When people are coming to Egypt, they want to explore around and visit the popular tourist attractions. The pyramids, the tombs, Nile river, and Abu Simbel Egypt are some of the most often visited places in the country. There are actually several options where travelers can come to the majestic complex – and all of them aren’t only possible, but also doable.
What Makes Abu Simbel Egypt Special?
It’s basically a temple complex consisting of two temples. The first one is the Great Temple to honor (and remember) Ramses II. The second one, which is the Small Temple, is designed to honor Nefertari, the chief consort of the pharaoh. The construction of the complex completed in around 1244 BC.
The reasons why Ramses II built the complex were:
- He wanted to honor and recognize himself while at the same time dedicating it to Ra-Horakhty god. He then constructed the Small Temple as a memorial or monument of his queen, while dedicating it to Hathor goddess.
- Ramses II also wanted to make his victory during Battle of Kadesh memorable. The complex reliefs depict his conquer over his enemies. Travelers should look closely at the temple’s base. They will see carved figures of Ramses II enemies, including the Hittites, the Nubians, and the Libyans.
- Ramses II simply wanted to show off (and impress) the Nubians, which were basically Egypt’s neighbors.
Another reason why Abu Simbel is highly impressive is the fact that they were carved – out from solid rock! It’s still impressive even until this present modern day. Everything isn’t only carved, but also adorned in specific ways to represent a certain meaning. For instance, travelers should see 4 Ramses II statues at the entrance. They are wearing double crown, symbolizing Lower and Upper Egypt’s unity.
The Location of the Complex
Abu Simbel is basically a temple complex that is situated on the southwest area of Luxor or Aswan. The complex is within Aswan Governorate village, which is on the Upper Egypt area. In specific distance, the temple complex is 310 miles from Luxor and around 178 miles from Aswan. Travelers who need information can always ask around at tourist information within the complex. It isn’t difficult to find the center. .
Different Ways to Reach Abu Simbel
Travelers have the freedom to choose their means of transportation and how they want to reach the temple complex. Each of them comes with its own winning traits and flaws.
1. Road Trip
The first option is to drive to the spot. Travelers can take a taxi, hire a minibus, or hire a private car. From Aswan, it takes 3 hours to reach Abu Simbel. If travelers depart from Luxor, the distance would be farther. They need 6 hours to reach the complex. A lot of travelers like to hire a private ride with a driver. However, according to some sources, it would be better to hire two drivers, who also function as guides.
Although the road is pretty smooth and good, it’s always best to have two drivers. The second would be a backup driver that can take turns when the first one is tired. Keep in mind that travelers may have to make some stops at the checkpoints. The view itself isn’t really impressive; mainly desert plains here and there.
For those who want to have faster trip, the road trip may not be appealing. However, if travelers choose the right professional guide, they can learn about the history of Egypt, the pyramids, or the Abu Simbel.
2. Fly
Another option is to fly, which takes 45 minutes from Aswan. However, travelers need to plan ahead because:
- The flights are only operated by Air Cairo or EgyptAir
- The flights are available in certain days only, from Wednesdays to Fridays. There are no flights on weekends.
If travelers choose to fly from Luxor to Abu Simbel, there is no direct flight. They will have to make a stopover in Aswan.
3. Nile Cruise
This is another ‘fun’ alternative for those who want to enjoy the view of the Nile and then make a stop at Abu Simbel. Some traveling agencies provide traveling packages that include several options. Travelers can choose a package that is exclusive for Abu Simbel only. If they don’t mind spending extra, they can choose Nile River cruise while making a stop at Abu Simbel. If they want to have a trip from Aswan to Luxor, and make a stop along the way at Abu Simbel, they have the freedom to do it.
An Important Consideration
Travelers need to remember that when they hire the tour guides, those guides won’t be allowed inside the complex. This has made several people re-consider their options. First of all, travelers have the freedom to choose whatever transportation method they are comfortable with. Second, hiring tour guides is handy when they choose a road trip and they want to learn about the history (Egypt, pyramids, tombs, etc) along the way. If these travelers prefer sleeping while on the road or they are the impatient types who prefer to fly, then there’s no point of hiring a tour guide.
Why Exodus?
Exodus is one of the professional traveling agencies in Egypt, running for quite a while. They can provide various services, different packages, and also different destinations. They don’t only cover Egypt, but they can also cover other (neighboring) regions or countries, like Jordan, Indonesia, Turkey, or Dubai. Most importantly, they can provide flexible traveling arrangement for travelers, especially those who want to have a road trip.
There are probably many traveling agencies in Egypt that can provide excellent services, but the ones that are able to offer flexible arrangement while focusing on their clients satisfaction are quite rare. Exodus is one of those rare services. They have clients from all over the world, and they would be more than happy to lend a hand.
Those who haven’t been familiar with the agency are welcomed to explore their official website at exodustravel.net. When these people come to the site, they are able to see reviews from clients, the options of packages, the covered areas, and more. In case travelers have certain preferences and they want to have a personalized service, the agency should be able to cater those requirements. Visiting Abu Simbel Egypt won’t be so difficult or complicated when travelers get assistance from Exodus.
Read more: 5 Tips for Finding Good Restaurant Near Abu Simbel Temples