My Viking cruise in January has one option for tour to the temples at Abu Simbel and that is air transport there for $500 each from the cruise ship dock at Aswan.
Viator shows much cheaper options but by road which means 6 hrs round trip road trip and 4 hrs at the temples…..might work.
Thoughts and ease of pickup at the cruise ship docks at Aswan?
I took a tour optional flight. But it was in my earlier travel days as a mature woman, so less intrepid than now or younger. Also, because it was 50C and I still remembered a tour bus catastrophe on the road to Abu Simbel. It was an Overseas Adventure Travel bus crashed into a parked truck...in the dark. There were deaths. This had occurred within months of my travel, so it was fresh in my mind.
For the road transfer, one leaves early in the morning before light and it is a lonely stretch of the road. I expect things have improved.
In January, temps will be lower, but darkness slightly longer. In my experience, 4 hours is plenty long enough for the site.
There was a post here in July 2024 that also discusses how to get to Abu Simbel. Have you read that thread for options? You could look at booking flights and taxis/drivers independently.
Wayne F,
In 2019 our tour was offered an optional flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel (with ground transport from the airport and return). We were on a Trafalgar tour (12days) of Egypt. Our extra cost was about $275.00 per person. From what I have come across on this forum, Viking seems to be quite a bit more expensive than other tour groups (except perhapsOdyssey). I wouldn't make arrangements on my own, however, because I would worry about getting back to my tour group on time. And I definitely wouldn't go by road because it eats into time at Abu Simbel. (We were not rushed at the sight, as some groups say they have been.) I hesitated about going there because of the extra cost, but it was most definitely worth every penny!
Thanks for your reply. Getting back to the ship in time not an issue since it is staying there overnight and temp not a problem since Jan. Paying $1100 for my wife and I for a 6 hr excursion is a non starter………at least for me
MariaF
I did look at that other thread. There are certainly folks who take and actually recommend driving over flying…..but others who are completely opposed to driving.
No clear answers there other than at $509/ea Viking is very high for this excursion AND driving is certainly done by many.
Interestingly, flying doesn’t save as much time as you think….maybe 2 hrs cut off 6 hr travel time round trip by car …..due to getting to airport, planing, deplaning, etc……
you may want to also post your question on cruise critic (river cruise, viking (ocean. yes you have a river cruise but viking ocean forum is much more active), and ports (if egypt is available).
jealous! on my bucket list! please report back with trip report!
I visited Egypt in January 2022, and to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan, I worked with Aswan Individual, which is an excellent tour company that I recommend highly. I do not know if they can schedule around cruise ship stops.
I guess we were lucky as our river boat pulled right up to Abu Simbel.
Suki, I am curious. Where did you get the riverboat to go to Abu Simbel. Sounds like something I would love to do. Was it a cruise or a day trip?
We’re booked on this cruise in Feb 2025 and paid the $499 for Abu Simbel. It’s a 7 hour excursion including a flight and snack. It’s expensive but I don’t think I’d be comfortable with a 6 hour road trip.
There is a thread on Cruise Critic about the 2025 tour dates where someone may be setting up a private tour. See “All Viking 2025 Pharaohs & Pyramids Egypt River Cruise”.
It is worth it to visit Abu Simbel in my opinion. We were on an OAT tour in 2008 and the flight ar that time was $200/pp. Definitely try and join a private tour on cruise critic. I’ve taken are tours like this and they were always cheaper. Also, see hat the airfare would be for you to fly on your own?
We did the 6 hour round trip drive from Aswan and were glad we did. I thought the drive was fascinating!
Our Nile cruise ship had a bus to Abu Simbel. Just be aware that if you want to avoid the hottest time of day at Abu Simbel and get back to your boat on time, you may be up at 4-5 AM for the long bus ride. That said, the sunrise over the desert was spectacular.
Everybody doing land excursion go at the same time in caravan of vehicles with a armor escort at front and back.
I gave up and taking the expensive Viking air option……would be great if someone could assure there are tour pickups at the Aswan ship dock and that Viking actually docked there……….
