Located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, the Great Temple of Abu Simbel is a breathtaking testament to the ambition of Ramses II. Carved directly into a sandstone cliff in the 13th century BCE, its entrance is guarded by four colossal, 20-meter-high statues of the Pharaoh himself. While the temple was designed to showcase Egyptian power and honor the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah, it is most famous for its incredible solar alignment: twice a year, the sun’s rays penetrate the dark interior to illuminate the statues in the sanctuary. Beyond its ancient history, the temple is a modern engineering icon; in the 1960s, the entire structure was meticulously dismantled and moved to higher ground to save it from the rising waters of the Nile following the construction of the High Dam.

Abu Simbel Solar Phenomenon Tour

Located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, the Great Temple of Abu Simbel is a breathtaking testament to the ambition of Ramses II. Carved directly into a sandstone cliff in the 13th century BCE, its entrance is guarded by four colossal, 20-meter-high statues of the Pharaoh himself. While the temple was designed to showcase Egyptian power and honor the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah, it is most famous for its incredible solar alignment: twice a year, the sun’s rays penetrate the dark interior to illuminate the statues in the sanctuary. Beyond its ancient history, the temple is a modern engineering icon; in the 1960s, the entire structure was meticulously dismantled and moved to higher ground to save it from the rising waters of the Nile following the construction of the High Dam.

Abu Simbel Solar Phenomenon Tour

February & October

Experience the legendary alignment of the sun at the Great Temple of Ramses II. This specialized itinerary is designed around the biannual Solar Alignment, where the sunrise illuminates the inner sanctum of Abu Simbel.

Experience the legendary alignment of the sun at the Great Temple of Ramses II. This specialized itinerary is designed around the biannual Solar Alignment, where the sunrise illuminates the inner sanctum of Abu Simbel.