Philae Temple private tour: French-speaking Egyptologist

Monuments from three millennia on an island between two dams

A private tour of Philae Temple from Aswan pairs you with a French-speaking Egyptologist guide for a 1.5 to 2.5 hour visit to the island sanctuary between the two Aswan dams. The tour includes hotel pickup, modern air-conditioned transport, a private motor boat, and site entry. You choose either the 9:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of Philae Island temple

• Hotel pick-up by Egyptologist guide
• Travel by private air-conditioned car
• Boat transfer to Philae Island
• Visit Philae Temple monuments
• Return by private boat and car

The experience

Philae sits like a pearl on an island wedged between the two Aswan dams, and the site layers monuments from different eras into one small space. Your guide meets you at your hotel reception and drives you in a private air-conditioned car to the dock, where a private motor boat carries you across to the temple. The Egyptologist walks you through the structures (each one marking a different period of occupation and belief), and explains what you are standing in front of without the noise of a group around you.

The island's isolation is what makes the visit work. Because Philae is separated by water, the crowds that gather at mainland temples stay on the mainland. You move through the site at the pace your guide sets, stopping where the details matter and skipping what does not. The two daily time slots: 9:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Let you fit the tour into a morning before the heat peaks or into a free afternoon after other plans.

Everything is arranged before you arrive: the car waits at your hotel, the boat is reserved, the guide speaks French, and entry tickets are included. You only choose which day and which hour suits your schedule.

What’s included

• Site entry tickets.
• private air-conditioned car with hotel pickup.
• private motor boat to the island.
• French-speaking Egyptologist guide for the full visit.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m–2h 30m, runs every day at 09:00 and 14:30, from US$ 86 per person, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Voyage sur Le Nil

Is this one for you?The tour runs 1.5 to 2.5 hours on foot around the temple structures, so it fits a morning or afternoon slot without eating a full day. Choose the 9:00 a.m. departure if you want to see the site in early light and still have the afternoon free. The 2:30 p.m. slot works if you are arriving mid-day or prefer to move slowly through the monuments without rushing.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

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 is it on an island?

Philae Temple sits on an island between the two Aswan dams and holds monuments built across three thousand years of Egyptian history. The island location means the site stayed intact when the dams were built, and it is now accessible only by boat, which keeps visitor numbers small compared to temples on the mainland.

Do I need to speak French to book this tour?

The guide speaks French, so the tour is conducted in French. If you speak French, you will hear the history and details directly. If you do not, you may want to arrange a different language option or tour format with the operator before booking.

What time should I choose, 9:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.?

Both departures work. The choice depends on your schedule. The 9:00 a.m. slot gives you the site in cooler morning light and leaves your afternoon free. The 2:30 p.m. departure suits a late arrival or a day when you want to move slowly without an early start.

What monuments will I see at Philae?

Philae holds structures from different eras of Egyptian rule and worship. Your Egyptologist guide will walk you through the site and explain each monument and what it represents. The exact stops and details depend on what your guide chooses to emphasize during your private visit.

Does the price include everything, or are there extra costs?

The tour price includes site entry, transport in the air-conditioned car, the private motor boat, and the guide. Tips for the guide are optional and arranged at the end of the visit.