Aswan visits
Temple of Philae Sound & Light Show
Description
We’ll pick you up at your hotel or boat in Aswan and set off toward the Temple of Philae at the designated time.
To reach this stunning temple, we’ll journey by airconditioned vehicle to the banks of the Nile River and embark on a falucca, a traditional wooden sailboat. We’ll gracefully cross the Nile’s waters until we arrive at the island of Agilkia. Upon disembarking, you’ll immediately understand why this temple is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Nile.” It stands as one of Egypt’s most exquisitely preserved temples.
Accompanied by the deities Isis and Osiris, who share a tale of love and tragedy, we’ll explore the Temple of Philae. Did you know that these gods were a married couple? Over the course of two and a half hours, their story and Egyptian mythology will come to life through a captivating light show that animates the temple’s walls. It’s an unforgettable experience!
After the show concludes, we’ll board the boat and return to your hotel or cruise ship after a total of four hours.
Elephantine Island Tour
Tour Details
At the indicated time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel or cruise ship in Aswan and head to the banks of Africa’s longest river: the Nile. Here, we’ll board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian boat, and journey towards Elephantine Island. This island was a place of great importance thousands of years ago, as it represented a natural border between Egypt and Nubia, and the southern part of its territory was a fortified area for many years. We’ll take a boat tour of Elephantine Island with an English-speaking guide, who will explain the history of this place. Do you know why it receives this peculiar name? The name is said to be due to the fact that the island was an important trading centre for ivory. We’ll also visit the Khnun Temple from outside, where we can see one of the country’s most important three kilometres, a structure formerly used to measure the floods of the Nile River. After visiting Elephantine Island, we’ll board the felucca again, which will take us to the Aswan Botanical Garden, also known to the Nubians as Jet Narty. Here, we’ll discover a multitude of flowers and plants endemic to Egypt before returning to your hotel or cruise, where we’ll arrive 4 hours after initial pickup.
Excursion to Abu Simbel
On this excursion, we’ll visit the astonishing temples of Abu Simbel, the only monuments in Egypt that can hold a candle to the grandiosity of the three pyramids of Giza
Description
The tour leaves from Aswan at the time indicated. We’ll pick you up at your hotel or the boat where you’re staying. It’s worth the early morning to arrive at the temples first thing in the morning and to avoid the suffocating heat of the midday sun. Plus, on the way, you can enjoy the unique experience of sunrise in the desert! After 3 hours, we’ll arrive at Abu Simbel, the famous complex made up of two temples excavated in the rock, one dedicated to Ramses II and the other to Nefertari, his favourite wife. The complex took 20 years to build and was made under the stewardship of Ramses II. Today they are fantastically preserved, being buried beneath the sand until the 19th century and thus protected from the elements. Our guided tour will take around 2 hours, enough time to discover every corner of both temples and learn all of their stories and anecdotes – such as how they came to be moved and what Egypt did in return for international help in doing so. Having enjoyed our time in this jewel of Egypt, we’ll return to Aswan, arriving after about 9 hours.
2 Day Abu Simbel Excursion
See the temples of Abu Simbel on a two-day tour, and be fascinated by the majesty by night. Ancient Egypt in all its splendour!
Itinerary
Day 1
Having picked you up at your hotel, we’ll leave Aswan heading southwards. Once we arrive at the banks of Lake Nasser we’ll take a guided tour of Abu Simbel. During our tour of this well known architectural site, we’ll see the Great Temple of Ramses II, presided over by colossal sculptures of the Egyptian Pharoah. On our tour, we’ll also visit the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the favourite wife of Pharoah Ramses II, full of hieroglyphs and enigmas to be solved as the tour goes on. Then you’ll have free time to eat lunch wherever you like nearby, then we’ll meet again as evening falls, ready for the Abu Simbel Night Show. In this show, the monuments are lit up with various projections which, accompanied by music, narrate the history of Ancient Egypt. Then with the show over, we’ll head to a nearby hotel, the Seti Abu Simbel Hotel, to eat dinner and spend the night. This hotel is subject to availability, but you will always be offered a hotel of a similar standard.
Day 2
With batteries charged after a delicious breakfast in our hotel in Abu Simbel we’ll begin the return journey to Aswan, arriving between 12 and 1 pm.
4-Day Lake Nasser Cruise
Experience the magic of a 4-day cruise on Lake Nasser with everything included, the perfect way to immerse yourself in the treasures of Ancient Egypt. You’ll see awe-inspiring sites like Abu Simbel and Kalabsha.
Tour Highlights: Lake Nasser Cruise
Day 1
At the scheduled time, we’ll collect you from your hotel in Aswan and take you to the picturesque shores of Abu Simbel. Upon reaching the temple grounds, we’ll board a comfortable cruise ship conveniently docked nearby, treating ourselves to a delightful onboard lunch to refuel. Following this, a guided tour awaits at the temples of Abu Simbel and Nefertari. What significant legacy did the mighty Pharaoh Ramses II leave behind? After learning the monumental history, you’ll enjoy some leisure time until late afternoon when we regroup for dinner aboard the cruise ship.
Day 2
We’ll begin the day with a satisfying breakfast in the ship’s restaurant as we set sail toward the ancient citadel of Qasr Ibrim. We’ll delve into the history of this strategic fortress and explore the nearby Temple of Amada — did you know it holds the title of the oldest temple in Nubia? Our journey also includes visits to the Temple of Derr and the tomb of Penut, a mausoleum with intriguing mysteries linked to a wealthy governor of Ramses IV. Following these guided tours, we’ll return to the ship for lunch, continuing our cruise adventure on Lake Nasser.
Day 3
As we reach the third day of the cruise, we’ll anchor alongside the mesmerizing ruins of Wadi el Sebowa. This Nubian enclave invites us to immerse ourselves in the captivating history of Ancient Egypt, exploring the temples of Dakka and Mahrakka. These ancient sanctuaries vividly displayremnants associated with Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing, wisdom, music, and spells. Our special day concludes with an onboard culinary experience as we sail towards Aswan.
Day 4
On the final day, we’ll witness the breathtaking sunrise in the southern skies of Egypt during breakfast on board, taking in the view of the Aswan Dam. Following a rejuvenating meal, we’ll disembark on the island of Kalabsha’s temples. Here, we’ll try unlocking the secret codes of the Temple of Kertasi, a structure honoring the cryptic and mystical goddess Isis. The guided tour of the island will end as we bring you pack to your hotel in Aswan. Once in the city, you can opt to enjoy lunch at one of the numerous restaurants offering typical North African cuisine. Alternatively, if your flight is departing in three hours, we can escort you to the Aswan airport for a hassle-free check-in and security clearance.
Nubian Village Day Trip
Cross the River Nile on board a traditional felucca, to discover the most authentic village in Egypt, Gharb Soheil, where you can see the daily life of the Nubians.
Itinerary
Having picked you up at the hotel or boat where you’re staying we’ll make our way to a small port where we board the boat we’ll use to cruise the Nile, once infested with crocodiles. Once we cross the Nile, and have had the opportunity to swim and relax on a golden beach, the adventure continues on camelback, as we head to our destination: Gharb Soheil, better known as the Nubian Village. Nubia was the part of Africa located between the South of Egypt and the North of Sudan. You’ll know you’ve reached your destination when you begin to see its unusual coloured houses, its food and spice stalls and the distinctive population: the most authentic in all of Egypt. In the village, we’ll pass through the market and take a look at some of the houses to see what lies behind their colourful façades. You’ll also be able to try the local food and traditional teas, as well as listen to their music and try a henna tattoo on for size. After the visit, we’ll return on the same road, arriving at the departure point about 3 to 4 hours later.
Ancient Egypt Nile Tour
Join us on a boat tour along the legendary Nile River, exploring the Valley of the Princes, Kitchener Island, and Sehel Island. You’ll witness one of Egypt’s most treasured monuments: the Famine Stela. Famine Stela, Qubbet el-Hawa & Kitchener Island Tour Highlights We’ll begin your journey by picking you up from your hotel or the boat you’re staying on, leading you to the east bank of the majestic Nile. Here, we’ll embark on a boat destined for Sehel Island. Upon reaching the island, you’ll embark on a discovery of one of Egypt’s remarkable treasures—the Famine Stela. This extraordinary natural rock formation depicts a Pharaoh making offerings to the deities Anuqet, Satet, and Jnum. Below the depiction, a 32-column inscription narrates the story of Pharaoh’s concern over the country’s severe drought and his request to Jnum for a life-giving flood of the Nile. In appreciation, Pharaoh sponsored the construction of temples on Elephantine Island. Our journey then leads us to the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa, also known as the Valley of the Princes. These excavations harbor numerous tombs of high-ranking individuals, including nine well-preserved mummies from Egypt’s Late Period, spanning over 2,500 years of history, among which is a mummified crocodile. We’ll return to our boat and navigate to Kitchener Island—an oasis in the Nile that has been transformed into a botanical garden since 1928. This earthly paradise is brimming with lush trees, rare plant species, and exotic birds. Here, you’ll momentarily feel transported to a different world. After traversing the Nile once more, we’ll accompany you back to your ship or hotel.
5-Day Cruise on Lake Nasser
Make the most of your time in Egypt by visiting its spectacular ancient temples on this five-day cruise on Lake Nasser from Aswan.
Day 1
These five unforgettable days exploring southern Egypt will begin when you’re picked up from your hotel in Aswan at 10 am on the first day. We’ll take you to the shores of Lake Nasser, where our cruise ship awaits us. After embarking, settling in, and having lunch on the ship, you’ll have the rest of the day free to take in the views of the imposing Aswan Dam from the deck.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast in the ship restaurant, we’ll set foot back on dry land, and more specifically, on the island on which the Temple of Kalabsha is located. We’ll explore the massive complex of archaeological remains, amongst which the Temple of Qertassi stands out as a particular highlight, thought to be dedicated to one of the most enigmatic female deities of Ancient Egypt: the goddess Isis. Following our guided tour of Kalabsha, we’ll return to the boat for lunch and continue our journey on Lake Nasser.
Day 3
Today, we’ll visit the ruins of Wadi es-Sebua, or the Valley of the Lions, where we’ll be exploring the incredible Temples of Dakka and Mahrraqa. History, legends, and ancient beliefs merge to form an enchanting mysticism that you’re sure to feel as you stroll around the archaeological site. The sacred sites of this area of Nubia give us fascinating insights into the Egyptian deity Thoth, the ancient god of writing, wisdom, music… and spells! After discovering the enigmas of this respected and highly venerated deity of Pharaonic Egypt, we’ll return to the cruise ship to eat and relax, ready for the rest of our adventure.
Day 4
Our cruise will continue due south on Lake Nasser. From the ship’s deck, we’ll be able to make out the ancient citadel of Qasr Ibrim and the Temples of Derr and Amada. The latter, whose construction began under the reign of Thutmosis III, is considered to be the oldest in Nubia. In the afternoon, after eating lunch on board the boat, we’ll dock next to one of the most emblematic archaeological sites in Egypt: Abu Simbel. The colossal sculptures of Pharaoh Ramesses II and of his queen Nefertari will leave you speechless at their sheer size, and if we look closely, we might even find the answers to many of the mysteries of Ancient Egypt… but maybe not! The last evening of our cruise will be spent in a truly memorable way: we’ll attend dinner and a light and sound show at Abu Simbel. Illuminations, projections, and music will create a unique perspective on the ancient monument. We’ll then return to the ship to spend one final night on board, anchored close to the Abu Simbel sculptures.
Day 5
After breakfast on board the cruise ship, we’ll leave Lake Nasser behind and make the journey from Abu Simbel to Aswan by road. Once we’re in the city, if you’d like, we can drop you off at the airport three hours before the departure of your flight.
Kalabasha, Beit El-Wali and Kertassi Temples
On this tour, we’ll visit three very different temples, from the Roman era Kalabasha, to mausoleums carved from the rock such as Beit El-Wali, from the time of Ramses II. Itinerary Having picked you up at your boat or hotel first thing in the morning, we’ll hit the road southwards to the Aswan dam, found 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the city. Our first stop will be the Kalabsha temple, in homage to Mandulis, the Nubian Sun God similar to the Egyptian Horus. The temple was built during the Roman period, around 30 A.D. and at 76 metres long and 22 meters wide it too was moved to make way for the Aswan dam. The next stop is Beit el-Wali, a little temple from the time of Ramses II, which was excavated in the rock and dedicated to Amon-Ra. It boasts a patio decorated with scenes from the military campaigns of Ramses II against the Lybians, Asians, Ethiopians, and the Kingdom of Kush. The last temple we’ll visit is the Kiosk of Qertassi, dedicated to Isis, with its main entrance flanked by two columns, presided over by the head of the Goddess Hathor. This temple was also moved for the Aswan dam. Then after the tour, we’ll take you back to the boat or hotel where you’re staying.
Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples Tour
Why was the falcon-headed deity Horus one of the most important sacred figures of Ancient Egypt? Discover fascinating secrets on this guided tour of the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo from Aswan. Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples Tour Having been picked up from your hotel in Aswan, you’ll make your way to the north, past the scorching arid desert and through the fertile riverside plains marked by the course of the Nile. After a little over an hour’s drive, you’ll make the first stop of your day trip in Kom Ombo. The town is home to the ruins of a unique Egyptian temple, unusual in the fact that it’s a double temple dedicated to two different deities: Sobek and Haroeris. Halls, courts and sanctuaries all have their almost identical twin in this sacred complex. The over-2000-year-old stone structures are decorated with mysterious hieroglyphics… will you be able to decipher their meaning? A short five-minute walk away from the temple, you’ll reach another unusual site: the Crocodile Museum. As you take in the sight of these millennia-old mummified reptiles, learn why the scaly animals were so revered in Ancient Egypt. Following a well-deserved break for lunch in a local restaurant in Kom Ombo, you’ll set off for the next part of your tour. Arriving in Edfu, a town on the banks of the river Nile about halfway between Aswan and Luxor, you’ll then visit the Temple of Horus. The falcon-headed deity was one of the most important gods throughout all of Ancient Egyptian history, but the sacred figure remains shrouded in many mysteries. Discover why the divine being was so significant in the religious, political and cultural life of Pharaonic Egypt. After the visit to the Temple of Horus, you’ll return to your accommodation in Aswan, where you are expected to arrive 10 hours after pickup.
Aswan Dam, Philae Temple, and The Unfinished Obelisk
On this tour, we’ll see the greatness of humankind’s achievements from across history. As well as visiting the beautiful Philae temple and the Unfinished Obelisk (the largest in the world), we’ll admire the Aswan Dam, one of the 20th century’s largest engineering projects. Itinerary Having picked you up at your hotel or boat, we’ll leave the historic centre behind to make our way to the Aswan Dam. This dam is one of the largest of the 20th century, finished in 1970 and constructed to protect Egypt from the annual flooding of the Nile, the second-largest river in the world. Our next stop will be the unfinished Obelisk, located in a granite pit from the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. Had it been finished, it would have been the largest obelisk in Ancient Egypt, at 42 metres tall and weighing 1,200 tonnes. Leaving the quarry behind, the tour makes its way to Agilika island, between the old and new Aswan dam, where the beautiful Philae Temple can be found. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, and is one of the four places where the legend of Isis, Osiris and Horus takes place. Then, with the tour over we’ll take you back to the starting point, 5 hours after initial pickup.
Aswan Felucca Tour
Want to sail down the river that was sacred to pharaohs? On this felucca tour of Aswan, we’ll travel down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian sailboat. It’ll be an unforgettable trip! Felucca Tour Details We’ll meet at the time you select during the booking process at the felucca dock in the Aswan Port. From here, we’ll begin a pleasant tour of the Nile on a boat with ancient roots. Ready to sail down Egypt’s sacred river? Just as the pharaohs did in ancient times, we’ll travel onboard a traditional sailboat. We’ll first skirt along the shores of Elephantine Island. From the boat, we’ll admire the Temple of Khnum and other important vestiges of the ancient world that are preserved on the island. Next, we’ll continue sailing down the Nile until we reach the other shore. As we sail along this riverbank, we’ll observe notable sites from the felucca, such as the Mausoleum of Aga Khan and the Aswan Botanical Garden. We’ll also pass by the so-called Tombs of the Nobles, where the remains of some high-ranking officials from ancient Pharaoh Egypt rest. Lastly, we’ll conclude this 1-hour tour by returning to our original starting point at the dock.
