The Great Pyramids of Giza are very impressive and rightfully earn their wonder of the world title. But then there’s Abu Simbel. The site has, well, personality. Ramses II is present at every turn, as is his wife Nefertari. Four giant likenesses are carved into rock walls and look out over Lake Nasser. Inside, it’s pure Indian Jones and archaeology with magnificent hieroglyphics and rows and rows of columns at every turn.

Travel here is from Aswan in a caravan that leaves at dawn. Make arrangements from your hotel for the trip, and be glad you decided to pay respects.

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Abu Sindel

While construction of the As an High Dam had many positives, there were also negatives including putting at risk some of the world’s most impressive monuments. UNESCO came to the rescue, assembling a group of nations around the world to help relocate these important temples and creating the now famous World Heritage List in the process. At the center of these efforts was the might Abu Simbel temples. Literally built into the side of a mountain, the statues guarding the entrance were meant to last forever, and they still will thanks to their relocation to a now reservoir-side locations. A short flight from Aswan, seeing these impressive monuments in person is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

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