Abu Simbel Temples

Abu Simbel lies near the Sudanese border, on the shore of Lake Nasser far south of Aswan. Here Ramesses II had two temples carved into the hillside: the Great Temple, fronted by four seated statues of himself some 20 metres tall, and a smaller temple for his queen, Nefertari.

In the 1960s, when the Aswan High Dam was about to flood the site, an international UNESCO campaign cut both temples into blocks and rebuilt them on higher ground, an engineering feat as impressive as the temples themselves. Twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines deep into the Great Temple to light the statues in its sanctuary.

The drive from Aswan takes about three and a half hours each way, so most visits start before dawn; a short flight is the faster alternative. Carry water and a hat, as there is little shade.