Aswan is Egypt's most relaxed city, and its day tours reflect that. Philae Temple – rebuilt stone-by-stone to survive the High Dam – floats on a Nile island reached by motorboat. The Unfinished Obelisk lies in the granite quarries exactly where ancient workers abandoned it 3,500 years ago. And from Aswan, a morning flight carries you to Abu Simbel before the day-trippers arrive.
Day tours from Aswan
Aswan Day Tours
Philae Temple, the High Dam, Abu Simbel & felucca on the Nile
LengthFull & half day
From$33 / person
PickupHotel or Nile cruise included
GuideEgyptologist
Aswan offers 14 private day tours: Philae and the High Dam, a felucca at sunset, Nubian villages, Abu Simbel by road or air, and longer runs to Kom Ombo, Edfu and Cairo. Prices start at $33 per person, and the table below lists each trip with its length.
The best day tour in Aswan is the one you don't have to organize yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
What you'll see
Aswan, in the order that makes sense
A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.
01
Philae Temple
The temple of Isis, dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone on higher Agilkia Island to save it from the rising Nile – you reach it by motorboat, which is half the pleasure. The last place in Egypt where the old religion was still practised. Calm, beautiful, and best in the morning light.
02
Abu Simbel
Ramesses II's masterpiece – two rock temples, the great one fronted by four 20-meter colossi, cut from a cliff and famously relocated above Lake Nasser in the 1960s. It's a long but unforgettable day from Aswan, by road convoy or short flight. The headline of any southern itinerary.
03
The High Dam & Lake Nasser
The 1960s engineering feat that tamed the Nile's flood, created the largest reservoir on earth, and triggered the great rescue of Abu Simbel and Philae. A short, contextual stop that ties the whole region's story together – ancient temples and modern Egypt in one view.
04
Felucca on the Nile
Aswan is the most beautiful stretch of the river, and the felucca – the traditional lateen-sailed boat – is how to feel it. A late-afternoon sail past Elephantine Island, the Botanical Garden and the Aga Khan Mausoleum, with nothing but wind and water. The antidote to a temple-heavy day.
05
A Nubian village
Across the river, the Nubian villages are a wash of indigo, ochre and rose – a culture older than the pharaohs, with its own language, music and famously warm hospitality. Visited by boat or camel, usually with mint tea in a family home. The human heart of an Aswan day.
Every Aswan day tours
Ways to spend the day
Prices are per person. They come from our live booking system, so each figure is current.
Every Aswan day tour at a glance
On the Nile and Nubian life
Aswan is at its best on the water. Sail a felucca at sunset, take a motorboat to the botanical garden on Elephantine Island, or visit a Nubian village for tea and a look at local life.
Nubian Village Tour, Aswan
Private half-day visit to a Nubian village on the Nile, reached by a short 10–15 minute boat ride from the Aswan Corniche. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private transfers and a local guide; we don't run large coach tours. The visit typically lasts about 3–4 hours and includes home visits, a pottery and weaving demonstration, and an optional lunch with a local family. Expect some walking on uneven ground and strong sun at midday; gratuities for your guide and boat crew are not included unless you request otherwise.
From $68
Private Felucca Ride on the Nile, Aswan
Private felucca sail on the Nile in Aswan, arranged at your preferred time–sunset, morning, or daytime. We use sail-only feluccas crewed by experienced local sailors; we don't run motorboat group excursions. Unlike motorboat trips, felucca speed depends on the wind; sails are quieter but timing and distance can change. We arrange pickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise berth and provide bottled water; drinks, gratuities, and any onshore entry fees are not included. Limited shade at midday means we recommend morning or sunset sails for comfort. Optional short land stops–Kitchener's Island or a Nubian village–can be added on request.
From $33
Elephantine Island & Aswan Botanical Garden by Private Motorboat
A private half day on the Nile at Aswan by motorboat with a guide. You visit the ruins and Nilometer on Elephantine Island, walk through its Nubian villages, and see the Botanical Garden on Kitchener's Island, passing the Aga Khan Mausoleum and the First Cataract rocks. Entrance tickets and bottled water are included.
From $754 Hours
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel sits far to the south beside Lake Nasser. Go by road in about three hours each way, or fly and save most of the day. Both are private and leave early.
Abu Simbel by Road from Aswan (Day Tour)
Drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel by road, a 280 km transfer taking about 3.5–4 hours each way. Our Egyptologist accompanies the transfer and guides you at both temples: the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. We normally depart before sunrise (around 3:00–3:30 AM) so you arrive for morning light and cooler temperatures; expect roughly two hours on site. Distinctive point of view: we prefer road transfers because they avoid airport queues and deliver a predictable schedule. Trade-offs: it is an early start and a long round trip, with limited shade at the site midday.
From $1101 Days
Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan, Day Tour
A full-day, return flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel with a guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. You fly from Aswan International Airport (ASW) to Abu Simbel Airport (ABS), flight time about 40 to 50 minutes. We favour the flight option because road transfers take about three hours each way, which reduces time at the temples. Pickup is from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise gangway; expect to be ready 90 to 120 minutes before the scheduled domestic flight. Services are provided by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
From $566
Day trips out of Aswan
These long days start in Aswan: the river temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu by road, a longer run that adds Esna and can finish in Luxor, and a flight to Cairo for the Pyramids.
Aswan to Kom Ombo, Edfu & Luxor – Day Tour
This one-day itinerary travels by private car from Aswan to Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor with scheduled Egyptologist-guided visits. Kom Ombo lies approximately 48 km north of Aswan (about 45 minutes by road); Edfu is a further 40–50 minutes north. We run this as a private road transfer rather than a cruise-boat hop, so visit time at each temple is longer and more flexible. Site entrance fees are included; premium tombs and optional carriage or felucca rides are extra. Expect an early pickup, several hours on the road, and walking on uneven ancient stone with limited shade at midday.
From $2771 Days
Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples Day Trip from Aswan – Private, Return to Aswan
A private day by road north of Aswan and back. You have your own vehicle, driver and Egyptologist guide, and visit the double temple of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo with its crocodile museum, then the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, with lunch at a local restaurant. Entrance tickets and bottled water are included.
From $1079 Hours
Kom Ombo, Edfu & Esna Temples Day Trip from Aswan – Private, Finish in Luxor or Aswan
A private day by road north from Aswan along the Nile to three temples. With your own vehicle, driver and Egyptologist guide, you visit Kom Ombo and its Crocodile Museum, the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Temple of Khnum at Esna. You finish with a drop-off in Luxor, or drive back to Aswan. Lunch, tickets and bottled water are included.
From $12010 Hours
Cairo Day Trip from Aswan by Flight – Private, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
Fly from Aswan to Cairo and back in a day. You visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, have lunch, then see the Grand Egyptian Museum, with a private Egyptologist guide and car in Cairo. Return economy flights are included and confirmed after we check seats for your date.
From $86916 Hours
Temples and the dam
Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk make up the classic half day, and each can also be taken alone. Kalabsha and the Nubian Museum add a quieter morning, and an evening show lights up Philae.
Aswan: High Dam, Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk Day Tour
This full-day Aswan tour visits the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, and the Unfinished Obelisk. The Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970. Philae was relocated to Agilkia Island during the 1970s Nubia salvage project. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we provide hotel pickup, a licensed Egyptologist, lunch, and all standard site entrance fees. We schedule the Philae visit early to avoid the mid-morning tourist boats; unlike many cruise shore excursions, we keep timing flexible so you can photograph and ask questions. Expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at Philae; bring sun protection and comfortable shoes.
From $2031 Days
Aswan High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk, Half-Day Tour
This half-day tour visits the Aswan High Dam (completed 1970) and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan's northern quarry. You spend about four hours on a private visit with our Egyptologist and driver, typically allowing 45–60 minutes at each site. Standard entrance fees are included. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we do not cram both sites into a single rushed shore excursion; our timing reduces overlap with large cruise-group movements. Trade-offs: the Unfinished Obelisk has limited shade and uneven quarry surfaces, so bring sun protection and steady footwear. Pickup and return are from Aswan city hotels or the Nile cruise terminal.
From $66
Philae Temple Half-Day Tour, Aswan
Visit Philae Temple on Agilkia Island in Aswan with private motorboat transfer and a local Egyptologist. Philae Temple is dedicated to Isis and is part of the "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae" UNESCO World Heritage Site. Total time is 3–4 hours including transfers; expect 90–120 minutes on the island. We operate private, small-group visits and do not run mass coach tours, so timing is flexible and avoids the busiest cruise-ship windows. Trade-offs: limited shade at midday, walking on uneven ancient stone, and brief boat transfers that can be choppy. Modest dress is required in temple areas. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
From $58
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show, evening excursion from Aswan
This evening excursion takes you to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island to attend the nightly sound and light show, with hotel pickup from Aswan. The show begins after dusk and presents the temple complex with narrated illumination and historic context. You will travel by air-conditioned vehicle and short motorboat crossing, and one of our Egyptologists will be on hand to add archaeological and historical detail. We run this as a private or small-group evening outing, timed to avoid the daytime heat and the busiest hours for daytime visitors.
From $761 Days
Kalabsha Temple & Nubian Museum – Private Half-Day Tour in Aswan
A private half day to two quieter Aswan sights. With your own vehicle, driver and Egyptologist guide, you take a motorboat from the High Dam to Kalabsha Temple on its island in Lake Nasser, then visit the Nubian Museum in town. Entrance tickets and bottled water are included.
From $665 Hours
Who these day tours suit
- Nile cruise guestsShort temple and river outings that fit around the ship's schedule.
- Temple enthusiastsPhilae, Kalabsha, Kom Ombo and Edfu, each with an Egyptologist.
- Culture seekersNubian villages and a museum for the story behind the region.
- Travelers short on daysAbu Simbel by plane, or a flight to Cairo, to cover a lot in one day.
Discovery Tours Egypt has run tours in Egypt as a local company since 1988. We hold ETAA Licence No. 718 (Category A), are IATA accredited, and staff six offices: Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh.
Plan the rest of your stayHotels in AswanAswan airport transfers
Know before you go
The practical bits
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.
Tipping
Around $2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your day tour price is complete.
Heat & water
Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.
Cameras & fees
A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.
Questions we hear most
Aswan day tours, answered
- Can I visit Abu Simbel on a day trip from Aswan?
- Yes. Abu Simbel is around three hours from Aswan by road, or a short flight. Most day trips leave very early to reach the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari before the crowds, returning to Aswan by afternoon. It's a long but unforgettable day, and the highlight of any southern itinerary.
- What can you see in Aswan itself?
- Aswan's own highlights – Philae Temple (reached by motorboat), the High Dam, the granite quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and a felucca sail past Elephantine Island and the Nubian villages – make a relaxed full day without leaving the city. It's Egypt's most easy-going destination.
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the day tour can adjust it on the day.
- When is the best time to visit Aswan?
- October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so day tours start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run day tours in Aswan year-round.
- Is it safe, and are families welcome?
- Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and day tours run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.
- Should I go to Abu Simbel by road or by plane?
- By road it takes about three hours each way and gives you more time on the way. By plane it is a short flight, which leaves most of the day for the temples and a rest. Both are private trips.
- Can I visit the Aga Khan Mausoleum?
- No. The Aga Khan Mausoleum is closed to visitors, so it is not on any of our itineraries. Elephantine Island and the botanical garden are good alternatives on the water.
- What is a Nubian village visit like?
- You travel by boat to a village on the river, walk through the lanes with your guide, and are usually invited for tea in a family home. It is a gentle outing and suits all ages.
- How does the Cairo day trip by flight work?
- You book online, and we confirm after checking flight seats. No payment is taken until we confirm. The day is about 16 hours, with flights each way and a guide on the ground in Cairo.
- What is special about Kalabsha Temple?
- Kalabsha was moved stone by stone when the High Dam raised the lake, and it now stands near the water south of the dam. The trip adds the Nubian Museum and takes about five hours.
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We'll build the day.
Private Egyptologist, hotel pickup, all entry fees, clear pricing. Offices across Egypt – and the person who answers the phone can fix things on the day.
Full credit or a refund when you cancel more than 72 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Refunds are less bank charges. Pre-issued flight or train tickets are non-refundable. Full policy