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See the Full TripWatch sunrise light travel through the Great Temple of Ramses II and touch the statues in the inner sanctuary, exactly as planned more than 3,000 years ago.
Sunrise countdown
October 22, 2026
October 21–22, 2026
2 days / 1 night
From $[PRICE] per person
Great Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel
Aswan – Abu Simbel – Aswan
Sunrise
One night in Abu Simbel
For most of the year, the inner room of the Great Temple of Ramses II remains dark. Then, at sunrise on October 22, sunlight enters the temple, passes through its long halls, and reaches the statues at the very back. This is the special moment people travel from around the world to see during the Abu Simbel Sun Festival 2026.
During the Abu Simbel solar alignment, the sunlight reaches the statues of Ramses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty. The statue of Ptah stays in the dark because he was connected with darkness and the world of the dead. The moment lasts only a short time, but it shows how carefully the ancient Egyptians planned the temple more than 3,000 years ago.
The event happens only twice each year, on February 22 and October 22. On the morning of the festival, visitors gather before sunrise and wait for the first light to enter the temple. Seeing the dark room slowly fill with sunlight makes this visit very different from an ordinary day at Abu Simbel.
With Respect Tours, Egypt Through Local Eyes, a local team handles every detail and understands both the event and the destination. Since 1978, we have helped travelers experience Egypt with reliable planning, knowledgeable guides, comfortable arrangements, and support throughout their journey. We aim to make your visit simple, well-organized, and meaningful from beginning to end.
Tap the Eye of Horus to open each day.
Your Respect Tours team and licensed Egyptologist guide will meet you at Aswan International Airport, Aswan Railway Station, or your confirmed pick-up point in Aswan. Begin the private journey to Abu Simbel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
The drive takes approximately three hours and crosses the open desert of southern Egypt.
Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to rest before visiting the Abu Simbel Temples.
Begin at the Great Temple of Ramses II, where four colossal statues of the king stand above the entrance. Inside, walk through halls covered with carvings of the king, the gods, and scenes from his reign. Your guide will also show you the inner room where the solar alignment takes place the following morning.
Continue to the smaller Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Its façade is unusual because the statues of the queen stand almost as tall as those of Ramses II.
After the visit, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Staying overnight in Abu Simbel gives you time to rest before the early start the following morning.
Wake before sunrise and travel to the Great Temple of Ramses II with your guide. The air is cool, the sky is still dark, and visitors are beginning to gather outside the temple for the Abu Simbel Sun Festival.
As the sun rises, the stone façade slowly changes from grey to gold. A beam of sunlight enters the temple, passes through its halls, and reaches the statues in the inner room. Ramses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty are illuminated, while Ptah remains in darkness.
The alignment lasts only a short time, making it a rare moment that can easily be missed.
After the event, return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Leave Abu Simbel later in the morning and travel back to Aswan by private vehicle.
Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at Aswan International Airport, Aswan Railway Station, or another agreed location within Aswan.
Some travellers attend the festival on a day trip from Aswan. It is possible, but it requires travelling through the night to reach Abu Simbel before sunrise. Here is how the two options compare:
| Day Trip from Aswan | This 2-Day Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Before the event | Leave Aswan in the middle of the night. | Wake up close to the temples in Abu Simbel. |
| Rest | Limited sleep before a three-hour drive | Overnight hotel stay before the early start |
| Temple visit | Visit during the busy festival morning. | Explore both temples with your guide the day before. |
| Solar alignment | Attend after travelling overnight. | Arrive after resting in Abu Simbel. |
| Tour pace | A long journey and event visit in one day | More time to understand the temples and enjoy the event |
| Cost | Usually lower | Higher because accommodation is included |
The Abu Simbel Sun Festival tour begins in Aswan, with pick-up available from Aswan International Airport, Aswan Railway Station, hotels, or another agreed location within the city. If you are staying elsewhere in Egypt, Respect Tours can also arrange the journey to Aswan as an additional service. Choose your starting point to see how it works.
Charged separatelyRespect Tours can arrange a domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan, followed by airport assistance and connection with your private journey to Abu Simbel. Flight options and prices depend on availability at the time of booking.
Charged separatelyIf you are staying in Luxor, we can arrange your journey to Aswan and connect it with the Abu Simbel program. The most suitable transport option will be recommended according to your travel date, group size, and wider Egypt itinerary.
Included in tour priceThis is the main starting point for the tour. We can meet you at Aswan International Airport, Aswan Railway Station, your hotel, or another agreed location in the city. From Aswan, travel to Abu Simbel in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Charged separatelyRespect Tours can arrange transportation from your Hurghada hotel to Aswan before the tour begins. Our team will coordinate the transfer with your Abu Simbel departure and overnight program.
Charged separatelyA private transfer from your Marsa Alam hotel to Aswan can be added to the program. The journey will be planned around the festival itinerary, giving you enough time to connect with the tour before travelling to Abu Simbel.
Continue your journey through southern Egypt with more experiences in and around Aswan. Explore ancient temples, Nubian culture, the Nile, and the city’s most important landmarks with tours arranged by Respect Tours.
This Nubian Village Tour by Boat in Aswan offers one of the most relaxing and culturally rich experiences on the Nile. The journey takes you into the heart of Nubian life, where colorful villages, traditional culture, and peaceful river scenery reveal a completely different side of Aswan beyond the ancient temples and monuments. Sailing by boat along the Nile is part of what makes the experience so special. As you pass by small islands, palm trees, desert landscapes, and quiet riverside villages, the atmosphere feels calmer, more personal, and deeply connected to daily life in southern Egypt. The tour gives you the chance to explore the famous Nubian villages near Soheil Island, known for their brightly painted houses, handmade crafts, warm hospitality, and unique culture that has existed along the Nile for centuries. With Respect Tours, Egypt Through Local Eyes, the experience is designed to feel smooth, relaxed, and genuinely authentic, combining beautiful Nile scenery, cultural discovery, and comfortable service throughout the day.
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This Trip to Aswan Egypt, is created for travelers who want to experience the city in a calm, authentic way, away from crowded routes and rushed schedules. It focuses on what truly defines Aswan: its deep Nubian roots and its gentle rhythm of life along the Nile. This day tour naturally blends history and local life. You’ll discover ancient Nubian heritage, open views along the Nile, and living traditions that are still part of everyday life in Aswan today. The experience feels calm, open, and slow-moving, allowing you to enjoy each place without pressure. Rather than focusing on how many sites you visit, this trip focuses on how Aswan makes you feel. It’s ideal for travelers who enjoy meaningful moments, cultural connections, and a relaxed pace that lets the destination speak for itself. With Respect Tours, this Trip to Aswan Egypt is not about following a checklist. It’s about seeing Aswan as locals do, slowly, warmly, and through real stories shared along the Nile.
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This Aswan Trip is a calm, carefully chosen experience that brings together three places that truly reflect the soul of Aswan. Instead of focusing on temples and monuments, this day tour invites you to slow down and connect with the city through its views, culture, and natural beauty along the Nile. From the quiet hilltop setting of the Mausoleum of Aga Khan to the rich cultural stories preserved inside the Nubian Museum and finally the serene atmosphere of Botanical Island, each stop offers a different feeling and a unique perspective of Aswan. Together, they create a balanced day that feels meaningful without being rushed. This trip is ideal for travelers who want more than sightseeing. It’s for those who enjoy understanding places, meeting cultures, and experiencing the gentle rhythm of life by the Nile. The pace is relaxed, the visits are thoughtful, and there is time to enjoy every moment. With Respect Tours, this Aswan Trip is not about checking off attractions. It’s about experiencing the city in a simple, human way, seen through local eyes.
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Facts About Abu Simbel Temple: History, Relocation & Visitor Tips
Want to combine the Abu Simbel Sun Festival with Cairo, Luxor, or a Nile cruise? Create your perfect trip with custom stops, flexible pacing, and 24/7 support from our local team.
Free to plan. No obligation.
It is the twice-yearly alignment, on 22 February and 22 October, when sunrise light travels through the Great Temple of Ramses II and lights three statues in the sanctuary. Ptah stays in shadow. It is called a festival because of the crowds and the celebration around the event.
A popular explanation links the date to Ramses II’s birthday. No ancient source confirms it. The temples were also moved in the 1960s, which affected the exact timing.
Sunlight enters the Great Temple of Ramses II and travels through its halls to the inner room. It illuminates the statues of Ramses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty, while the statue of Ptah remains in darkness.
The sunlight reaches the inner statues for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. However, the amount of time each visitor can view the moment may depend on crowds, entry procedures, and official event arrangements.
Yes. Entrance tickets to the Abu Simbel Temples and attendance at the solar alignment event are included in the tour.
Yes. Respect Tours can arrange additional transportation from these destinations and connect it with the tour from Aswan. These transfers are priced separately and depend on availability and your starting location.
Yes. It is a popular event that attracts visitors from Egypt and around the world. Entry may involve queues, security checks, and controlled access inside the temple.
Wear comfortable shoes and light layers. The air may feel cool before sunrise but become warmer later in the morning. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are useful during the event.
