Aswan Half Day Tour: Philae, Unfinished Obelisk & High Dam

This Aswan half day tour combines three of the city’s classic sights in a single private morning: the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam. It starts at 8:00 am and lasts about four hours, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide and entry fees included.

What you will see

The Unfinished Obelisk still lies in the ancient granite quarry where it was being cut. It was abandoned when the stone cracked, and it shows clearly how the ancient Egyptians extracted huge monoliths from the bedrock.

The High Dam, completed in 1970, controls the flow of the Nile and created Lake Nasser to the south. From the top you get wide views of the river on one side and the lake on the other.

The Temple of Philae is dedicated to the goddess Isis. It was moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island when rising waters threatened it, and today you reach it by a short motorboat ride. Your guide explains its courtyards, reliefs and the graceful Kiosk of Trajan.

Good to know

• The tour is private and runs every day.
• Transfers are in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water on board.
• The order of the visits may change depending on the day.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat; the quarry and the temple are in the open sun.

It is an easy way to see the essentials of Aswan before an afternoon felucca ride or a Nile cruise departure.