Abu Simbel Tour from Aswan

Tour Details:

We will pick you up at your hotel in Aswan; You will recognize our driver by the sign with your name in his hands.

First, you will go to the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Believe me, you are very lucky to see this amazing historical monument! In the 1960s, it took an international team 5 years to avoid it sinking into the water during the creation of Lake Nasser, which was formed after the creation of the Aswan High Dam, to dismantle it piece by piece, move it to another location and rebuild it to another elevation.

Abu Simbel, by the way, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It consists of two temples carved into the mountain:  the Great Temple of Ramses II, perhaps the greatest of all the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and the  Small Temple of the goddess Hathor, dedicated to Ramses’ wife, Nefertari. Some sources mention twin temples in the 13th century BC. Huge temples were built in the area between Egypt and Nubia and were created not only for some religious and architectural reasons, but also for some religious and architectural reasons, but also for some religious and architectural reasons.  but also as a reminder to smaller neighbors of the power and greatness of the Pharaoh of Egypt. It clearly demonstrates the pharaoh as godlike.

The Temple of Ramses II really deserves its name as the Great Temple, its height is up to 30 meters, and the gate is guarded  by four giant statues of the pharaoh, carved out of the rock and more than 20 meters high (the distance between the corners of the lips of the colossi is more than one meter). Unfortunately, one colossus lost its head and part of its torso as a result of the earthquake, but, nevertheless, the sight is impressive. Pay attention not only to the large façade,  but also on the inside of the temple, carved into the rock more than 60 meters long, where you will find beautifully decorated halls with columns, colored reliefs and drawings.

In the sanctuary there is a group of four sculptures: Ramses with the triad of gods, Ptah, Amun-Ra and Harmakis. It is here that the “solar miracle” takes place: only twice a year do rays penetrate the sanctuary and illuminate these sculptures, with the exception of the god Ptah, who, according to myology, was associated with the underworld and therefore must remain forever in darkness.

The Small Temple of the Goddess Hathor is a simplified copy of the Great Temple. Around the portal, you will be able to see sculptures of the royal family: four statues of Ramses II and his two wives Nefertari, with small depictions of their children. Please note: this is something unique in ancient Egyptian culture – the statues of the king and queen are equal in size (more than 10 meters), while: “The wife of a great king will never be higher than her husband’s knees.” The ratio of the height of the statues shows the relationship between the pharaoh and the importance in his life and place in the heart of Nefertari’s wife. You should definitely visit this place!

In the afternoon, our driver will take you back to your hotel in Aswan.