One of Egypt's most awe-inspiring sights, the twin temples of Abu Simbel sit near the Sudanese border, carved directly into a sandstone cliff by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago. In the 1960s, the entire complex was cut into blocks and relocated to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser — a feat of engineering as remarkable as the temples themselves. Our early-morning convoy departs Aswan for the scenic desert drive, giving you hours to explore both the Great Temple and the Temple of Hathor before returning by evening.
Sail past Elephantine Island to a colorful Nubian village and a lush botanical garden.