Amazing temples that make up for travel time
The temples of Abu Simbel are amazing. In my opinion, the most impressive along with Karnak. If you have time and curiosity, the 3:30 hs of going and the same time back to visit them is not a problem. We went in a very comfortable car, with a great guide and, although tiring by the distance, the trip was extremely quiet and pleasant. There is very little to see on the way, but the landscape with the road cutting the desert is interesting and you can sleep to rest from the other walks and the fact that you got up early to go. Two tips: (1) Take something to eat and drink on the way, as the only stop option is a horrible coffee shop, with the highest amount of flies per square meter you will encounter in life and poorly educated and angry attendants. (2) There is no good reason in the world to leave at 4:30 in the morning as most people do. We left at 6:00 hs, which makes a difference at this time, and we arrived at the temples when much of the people had already left, which made the visit even better.
Marcelo_L · Jul 2025 · via Viator · Translated
Abu Simbel tour comments
The Abu Simbel temples were very beautiful and worth visiting by all accounts. We chose an all inclusive trip that included a driver pickup from the hotel, lunch, entrance fees and a tour guide. We chose a Spanish speaking tour guide and to be honest there’s really no need for a guide on this tour. They can’t go in with you and the little they explain one can look it up themselves. The guide we had (Hosen) seemed very disinterested and did the bare minimum for this tour. The only thing he had in his favor was that he spoke Spanish and he did that with a little struggle. Loved loved loved the temples and the Abu Simbel experience but the guide wasn’t worth it at all. He complained about everything, that his legs hurt, his knees hurt. He took the courtesy car from the temples to the park entrance (which he could’ve included us on as other tour guides on other TripAdvisor tours have). He probably was trying to pocket extra from what he was paid on this tour. TripAdvisor should definitely call this to his attention and note to him that if he can’t or doesn’t want to be a guide on these tours, someone else will gladly do it. The car driver that took us to and from Aswan was more attentive than he was. Mohammed was a gem and he ended up being our driver on a tour the following day to Luxor. Mohammed is amazing and even used his translator to talk to us in Spanish. Tour was fine but the guide was not and he really was unnecessary.
alfonsof410 · Jul 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Very good experience...
Very good experience with a new car with air conditioning for a long drive.
The place was beautiful!
Bastien_S · Jun 2025 · via Viator · Translated
Abu simbel
Driver did a very good job. Let us to stay from 2-3 hours in Abu Simbel and then bring us back to Aswan. He stopped once each way to go to the bathroom and help me charging my phone in his car.
Javier_C · Jun 2025 · via Viator
Up really early to reach...
Up really early to reach Abu Simbel with Mr Simyr. Together with the driver who was extremely careful and drove safely we maximised our time with a well co side red explanation of the temple, what to see and where with the support of photo cards in the car. This allowed us to go straight I to the Temple before the masses as coach loads of visitors had their explanation out the front of the temple. This approach was one of an experience guide who allowed us to enjoy a tranquil visit with space to walk around and consider what we were viewing without being crowded.
The lunch in Abeer in Aswan was a really good experience. Food was very nice and authentic.
Small touches made this trip even more special, as both the driver and guide treated us to pitta with beans after visiting the temple and a couple of soft drinks as we journeyed together.
The drive to Abu Simbel is long (3hrs) however it is worth it and our favoured temple in Egypt also exceeding those in Petra too for its striking exterior and detailed interior.
Colin_G · May 2025 · via Viator
Day trip to Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, High Damn, and Nubian Village
Our tour was incredible! Our guide and driver were prompt and did their very best to make sure we beat the heat and crowds. Our guide was super attentive, constantly making sure we had cold water, weren’t hungry, and really understood the history and significance of each site we visited. Though it’s a long day, the early departure has us before the big wave of groups to Abu Simbel, but also had us Philae at the perfect time where we practically had the place to ourselves. Our guide was very funny, personable, extremely knowledgeable, and offered us an alternative to see the Nubian before returning us to the airport, which was incredible. In an already amazing day, a quick shift and we got to experience something we didn’t even expect! I highly recommend Emo Tours! If you want a jam packed day full of laughs, good food, and the hassle free transportation in a new air conditioned car, this is absolutely the tour for you! We saw both temples at Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, High Dam, Nubian Village and had the opportunity to meet some super amazing people at a local spice shop! Whatever you do, ask the guides where to buy anything you’d like for souvenirs! They’ll take you to the best places! 10/10
Cortney_B · May 2025 · via Viator
One of the best tours we had in Egypt!
This was an amazing and compact experience, perfectly fitting our needs! We had to modify the start time and the length of the visit last minute, and the team was very flexible and adjusted to our needs. Since the drive one way is 3.5 hours, we had only 45 minutes to visit the temples. Our guide gave us a very detailed explanation already in the car, illustrated with visuals, so we were fully prepared for the visit when we arrived (guides cannot go in anyways to the temples, and all explanations happen outside). We had several guides during our visit to Egypt, but the best one was definitely on this trip! Very knowledgable and happy to answer all of our questions.
This package includes lunch, but since we didn't have time for a proper sit-down lunch, our guide arranged us delicious (and big quantity) food and drinks for takeaway when we got back to Aswan, so we could continue with our trip immediately. Big thanks for the driver too, for getting us back in time to Aswan!
We definitely recommend this tour for everyone who wants to discover Abu Simbel, and we hope to return with more time to visit!
Marietta_B · May 2025 · via Viator
It's a very long and expensive tour for the duration of the visit itself to the temples
The temples are incredible and the guide who spoke Spanish was good and knowledgeable about the site, but he didn't go inside the temples with us (he said that guides weren't allowed to go inside the temples, even though we had seen other tourists inside the temples with guides).
The point that reduced this tour from 5 to 3 stars was the round-trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan in an old van, with very poor/weak air conditioning and the driver going at over 100 miles per hour (I have the GPS printscreens) and on several occasions in the opposite side of the road. In addition, on the way to Abu Simbel, there was a stop at a pigsty infested with flies, which made us give up buying anything inside and even going to the restroom, which was paid for (surreal!).
It's a very long and expensive tour for the duration of the visit itself to the temples, it's best to do this tour during a cruise that goes to Abu Simbel and not just to Aswan.
FernandoMHM · May 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Kind and perfect.
They sent me to and from my destination and hotel. I don't speak English, so I'm using a smartphone translation app, but I'm like, "This is where it is." "Aswan is famous. How do you like it?" He taught me a lot and was kind to listen to me.
SHIKO O · May 2025 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Nice A/C Van for a family of 6.
We had a family of 6, we got a van. Nicely maintained air conditioned van to travel to Abu Simbel from Our Royal Princess Nile Cruise at Aswan. Two drivers were great. Booked through viator, picked up us right on time and back to the cruise as well. Very nice experience. Extremely satisfied!
Charith_P · May 2025 · via Viator
