Private Aswan tour: Philae Temple, Obelisk & High Dam

Three monuments that shaped the Nile: a temple on an island, an obelisk frozen mid-creation, and the dam that changed Egypt

A private half-day tour of Aswan covering Philae Temple (reached by boat), the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Aswan High Dam, with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. The boat ride to the island temple and private transportation are included in the price. Lunch and guides in other languages are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Aswan High Dam30m
2. Unfinished Obelisk30m
3. Philae Temple1h

Visit Aswan's main historical sites

• Take boat to Philae Temple island
• Explore Philae Temple complex
• Learn history and culture of Philae
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk site
• Discover facts about the obelisk
• Go to Aswan High Dam
• Learn about the dam's functions

The experience

The boat ride to Philae Temple is the centerpiece of this tour. The temple complex sits on an island near the first Cataract, a collection of structures built between the 7th and 6th centuries BC and recognized as the last temple constructed in the ancient Egyptian style. Your guide walks you through the site and explains its history while you stand among the columns and sanctuaries that have survived millennia on the Nile.

From there, the tour moves to the Unfinished Obelisk in the stone quarries of Aswan. At 42 meters long and weighing 1,090 tons, it was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut but never completed. It still lies on its back where ancient workers left it. Your guide explains why it was abandoned, what it would have become, and how many similar obelisks exist in Egypt and around the world. The scale of the stone and the precision of the carving become clear when you stand next to it.

The final stop is the Aswan High Dam, the world's largest dam since 1970. It controls the Nile's floods, generates hydroelectricity, and stores water for irrigation across Egypt. There is no entrance fee, and the guide covers its engineering and role in modern Egypt. The whole tour runs three to four hours with your private driver and guide in an air-conditioned vehicle. Bottled water is provided throughout.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• English-speaking tour guide.
• boat ride to Philae Temple.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• hotel or meeting point pickup.

Information

Lasts 3h–4h, runs every day, 6 start times, from US$ 65 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and ItalianOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 to 45 years) · Senior (46 to 90 years) · Youth (6 to 10 years) · Child (2 to 5 years) · Infant (under 2)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Virtue Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want one guide to cover Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the High Dam in a single morning or afternoon. The private vehicle and boat are included, so you move between all three without gaps.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 10 years); Child (2 to 5 years); Infant (under 2).

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 the Unfinished Obelisk and why was it never completed?

The Unfinished Obelisk is a 42-meter-long stone commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut that was abandoned in the quarries before it could be extracted and erected. Your guide explains the reasons for its abandonment and discusses how many completed obelisks exist in Egypt and globally.

How do I reach Philae Temple if it's on an island?

A boat ride is included in the tour price to reach Philae Temple on the island. No separate boat fee applies. It is part of what you pay for the tour.

Is lunch included in this private tour?

Lunch is optional and can be added at checkout. The base tour includes bottled water and transport, but not a meal.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs three to four hours, covering all three sites with transport and the boat ride to Philae Temple included.

Is the Aswan High Dam free to visit?

Yes, there is no entrance fee for the Aswan High Dam. It is included as the final stop on the tour.