Aswan High Dam & Philae Temple tour: Boat to the island ruins

Ride a water taxi to an island temple that survived being moved to save it

A shared tour in Aswan combines two major sights: the High Dam, built between 1960 and 1970 to control the Nile and create Lake Nasser, and Philae Temple on Agilika Island, reached by boat. An English-speaking Egyptologist guides you through the temple complex, explaining how it was relocated to its current location after the dam's construction threatened to submerge it, and walks you past smaller temples and the defaced figures where early Christians removed pagan imagery after the site closed in 550 AD.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Philae Temple2h
2. Aswan High Dam30m

Visit High Dam and Philae Temple

• Explore Aswan High Dam
• Boat trip to Agilika Island
• Guided tour of Philae Temple

The experience

The High Dam itself is the engineering anchor of the day. Built across the Nile in Aswan over a decade starting in 1960, it transformed Egypt's economy and water management by controlling flooding, storing irrigation water, and generating hydroelectricity. You'll see the embankment and understand why it eclipsed the earlier Low Dam completed downstream in 1902. The dam created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake, a fact that also forced one of Egypt's most dramatic archaeological rescues.

That rescue is Philae Temple. Sitting on Agilika Island just south of the old dam, the temple complex rose to prominence during the Ptolemaic Dynasty as the center of worship for the goddess Isis. When the High Dam threatened to submerge it permanently, the entire complex was moved to its current location on the island, with careful reconstruction that preserved the original layout and even landscaped the surroundings to match the former site. A water taxi takes you across to the island, where the Temple of Isis dominates but several smaller temples reward time spent walking among them. You'll notice defacement on some of the carved figures: early Christians used the main temple as a church and deliberately removed pagan imagery. The site remained active longer than almost any other ancient Egyptian religious center, officially closing only in 550 AD.

An air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between stops, and your Egyptologist guide speaks English throughout, explaining the history and architecture as you move through each site. The tour runs 3.5 hours total and includes pickup from your hotel.

What’s included

• An English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle with fuel surcharge and parking fees covered.
• hotel pickup included.
• GST (Goods and Services Tax).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (18 to 40 years) · Senior (47 to 75 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by GuideLouxor

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, so you follow the history and architecture without language barriers. The tour suits anyone interested in engineering and ancient religion, and children from age 1 can join: infant seats are available if needed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Philae Temple and why was it moved?

Philae Temple is a complex dedicated to the goddess Isis on Agilika Island, built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. When the Aswan High Dam's construction threatened to submerge it permanently, the entire temple was carefully relocated to its current location on the island, with the original layout and landscaping painstakingly preserved to match its former site.

How do you get to Philae Temple from the mainland?

You ride a water taxi from the mainland to Agilika Island, where the temple sits. The boat ride is part of the tour experience and is included in the itinerary.

What does the Aswan High Dam do?

The High Dam, built between 1960 and 1970, controls flooding on the Nile, stores water for irrigation, and generates hydroelectricity. It created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake, and became central to Egypt's industrialization plans after the 1952 revolution.

Will I understand the tour if I don't speak Arabic?

Yes. Your guide is an English-speaking Egyptologist who provides commentary throughout the tour, so you'll get full historical and architectural context at both the High Dam and Philae Temple.