Explore Aswan: Philae Temple, Obelisk, High Dam & Nubian Village

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Start your day tour in Aswan by getting picked up from your hotel or cruise ship and drive to tour the marvels of one of the most famous stone objects left from ancient Egypt in Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk. Learn the story behind the creation of the largest known obelisk from an independent tour guide at the site (***optional, separate cost), the Unfinished Obelisk believed to be commissioned by Hatshepsut (c. 1473-1458 BC) for the temple of Amun in Karnak. This remarkable Obelisk monument carved of granite stone would have stood about 42 meters (about 137 feet tall) and weighed around 1,200 tons, remains unfinished where it was carved due to a crack discovered in the structure.

   45 minAdmission included

2. Continue your tour on a motorboat to the magnificent Philae Temple. Enjoy the scenic views along the Nile of beautiful Aswan. One of the best sites of Aswan, Philae Temple, also known as the Temple of Isis, constructed during the Ptolemaic period (305 BCE to 30 BCE) was dedicated to the Goddess Isis, Osiris, and Horus of ancient Egypt. This beautiful Philae temple complex is one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt consisting of architectural structures, the main temple, chapels, and shrines of Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles. Learn about the greatness of Egyptian history, your independent tour guide at the site (***optional, separate cost) will take you on a walking tour through the temple before allowing you free time to explore further on your own.

   2 hAdmission included

3. Next, continue with a drive to the Aswan High Dam. Built in the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam, a major engineering project, is one of the world’s largest dams. The importance of the High Dam is to generate hydroelectric power, control the flow of the Nile River from flooding, and provide water supply for irrigation. Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Nasser from the top of the High Dam, along with sights of the huge power station to the north and Kalabsha temple to the south.

   35 minAdmission included

4. Our final stop takes us to a Nubian Village, where you’ll experience the unique culture of the Nubian people. Enjoy all the beautiful colors of the Nubian houses, wander amongst the delightful artwork, embrace the culture of the native people in the Village at your leisure, and spend some time shopping for handcrafted souvenirs and gifts. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation in Aswan.

   2 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 22 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Aswan

• Its from-price is 32% below the median of the 312 day trips we list in Aswan.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 25 of 312.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Aswan

Aswan is Egypt's serene southern city on the Nile, where feluccas glide between granite islands, Nubian villages and palm-fringed riverbanks.

The Nile is at its most beautiful here, broken by granite boulders and green islands. Elephantine Island holds ruins of ancient temples and colourful Nubian villages, Kitchener's Island is covered by a botanical garden, and on the west bank the Tombs of the Nobles are cut into the cliffs of Qubbet el-Hawa, while the domed Mausoleum of the Aga Khan stands on a desert hill further south.

Top-ranked sights in Aswan: Abu Simbel Temples, Philae Temple (Temple of Isis), Aswan High Dam.

See all 1751 experiences in Aswan