Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk
Duration
5 Hours
Max People
50
Tour Type
private
Pickup
Aswan
Overview
Discover three of Aswan’s most important attractions on a Philae Temple Tour covering Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk. This half-day experience combines ancient Egyptian history, impressive engineering, and the natural beauty of the Nile.
Start your tour with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan’s ancient granite quarries. See the enormous monument that was left attached to the bedrock after cracks appeared during the carving process. The site also provides insight into the stone-working methods used by ancient Egyptian craftsmen.
Next, visit the Aswan High Dam, one of the most important modern engineering projects in Egypt. The dam was constructed in the 1960s and created Lake Nasser while helping provide electricity and regulate the Nile’s waters.
Finally, take a short boat ride to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. The temple complex is dedicated mainly to the goddess Isis and was relocated stone by stone from the original island of Philae to protect it from rising waters after the construction of the High Dam.
This Philae Temple Tour is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience ancient monuments and modern Aswan in one convenient sightseeing trip.
Highlights
- Visit the beautiful Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
- Take a boat ride across the Nile to Philae
- Explore the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan’s granite quarries
- Visit the impressive Aswan High Dam
- Learn about ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques
- Discover the story behind the relocation of Philae Temple
- Enjoy private transportation with a professional guide
- See important ancient and modern landmarks in Aswan
| Number of passengers | 1-3 | 1-8 |
| Price | 100 | 150 |
Included/Excluded
- Hotel or Nile cruise pickup and drop-off in Aswan
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Professional Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets to the listed sites
- Boat transfer to and from Philae Temple
- Bottled water during the tour
- All services mentioned in the selected package
- Gratuities
- Any services not listed under inclusions
Tour Plan
Unfinished Obelisk
Your Philae Temple Tour begins with pickup from your hotel, Nile cruise, or another agreed location in Aswan.
Travel by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to the Unfinished Obelisk in the northern quarries.
Explore the large granite monument and learn how ancient Egyptian craftsmen extracted and shaped granite for temples, statues, and obelisks.
The Unfinished Obelisk is particularly interesting because it remains partly attached to the bedrock. Cracks appeared in the granite before the project could be completed, leaving the monument in the quarry. According to official tourism information, it was possibly commissioned during the reign of Hatshepsut and would have been one of the largest obelisks ever created.
Your guide will explain the quarrying process and the importance of Aswan's granite resources in ancient Egypt.
Aswan High Dam
Continue to the Aswan High Dam, an important landmark in modern Egyptian history.
From the dam area, enjoy views toward the Nile and Lake Nasser while learning about the project's role in controlling the Nile's water and supporting electricity generation.
The High Dam was built during the 1960s. Its construction also led to major archaeological relocation projects, including the rescue and relocation of important Nubian monuments.
Your guide will explain how the dam changed the landscape and influenced the development of modern Aswan.
Philae Temple
After visiting the High Dam, continue to the boat dock for the journey to Agilkia Island.
Enjoy a short boat ride across the Nile before reaching the beautiful Philae Temple complex.
Explore the temple dedicated to Isis, one of the most important goddesses in ancient Egyptian religion. Admire the monumental gateways, columns, reliefs, and other surviving structures throughout the complex.
Philae's story is also a remarkable example of modern archaeological conservation. The original monuments were dismantled and transferred to nearby Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The relocation was completed in 1980 through a major cooperation project involving UNESCO and the Egyptian government.
After the visit, take the boat back to the mainland and return to your hotel or Nile cruise.
The itinerary may change according to weather, boat operation, site opening arrangements, traffic, safety requirements, and local regulations.
FAQ
The tour includes a motorboat transfer to Agilkia Island. Confirm whether the boat fee is included in your selected booking option.
Yes. The tour uses private transportation, and you can explore the attractions with your guide at a comfortable pace.
Pickup and drop-off can be arranged at your Aswan hotel, Nile cruise, airport, train station, or another agreed location.
Tour Map
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