After arriving they told us we only had hour and a half to see the temple. There were so many people that it took us 45 minutes to get the tickets. The guide did not help us at all and said we should meet him inside after seeing the first temple in half an hour. We got in late and couldn't find the guide, even though we paid for a guided tour. If you are taking this tour make sure you jump the line and you are there on time because the guide doesn't wait!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

We are sorry that you missed the guide ,but other persons in the car they did the tour with the guide but you missed them after buying the tickets.

We arrived to the Temple...

Mariel_C, Sep 2022

We arrived to the Temple very early while it was still quiet, that was amazing since we could take pictures with no people :) After that, the guide gave us some information about the temple.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Thanks for your feedback We are happy that you enjoyed the tour

Go with another company

Ka_C, Jun 2022

The tour arrived at Aswan 3 hours later than advertised. The rest of the day was lost since sites generally close at 5pm. The bus had weak air-conditioning and everyone was sweating. We had 1:45 minutes because we arrived late at Abu Simbel.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you for your feedback The minister of tourism decided last week that the maximum speed on the road 90 km so it takes now more the 3 hours to arrive to Abu simbel so it's a government decision and I explained that to you before you go in whatsapp. The minibus bus was model 2020 so the air-conditioned is good but at 2 pm with 50 degrees sometimes you feel like it's weak .

Nothing special

Lara_B, May 2022

It was an ok trip, but nothing special. We just drove there, paid the tickets, quickly seen the site and went home.

Response from Host, May 2022

Hi Lara , Yes as it's described in the itinerary Looking forward to see you again in Aswan Thanks

The most convenient way to visit Abu from Aswan

Tommaso_P, Apr 2022

The cafe on the way was super nice , in a small Place in the middle of nowhere Mr Mina has an eccellent agency and good prices Arriving in Abu simbel is space wise a surprise . The quality of the reliefs inside is poor as in many ramessid centers but it’s a must see. And this is the most convenient way from Aswan

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thanks a lot Mr.Tommaso It was pleasure to organize this trip for you and serve you .

Happy with the tour

Oana_N, Feb 2022

I was happy with this tour, it was exactly as described. The pick up was on time and we had a coffee stop on the way to Abu Simbel. We were a mixed group in the minibus, with only two of us speaking English so we pretty much had a private tour once we got to Abu Simbel.

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Thanks a lot Oana four your feedback Looking forward to serve you next time

So far away but must see.

Harry_A, Feb 2022

Comfortable mini bus with fast driver. Guide was nice and friendly. Picking up very early morning without delay. Abu Simbel was so far away about 7 hours return. Spend 2 hours sightseeing.

Must see.

Sofiyan_S, Dec 2021

I was picked up on time and driven safely to Abu Simble and back. Would have preferred to have the tour guide give us the history while on site rather than on the way to the temples. It was difficult to connect the dots while on sites since the history was shared well before while still in transit.

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hi Sofiyan , Thanks a lot for your feedback I have noted your remark Actually it was a bus in that day because it's Christmas vacation and we have a lot of tourists that is why the guide preferred to explain in the bus . But we will consider that next time Thanks indeed

Great value, excellent guide.

Liam_R, Dec 2021

Fantastic tour. Quick and easy transfer, and guide meet us on arrival. He was incredibly knowledge and prepared with photos/explanations. Would highly recommend this tour - especially if you're on a Nile Cruise and want to save some money!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Thanks a lot Liam for your great feedback Wish to see you again in Aswan

It was a long drive from...

nicolas_p, Nov 2021

It was a long drive from aswan , but worth it our guide was professional and pretty educational, beautiful landscape

Response from Host, Nov 2021

Thanks a lot Nicolas for your feedback Wish to see you again in our city Aswan

The best

Mirjana_B, Nov 2021

The drivers were professional, and on time with departure and return. The rides to Abu Simbel were long. The tour guide Abdo was very knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Nov 2021

Thanks a lot for your feedback It was pleasure to organize this trip for you Hope to see you again

Recommend!

Apostol_L, May 2021

We are very satisfied with the tour !!! everything was right and we even booked a taxi from the same guy for the next day to drive us to the Aswan and the sightseeings there! So you can trust them! I really recommend! :)

I'm tired of guides who, although paid for their work, beg for tips

adaraducanoiu, May 2021

Exceptional monuments presented by guides begging for tips. Shame! Because of this kind of people, I will never return to Egypt.

Response from Host, May 2021

Thanks for your feedback, Tipping exists in most countries especially in tourism field its a kind of appreciation to the service you have but you are not obligated to give its totally up to you . You booked just one trip with us but you are talking about( guides) in plural so I think you are talking about Tipping in Egypt in general and not a particular problem related to our service. Thanks again you are always welcome in Egypt.

Rip of

D_App, Mar 2020

Nobody pick me up, nobody contact me. The booked and payed trip not exist and nobody care. Very sad.

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Hello , we are very sorry about that it's because of coronavirus events, we didn't receive also any message from you to confirm that you are still in Egypt because the Egyptian government close all the hotels and airports for international flights from 19th of March till the middle of April and almost all tourists left Egypt to their countries . the government closed also all the temples and museums all over Egypt from the 22th of march so the temple of Abou simbel was closed . we apologize again we don't mind to refund the money you can send email to viator to refund or you can contact me if you are still in Aswan here's my personal phone number 01227126523

Perfect experience

Carlos_S, Mar 2020

Everything was perfect. Communication through whatsup for the pick up. The van was Ok, no need for AC in winter, we stayed there for 2 hours and then back. no need to pay more for this..

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thanks a lot for choosing us and your feedback see you next time

Great visit to Abu Simbel

Francois_P, Feb 2020

Timely pickup, good driver and guide. Very good value for money. Of course the temple is quite a sight, well worth the trip.

Very punctual

tomomis89, Feb 2020

The driver came on time (actually 10 mins earlier), very punctual! The tour was finished also on time!

Well organized

Akram_E, Dec 2019

Everything was rather smooth. A microbus picked us up and then at Abu Simbel a tour guide was waiting. On the way back, we stopped to take photos of a mirage. The view at the temples is beautiful and our guide was nice and fun.

Long ride, but worth it

FARIAZ_K, Nov 2019

The drivers were professional, and on time with departure and return. The rides to Abu Simbel were long, but fortunately there were refreshment and restroom stops on halfway points.