Travel Articles

Monday, November 16, 2009

Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the top attractions for tourists in Egypt. 

This archaeological site is made up of two massive rock temples - the Temple of Ramesses II and Temple of Hathor.  It is estimated that they were built around 1244 BC and took over 20+ years to build.  Ramesses II was an Egyptian pharaoh that reigned over Egypt for 67 years. The temples were dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra (believed by the Egyptians to be the Sun god,) Ra-Horakhty (sky god) and Ptah (god of the underworld.)

These cliff-built temples were moved stone by stone to higher ground in the 1960's, as the project to erect the Aswan Dam would submerge them under Lake Nasser. Each temple was sawed into stone cubed, moved uphill and reassembled.

If you go by bus, it takes about 3 hours each way, and many tours leave as early as 3 or 3:30 a.m. to avoid the heat. It costs more, but you can avoid the long drive by flying from Cairo - again an early departure at 5:30 a.m., or fly out of Aswan. It is well worth getting up early. Remember if you are booked on a tour of Nile river cruises, the tour guide or host can assist you in booking this must see excursion.