Abu Simbel
From Wikitravel
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Abu Simbel in Upper Egypt was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, growing behind the Aswan Dam, in a massive archaeological rescue plan sponsored by UNESCO in the 1960s. The complex of temples dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramesses II "the Great" remain an evocative and unforgettable destination.
[edit] Understand
The temples at Abu Simbel were formerly located further down the hillside, facing the Nile in the same relative positions, but due to the rising waters of Lake Nasser, the original locations are underwater. Each temple was carefully sawed into numbered stone cubes, moved uphill, and reassembled before the water rose.
The Great Temple of Ramesses II was reassembled fronting a fake mountain, built like a domed basketball court, where the stone cubes occupy a section under the dome; from outside, the fake mountain looks like solid rock.
Archaeologists have concluded that the immense sizes of the statues in the Great Temple were intended to scare potential enemies approaching Egypt's southern region, as they travelled down the Nile from out of Africa.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
EgyptAir offers daily flights to Abu Simbel from both Cairo (NB: early morning flight, about 5.30 am) and Aswan (up to four flights daily). http://www.egyptair.com.eg . Many smaller airlines also operate the Aswan to Abu Simbel route.
[edit] By car
Abu Simbel is currently inaccessible to foreigners travelling by car, on account of police security concerns. The road from Aswan to Abu Simbel is open, however, to bus travel....
[edit] By bus
Foreign travellers can get to Abu Simbel by coach or minibus from Aswan, travelling in police convoys. There is at least one daily convoy each way - the number and frequency of these are often raised when demand increases. Travellers are advised to check at the Aswan tourist office before making firm plans.
For most of the year, the bus convoys leave Aswan around 3:30am to avoid the searing desert heat for at least the outward journey. Trips can be booked at a day's notice from even the most budget of hotels' receptions, although the tourist information kiosk near Aswan central station is the safest option. All buses travel together in a military convoy, and the journey takes around 3 hours each way. It is advisable to travel on air conditioned buses, as the journey back to Aswan is very hot.;
[edit] By boat
It is possible to travel by cruise ship from Aswan through Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel.
[edit] Get around
The town of Abu Simbel is small enough to navigate on foot.
[edit][add listing] See
There are two main temples, each with a variety of internal stone carvings. Notice some of the lines where the stone cubes were sawed apart.
Also, look for a "Kilroy was here" on the lower legs of one of the 4 giant statues of Ramessess II, along with other grafitti, formerly considered fashionable.
Be sure to follow the pathway inside the fake mountain dome, to see how the mountain was constructed.
[edit][add listing] Do
Read more about the temples before arriving: time at Abu Simbel will likely be limited, with little time to read about the stone carvings inside the temples. Beyond the temples themselves, the detailed description of sawing and moving the stone cubes is also an interesting story to read.
As with the pyramids at Giza, reading about them, before arriving, in no way diminishes the impact of seeing them firsthand. The reconstructed temples at Abu Simbel appear entirely real, not like a simulated building at some theme parks; however, do go inside the dome of the Great Temple to appreciate that it is a fake mountain.
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
Visitors might need to bring their own snacks and beverages, due to the length of the journey and the limited time at Abu Simbel.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Sleep on the trip back.
There are two Western style hotels here, one of which is the Nefertari (1 star). If you want to see the sound and light show you may have to stay at these hotels. May or may not be worth it.
[edit] Get out
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