Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam & Obelisk tour with guide

Summary

Half-day in Aswan exploring ancient stones & Nile stories

Step into ancient Egypt on a private day trip from Aswan with a local guide. You’ll touch history at the Unfinished Obelisk, feel the Nile’s breeze atop the High Dam, and cross by boat to Philae Temple’s island sanctuary—moments you’ll remember long after you leave Aswan.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the Unfinished Obelisk to feel so… raw. There’s something about seeing this massive chunk of granite just lying there, half-carved, that makes you realize how much sweat and stubbornness went into these monuments. Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out the tool marks — I ran my hand over them (probably not supposed to), and they’re still sharp after thousands of years. He told us Queen Hatshepsut wanted it bigger than anything before. I tried to imagine the noise of chisels echoing off the quarry walls — hard to picture with today’s quiet and that faint smell of dust and sun-warmed stone.

We drove next to the Aswan High Dam — honestly, I thought it’d be just another dam, but standing on top with the Nile stretching out on both sides is kind of humbling. Ahmed explained how it changed everything for Egypt’s farmers. The wind up there was strong enough to mess up my hair (not that I cared much by then). Then came my favorite part: the boat ride to Philae Temple. The water was glassy and blue, birds skimming low — someone on another boat waved at us; I waved back without thinking.

The temple itself feels like it shouldn’t exist — columns rising out of an island that UNESCO basically rebuilt stone by stone after the dam flooded its old home. Ahmed showed us carvings of Isis and Horus; he even taught me how to say “Philae” in Arabic (I totally butchered it — he laughed). We wandered through shadowy halls where incense must’ve once hung in the air. I sat for a minute on a sun-warmed step while everyone else took photos. There was this quiet — not silence exactly, but a kind of hush that made me want to stay longer than we could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aswan Historical Sites Tour

• Visit Unfinished Obelisk
• See Aswan High Dam and boat to Philae Temple
• Explore Philae Temple complex and leisure time

Top questions

How long does the private tour in Aswan take?

The tour is a half-day experience covering three main sites in Aswan.

Is hotel pickup included for this Aswan tour?

Yes, pickup and return transfers from your hotel in Aswan are included.

Do I need to buy tickets separately for Philae Temple or other sites?

No, entrance fees for all mentioned sites are included in the tour price.

Is there a guide during the tour?

Yes, a qualified Egyptologist will guide you throughout your visit.

Does this day trip include a boat ride?

Yes, a round-trip motorboat ride to Philae Temple Island is part of the experience.

Are meals or drinks provided during this tour?

Bottled water is provided during the tour; meals are not included.

Is this private tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or limited mobility.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and return transfers from your hotel in Aswan by private air-conditioned vehicle, all entrance fees for each site visited, bottled water along the way, a round-trip motorboat ride out to Philae Temple Island, guidance from an expert Egyptologist throughout, plus all taxes and service charges covered so you can just focus on what’s around you.