Crossing 600 km in a day just to catch a glimpse of Abu Simbel

Kind of hilarious, honestly 😂 I actually got a key for free at the Hathor Temple—the temple keeper was so emotional. When my mom was drinking water, he spotted a pair of disposable chopsticks in her bag. I gave them to him, and he was over the moon 🌟 He insisted on taking photos for me for free… and he really meant it—no hidden charges! The keeper said he’s Nubian. I felt like he really wanted to draw a line between himself and the Arabs. People here are fascinating—some try to trick you with “for free” traps just to ask for dollars, while others are genuinely generous. But overall, better stay cautious 🧠 Abu Simbel Temples 🏛️ 🎫 Ticket: Adult 750 EGP / Student 375 EGP 🕘 Opening hours: 5:00 - 17:00 One of ancient Egypt’s most magnificent rock-cut temples, located in Nubia near the Sudan border. Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II as a symbol of power, religious worship, and engineering brilliance—and a modern marvel of cultural preservation. The complex includes: The Great Temple (dedicated to Ramesses II and three major gods) The Small Temple (for Queen Nefertari, unusually placing her equal to the goddess Hathor) On February 22 and October 22 each year, the sun’s rays penetrate 60 meters into the temple and illuminate the statues of Ramesses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty—leaving Ptah, the god of darkness, in shadow. This “Sun Festival” still draws global visitors. In the 1960s, the temple was threatened by the rising waters of Lake Nasser due to the Aswan High Dam. UNESCO led an international rescue mission (1964–1968), cutting the temple into blocks, and relocating it 65 meters up and 200 meters back. 🚗 Getting from Aswan to Abu Simbel: The whole journey is over 290 km—about 4+ hours by road. It’s best to reach the minibus station by around 6 AM to negotiate with drivers. Transport options: Private car Minibus 📍 Minibus station location: Aswan Bus Station Abu AR Rish Qebli, Aswan Governorate 1234005 Egypt #Egypt #Travel #AbuSimbel #Aswan #SoloTravel #Guide #Life #Outdoor #Temples #TravelStoryExchange