Snorkelling at Fly Point, Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve, Nelson Bay, NSW Australia

Exploring Abu Simbel: The Colossal Temples of Ramses II

Deep in southern Egypt, right on the edge of Lake Nasser and just shy of the Sudanese border, stands one of the most magnificent achievements of the ancient world: Abu Simbel. While the Pyramids of Giza might be more famous, standing at the feet of the colossal statues of Ramses II is an experience that rivals anything else in the country.

I’ve put together a cinematic 4K travel film to give you an immersive look at the sheer scale and profound atmosphere of these incredibly preserved temples.

The Vision of Ramses The Great

Constructed over 3,000 years ago during the reign of Ramses II, the Abu Simbel complex was carved directly into a solid sandstone mountain. It was designed to serve two main purposes: to act as a lasting monument to Ramses and his queen, Nefertari, and to highly intimidate anyone traveling up the Nile from the south into Egyptian territory.

The complex consists of two main structures.

The Great Temple

The Great Temple is dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as the deified Ramses himself. The facade is dominated by four terrifyingly massive, 20-metre-tall seated statues of the pharaoh. Inside, the grand hall is lined with towering pillars carved into the shape of Ramses, and the walls are covered in deeply etched reliefs celebrating his military victories, most notably the Battle of Kadesh.

The Temple of Hathor and Nefertari

Just a short walk away is the Small Temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramses' chief consort, Queen Nefertari. Historically, this is incredibly significant; it was one of the very few times in ancient Egyptian history that a temple was dedicated to a queen, and the statues of Nefertari on the facade are carved to the exact same height as those of the pharaoh, highlighting her immense status.

The Greatest Rescue Mission in History

As impressive as the ancient construction is, the modern history of Abu Simbel is just as fascinating. In the 1960s, the construction of the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser, threatening to permanently submerge the temples underwater.

In an unprecedented, massive UNESCO-led rescue operation, the entire mountain was meticulously cut into huge, 20-to-30-ton blocks. The temples were dismantled, moved to higher ground, and perfectly reassembled against a massive artificial dome. When you walk through the complex today, you are actually exploring a magnificent puzzle that was taken apart and put back together to save it from the Nile.

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Abu Simbel requires a bit of effort. Most visitors base themselves in Aswan and either take a short flight or join a convoy for a 3-hour drive through the desert, usually departing well before dawn. A standard entry ticket costs roughly $40 AUD, though prices can fluctuate slightly. Because of its remote location, the desert sun here is fiercely intense, so arriving early is essential.

I took the bus from Aswan leaving at 5am and it was absolutely worth it. Not only did I get there before the crowds became too suffocating, I was able to enjoy a breath-taking sunrise over the Sahara Desert on the drive down (which I naturally filmed a time-lapse of 👇).

Whether you arrive before the crowds or not, what you will notice while exploring the temples is that when a new bus load of tourists arrives, the first temple will fill up quickly. If you're inside when this happens, take the opportunity to head outside and either enjoy the facades, or head to the other temple. Shortly afterwards, the throngs of tourists will file out of the Great Temple and into the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari. This is your sign to head back out and swap over. You can go in and out of each temple as many times as you please, so don't feel like you have to stay inside when it's crowded, or wait in line to get in. Enjoy the outside while waiting for the lines to ease off and then head inside. 

Final Thoughts

Visiting Abu Simbel is a journey to the very edge of ancient Egypt. The combination of its raw, imposing size, its beautiful lakeside setting, and the incredible story of its relocation makes it a destination you simply cannot skip. I know a lot of organised tours make Abu Simbel an optional extra, meaning it can seem like a high price to pay for "another temple", but trust me, the price is worth it. Abu Simbel is far from just another temple, it's sheer size and scale is awe inspiring, and the intricacy of the carvings both in and outside make Abu Simbel a must see destination if you're visiting Egypt.

If you want to see more of the incredible historical sites scattered across this country, check out my Egypt Series Playlist for more cinematic guides and tours!

Labels: Egypt, Abu Simbel, Ancient History, Travel Guide, Cinematic Travel, Ramses II, Lake Nasser, Aswan.