The most difficult temple to reach in Egypt, why does it always linger in people's minds?
The most difficult temple to reach in Egypt, why does it always linger in people's minds|||If there's anything that can be considered a headache in an Egyptian trip, Abu Simbel definitely makes the list.
As the most difficult temple to reach in Egypt, Abu Simbel is located at the border between Egypt and Sudan. It takes over 7 hours to travel round trip from the nearest city, Aswan. "To go or not to go" becomes a dilemma for many people.
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After spending a day there, I felt it was worth it. There must be a reason why this remote temple is always talked about, whether it's Ramses II's narcissism or his millennial love with Nefertari, the arduous rescue by the United Nations, or the stunning lakeside scenery, not to mention the spectacle of the solar phenomenon. So many legendary stories have happened here.
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🛕 There are two temples here, rediscovered in 1813 by a Swiss explorer. Both were carved out of the mountain, making them quite unique. The contrast between light and shadow makes for great photos. The inside and outside of the temples feel like two different worlds; the interior is extremely dark with almost no natural light, and your eyes need time to adjust each time you enter or exit.
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"As long as the Nile flows and the sun shines, my dedication to her will never fade."
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🚌 Main ways to get to Abu Simbel Temple
1. Bus tour
Depart at 4 AM and return to Aswan at noon. It's convenient and economical, but the temple is very crowded during the tour. Personally, I don't like this early morning rush (mainly because I can't get up).
2. Public bus trip
You take the bus/minibus to and from the station yourself, costing around 100 Egyptian pounds one way. It's economical and offers flexible timing but requires some DIY ability.
3. Private car
Private car offers more flexibility in timing, but you need to research prices and set your expectations. Overall, it's more expensive than a public bus trip but saves time.
4. Plane trip
Abu Simbel Airport is only 4 km from the temple, and you can see the temple and Lake Nasser from the plane. You can also join a plane tour group. I met many Westerners who found this option very enjoyable. It takes only 45 minutes to fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel Airport, and EgyptAir offers a free bus directly to the temple entrance. This way, you can avoid the crowds, but it's very expensive.
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🌟 My choice: Fly there, take a minibus back
I flew directly from Cairo to Abu Simbel (airport code ABS), arriving at the temple entrance at 11 AM. The downside was having to find a place to store all my luggage, but I found a storage spot at the small goods market near the temple entrance.
After a relaxing tour, I took a tuk-tuk for 20 pounds to the city for lunch, then walked to the Public Bus Station to take a bus back to Aswan. The locals charged around 70 pounds, but the initial asking price was 150 pounds. I firmly negotiated it down to 100 pounds.