Abu Simbel - How best to see.
Nov 30th, 2010, 04:58 PM
#1
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Abu Simbel - How best to see.
I am in very preliminary stage of planning a first trip to Egypt. I will see Cairo and environs, and a Nile River cruise, seeing all the usual sites. I definately want to see Abu Simbel, and originally thought the best was to get on a Lake Nassar cruise of about 3 or 4 days. But now I am wondering whether the extra days are better spent somewhere else.
I am now wondering if the best way for us is to fly there and stay over night one night, then fly back out. In this way, we would still be there when the daytrippers depart, and be able to be around for the light show and an early morning sunrise scene. This is offered by the lake cruise, but are the two extra days on the lake too much? I don't think I want to just sit on a boat for two days with little to see.
Anyone have any views on this matter?
I am now wondering if the best way for us is to fly there and stay over night one night, then fly back out. In this way, we would still be there when the daytrippers depart, and be able to be around for the light show and an early morning sunrise scene. This is offered by the lake cruise, but are the two extra days on the lake too much? I don't think I want to just sit on a boat for two days with little to see.
Anyone have any views on this matter?
Nov 30th, 2010, 05:45 PM
#2
If you have two extra days to spend ,I would plan on going to Alexandria, while you are in Cairo.
I would arrange a private tour guide ( Like Debbie at Casual Cairo) and she can take you to Alexandria.
I do not know how much time you are going to spent in Cairo,but make it enough to see all the major places
Usually you fly from Aswan to Abu Simble while on the Nile Cruise.
I really do not think you want to spend 3-4 days at Abu Simble/Lake Nasser.
What do you think:
Casual Cairo
Grcxx3
sandi
and other too numerous to name
I would arrange a private tour guide ( Like Debbie at Casual Cairo) and she can take you to Alexandria.
I do not know how much time you are going to spent in Cairo,but make it enough to see all the major places
Usually you fly from Aswan to Abu Simble while on the Nile Cruise.
I really do not think you want to spend 3-4 days at Abu Simble/Lake Nasser.
What do you think:
Casual Cairo
Grcxx3
sandi
and other too numerous to name
Nov 30th, 2010, 06:56 PM
#4
It was St.Petersburg Russia and then I followed you to South America.
But now you will follow me to Egypt !
Debbie took me from Cairo to Alexandria and I had a terrific time.
But now you will follow me to Egypt !
Debbie took me from Cairo to Alexandria and I had a terrific time.
Nov 30th, 2010, 07:47 PM
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Just fly into Abu Simbel for the day-its magical after 930am when the daytrippers on the bus leave. We had the place all to our selves after 8930am and it was wonderful. Be sure and sit on the left side when you fly into Abu Simbel-the views from the airplane were amazing!
Nov 30th, 2010, 10:45 PM
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I agree with dutyfree. I was happy with the morning we were there. We flew in on the later morning flight and it was not very crowded. There are plenty of my photos with nobody but the temple in them. If it was me, I would spend the extra days elsewhere. I was on the left side of the plane and was yelling out..."there it is... there it is"!
At Abu Simble we purchased a pack of 20 postcards for 20 EGP. About 15 minutes later we saw our guide talking to the vendor and money exchanging hands. We thought he was getting a kick back and thought, "who cares, he makes a bit of money". We could see our guide (who we just had for hour and a half at the temple) following us back to the bus. He caught up to us and handed us 5 pounds and said "the vendor realised that he had only sold you a pack of 16 postcards so here is your change". We were stunned. We'd heard so many stories about unscrupulous locals which were wrong. The people were wonderful.
At Abu Simble we purchased a pack of 20 postcards for 20 EGP. About 15 minutes later we saw our guide talking to the vendor and money exchanging hands. We thought he was getting a kick back and thought, "who cares, he makes a bit of money". We could see our guide (who we just had for hour and a half at the temple) following us back to the bus. He caught up to us and handed us 5 pounds and said "the vendor realised that he had only sold you a pack of 16 postcards so here is your change". We were stunned. We'd heard so many stories about unscrupulous locals which were wrong. The people were wonderful.
Dec 1st, 2010, 03:52 AM
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The Lake Nasser cruise is nice - but NOT something I would do on a first trip to Egypt when there are so many other things to see.
Being there after the crowds are gone is a big plus. On our first trip, we dealt with the crowds. On the second trip, we had the place practically to ourselves. It was fabulous.
And, if you do decide to spend the night and see the Sound and Light show - then do it. It was our favorite. BUT, I would not hang out at Abu Simbel just to see the light show IF it prevents you from seeing other places (like Alexandria) that you want to see.
Being there after the crowds are gone is a big plus. On our first trip, we dealt with the crowds. On the second trip, we had the place practically to ourselves. It was fabulous.
And, if you do decide to spend the night and see the Sound and Light show - then do it. It was our favorite. BUT, I would not hang out at Abu Simbel just to see the light show IF it prevents you from seeing other places (like Alexandria) that you want to see.
Dec 1st, 2010, 10:22 AM
#9
What a heartwarming stroy MissGreen
Sort of restores your faith in mankind
We have yet to hear from Debbie !
Sort of restores your faith in mankind
We have yet to hear from Debbie !
Dec 1st, 2010, 10:23 AM
#10
I have to learn how to spell story !
Dec 1st, 2010, 07:05 PM
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Grcxx, dutyfree and missgreen; Did you fly in and out on the same day? What times were your flights?
When do the daytrippers come and go? From where? If you do this, aren't you also a daytripper and there at the same time as the others?
So maybe I just go for the day. But I've heard that the best pics are in the AM as the sun comes up. True?
When you get there, are you with a tour, or do you find a guide at the gate, so to speak?
Sorry for my apparent confusion, but I'm confused.
When do the daytrippers come and go? From where? If you do this, aren't you also a daytripper and there at the same time as the others?
So maybe I just go for the day. But I've heard that the best pics are in the AM as the sun comes up. True?
When you get there, are you with a tour, or do you find a guide at the gate, so to speak?
Sorry for my apparent confusion, but I'm confused.
Dec 1st, 2010, 07:15 PM
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BillJ - The first time, we flew in the morning - from Aswan, then flew back to Cairo in the early afternoon. Pretty quick. The second time we were there for a Lake Nasser cruise, so we arrived, got settled on the boat, and then went to the site in the afternoon. That was MUCH nicer. Then we went to the Sound and Light show that evening. Adventurous souls got up before dawn the next day for another visit to the temples....but I slept in!
But keep in mind....we lived there. So, time was not a critical factor for us.
When we went, if I recall correctly, we hooked up with a guide inside the temple area.
A couple of lessons we learned (and since it's been many years, someone please let me know if things have changed)...
- no place inside to get water
- the only bathroom (WC) inside the temple area was so awful my DH would not let my sons (about 9 and 10) go into it......so I ended up exiting early to get my younger son to a bathroom out by the main area.
But keep in mind....we lived there. So, time was not a critical factor for us.
When we went, if I recall correctly, we hooked up with a guide inside the temple area.
A couple of lessons we learned (and since it's been many years, someone please let me know if things have changed)...
- no place inside to get water
- the only bathroom (WC) inside the temple area was so awful my DH would not let my sons (about 9 and 10) go into it......so I ended up exiting early to get my younger son to a bathroom out by the main area.
Dec 2nd, 2010, 01:35 AM
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Hi Bill... in regards to what we did on our trip to Abu Simble.. we caught a 10.30 am flight from Aswan and arrived at 11.15 am. We departed at 2.15 pm to return to Aswan.
We travelled with Lady Egypt. A rep (Khaled)picked us up at our hotel in Aswan and toook us to the airport and checked us in. The flight left on time. When we arrived at the other end, our Abu Simble rep was a bit late but he eventually turned up 5 minutes after the plane arrived and was holding a sign withour names on it. The rep introduced us to our guide who would go with us on the short ride to Abu Simble. We believed we should of had a private car pick us up, however the rep was fiddling around and eventually he told us and our guide to get on the bus that was waiting to take 90% of the plane passengers to Abu Simble. We were on a private tour with Lady Egypt so we were surprised at being herded on to a bus that was so hot.. (so much for airconditioning.. it was cooler outside!) Our guide started to tell us about Abu Simble from the moment we got on the bus. He was with us the whole time we were at the temple. I don't recall seeing guides waiting to show people around at the temple, but then again I was not looking. I am sure people are there trying to get you to use their services but how knowledgeable are they.
In regards to the other tourists leaving. I believe there is an earlier flight to Abu Simble and it also departs earlier. So when those passengers leave the temple to go back to the airport to fly home, the temple is left with only the late arriving passengers and folks staying overnight.
For me, I would of felt it was a waste of my time to stay all day and visit again the next morning. My Hubbie is an avid photographer and loves the different light on the temples at different times of the day but he did not express regret at not getting photos with different light. He probably felt that the temple was magnificent in itself, even in just the regular light.
I cannot recall the bathrooms inside the temple (the heat seemed to make me not need to go so often). I am pretty sure that I must of gone to the toilets at the main tourist area entrance, about 10 minutes away from the temple, but I cannot recall it so it cannot of been too gruesome. In fact there was only one or two yucky toilets in Egypt in the whole of my trip around Egypt.
In the main tourist area there are drinks and shade so you can have a rest before the sweaty ride back to the airport!!
We travelled with Lady Egypt. A rep (Khaled)picked us up at our hotel in Aswan and toook us to the airport and checked us in. The flight left on time. When we arrived at the other end, our Abu Simble rep was a bit late but he eventually turned up 5 minutes after the plane arrived and was holding a sign withour names on it. The rep introduced us to our guide who would go with us on the short ride to Abu Simble. We believed we should of had a private car pick us up, however the rep was fiddling around and eventually he told us and our guide to get on the bus that was waiting to take 90% of the plane passengers to Abu Simble. We were on a private tour with Lady Egypt so we were surprised at being herded on to a bus that was so hot.. (so much for airconditioning.. it was cooler outside!) Our guide started to tell us about Abu Simble from the moment we got on the bus. He was with us the whole time we were at the temple. I don't recall seeing guides waiting to show people around at the temple, but then again I was not looking. I am sure people are there trying to get you to use their services but how knowledgeable are they.
In regards to the other tourists leaving. I believe there is an earlier flight to Abu Simble and it also departs earlier. So when those passengers leave the temple to go back to the airport to fly home, the temple is left with only the late arriving passengers and folks staying overnight.
For me, I would of felt it was a waste of my time to stay all day and visit again the next morning. My Hubbie is an avid photographer and loves the different light on the temples at different times of the day but he did not express regret at not getting photos with different light. He probably felt that the temple was magnificent in itself, even in just the regular light.
I cannot recall the bathrooms inside the temple (the heat seemed to make me not need to go so often). I am pretty sure that I must of gone to the toilets at the main tourist area entrance, about 10 minutes away from the temple, but I cannot recall it so it cannot of been too gruesome. In fact there was only one or two yucky toilets in Egypt in the whole of my trip around Egypt.
In the main tourist area there are drinks and shade so you can have a rest before the sweaty ride back to the airport!!
Dec 2nd, 2010, 07:44 AM
#14
You can fly from Aswan at different times.
Our small group woke up about 3 AM and were by the airport by 4 AM.
We got there very early and had the place to ourselves for awhile but then other groups came and of course it was getting crowded a bit
I saw all I wanted to see, it was very hot there about 90F in the morning !!
Once you see everything, then it is just more and more of the same.
I did not stay extra on Lake Nasser because I was going to Alexandria instead.
But if you feel like you want to be there the next morning when the sun comes up over Abu Simble, that decision is yours.
BillJ , when you went to South Americam, did you go to Macchu Picchu
If you did , did you stay overnight and see the sunrise over Machu Picchu the next morning.
This would be the same thing ( almost).
As the sunrise hits different areas, you take pictures.
Or was it the Galapagos you went to.... I think you followed ME to the Galapagos
you have decisions to make but ample time to do so.
Our small group woke up about 3 AM and were by the airport by 4 AM.
We got there very early and had the place to ourselves for awhile but then other groups came and of course it was getting crowded a bit
I saw all I wanted to see, it was very hot there about 90F in the morning !!
Once you see everything, then it is just more and more of the same.
I did not stay extra on Lake Nasser because I was going to Alexandria instead.
But if you feel like you want to be there the next morning when the sun comes up over Abu Simble, that decision is yours.
BillJ , when you went to South Americam, did you go to Macchu Picchu
If you did , did you stay overnight and see the sunrise over Machu Picchu the next morning.
This would be the same thing ( almost).
As the sunrise hits different areas, you take pictures.
Or was it the Galapagos you went to.... I think you followed ME to the Galapagos
you have decisions to make but ample time to do so.
Dec 2nd, 2010, 02:05 PM
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We flew from Cairo, believe a 6:30 or 7am flight that was supposed to stop at Aswan. However, since all on the flight were going to Abu Simbel, no stop at Aswan, but straight onto our destination. It was a full plane so figure over about 150/paxs.
On arrival, short bus ride to the site, where we gathered a guide with 4 other visitors*. It was great and we didn't feel rushed or the site to be crowded with the entire plane visiting here. There were a few tour groups with their own guide, and then the individual travelers as us.
By about 11am, we took bus back to airport for flight to Aswan where we boarded our Nile Cruise boat.
*Surprisingly, these others also boarded the same cruise boat and we all toured and dined together... lots of fun!
On arrival, short bus ride to the site, where we gathered a guide with 4 other visitors*. It was great and we didn't feel rushed or the site to be crowded with the entire plane visiting here. There were a few tour groups with their own guide, and then the individual travelers as us.
By about 11am, we took bus back to airport for flight to Aswan where we boarded our Nile Cruise boat.
*Surprisingly, these others also boarded the same cruise boat and we all toured and dined together... lots of fun!
Dec 3rd, 2010, 04:50 PM
#16
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You guys are great! You've helped me determine I don't need to spend time on the Lake. This also helps me vision what the Abu Simbel drill is.
Thank you so much. I have no doubt I'll see AS, but probably on a day trip.
Thanks again!
Thank you so much. I have no doubt I'll see AS, but probably on a day trip.
Thanks again!
Dec 4th, 2010, 01:54 PM
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I have read that the early morning hours at Abu Simbel are the best -- free of day trippers. From what I can determine, that would mean staying overnight at one of the few hotels in AS. Is that correct? We are considering a flight to AS directly from Cairo, then staying overnight at AS. A flight to Luxor next, then a Nile cruise back to Cairo.
Having read "Justine," I feel we can live without Alexandria. We want to spend about ten days in Egypt.
Having read "Justine," I feel we can live without Alexandria. We want to spend about ten days in Egypt.
