Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAswan

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

Visit the dam, northern quarry and Isis temple on Agilkia Island, with central Aswan hotel pickup and a local Egyptologist.

At a glance

Length
1 days · 0 nights
Departs
Daily

The short answer

High Dam, Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk Day Tour Aswan is a one-day excursion covering three Aswan sites, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Private
  • Cultural
  • Archaeology & history
  • Photography
Best for
  • Seniors·
  • Solo traveller·
  • Groups·
  • Couples

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
1 day / full day (approximately 8 hours)
Travel style
A Day Exploring with a Private Guide
Accommodation
N/A
Operated by
Egypt Discovery Tours
Destinations
Aswan · Aswan High Dam · Philae Temple · Agilkia Island · Unfinished Obelisk (northern quarry)
Includes
Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in central Aswan · Air-conditioned vehicle · Local guide who is an Egyptologist · Entrance fees to all three sites · Brief transfer by motorboat to Agilkia Island
Best for
First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Families with older children · Shore excursion travellers · Private tour guests
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

The most comfortable months for Aswan sightseeing are generally October to April, when daytime temperatures are milder and walking conditions are easier. From May to September, heat can be intense, so an early departure, sun protection and plenty of water are advisable. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening times and site traffic can vary, so checking the schedule in advance is sensible.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
  • Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
  • Local Egyptologist guide commentary at each site
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off arranged in central Aswan
  • On-the-ground logistics managed by Discovery Tours Egypt

02Overview

A first look

Morning wind from the Nile brings diesel and riverweed, while motorboats gather at the Philae landing and granite columns rise from Agilkia Island. You move quickly between very different scales: the broad concrete crest of the High Dam, the intimate colonnades of Isis, and the vertical face of the Unfinished Obelisk with visible tool marks underfoot.

Our Egyptologists narrate each site on location and brief you before the short security screenings; we keep the day unhurried compared with many cruise shore excursions, so there is time for photographs and questions. We arrange hotel pickup from central Aswan and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you arrive relaxed and ready to start.

Background

The facts

This Aswan day excursion focuses on three sites that illustrate different periods of Egyptian history and modern water management. The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, lies south of the city and was built to regulate Nile flooding, increase irrigation control, and support hydroelectric power generation. The visit typically includes time on the crest and visitor terraces, where the scale of the dam and the reservoir landscape are visible.

Philae Temple is reached by a short motor boat transfer to Agilkia Island. The temple complex was relocated there after the rise of Lake Nasser, preserving the cult centre dedicated primarily to Isis. The visible monuments include pylons, colonnades and reliefs from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, with the island approach forming part of the visitor experience.

The Unfinished Obelisk is in the northern quarry on the Aswan granite outcrop. It is generally identified as the largest known ancient obelisk left in situ, still attached to the bedrock where quarrying was abandoned after a crack appeared. The site helps explain ancient stone-working methods and the sourcing of granite used in obelisks and statues throughout Egypt.

Logistically, this tour is suitable for a central Aswan hotel start and finish, with short transfers between sites and a security check at the Philae landing and quarry area. Entrance fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a local Egyptologist guide are included in the standard arrangement, while lunch, drinks and gratuities are usually separate.

Named in this entry

The Aswan High Dam·Philae Temple·Temple of Isis·Agilkia Island·Unfinished Obelisk·northern quarry·Lake Nasser·Nile River·Aswan granite·Ptolemaic period·Roman period·Pharaohs of ancient Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This excursion suits travellers who want a structured introduction to Aswan’s key monuments in a single day, especially first-time visitors, history enthusiasts and shore-excursion passengers with limited time. It also works well for adults and older children who are comfortable with light walking, short boat transfers and brief periods in the sun.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another option if you need step-free access or plan to use a pushchair throughout: stairs and rough surfaces limit access at the sites. The outdoor visits can also be tiring in Aswan’s summer heat.

What lingers

  • 01Boat crossing to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island; relocated during UNESCO’s 1970s–1980s Nubia campaign, now easier to access.
  • 02View Aswan High Dam’s 111-metre crest; completed in 1970, it altered Nile flood cycles and modern agriculture.
  • 03Walk at the Unfinished Obelisk quarry; see the planned 42-metre height and visible cut marks.
  • 04Guided by our Egyptologist; private car and boat transfers included, standard site entrance fees included; lunch and gratuities excluded.
  • 05We avoid large coach tours: private-car itinerary ensures quieter visits compared with typical cruise shore excursions.
  • 06Expect uneven stone, low light inside some chapels, and limited shade at midday – bring sun protection and sensible shoes.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • See the High Dam, Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk in one outing
  • A local Egyptologist explains each site and answers questions
  • Boat transfer crosses to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
  • Central Aswan hotel pickup avoids a cruise-ship meeting point
  • Entrance fees for all three listed sites are included

Things to Consider

  • Uneven ground and steps limit pushchair access
  • Outdoor walking can be strenuous in summer heat
  • Lunch and drinks are not included
  • Pickup outside central Aswan must be arranged in advance

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike many cruise-run shore excursions, this day tour begins and ends at central Aswan hotels, which can allow a more flexible pace at each stop. It is also more focused than a general city tour because it concentrates on three specific sites and includes an Egyptologist guide, transport and entrance fees. Compared with self-guided visits, the tour removes the need to arrange the boat transfer to Philae, site tickets and local transport. Compared with larger coach tours, it is better suited to travellers who prefer site-by-site commentary and scheduled hotel pickup in Aswan.

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

08:00 AM

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

  6. 6

  7. 7

Bundled in

  • Hotel pickup
  • All entry tickets
  • Group Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off for central Aswan, typically within a 10 km radius of the city centre
  • Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Guiding by a local Egyptologist
  • Admission to the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk
  • Short motor-boat transfer to Agilkia Island

Not included

  • Lunch and beverages
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
  • Personal spending and optional activities not mentioned
  • Transfers or pickups outside central Aswan, unless arranged in advance

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask your Egyptologist to point out quarrying marks around the crack that left the Unfinished Obelisk attached to bedrock.

  2. 02

    Bring water and sun protection; the tour includes outdoor walking at the dam, temple and quarry.

  3. 03

    Allow extra time for the security screenings at Philae’s landing and the Unfinished Obelisk site.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The excursion can usually be arranged as a private tour or as part of a small group, depending on travel dates and availability. Common adjustments include adding extra time for photography, requesting a different start time, or arranging lunch separately in central Aswan. Transfers outside the central Aswan pickup zone can also be arranged in advance.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

This excursion fits into a stay in Aswan before or after a Nile cruise, or as a full day between visits to Abu Simbel and Luxor. Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk offer a contrast between a relocated island sanctuary and an ancient monument still attached to its quarry bedrock.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Minimum age for this excursion is 5 years. Children under 12 receive a reduced ticket rate where local site policies permit; state each child’s age when booking so we can apply the correct rate. Strollers are not practical at the Unfinished Obelisk quarry or on the Philae landing jetty because of steps and uneven surfaces. We can provide booster seats in the vehicle on request; high chairs are not available at the sites. For the boat crossing parents must supervise children at all times; lifejackets are provided by the boat crew.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where
Hotel pickup — central AswanMap

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Visit to Aswan High DamRight here
  • The Philae Temple on Agilkia IslandRight here
  • Unfinished ObeliskRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Visit Philae Temple by boat from Agilkia Island

  2. 02

    See the largest ancient obelisk left in situ

  3. 03

    Explore Aswan's key sites with an Egyptologist

·In summary

This Aswan day tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a local Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, and a short motor boat transfer to Agilkia Island. The itinerary visits the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. Lunch, drinks and gratuities are not included.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How much time does the day tour of the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk take?
    This Aswan day excursion is a full-day experience, typically lasting around 8 hours from your hotel pickup to your return. We allow ample time at each location for exploration and questions.
  2. 02Where will you collect and drop off guests for this tour?
    We provide convenient pickup and drop-off directly from hotels in central Aswan, usually within a 10 km radius of the city centre. You will travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
  3. 03Which items are covered by the cost of this Aswan day tour?
    Your tour covers hotel collection and return, air-conditioned transport, a licensed Egyptologist guide, admission to the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, and the boat crossing to Agilkia Island.
  4. 04Which items are not covered by the tour price?
    Lunch and beverages are not part of the tour rate. Tips for your guide and driver, personal spending and optional activities not mentioned are excluded too. Collection points beyond central Aswan must be arranged in advance.
  5. 05Would this tour work for someone with restricted mobility?
    This tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone at Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk quarry, as well as a boat transfer. While many areas are accessible, some sections may be challenging for those with significant mobility limitations.
  6. 06Are children welcome on this Aswan day tour?
    Yes, children are welcome on this excursion. The sites offer engaging experiences, and our Egyptologists can adapt their commentary for various age groups. Please ensure children are prepared for a full day of sightseeing and walking.
  7. 07What clothing and things should I bring for the Aswan day tour?
    Wear comfortable shoes for walking, along with a hat, sunglasses and light, breathable clothes. Modest clothing is recommended at religious sites. Take sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and your camera to photograph the sights.
  8. 08When is the ideal time of year to go on this tour in Aswan?
    October to April is usually the most pleasant time to explore Aswan, making it ideal for a winter-sun holiday. From May to September, summer temperatures are very high, so an early start is essential to miss the midday heat.
  9. 09What makes Philae Temple unique compared to other Egyptian temples?
    Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was meticulously relocated block by block to Agilkia Island during the 1970s UNESCO rescue project. This extraordinary preservation effort gives it a particularly unique and picturesque setting.
  10. 10Are visitors allowed to take photographs at every site on this tour?
    Photography is usually allowed at the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. Restrictions can apply in some areas or to video cameras, however; your guide will advise you on site.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Editorial review

Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: EXC-ASW-328591

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