Abu Simbel on Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise

Abu Simbel is an important temple complex about 300k south of Aswan. When the Aswan High Dam was constructed the temples were in danger of being submerged in the newly formed lake. A massive international effort spearheaded by UNESCO raised the money to move the temples, stone by stone, to higher ground. Before that could be done an artificial hill similar to the one they were taken out of had to be constructed; so not suprisingly the entire project took more than five years.

The front of the main temple overlooking Lake Nasser at Abu Simbel has four 20m statues of Ramses II which are very impressive despite the fact that there has been a fair bit of damage over the centuries.

As you walk through the Grand Hall and other interior rooms, you'll see that Ramses grows increasingly deified, until finally at the back of the temple he is shown as one of the premier gods of Egypt. A smaller temple at the site was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Its facade has statues of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari - it's unusual that they're depicted as being the same height.

Because the Abu Simbel complex is a good drive from Aswan the day trips are a borderline option. Unfortunately because of time constraints the excursions are managed to the extent that sightseers don't get to spend much time at the temples, so be prepared to make the most of it. There is some accomodation in the area, so if you want to spend some quality time here an option is to stay locally and get up before the day-trippers have arrived - also there is a good sound and light show in the evening.