Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comPrivate Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
based on 19 reviews of Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Very good guide. Extremely helpful. The temples are stunning.
Reviewed by: Sachin J, United Kingdom, January 2009
Very impressed with the efficiency of the web site, message waiting for us on the cruise ship, prompt pick up, guide's courtesy and knowledge. It was worth the early wake up and drive. Sunrise over the desert was awesome. Abu Simbel should not be missed.
Reviewed by: Judith R, United States of America, December 2008
This was our favorite part of the entire trip to Egypt. The long trip to get there via the mini van was draining, but the end destination was PHENOMENAL. The guide was a pleasure to deal with, considering we had many OTHER guides on various other tours who were not remotely interested in our enthusiasm for Egypt.
Reviewed by: Rita D, Australia, October 2008
It is very very very beautiful! There are no ways to put it in words, must see it.
Reviewed by: Sonia K, Brazil, May 2008
We booked this trip just before we left on holiday because our tour operator had been unable to get us flights to Abu Simbel. We were dubious about a three hour bus ride through the Western Desert, but as we had traveled so far south especially to see Abu Simbel, we felt it was worth the risk! We had booked a bus trip, so we expected to be joining a coach load of other tourists. Rather, we were picked up at 3:30 a.m. by a private air conditioned 15 seater minibus complete with 2 divers and our own delightful English speaking guide! We joined the daily convoy of vehicles which travel as one to the temples. One of our party slept the whole way there, but I was treated to the most amazing sunrise over the desert! We arrived at Abu Simbel about 7:00 a.m., before the heat of the day, and had a fantastic guided tour of the area and then had lots of time to wander round the temples and take lots of photos. The whole experience was breathtaking and one we will never forget. Viator organized everything perfectly. All the staff were courteous and helpful without exception.
Reviewed by: John M, United Kingdom, August 2007
This was pretty cool.
Reviewed by: Carlos Alberto M, Mexico, May 2007
This trip was a long haul on the van, but we were happy to have a private tour with only the two of us. Our guide was personable, but somewhat wooden. No photos in the temple, which is unfortunate, but some good photos sold. Incredible temples, both Ramses and Nefertari. The time at temples is limited, 2 hours, so it is somewhat rushed, especially after a 3 hour drive. Beautiful sunrise in the desert. Definitely worth the time and effort.
Reviewed by: William Z, United States of America, April 2009
Trip was fine and the actual site was fantastic, however, I believe for what is provided the tour is very overpriced. The transfer is long however and guides are not allowed in the temple itself, therefore guides travel the 6 hour return journey to speak to you for 10-15 minutes on the site. Fantastic site, definitely visit, however, I would recommend a cheaper option as there are many operators who offer the exact same programme.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United Kingdom, April 2009
You can do this trip by air but driving through the desert and watching the sun rise is something special. You start from Aswan in a convoy with about 100 other vehicles and drive at hectic pace for 3 hours to Abu Simbel where the temples are superb. We would have liked a bit more time at AB aprox 90 mins but this is due to the scheduling of the convoys not a restriction by the tour operator. South Sinai tours are very good indeed, we did 4 others with them.
Reviewed by: Richard B, United Kingdom, April 2008
It was a very early start, but you just can't miss this one.
Reviewed by: John H, United Kingdom, February 2008
Great place to visit! But check prices for commercial flights as they do fly into Abu Simbel. Also if you have children, as we do, don't include them in reservation as many places don't require kids to pay. Later, if you need to pay, it is easy to work it out with local agent. We wasted our money on paying for our 6 year old as the guide never paid for her. If you get this far into Egypt don't miss this location! Photos aren't allowed inside - who knows why - but 10 Egyptian pounds to the guard does wonders - as it seems to do all over Egypt.
Reviewed by: Kenneth N, Saudi Arabia, December 2007
It was wonderful except the driver was going extremely fast, as was everyone else, and at dusk did not turn lights on unless another car was coming, as did everyone else. That was extremely scary.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, April 2009
The guide was not so good, the drivers were sometimes pretty scary, the time at the site too short, and the requirement to tip everyone a pain in the bum esp. given how much we already paid.
Reviewed by: Joerg G, Germany, January 2009
Our English speaking guide had a very strong accent and it was hard to understand him. guides leading other groups had better visual aids for the explanations. We we not aware that the tour included some stops at shops. At the end of the day I felt rushed through amazing Abu Simbel so they could drive us to the stores.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, Colombia, January 2009
The driver/guide picked us up on time. Viator was in touch and communicated with us as to what our responsibilities were. We enjoyed the early morning ride to Abu Simbel. The bus was OK. The guide slept on the back seat while we were in transit. Had hoped he might visit with us a bit more. When we arrived at the site, he hurried us to the temples and talked too fast to grasp easily all he was saying. We enjoyed seeing the temples. We wouldn't have wanted to miss them. We had some difficulty finding our van to return. Although we were not the last to arrive, we were the last van in the parking area and finally discovered where it was parked. As we got near to Aswan, our guide told us he was in the process of getting into the perfume-making business and wanted to take us to his factory as a side trip before delivering us to our destination, I do believe, he was just trying to sell fragrance for some company. It was OK, but it could have been better.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, December 2008
