Abu Simbel Sun Festival Tour

A private night drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel to be there at dawn on 22 February or 22 October, the two mornings a year when the rising sun reaches the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple of Ramesses II. Private car, Egyptologist, festival ticket and hotel or cruise pickup included.

Duration: 12 hours
Tour type: Private, your own group
Pickup: From your hotel
Lunch: Not included
Guide: Private Egyptologist, English-speaking
Entrance fees: Included

From$90 per person

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Overview

The Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel runs about 60 metres into the rock. At its far end, in the sanctuary, four statues sit side by side: the gods Ptah, Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty, and Ramesses himself as a god. On two mornings a year, the rising sun shines straight through the entrance and down the whole length of the temple, lighting three of the four statues for about twenty minutes. Ptah, a god linked with the underworld, stays in shadow. Since the temple was moved to higher ground in the 1960s, these mornings fall on 22 February and 22 October, a day later than at the original site.

The Sun Festival brings thousands of visitors to Abu Simbel for that sunrise, most of them in the queue before dawn. This private trip is planned for it: your driver and Egyptologist collect you from your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan in the middle of the night, drive you across the desert and bring you to the temple gate in good time. After the sun has left the sanctuary you visit the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari with your guide, and drive back to Aswan, arriving around midday.

Who this tour suits

Travellers in Aswan on 22 February or 22 October who want to see the sun reach the sanctuary.
Photographers and anyone interested in ancient astronomy and temple design.
Couples and small groups who want their own car and guide on a crowded day, rather than a coach.

It is a night without much sleep and a morning in a large crowd: not ideal for young children or for anyone who dislikes queues. On any other day of the year, the regular Abu Simbel day trip by car is calmer and starts at a more normal hour.

What you actually see

The sanctuary is small and the corridor to it is narrow, so on festival mornings visitors file past in a line and only see the lit statues for a moment; a large screen outside the temple shows the alignment live for those still waiting. Your guide explains beforehand what is happening and why, so the short moment inside makes sense, and you still have the rest of the morning for both temples once the crowd thins.

What you will love

The sun in the sanctuaryTwo mornings a year, the sunrise reaches the statues at the back of the Great Temple, 60 metres into the rock.
22 February and 22 OctoberA trip built around the festival mornings, with the night departure timed to reach the gate before dawn.
Both temples after the crowdOnce the sun has left the sanctuary, a guided visit of the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari.
Your own EgyptologistA private guide who explains the alignment before the moment and keeps your group together in the crowd.
Private car through the nightAn air-conditioned car from your hotel or cruise, so you can rest on the way instead of riding a coach.
Festival ticket includedThe special ticket for the festival day, bought in advance.
The desert at nightA drive under a clear desert sky and a dawn on the shore of Lake Nasser.

Your stops

Times assume the October festival, with the sun entering the sanctuary at about 06:50; in February everything is a little earlier. Your guide adapts the timing to the queue on the night.

Stop1

01:00 Pickup from your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan

Your driver and Egyptologist meet you at the hotel lobby or cruise reception. Take a warm jacket and something to sleep against in the car.

Stop2

01:15 The night drive across the desert

About 280 kilometres south on the desert road, three to three and a half hours with a short stop and the police checkpoints. Most people sleep.

Stop3

04:45 Arrival and the queue at the gate

Your guide brings you to the gate and stays with you in the queue, explaining how the temple was aligned and what to look for inside. Hot drinks are sold near the entrance.

Stop4

06:00 Sunrise over Lake Nasser

The sky lightens over the lake opposite the temple. As the sun clears the horizon, its light enters the doorway of the Great Temple and moves down the halls.

Stop5

06:50 The sun in the sanctuary

For about twenty minutes the sunlight rests on the statues of Amun-Re, Ramesses II and Re-Horakhty, while Ptah stays dark. You file through the temple to see it, or watch on the large screen outside while the line moves.

Stop6

07:45 The Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari

As the crowd thins, your guide takes you round both temples: the colossi and the Battle of Kadesh reliefs in the Great Temple, then the Temple of Nefertari with its statues of the queen and reliefs of Hathor and Isis.

Stop7

09:30 Drive back to Aswan

The return drive takes about three to three and a half hours. You are back at your hotel or cruise in Aswan at about 13:00.

Price

Group size and pricing

9 or more people$90per person5–8 people$105per person2–4 people$180per personSolo$330per person

Prices are per person in US dollars. Children pay less, see the children policy below.

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What is included

Included7 items

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan.
A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the trip.
Entrance to both temples of Abu Simbel.
The special Sun Festival ticket for 22 February or 22 October.
A private air-conditioned car with a driver for the whole trip.
All taxes and service charges.
Bottled water in the car.

Not included3 items

Extra visits such as Philae Temple, the High Dam or the Unfinished Obelisk (can be added on another day).
Tips for the guide and driver (optional).
Breakfast, lunch and drinks.

Practical information for this tour

Dates and the best time

The festival mornings are 22 February and 22 October each year; the next is 22 February 2027. On 22 October 2026 the sun entered the sanctuary at 06:53 and stayed for about twenty minutes; in February it comes a little earlier. Hotels in Aswan fill up for these dates, so book early.

Tickets and entry

On the festival days the site sells a special ticket at a higher price than usual; it is included and bought in advance. The site opens at 06:00 on normal days; on festival mornings the gates open earlier and the queue forms well before dawn.

Photography rules

Personal photos without flash are allowed. Inside the corridor the light is very low and the line keeps moving, so photos of the lit statues are difficult; many visitors watch the moment rather than film it, and take their photos of the façades afterwards. Tripods are not practical in the crowd.

What to wear and bring

A warm jacket: desert nights in February and October are cold, and you wait outside before dawn.
Comfortable shoes for standing and walking, a hat and sunglasses for later in the morning.
Your passport for the checkpoints on the desert road.
Snacks or a breakfast box from your hotel; water is provided.

Pickup, timing and the road

Pickup is at about 01:00 from any hotel in Aswan or from Nile cruise ships moored there. The road to Abu Simbel is about 280 kilometres, three to three and a half hours, with police checkpoints; our driver handles the formalities. The drive back takes the same time, and you reach Aswan at about 13:00.

Crowds, children and patience

Expect large crowds and a long wait. Children can come if they cope well with a night without sleep; bring a blanket for the car. Stay close to your guide at the gate, and agree on a meeting point in case you are separated.

Travel policy guide

Pricing policy

All prices are per person in US dollars and depend on the size of your group. Your quote lists the final price and what it covers. After the deposit, changes to your plan cost US$25 per request, plus any third-party fees.

Booking confirmation

A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due 30 days before departure, and bookings made within 30 days of departure are paid in full. We accept Visa or Master Card by secure online payment, Visa or Master Card by email, and wire transfer. We confirm every booking by email.

Cancellation and refund

22 days or more before departure: 100% refund
15 to 21 days: 70% refund
8 to 14 days: 50% refund
0 to 7 days: no refund

No-show travelers are charged 100%. During peak events in Egypt, hotels and Nile cruises do not refund deposits. Groups of more than 10 people may have different terms.

Children policy

Under 2: free, sharing the parents’ bed, meals not included
2 to 5 years: 25% of the adult price
6 to 11 years: 50% of the adult price
12 and over: adult price

Add each child and their age in the enquiry form so the quote is exact.

Optional visits

Add a lunch stop, a longer visit or a second site to your day. Tell us what you want and we add it to your quote with its cost.

Extra expenses

Not included in the price: Any additional services or activities not mentioned in the itinerary; Tips and gratuities; Meals and drinks (unless pre-selected).

Tipping guide

Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the price. A usual amount for a private day tour is US$5 to 10 per person for your guide and US$3 to 5 for your driver.

Questions about this tour

When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?

On 22 February and 22 October every year. The sun reaches the sanctuary shortly after sunrise and stays for about twenty minutes.

What time is pickup?

At about 01:00 in Aswan, to reach the gate before dawn, when the queue is already forming.

Will I see the sun on the statues?

If the sky is clear, yes, though only for a short moment as the line moves through the narrow sanctuary. A large screen outside shows the alignment live.

Is this tour available on other days?

The festival only happens on the two dates. On other days, book the regular Abu Simbel day trip by car, which visits the same temples with a later start.

Is breakfast included?

No. Ask your hotel or cruise for a breakfast box, or buy something at the site. Water is provided in the car.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The car, driver and guide are for your group only. The site itself is very crowded on festival mornings.

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Christiane SMay 2026

Traveled with family

Amazing Egyptian vacation! We did an 11 day private tour of Cairo, cruise on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor and a 4 day stay in Hurghada. The guided tours were very interesting, with extremely knowledgeable guides, attentive and helpful.

Ehrhart MAugust 2024

Traveled as a couple

Egypt package to the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara was a fascinating journey through Egypt's ancient past ,guide knowledge, the majesty of the pyramids, and the historical depth of Saqqara made this tour truly enriching!

Clayton Z973August 2024

Traveled in a group

our honeymoon to Egypt ,Giza and Saqqara was a magical escape into history The pyramids looming in the distance, the quiet serenity of the desert, and the ancient wonders of Saqqara created moments that will be with me forever!

Abu Simbel Sun Festival Tour