Living in Luxor - Excursions: 4-Day Trip to Abu Simbel's Solar Phenomenon, Each February and October

 

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Solar phenomenon or solar miracle - thus the phenomenon is called that happens twice a year on 22 February and 22 October in the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. Ramses II positioned the axis of the temple in such a way that on February 21 and October 21 the rays of the sun penetrate the usually dark sanctuary and illuminate the sculptures on the back wall. To date on these days (+/- 2 days), the sun sheds light on the statues of Amun-Re, Ramses II and Re-Horakhty for about 20 minutes while the statue of Ptah always remains in the dark.

Sanctuary of the Great Temple in Abu Simbel

 

Rock Temples at Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples in Nubia on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 300 km southwest of Aswan. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. However, the complex was relocated in its entirety in 1968, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir to avoid its being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser. Nevertheless, Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions. Read more about the temples...

 Great (on the left) and Small Temple (on the right) at Abu Simbel

 

 

Our Offer: 4 Day Trip to Abu Simbel

It is our concern to organise this trip despite the necessary convoy as stress-free as possible. Because on February 22 the convoy leaves Aswan already at 1:30 am - sunrise will be at about 6:20 am - we will travel to Abu Simbel the day before (February 21) and enjoy the Sound & Light Show there in the evening. It is said to be the most impressing throughout Egypt.

On 22nd of February, after arrival of the convoy at about 4:30 am a crowd of people is exspected to wait in front of the Great Temple. In order to see the solar miracle for sure within the window of a few minutes, we plan to be there before the arrival of the convoy. After the solar event and the departure of the convoy we will stay at the temple area without crowds and enjoy our visit of the temples as well as their location at Lake Nasser.

In Aswan and Abu Simbel there are very favorable and very expensive hotels. In order that you gladly remember this trip we selected comfortable four star hotels in both towns.

 

Itinerary:

The times are for your general information. Short-term changes are possible.

Day 1

09:00 am	Departure in Luxor
01:00 pm ca.	Arrival in Aswan
	Check-in in four star hotel
	Snack
05:00 pm ca.	Visit of the award-winning Nubia Museum (with department for the history of the temples in Abu Simbel and large open air area, open to 7 pm)
07:30 pm ca.	Dinner

Day 2

11:00 am	Departure in Aswan with the 2nd convoy to Abu Simbel
02:00 pm ca.	Arrival in Abu Simbel
	Snack, check-in in four star hotel
	Visit of Abu Simbel village
06:00 pm ca.	Dinner
08:00 pm	Sound & Light Show (multilingual)

Day 3

04:00 am	Departure to the Great Temple of Abu Simbel
06:20 am ca.	Doors open, sun miracle (taking photos is allowed for once), Nubian feast and show
	Snack
	Visit of the temples (open to 05:00 pm)
	another night at the four star hotel
06:00 pm ca.	Dinner

Day 4

09:00 am	Return to Aswan with convoy
01:00 pm ca.	Arrival in Aswan
	Snack
02:00 pm ca.	Continuation to Luxor
06:00 pm ca.	Arrival in Luxor

The temples in Abu Simbel are open from 6:00 am. If you like you can visit them again before our departure (without festivities and crowds). The solar phenomenon is still visible on this day.

 

 

Included in the Services:

• Journey in air-conditioned mini bus
• 3 nights with breakfast in four star hotels
• Tickets for Nubia Museum, temples and Sound & Light Show
  
  Prices on request (based upon number of participants)
  
  

Registration:

Please register by email in order that we can book the hotels.

Minimum participants: 4 persons

 

Geographical Position:

Route from Luxor (A) to Abu Simbel (C) via Aswan (B)

Travel Preparation:

The Mysteries of Abu Simbel: Ramses II and the Temples of the Rising Sun ~ Zahi A. Hawass £12.56

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