# Aswan High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk, Half-Day Tour > Visit Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk on a private half day tour with hotel or Nile-cruise pickup. Book with Discovery Tours Egypt. Source: https://discoverytoursegypt.com/day-tours/aswan/high-dam-unfinished-obelisk-half-day-tour/ Operator: Discovery Tours Egypt Morning light on Aswan skims the granite, and the air smells faintly of river and diesel as you stand at the High Dam viewpoint listening to the Nile’s wide sweep. The quarry at the Unfinished Obelisk feels quieter, blocks of red-brown stone underfoot and the vertical cut of history visible where ancient masons stopped work. We use a private air-conditioned vehicle rather than coach transfers, which keeps drives short and flexible. We arrange hotel or Nile-cruise pickup within Aswan city limits, and our Egyptologists can join the excursion if requested at booking, providing on-site context and practical direction throughout the visit. ## Key Facts - Locations: Aswan High Dam, Aswan (constructed 1960 to 1970; inaugurated 1970; impounds Lake Nasser), Unfinished Obelisk, Northern Quarry, Aswan (ancient granite quarry; obelisk planned c. 42 meters), Central Aswan (pickup and drop-off point for hotels and Nile cruises), Lake Nasser (impounded by the Aswan High Dam) - From: $73 per person ## Highlights - Visit the Aswan High Dam (completed 1970); 20 to 30-minute stop with panoramic Nile views. - Explore the Unfinished Obelisk at the northern granite quarries; see ancient tool marks and the stalled 1,200-ton stone. - Private transfers from Aswan hotels; our driver (English-speaking) included; half-day schedule flexible on request. - Licensed Egyptian tour operator: our Egyptologist briefing explains High Dam's role in Nile control and resettlement impacts. - Unlike large coach tours, we run this privately – shorter queues, more time at quarries, flexible pacing. ## Included - Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the duration of the tour - Hotel or Nile-cruise pick-up and drop-off within Aswan city limits - Entrance fees to the Aswan High Dam viewpoint and the Unfinished Obelisk (standard site fees included) - Bottled water during transfers - Local taxes and Discovery Tours Egypt operational costs - Option to include a licensed Egyptologist on the tour if requested at booking ## Not Included - Licensed Egyptologist, unless requested and booked in advance - Gratuities for driver or guide - Meals and personal expenses - Transfers from hotels or cruises outside Aswan city limits, which may incur an extra charge ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Private Door-to-Door Pickup, Aswan Your morning begins with a private pickup from your Aswan hotel lobby or the deck of your Nile cruise ship. You are welcomed by our private, expert Egyptologist guide and our professional driver, who escort you to a premium, climate-controlled private vehicle. You receive a chilled bottle of mineral water and a short briefing, then depart for your planned Aswan activities; this is a private service, not a shared shuttle. - Private hotel or ship pickup - Premium climate-controlled vehicle - Chilled mineral water provided Duration: 30 minutes · Meals: No meals at this stop. ### Day 2: Northern Granite Quarries & Unfinished Obelisk You arrive at the ancient northern granite quarries that supplied pink granite for temples and statues, then view the 1,200-ton Unfinished Obelisk. We fast-track your entry so your Egyptologist can explain how the monolith was cut from bedrock, likely for Queen Hatshepsut. Standing above the unfinished stone, you learn the practical techniques: wet wooden wedges and diorite pounding balls. This visit focuses on production methods rather than finished monuments. - View a 1,200-ton obelisk - See ancient quarrying methods - Panoramic quarry-top viewpoint Sites: [Unfinished Obelisk](https://discoverytoursegypt.com/attractions/aswan/the-unfinished-obelisk/) Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes · Meals: No meals at this stop. ### Day 3: Scenic Drive to the South We collect you from your central Aswan hotel for a guided scenic drive toward Egypt's southern border, in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your driver manages the route while your Egyptologist explains the Nile's historic flood cycles, local agriculture, and settlement patterns visible from the road. Expect periodic photo stops at river viewpoints and roadside villages where you observe feluccas and irrigation channels, returning to Aswan by mid/late afternoon. - Nile flood-cycle explanations - Roadside village photo stops - Views of feluccas and irrigation Duration: 30 minutes · Meals: No meals at this stop. ### Day 4: Aswan High Dam We collect you from Aswan hotels or the cruise terminal for a short transfer to the Aswan High Dam. Built in the 1960s under President Nasser, the dam used about 16 times the material of Khufu’s Great Pyramid. Your Egyptologist explains its engineering, social and agricultural impact as you walk the viewing deck and take in the Nile flowing north toward Cairo and the wide expanse of Lake Nasser to the south. - Crest-level viewing deck - Nile and Lake Nasser panoramas - 1960s engineering context Sites: [Aswan High Dam](https://discoverytoursegypt.com/attractions/aswan/high-dam/) Duration: 1 hour · Meals: No meals at this stop. ### Day 5: Return to Aswan Your driver collects you from your Aswan hotel or agreed meeting point for a private, air-conditioned transfer back to Aswan. Your Egyptologist remains with you throughout the journey, providing commentary and stopping where useful to photograph the Nile or visit a small roadside village. We keep the guide and driver at your disposal for the whole return, unlike operators who transfer guides mid-journey. Arrival and drop-off are at your Aswan hotel or harbour meeting point. - Private air-conditioned vehicle - Egyptologist stays onboard - Flexible photo and restroom stops Duration: 30 minutes · Meals: No meals at this stop. ## FAQ ### How long is the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Half Day Tour? This private excursion typically lasts between 3 to 4 hours, including travel time between sites. It is designed as a focused outing for those wishing to see these two key Aswan landmarks without a full-day commitment. ### What is included in the tour price? The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver, hotel or Nile-cruise pickup and drop-off within Aswan city limits, standard entrance fees to both sites, bottled water, and local taxes. An Egyptologist is optional. ### Is an Egyptologist guide included with this tour? A licensed Egyptologist guide is not automatically included but can be added to your booking upon request. We recommend this option for deeper historical context and insights into the sites you visit. ### What should I wear for this tour? We recommend comfortable clothing and walking shoes, as there is some walking on uneven surfaces at the Unfinished Obelisk site. Modest dress is not strictly required for these sites, but light, breathable fabrics are advisable, especially during warmer months. ### What is the best time of day to take this tour? We recommend morning or late-afternoon departures to avoid the midday heat, which can be intense in Aswan. These times also often provide better light for photography at both the High Dam and the quarry. ### Is this tour suitable for children? Yes, this half-day tour is generally suitable for children. The sites involve moderate walking, and the shorter duration makes it manageable for younger travelers. Children should be supervised, especially near the dam viewpoint. ### What are the accessibility considerations for this tour? The tour involves some walking on uneven ancient stone at the Unfinished Obelisk quarry. The Aswan High Dam viewpoint is generally accessible. Please inform us of any specific mobility needs when booking so we can advise accordingly. ### Can you pick me up from my hotel outside Aswan city limits? Our standard pickup and drop-off service covers hotels and Nile cruises within Aswan city limits. Transfers from locations outside this area may incur an additional charge, which we will confirm at the time of booking. ### What is the significance of the Unfinished Obelisk? The Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan's northern granite quarry provides a unique insight into ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques. Had it been completed, it would have been the largest ancient obelisk, measuring approximately 42 meters. ### Are gratuities for the driver or guide included? No, gratuities for your driver or any optional Egyptologist guide are not included in the tour price. Tipping is customary in Egypt for good service, and we can provide guidance on appropriate amounts. --- Full page (with photos, live pricing, and booking): https://discoverytoursegypt.com/day-tours/aswan/high-dam-unfinished-obelisk-half-day-tour/