Abu Simbel Sun Festival
Stand inside the inner sanctuary as sunrise lights three of the four statues.
Abu Simbel, Egypt
Witness the Abu Simbel Sun Festival.
Twice a year, at dawn, the sun reaches inside a 3,300 year old temple and lights the faces of kings. Join a small group journey down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor, timed for the one sunrise Ramses II built this temple to capture.
Sun Festival
22 Oct 2026
Location
Abu Simbel, Egypt
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Group Size
Max 18 Guests
Guide
Local Egyptologist Guide
Limited Places. Small Groups. October 2026.
Why This Tour
Why you will never forget Abu Simbel
Most visitors to Egypt see Abu Simbel as a rushed afternoon stop.
You will be standing inside the temple at sunrise on one of only two mornings a year when the sun reaches the inner sanctuary, alongside a small group capped at 18 travellers.
From there you sail the Nile by felucca, ride the sleeper train between Cairo and Aswan, and walk through Luxor and Karnak with a dedicated Egyptologist guide.
This is not a coach tour ticking off sights.
It is nine days built around a single sunrise, with everything else in Egypt's Nile Valley woven around it.
Small Groups
Intimate tours of 2 to 18 guests
Egyptologist Guide
A dedicated local Egyptologist throughout
What You Will See
Abu Simbel, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
A nine day arc from Cairo's pyramids down to Nubia and back up through Luxor, timed so you are inside the sanctuary at Abu Simbel on the one morning the sun reaches it.
Pyramids and Sphinx
Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx at Giza.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Explore the Tutankhamun exhibit with an expert Egyptologist guide.
Nubian Village
Share a traditional lunch and see colourful Nubian houses in Aswan.
Felucca Sailing
Drift down the Nile overnight on a traditional Nubian sailboat.
Plus the unmissable moments
- Philae Temple, reached by boat
- Karnak's Hypostyle Hall, 134 columns
- Valley of the Kings tombs
- Luxor Temple lit up at night
- Overnight sleeper trains, Cairo to Aswan
- Khan el-Khalili bazaar walk in Cairo
The Tour
9 days. 8 nights. One sunrise, 3,300 years in the making.
Cairo to Cairo, small group of up to 18 travellers, hotels, sleeper train and felucca. Tour dates: 19 to 27 October 2026. Abu Simbel Sun Festival: 22 October.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1
Arrive into Cairo
Transfer to your hotel with the rest of the day free to settle in.
Day 2
Pyramids, Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit Giza's pyramids and the Tutankhamun exhibit, then board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
Day 3
Aswan, Nubian Village, Philae Temple
Arrive in Aswan, visit a Nubian village for lunch, then reach Philae Temple by boat.
Day 4
Abu Simbel Sun Festival, felucca cruise
Drive to Abu Simbel at dawn for the sun festival, then board a felucca for an afternoon sailing the Nile.
Day 5
Felucca, Edfu, Luxor Temple
Sail on to Edfu's Temple of Horus, continue to Luxor with an optional evening temple walk.
Day 6
Luxor's West Bank, free time
Explore the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Medinat Habu temples, then relax at your hotel.
Day 7
Karnak Temple
A free morning, then tour Karnak's temple complex before the overnight sleeper train to Cairo.
Day 8
Cairo, Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Free time in Cairo followed by a guided evening walk through the back streets and bazaars.
Day 9
Departure
Free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Sleeping deck on the felucca, mattresses and mosquito nets provided.
Where You Stay
5-star hotels, a sleeper cabin and a night under the stars
Five nights are spent in 5-star hotels in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, all with pools and Nile views. Two nights are on board the overnight sleeper train, in private twin-berth cabins with fold-down beds. One night is spent sleeping on deck aboard a traditional Nubian felucca, with a support boat providing a toilet and warm showers.
- 5-star hotels throughout Cairo, Aswan and Luxor
- Private twin-berth cabins on both sleeper trains
- Upgrade available from felucca deck to an Aswan hotel
- Small group guarantee, maximum 18 travellers
Traveller Reviews
What travellers say about Egypt with Encounters Travel
Real reviews from Encounters Travel guests who have travelled the Nile Valley with us, as posted on TripAdvisor.
4.7 out of 5 from over 1,700 traveller reviews of Encounters Travel tours
Dream come true!
“My trip then went into Egypt. WOW. It is hard to find the words. The pyramids, tombs, temples, Abu Simbel, all of it was unreal. My guide there, Ayman Kenawy, was unbelievable. His vast knowledge was inspiring but his way of navigating and making the trip memorable for everyone he guided was his true gift. As a solo female traveller I never felt worried at all.”
An unforgettable Egyptian trip
“I really enjoyed the felucca boat as it sailed on the Nile river, and sleeping on the boat was great too. You sleep as a group on the boat and it was a very unique experience, I truly loved it. Encounters took care of getting all the necessary entrance tickets to the historical sites and pretty much took care of everything. We just had to go and enjoy all the marvellous sights.”
Beyond expectations!
“This tour is perfect for a comprehensive introduction to the country and, most importantly, to all that will whet your appetite about Ancient Egypt. It covers all the cool monuments, plus the added experience of actually spending real quality time on the Nile, and the traditional Nubian village dinner was to die for. We felt extremely safe and well cared for in our relatively small group.”
Fantastic adventure
“The monuments, tombs, pyramids, temples and statues of ancient Egypt are absolutely breathtaking. Add the considerable knowledge of our Egyptologist guide, plus the excitement of overnight trips by train and felucca, and this vacation is truly the adventure of a lifetime. Encounters are absolute masters of logistics.”
Living life seven hours ahead in Egypt
“Very organised from beginning to end. Emails by Mariska, the itinerary, transfers, hotel and food. Our guide was the best, professional, attentive, organised and funny. A great Egyptologist who knows his country and its history. From the temples, to the Valley of the Kings, to the felucca experience, to Karnak and Abu Simbel, this trip with Encounters will always be a memorable one.”
A fun adventure from north to south
“My guide was Ahmed. He explained the history and the people so well. I was able to enjoy Egypt from the north end to the south. We toured so much. Took the sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan. That was a fun adventure. Each of my guides had so much knowledge about the country and the area. I loved this tour.”
“I always tell travellers to book Abu Simbel early. It only runs twice a year and we keep the group small so you actually get time inside the temple, not just a glimpse over someone's shoulder.”
Mariska Knoesen, Sales Manager at Encounters Travel
Have a question about the sun festival dates, felucca upgrades or flights into Cairo? Mariska and the team can talk you through it.
Feluccas on the Nile at sunset, somewhere south of Aswan.
Practical Details
Everything you need to know.
- Tour
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival
- Duration
- 9 days and 8 nights
- Start and End
- Cairo to Cairo
- Festival Date
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival: 22 October 2026
- Tour Dates
- 19 to 27 October 2026
- Group Size
- Small group, 2 to 18 travellers
- Accommodation
- 5-star hotels, sleeper train cabins, felucca
- Region
- Egypt: Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor
About the Abu Simbel Sun Festival
The engineering behind the spectacle, and why where you watch it matters.
The Background
A sunrise built into stone
Ramses II's temple at Abu Simbel was positioned so that, on two mornings a year, sunlight travels down a 60 metre passage into the inner sanctuary.
There it lights the statues of Ra-Horakhty, Amun and the deified Ramses II, while Ptah, god of the underworld, is left in darkness.
The dates are thought to mark Ramses II's coronation and birthday, engineering that has held for over three thousand years.
3,300 years
since Ramses II built the temple
2 days a year
22 February and 22 October only
Why Abu Simbel
A journey worth the early start
★
Built for a king
Ramses II carved the temple into a mountainside around 1264 BC, dedicating it to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ptah, and to himself.
◎
Moved to survive
In the 1960s the entire temple was cut into blocks and relocated above the rising waters of Lake Nasser, in one of UNESCO's largest rescue projects.
☁
Remote by design
Abu Simbel sits far south near the Sudanese border, reached by a dawn drive from Aswan, which keeps crowds smaller than at Cairo or Luxor.
✓
A guide who knows the light
Our Egyptologist guide times your entry so you are inside the sanctuary as the sun reaches the statues, not queuing outside.
Good To Know
Your Abu Simbel questions, answered
When exactly is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?
The sun reaches the inner sanctuary on just two mornings a year, 22 February and 22 October. This departure runs from 19 to 27 October 2026, so Day 4 puts you at Abu Simbel at dawn on 22 October, the autumn alignment.
What actually happens at the sun festival?
At sunrise, light travels roughly 60 metres down the temple's rock cut passage and falls on the seated statues in the inner sanctuary, lighting Ra-Horakhty, Amun and the deified Ramses II while Ptah, god of the underworld, stays in shadow. Outside the temple there is music, dancing and a local market atmosphere from very early in the morning.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities need a tourist visa, available on arrival at Cairo airport or in advance as an e-visa. It is not included in the tour price. Your passport should have at least six months validity from your date of entry. Our specialists can advise on the right option for your nationality.
How early is the start on festival morning?
Very early. The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes around three hours across the desert, so you will leave in the small hours to be in position before sunrise. Your Egyptologist guide times the entry so you are inside the sanctuary as the light arrives rather than queuing outside.
What are the sleeper trains like?
You spend two nights on the overnight train between Cairo and Aswan, in private twin-berth cabins with fold-down beds, with a simple dinner and breakfast served in the cabin. It is comfortable rather than luxurious, and most travellers enjoy it as part of the adventure. Flight upgrades can be arranged if you would rather not take the train.
What is the felucca night really like?
You sleep on the open deck of a traditional Nubian sailboat, on mattresses with mosquito nets, with a support boat alongside providing a toilet and warm showers. It is simple, sociable and a highlight for most travellers. If you would prefer a bed, you can upgrade from the felucca deck to a hotel in Aswan.
How fit do I need to be?
This is a sightseeing tour rather than an active one, but the days are long and involve a lot of walking on uneven ground at temple sites, with some steps and ramps in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Reasonable mobility and comfortable shoes are all you need.
What is the weather like in October?
October is one of the best months to travel in Egypt. Expect warm dry days of around 30 to 35 degrees in Aswan and Luxor with cooler evenings, and almost no rain. Mornings at Abu Simbel can be genuinely cold before sunrise, so bring a layer for the dawn drive.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Groups are small, from 2 to 18 travellers, and you are accompanied by a local Egyptologist guide throughout. Solo travellers join every departure, and there is a room share option as well as a single supplement if you prefer your own room.
How do I get to Cairo?
The tour starts and ends in Cairo, and international flights are not included. Cairo International Airport is served by direct flights from most European, Gulf and North American hubs. Airport transfers on arrival and departure are included, and our specialists can advise on the best connections for your route.
Still have a question? Our travel specialists are happy to help.