Twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, the sun rises straight over Lake Nasser, through the doorway of Ramesses II's Great Temple and about 60 metres into the rock, where it lights three of the four seated gods in the sanctuary for roughly 20 minutes. Thousands come to see it, and the whole trip has to be built around one sunrise, so this itinerary is fixed to the date: arrive in Cairo on the 18th and the festival dawn is Day 5.
The key decision is where you sleep the night before. Driving from Aswan means leaving around midnight to 1am for the 280 km desert road, about 3–3.5 hours. We aim instead to secure one of the scarce rooms in Abu Simbel itself, so you drive down in the afternoon of the 21st, sleep, and walk or drive a few minutes to the queue before dawn. Rooms book out first, so we recommend reserving 6–12 months ahead.
The rest of the trip is unhurried: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum before the festival, then a rest afternoon in Aswan and the road north via Kom Ombo and Edfu to Luxor afterwards. The next dates are 22 February 2027 and 22 October 2027. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, so the February festival is expected to fall within it; the alignment happens regardless, but daytime cafés and opening hours may change.
Journey highlights
- A night in Abu Simbel before the Sun Festival, a short distance from the temple gate
- Sunrise on 22 February or 22 October lighting Amun-Ra, the deified Ramesses II and Ra-Horakhty
- Nubian drummers and dancers in front of the temples after sunrise
- Unhurried time in the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari once the crowds leave
- The Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Philae Temple and a felucca on the Nile at Aswan
- Kom Ombo and Edfu temples on the road north
- Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo (18 February or 18 October)
You are met inside the terminal, helped with your visa and driven to your Giza hotel, about 45–60 minutes away. Rest after the flight from Australia.
- Day2
Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Reach the Giza Plateau at opening time for the Great Pyramid, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx with your Egyptologist. Spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the colossal statue of Ramesses II in the atrium is a good introduction to the king you will meet again at Abu Simbel.
- Day3
Fly to Aswan, Philae and a felucca
Take the morning flight to Aswan, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Visit Philae, the island Temple of Isis, by motorboat, then sail by felucca around Elephantine Island in the late afternoon.
- Day4
Aswan morning, drive to Abu Simbel (21st)
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam in the morning, then rest over lunch. In the early afternoon drive about 3–3.5 hours south through the Nubian Desert to Abu Simbel, check in, and have an early night with a wake-up call around 3.30–4am.
- Day5
Sun Festival at dawn, return to Aswan (22nd)
Join the queue at about 4–4.30am with a warm layer and a torch. Around 6–6.30am the light reaches the sanctuary; watch from the line inside or on the large screens outside, then enjoy the Nubian drumming. Stay on after most visitors leave around 9am to see both temples properly, then drive back to Aswan for a quiet afternoon.
- Day6
Drive to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu
Drive north by private car, about 3.5 hours in total, stopping at the double temple of Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum and the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Arrive in Luxor in time to see Luxor Temple floodlit after dark.
- Day7
Luxor West Bank and Karnak
Cross early to the West Bank (an optional sunrise balloon flight can come first) for three tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari. In the late afternoon explore Karnak, including the Great Hypostyle Hall.
- Day8
Fly to Cairo and depart
Fly from Luxor to Cairo, about an hour, and connect with your international flight home, or add nights on the Red Sea or in Cairo.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo (Giza), 2 nights | Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar |
| Aswan, 1 night | Mövenpick Resort Aswan or similar |
| Abu Simbel, 1 night | Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort or similar (rooms are very limited on festival nights) |
| Aswan, 1 night | Mövenpick Resort Aswan or similar |
| Luxor, 2 nights | Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar |
What’s included
- 7 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, including 1 night in Abu Simbel
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every touring day, including festival morning
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver, including Aswan–Abu Simbel–Aswan and Aswan–Luxor
- Standard entry fees to the sites in the itinerary (festival-day entry arrangements confirmed when tickets are issued)
- Felucca sail and Philae boat in Aswan
- Breakfast box for festival morning, airport meet-and-assist and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Optional extras such as the Luxor balloon flight and Tutankhamun's tomb
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless stated
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Destinations on this journey
Cairo & Giza · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor
Abu Simbel Sun Festival Tour: 8 Days Timed for 22 February or 22 October: FAQs
When is the next Abu Simbel Sun Festival?
22 February 2027 and then 22 October 2027, at sunrise. Older sources sometimes quote the 21st; the alignment shifted slightly when the temple was moved in the 1960s. Our Sun Festival guide explains the timing, and we confirm event arrangements closer to the date.
What if there are no rooms left in Abu Simbel?
We switch to the overnight road trip: leave Aswan around midnight to 1am for the 280 km drive, about 3–3.5 hours, and sleep in Aswan the night after instead. It is tiring but it is how most visitors attend. A Lake Nasser cruise timed to moor at Abu Simbel is another comfortable option when cabins are available.
Does Ramadan affect the February 2027 festival?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, so 22 February 2027 is expected to fall within it. The sun rises on schedule and sites stay open, though hours can shift and some cafés close during daylight. See travelling Egypt during Ramadan.
Will we actually see the light in the sanctuary?
Visitors file through in a single line and only a few fit in the sanctuary doorway at a time, so most see the light for a short time as they pass. Large screens outside usually relay the full 20 minutes. Your guide will help you decide whether to queue or watch outside.
Can we fly to Abu Simbel instead of driving?
Flights from Aswan take about 45 minutes when scheduled, but seats are scarce around the festival and may not land before sunrise. Our Abu Simbel by road or air guide compares the two.
Is the festival suitable for children?
Older children who can handle a pre-dawn start usually love it. With younger ones, sleeping in Abu Simbel and watching on the outdoor screens is far easier than queuing in the dark crowd.
