Aswan And Abu Simbel Overnight From Marsa Alam

Overnight Adventure to Aswan and Abu Simbel from Marsa Alam

Experience the wonders of ancient Egypt with an overnight trip from Marsa Alam to Aswan and Abu Simbel. Discover the majestic temples of Abu Simbel, carved into cliffs, and explore Aswan's vibrant culture and iconic landmarks. This unforgettable journey combines history, culture, and breathtaking scenery!

A tour from Marsa Alam to Aswan and Abu Simbel typically involves visiting some of Egypt's most famous historical and natural landmarks. Here’s a general itinerary and what you might expect on such a trip:

Day 1: Marsa Alam to Aswan

• Departure from Marsa Alam: Early in the morning, you’ll start your journey from Marsa Alam, which is located on the Red Sea coast. The drive to Aswan usually takes about 4–5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
• Arrival in Aswan: Once in Aswan, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city’s highlights. Aswan is known for its stunning Nile views, Nubian culture, and ancient monuments.

Aswan Highlights

• Philae Temple: This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis and is located on an island in Lake Nasser. You’ll take a boat ride to reach it.

Philae Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple complex located on Philae Island in Lake Nasser, near the city of Aswan in southern Egypt. The temple was dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis, one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian religion. Philae is particularly famous for its beautiful and well-preserved monuments, which were relocated in the 1960s to Agilkia Island to protect them from rising waters caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Aswan High Dam: One of the most important engineering projects in Egypt, the High Dam controls the Nile's flooding and provides hydroelectric power.

• The High Dam refers to the Aswan High Dam, a large dam located across the Nile River in Egypt, near the city of Aswan. It is one of the most significant engineering projects in the world and was completed in 1970. The dam serves several important purposes:

• • Water Storage: It helps regulate the flow of the Nile River, storing water for use in agriculture and preventing flooding during high-water seasons.

  • Hydroelectric Power Generation: The dam has a large hydroelectric power station, making it a major source of electricity for Egypt.

  • Flood Control: By controlling the flow of water, the dam prevents the Nile from flooding, which historically caused damage to settlements and crops along its banks.

  • Irrigation: It provides a steady supply of water for irrigation, allowing Egypt to expand its agricultural areas, particularly in the desert regions.

Unfinished Obelisk: This ancient obelisk, if completed, would have been the largest in Egypt. It provides insight into ancient stone-working techniques.

• The Unfinished Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian obelisk located in Aswan, Egypt, near the quarries from which many obelisks were carved during the reign of Pharaohs. It is famous for being abandoned before its completion, providing unique insight into the methods used by ancient Egyptians to carve such monumental structures.
• Key Features:

• • Size: The Unfinished Obelisk is an enormous piece of stone, originally intended to be about 42 meters (137 feet) long and weigh approximately 1,200 tons. If completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever erected in ancient Egypt.

  • Material: The obelisk was carved from red granite, a durable stone that was typically used for obelisks, statues, and temples.

• Why It Was Abandoned:

• • Crack in the Stone: While the workers were carving the obelisk, they discovered a significant crack running through the stone, which made it unfit for use. The crack would have weakened the structure, so the project was abandoned.

  • Workshops and Tools: The site is an important archaeological location because it reveals how ancient Egyptians quarried and carved granite. The workers used copper tools and stone hammers to shape the obelisk, a labor-intensive process that took months or even years to complete.

Day 2: Abu Simbel Excursion

• Early Morning Drive to Abu Simbel: The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes about 3–4 hours, so it’s common for tours to depart early in the morning (around 3:00 AM) to maximize time at the temples.

• Abu Simbel Temples: These temples were carved out of a mountainside in the 13th century BC by Ramses II. The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramses II, while the Small Temple is dedicated to his wife, Nefertari. The temples are famous for their massive statues and intricate carvings. They were relocated in the 1960s to avoid being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the High Dam.

The Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock temples located in southern Egypt, near the Sudanese border, in the town of Abu Simbel. These temples are among the most famous and impressive monuments of ancient Egypt, known for their grandeur and for their relocation during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temples were originally carved into the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II (also known as Ramesses the Great), around 1250 BCE, and their preservation became a major engineering feat.

The Two Temples:

• • The Great Temple of Ramesses II:

    • Size and Design: The Great Temple is the larger of the two and is dedicated to Ramesses II himself, as well as to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah.
    • Facade: The temple’s entrance features four colossal statues of Ramesses II, each standing about 20 meters (66 feet) tall. These statues depict the pharaoh sitting on a throne, wearing the royal regalia and a double crown, symbolizing his power over both Upper and Lower Egypt.
    • Interior: Inside, the temple is decorated with grand reliefs and carvings, many of which depict Ramesses' military campaigns, especially his famous Battle of Kadesh. The temple is aligned so that twice a year (on February 22 and October 22), the sun shines directly into the inner sanctum, illuminating the statues of Ramesses II and the gods, symbolizing the Pharaoh’s divine connection.

  • The Small Temple of Nefertari:

    • Dedicated to Queen Nefertari: The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramesses II's beloved wife, and the goddess Hathor, who was often associated with love, motherhood, and beauty.
    • Facade: This temple is notable for its six statues of Ramesses II and Nefertari, with the queen depicted as equal in size to the king—a rare representation that emphasizes her importance. The statues stand about 10 meters (33 feet) tall.
    • Interior: The interior of this temple is similarly decorated with carvings and reliefs, many of which depict Ramesses and Nefertari performing rituals in the presence of the gods.

Relocation of the Temples:

When the Aswan High Dam was being constructed in the 1960s, there was a threat that the rising waters of Lake Nasser would submerge the Abu Simbel temples. To preserve these iconic structures, an international effort was launched, led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to relocate the temples to higher ground.

• • The temples were cut into large blocks and moved 65 meters (213 feet) higher and 200 meters (656 feet) back from their original location. This enormous engineering project was completed in 1968 and is considered one of the greatest feats of archaeological preservation.

The Sun Festival:

The alignment of the Great Temple's inner sanctum is particularly noteworthy during the sun festival, which occurs twice a year, on February 22 and October 22. On these dates, the sun rises and illuminates the statues of Ramesses II and the gods seated in the inner chamber, while the statue of the queen, Nefertari, remains in shadow. This event is believed to symbolize the king’s power and divine right to rule, as well as the annual rejuvenation of his reign.

Abu Simbel remains a testament to the brilliance of ancient Egyptian engineering, art, and religious devotion, as well as a symbol of international cooperation in preserving world heritage.




• • Light and Sound Show (optional): In the evening, you can opt for the Light and Sound Show at Abu Simbel, which narrates the history of the temples and their relocation.

Day 3: Return to Marsa Alam

• After spending time exploring Abu Simbel, you will head back to Aswan for the return trip to Marsa Alam, which will take another 4–5 hours, depending on the road conditions and stops along the way.
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Tips

• Dress Appropriately: Egypt can be quite hot, so wear comfortable, light clothing, but also be respectful of local customs (especially when visiting religious sites).
• Stay Hydrated: The desert climate can be very dry, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Inclusions

• Pick up \drop off from and at your hotel
• Air conditioned car
• Professional fluent guide
• Entrance fees
• Mineral water
• Lunch in two days

exclusions

• Tipping
• Personal expenses