The Abu Simbel Temples are twin towering rock temples situated in Abu Simbel, Nubia, Egypt, quite close to the border with Sudan. The complex was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the “Nubian Monuments”. The temples were carved out of the mountainside and dates all the way back to the 13th century BC, during pharaoh Ramesses II’s reign. While you may think that the temples are meant as places of worship, the actual purpose of these two was to serve as a dedication to him and his queen Nefertari. They even boast of his victory at the Battle of Kadesh! The minute you step into the temple, you would feel as if you were transported back in time. The imposing carvings and towering statues will make you feel tiny in comparison, but such was the life of Egyptian commoners before the pharaohs, who were treated like gods. Luckily enough, the complex still stands till today. Back in the sixties, there was a very real threat that the temples would be submerged due to the creation of the artificial Lake Nasser. Thankfully, they were relocated, with its interiors preserved. So put on your explorer hat and have a blast walking through these ancient compounds.