ABU SIMBEL Temple in 4K | Asians Self Drive Road Trip In Egypt!

ABU SIMBEL Temple in 4K | Asians Self Drive Road Trip In Egypt!

Heat. Heat. Salam to everyone and peace be upon all of you. Here we are in Abu Simbel after 300 km and 4 hours self-driving on the road on our rental car. Going to Abu Simbel. Uhhuh. Straight to the left. Okay. Okay. Have you ever come across a Malay Singaporean and a Malay Sarowak Malaysian just like us self-driving a rental car across Egypt’s Nubian Sahara Desert right up to the southernmost Egyptian city of Abu Simbel near the Sudan border. Today we are taking you on a journey where we don’t just visit Abu Simbel Temple but we will be the ones locking it up for the night as well. Most tourists who visit Abu Simbel would either hop on a package tour or a dayripg guided van in the early morning. But for us, we wanted the freedom to see Egypt our way. It is rare for travelers from Singapore and Malaysia to drive 300 km through this Sahara desert. The feeling and experience of adventure is absolutely worth it. As Malay Muslim travelers, stepping into Abu Simbel town made us feel both foreign and familiar. We were definitely touched by the warmth of the people. It is a side of Egypt which we felt was better compared to persistent hustlers in Cairo. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. And this is the owner. Yes. The most hospitalitable owner in the whole of Egypt. most friendliest, most welcoming. Welcome. Come to Samastas Hotel. Yeah. By midafter afternoon, when most visitors and tourists had left, we entered into the site of Abu Simbel Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is as majestic as it is mysterious. And here is where the adventure turns into something truly extraordinary. Right now we are walking down this quiet stone path descending slowly from the main ticket entrance of the temple complex. There is no crowd pushing us. No rush at all. Just the desert wind, the crunch of our footsteps and that building sense that something massive is about to reveal itself. As you can see on our right and in front of us, the stunning Lake Nasser glimmers strikingly under the afternoon sun. An endless stretch of water so vast it feels like the desert suddenly ends in an ocean. But what lies ahead is even more breathtaking. You have surely seen pictures of Abu Simbel Temple. You have most probably watched travel documentaries showing it from afar. But what they don’t tell you is this. There is a moment of pure anticipation you cannot capture on a postcard. As we turn around this corner, the priceless jaw-dropping sight from afar reveals itself. Carved into the mountain, standing as if time itself bows to its presence, are the colossal statues of Ramsy’s II, towering over us, guarding the Abu Simbel temple with silent authority. It was as if the temple itself was breathing, welcoming us into its quiet embrace, revealing details most visitors miss in the crowd’s haste. This rare solitude allowed us to truly connect and to feel the weight of history and the mystery carved ahead. The Abu Simbel temple complex in Egypt actually features two temples. The great temple of Ramsy’s II and the small temple of Queen Neferti. The first temple you see here is the great temple dedicated to Ramsy’s II. This temple is famously known for its four colossal statues of Ramsy’s II at the entrance. Located nearby about 100 m northeast of the great temple of Ramsy’s is the small temple of Neferti which is dedicated to Queen Neferti the chief wife of Ramsy’s II. There’s something magical about exploring a place when the world has moved on. When the only sound is your own breath and footsteps echoing through eternity. Here is the secret you have been eagerly waiting for. By midafter afternoon, when most tour buses and tour vans already left with most of the day tourists, the famous Abu Simbel temple becomes almost empty. We had planned it this way in order to experience this UNESCO wonder without the crowd. Just the two of us, Southeast Asian travelers and the guardians of history. To arrive in the mid-after afternoon meant that the vast Abu Simbel temple complex was nearly empty with the giant statue standing tall in golden light like silent sentinels watching over us. No shouting groups, no selfie sticks blocking the view, just the quiet majesty of history unfolding around us. This isn’t just architecture. This is ancient history staring right back at us. The atmosphere surely hits differently to be able to personally see it up close after a 300 km journey self-driving on our own rented wheels. Especially for two Southeast Asian travelers like us. As we walked into the ancient Abu Simbel temple, the scale of these colossal statues with various intricate carvings were simply jaw-dropping, especially with almost no one around to crowd the experience. This is the kind of moment you dream about standing in a place so ancient, so sacred, with just the echoes of history around you. As we step inside, the air cools instantly. ly. It felt like crossing a threshold into another world. The massive pillars aren’t just support, but they’re colossal statues of Ramsy’s himself with arms crossed in the eternal pose of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, which the ancient Egyptians believed in. Each one seems to watch us as we pass, silently guarding the secrets of the temple, as if weighing whether we’re worthy to walk deeper. The walls are alive with stories with hieroglyphics climbing the sandstone like a tapestry woven by time. Here, Ramsy’s offers tribute to the gods. There he stands victorious in battle. You can see scenes of great battles, of offerings to the gods, of pharaohs standing hand in hand with the divine. And if you lean in and look closely, you’ll find tiny details no postcard will ever show you, such as a faint chisel mark, a faded color, or even a symbol half hidden in the shadows. These are details you would missed if you had rushed through. With no crowds to hurry us, we explored every hidden corner and ventured into small side rooms filled with battle scenes carved in stone. We navigated through narrow corridors that felt like secret passages. Every wall here holds a message from the past. And with the temple nearly empty, it felt like those messages were meant for us alone. Somewhere deep inside, a mysterious question stirs. If these walls could speak, what would they tell us that history books never could? And then the path through the temple leads us to the sanctuary known as the holiest chamber. Hidden at the very heart of Abu Simbel temple. This is the place we hinted at earlier where the ancient priests once stood in the presence of the ancient Egyptian gods themselves. At the back of this holy sanctuary lies four statues seated side by side. The statues are of Ramsy’s II, Rahori, Ammon Rah and Ta. In ancient times, the sun would shine directly onto three of them twice a year in a display of perfect architectural precision. We did not know about it yet, but soon we would be invited to do something here that no tourist has ever been allowed to do. Normally, visitors can only look from a respectful distance. But today, the temple guardian looked at us, smiled, and secretly gestured forward. His voice was quiet as he invited us over to go over and enter the barrier of the sanctuary to allow us to sit next to the four figures for our photo memories keepsake. Just when we thought the day could not get any better, the temple guardian secretly reaches into his sling bag and pulls out something unexpected. A large heavy key appeared, molded exactly like the ankh, which is an ancient Egyptian key-like symbol shaped like a cross with a loop at the top. The ankh is often referred to as the key of life or the Egyptian cross during ancient times of the pharaohs and represents life, immortality, and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian culture. The temple guardian handed it over in our hands and said, “This is your special moment. Use this key to close the temple for today. As the temple door closed, the last sliver of light inside faded into darkness. A surreal thought crossed our minds. Behind those walls, the ancient mysteries of Egypt sit in silence. And today, we knew we were the last to stand before them. As we walked away towards the main exit with the two temples of Abu Simbel now behind their locked doors, the desert air strangely feels different. It seemed quieter and heavier, especially with physically no one around at all in the vast complex except for us. It felt like Abu Simbel had entrusted us with a small piece of its legacy, even if it was only for one evening. We took one last look before leaving. Ramsy’s II stood there in the fading light as he has for over 3,000 years. And we walked away knowing this wasn’t just a trip. For two malaise from Singapore and Sarowak, this was a journey into history. And history led us in. With the sun disappearing below the horizon, the Ozen Mag call to prayer drifted across the town village, echoing from the mosque near the a square and rising above the stillness of the Sahara Desert. For us, it felt like a reminder that no matter how far we travel, the call of faith always finds us. After Maghreb, our stomachs reminded us that it had been a long day since our morning journey from Aswan. The desert drive, the temple, the emotions, all of it had built up quite an appetite. While exploring along the street next to the masid, this little bakery shop caught our eye. The warm smell of dough and cheese drifted out onto the street, pulling us in like a magnet. These two friendly gentlemen welcomed us with wide smiles and curious glances, maybe wondering how two Malays from Singapore and Sowak had found their way to their quiet corner of town all by themselves. Spicy. Spicy. Spicy. We ordered two of their localstyled pizzas for takeaway. Hot from the oven with that unmistakable smell of fresh bread and melted Egyptian cheese filling the air. While waiting, we struck up a conversation with the two brothers. Their shop, they told us, was called Abu Rama. As we chatted, we realized something. Their food deserve to be known by travelers from all over the world who come to Abu Simbel in search of hot piping, fresh and cheap pizza pastry bread. We immediately added their shop in Google Map with the exact location to help them put Abu Rama Pizza officially onto Google Maps. It was a small gesture, but for them it meant a lot. And for us, it felt like giving something back to the place that had welcomed us so openly. Spicy. Spicy. Yes. Thank you, Shukran. Shukran spicy. Bye. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. And that was our day in Abu Simbel. It was a journey of history, faith, and connection. One will carry with us forever. But this isn’t the end. After the pizza dinner takeout, we will head back to a hotel right here in Abu Simbel, where we’ll spend the night before driving back to Aswan. Abu Simbel has already surprised us. Who knows what the next day will bring? So if you enjoyed this adventure, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode. Until then, assalamu alaykum and see you in the next chapter of our journey.

Embark on a journey to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most iconic archaeological sites. In this vlog, I delve into the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the temples built by Pharaoh Ramses II. Discover travel tips, local insights, and breathtaking visuals that showcase the grandeur of this ancient wonder. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more travel adventures

Imagine standing in front of the majestic Abu Simbel Temple in Egypt — with barely any tourists around. Yes, it’s possible! In this vlog, we share how we managed to visit Abu Simbel with fewer crowds, enjoying a peaceful and personal experience of this world wonder.

🚗 After a 4-hour self-drive from Aswan, we arrived at Abu Simbel and explored the temple freely, without joining any expensive tour packages. We also discovered the best timing tips so you too can enjoy Abu Simbel with less visitors:

Best Time to Visit Abu Simbel (Crowd-Free Tips):

– Early Morning (before 7:00 AM): Most tourists come later on tour buses from Aswan. If you stay overnight in a hotel in Abu Simbel, you can visit the temple at sunrise and walk almost alone through the temple.

– Late Afternoon (after 3:00 PM): Many day-trippers already left to return to Aswan. The golden light at sunset makes the temple even more magical. This is the option we took by self driving from Aswan after breakfasr and arriving in Abu Simbel after lunch.

– Avoid Midday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM): This is when big bus tours arrive and the site gets the most crowded.

In this video, we’ll show you exactly how it feels to explore Abu Simbel with fewer visitors, for future planning of yout Egypt trip.

If you love independent travel, adventure, and avoiding the crowd — this video is for you.

📌 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, COMMENT 💬, and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more unique travel experiences from Egypt and beyond.

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