Philae Temple & High Dam Tour
This private day tour in Aswan visits Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam with a professional Egyptologist guide. Enjoy private motorboat and vehicle transfers throughout the excursion.
The Philae Temple & High Dam Tour provides a private half-day excursion to two of the most significant landmarks in Aswan. Accompanied by your licensed Egyptologist guide, you will travel by air-conditioned vehicle to explore ancient temples and modern civil engineering achievements along the Nile River.
Your guided visits begin with a short motorboat ride across Agilkia Island to reach Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Your guide will explain the temple reliefs, sacred sanctuaries, and the historic 1970s UNESCO rescue mission that moved the entire structure from submerged Philae Island. Afterwards, continue by road to the Aswan High Dam, constructed between 1960 and 1970 to regulate Nile flooding and generate hydroelectricity for Egypt while forming Lake Nasser.
The tour lasts approximately four hours from pick-up to drop-off. The price covers private air-conditioned vehicle transfers, a motorboat ride to Philae Temple, bottled water, and your guide; entrance fees are paid on site.
What you will see
- Guided visit to the island temple of Philae dedicated to Isis
- Motorboat ride across the Nile to Agilkia Island
- Aswan High Dam engineering structure and Lake Nasser views
- Relief carvings and sanctuaries of the Greco-Roman period
- Private air-conditioned transfers and expert Egyptologist guide
Your day
Day 1Philae Temple & High Dam Excursion
Your private Egyptologist guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan in the morning. Transfer to the boat landing and board a private motorboat to Agilkia Island to visit Philae Temple. Walk through the monumental pylons, the Great Court, and the Hypostyle Hall while learning about ancient Isis worship and the temple's relocation project.
Return to the mainland by boat and drive south to the Aswan High Dam. Walk along the top of the embankment to observe Lake Nasser on one side and the Nile River channel on the other. Your guide will detail the dam's design, construction history, and impact on modern Egypt. Conclude your tour with a private transfer back to your Aswan hotel or cruise.
Included
- Private air-conditioned transfers
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Motorboat to Philae Temple
- Bottled water
Not included
- Flights and hotel accommodation — not included
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sites (paid on site)
- Tipping for guide and driver
- Personal expenses
Frequently asked questions
Is hotel pick-up included?
Yes, private round-trip transfers from your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan are provided. Your driver and Egyptologist guide will pick you up directly from your lobby at the agreed start time.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance tickets for Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam are not included in the tour price. You can purchase admission tickets at the official site ticket counters on the day of the tour.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a fully private excursion. You will have a private air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver, and a dedicated licensed Egyptologist guide exclusively for your group throughout the tour.
What should I wear and bring on the tour?
We recommend wearing lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat walking shoes, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Bringing sunscreen, a camera, and Egyptian pounds in cash for site entrance fees and small personal items is also advised.
