- DurationApprox. 4–5 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- PriceFrom $49 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk tour covers Aswan’s three classic sights in one relaxed morning. Each tells a different part of the story of the First Cataract: how ancient Egyptians cut giant monuments from its granite, how they worshipped Isis on its islands, and how modern Egypt tamed the Nile flood.
You start at the ancient quarry, cross the High Dam with views of Lake Nasser, then take a short motorboat ride to Philae, the graceful temple of Isis rescued from the rising waters by UNESCO and rebuilt on Agilkia Island. Your own Egyptologist, the boat and all entrance tickets are included, and you are back at your hotel by about 13:00.
Highlights
- Motorboat ride to the island Temple of Isis at Philae
- Trajan’s Kiosk and the last hieroglyphic inscription ever carved
- Views over Lake Nasser from the top of the Aswan High Dam
- The 42-metre Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry
- Private Egyptologist, vehicle, boat and all tickets included
- Back at your hotel by lunchtime
Itinerary
08:00 – Pickup in Aswan
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel or Nile cruise. The three sites lie south of the city within about 20 minutes of each other, so driving times are short. An early start keeps you ahead of the heat and the busiest time on Philae.
08:20 – The Unfinished Obelisk
In the northern granite quarry lies the largest obelisk the Egyptians ever attempted, about 42 metres long and over 1,000 tonnes. A crack appeared during the work, probably under Hatshepsut, and it was abandoned. You can still see the pounding marks and trenches that show exactly how obelisks were cut.
09:15 – Aswan High Dam
Drive onto the High Dam, completed in 1970, nearly four kilometres long and 111 metres high. From the top you look south over Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, and north over the Nile. Your guide explains how the dam ended the annual flood and why it forced the rescue of Nubia’s temples.
10:00 – Motorboat to Philae
At the Shellal landing you board a private motorboat for the ten-minute crossing to Agilkia Island. Between 1972 and 1980 the whole temple complex was moved here stone by stone from the flooded island of Philae, and the approach by water shows it at its best.
10:15 – Temple of Isis
Walk through the great pylons into the Temple of Isis, one of the last places where the old gods were worshipped. Look for the scenes of Isis and Osiris, the graffiti left by Napoleon’s soldiers and the inscription of 394 AD, the last dated hieroglyphic text. Finish at the elegant Kiosk of Trajan by the water.
12:15 – Return to your hotel
The boat brings you back to the landing and your driver returns you to your hotel or cruise by about 12:45 to 13:00. The afternoon is free; a felucca sail or the Nubian Museum make good additions.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Private licensed Egyptologist guide
- Return motorboat to Philae Temple
- Entrance tickets to Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
- Bottled water and all taxes
Not included
- Philae sound and light show (evening, optional)
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide, driver and boatman
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $125 |
| 2 travellers | $79 |
| 3–5 travellers | $62 |
| 6+ travellers | $49 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this tour in the afternoon?
Yes. An afternoon start at around 13:00 works well in winter and lets you combine it with an early Abu Simbel trip or a morning felucca. From May to September we recommend the morning, as the quarry and the dam have no shade.
How do we get to Philae?
Philae stands on Agilkia Island, so the only way there is by boat. A private motorboat takes about ten minutes each way from the Shellal landing. The boat is included in the price and waits for you while you visit the temple.
Is there much walking?
The walking is moderate: around 2 km in total on paths, steps and uneven stone floors. The quarry path has some slopes, and stepping in and out of the boat needs a little care. Your guide will help and can shorten any part of the visit.
Can we see the Philae sound and light show too?
The sound and light show runs in the evening on Philae and is a separate trip with its own ticket and boat. We can arrange it on the same day or another evening; ask for the price when you book.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
