Philae Temple Half-Day Tour, Aswan
Morning half-day from Aswan quayside, includes motorboat to Agilkia Island and guided visit to the Temple of Isis, with hotel pickup and drop-off.
The short answer
Philae Temple half-day tour in Aswan is a 1-day excursion covering Philae Temple, Agilkia Island, and the Aswan quayside in Aswan, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt. Runs daily. It's a private tour. From $64 per person, based on 4 sharing. Book online up to 48 hours before.
02Overview
A first look
By 08:00 the Nile at the Aswan quayside is glassy, and the motorboat's wake is the first sound as you cross to Agilkia Island. The Kiosk of Trajan rises close enough for photographic detail, while our Egyptologist points out the Roman inscriptions and the Temple of Isis' rebuilt pylons.
We favour early departures to avoid heat and crowds, and we do not combine this visit with large coach tours. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange your pickup from central Aswan at the agreed time and the licensed Egyptologist who guides the visit will accompany you for the whole short trip.
What lingers
- 01Private motorboat from Aswan Corniche to Philae (Agilkia Island), 10 to 15 minute crossing; boat transfer included.
- 02Our Egyptologist guide leads a 90-minute on-site visit; entrance fee to Philae Temple is included.
- 03We schedule morning departures to avoid cruise-boat crowds and midday heat; expect limited shade on island.
- 04Private hotel pickup in Aswan (Corniche area) and return transfer included; no taxi negotiation.
- 05Unlike full-day Aswan excursions, this half-day keeps afternoon free for Nubian Village or felucca options.
- 06Operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we arrange boat permits, local crew, and guide credentials.
Background
The facts
Philae Temple is located on Agilkia Island in the Nile near Aswan and is reached by a short motorboat transfer from the Aswan quayside. The temple complex was moved from Philae Island to Agilkia in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the UNESCO Nubia campaign, after rising water from the Aswan High Dam threatened the original site.
The main monuments visited on a Philae excursion include the Temple of Isis, the Kiosk of Trajan, and the processional colonnades and courts associated with the late Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Construction and decoration at the site continued under successive rulers from the 4th century BCE through the Roman era, so the reliefs and inscriptions reflect both Egyptian religious traditions and later imperial additions.
Logistically, the visit usually begins with hotel pickup in central Aswan or an agreed meeting point, followed by a drive to the quayside and a boat crossing to the island. The site is fully outdoors, with uneven stone paving, steps, and shaded areas limited in some sections, so early departures are typically preferred in warmer months.
Because Philae sits on the Nile with open views toward the river and Aswan skyline, it is also one of the most photographed temple sites in southern Egypt. A guided visit usually focuses on the cult of Isis, the inscriptions, and the architectural phases visible across the temple courts and pavilions.
Named in this entry
Philae Temple·Temple of Isis·Kiosk of Trajan·Agilkia Island·Aswan quayside·Nile River·Aswan·Ptolemaic period·Roman period·UNESCO Nubia campaign·Aswan High Dam
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
- Private
- Archaeology & history
- Cultural
- Photography
- Couples·
- Solo traveller·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- Pickup time:
- 08:30 AM / 01:30 PM
- Duration:
- Half Day (about 4 hours)
- 1
Your excursion begins with a prompt pickup from your Aswan hotel lobby or Nile cruise ship deck. Meet your professional driver and a private, licensed Egyptologist from Discovery Tours Egypt, then step into a clean, air-conditioned vehicle with a chilled bottle of mineral water.
Enjoy a scenic, smooth drive south toward the Shallal motorboat marina while your Egyptologist outlines the day's route and key sights. We do not run group bus tours; pickups are private and direct.
- 2
Meet at the private docks where our Egyptologist handles marina boarding permits and boat boarding. You step aboard a dedicated private motorboat for a gentle cruise across the Nile, watching Agilkia Island's stone pylons, colonnades and palm groves rise above granite outcrops. Your guide explains the island's relocation during the Aswan High Dam project and the Philae temple's reassembly here.
Unlike public ferries, this crossing is timed for quieter waters and unobstructed viewing, with a short on-foot approach at the island landing.
- 3
You disembark at Philae's island dock, bypassing the standard lines with our pre-arranged entrance tickets. Your Egyptologist leads you into the grand Outer Court, walking between the soaring, mismatched stone columns of the First Pylon. Your guide decodes the carved reliefs of Isis, Horus and Hathor and explains how Philae remained a center of Pharaonic worship into the 6th century CE.
We time the visit to avoid the busiest afternoon boat traffic where possible.
- 4
You arrive by short boat to Agilkia Island and step into the hypostyle hall, then into the cool, atmospheric inner sanctuary of Isis. Your Egyptologist explains the 1970s UNESCO rescue, when the complex was dismantled into 40,000 numbered blocks and moved from submerged Philae Island to Agilkia.
We allow time for up-close inspection of reliefs and the rescue-era reconstruction details, rather than a rushed visit.
- 5
You arrive at Trajan's Kiosk on the island, the elegant open-air pavilion framing the Nile waters. Your Egyptologist explains the kiosk's Roman-era architecture and its relationship to nearby Pharaonic temples. Take a leisurely stroll to the island edge for pristine photos, browse the craft stalls, or sit on the shaded terrace café for a cold drink or a cup of Nubian mint tea.
We arrange private visits on request. At the end, return to your hotel in Aswan.
- 6
You re-board your private motorboat at the island dock for a relaxing ride to the Aswan mainland marina. Your driver will be waiting at the dock exit so you step straight into an air-conditioned vehicle. Recline, enjoy a cold mineral water provided on board, and expect a smooth road transfer back to your Aswan hotel or the agreed drop-off point, arriving shortly after disembarkation.
Bundled in
- Hotel pickup
- All entry tickets
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Round-trip transportation from central Aswan hotels or an agreed meeting point
- Entrance fees for Philae Temple as stated at booking
- Local Egyptologist or licensed guide for the duration of the visit
Not included
- Gratuities for Egyptologists, guides, or drivers
- Meals, snacks and drinks unless specified at booking
- Hotel transfers outside central Aswan or pickup beyond the agreed meeting zone
- Personal travel insurance
- Any optional extras
Tailor it
Make it yours
This excursion can be arranged as a private tour or with a small shared group depending on availability. It may also be adjusted with alternative pickup points, a slower pace for photography, or added Aswan sites if requested at booking. Meal or snack arrangements can sometimes be added separately, but they are not included by default.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This excursion suits travelers interested in ancient Egyptian religion, Ptolemaic and Roman-period architecture, and site interpretation by an Egyptologist guide. It is a good fit for adults, older teens, and families who prefer a short, low-complexity outing rather than a long desert transfer.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a self-guided visit, this tour includes coordinated hotel pickup, the boat transfer, and on-site explanation of the temple’s Ptolemaic and Roman phases. Compared with longer Aswan sightseeing programs, it focuses only on Philae, making it shorter and easier to schedule around the rest of a day in Aswan. It is also more efficient than arranging the quayside crossing independently, especially for first-time visitors.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel pickup or Aswan Quayside (Corniche)
On the ground
Where it is
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- Half Day (about 4 hours)
- Time of day
- Half day
- Travel style
- Private Guided Excursion
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Philae Temple · Agilkia Island · Aswan quayside · Aswan · Nile River
- Includes
- Round-trip transport from central Aswan · Boat crossing to Agilkia Island · Entrance fees for Philae Temple · Egyptologist guide or licensed guide
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Aswan · Families with older children · Travelers with limited time · Photography-focused visitors
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
The best time to visit is from October to April, when daytime temperatures in Aswan are generally milder and walking around the open temple site is more comfortable. Early morning departures are preferable year-round because heat and visitor numbers increase later in the day, especially around peak holiday periods and during school vacations. During Ramadan, some services may run on adjusted schedules, so departure times should be confirmed in advance.
- Licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- Local Egyptologist guide or licensed guide included for the visit
- Round-trip transport arranged from central Aswan hotels or an agreed meeting point
- Entrance fees included as stated at booking
- On-the-ground support for pickup, timing, and site logistics
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid ID or passport for admission checks
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, SPF30+ sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle, filled before departure
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Light rain layer between November and March
- Camera with spare batteries or power bank
- Any required medication with a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting daytime clothes
- Covered shoulders and knees for temple areas
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven stone surfaces
- Sun hat and breathable layers for mornings and midday heat
Children & families
Minimum recommended age is 2 years, because the motorboat crossing and the island steps present safety challenges for very young children. Child fares typically apply to ages 2 to 12; exact child pricing and any discounts are shown at booking. Strollers are not practical on Agilkia Island because of steps and uneven surfaces; we do not provide high chairs. Please tell us the child ages at booking so we can allocate the correct seat and lifejackets. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This half-day excursion requires the ability to board a small motorboat and to walk on uneven stone and compacted sand on Agilkia Island. There are multiple flights of shallow stone steps at Philae Temple, and some ramps are steep or absent around the kiosk and colonnade. Our transfer vehicle is a standard air-conditioned minivan with a 40–50 cm step up; drivers can assist with luggage. Wheelchair users and guests with very limited mobility will find the island route challenging and are unlikely to be able to reach the temple inner areas without strong assistance. If you use a mobility aid, please tell us at booking so we can propose alternatives or an adjusted itinerary where possible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will provide a named guide and driver who can advise on on-the-ground conditions before departure.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We work with local boat crews and drivers based in Aswan, hiring small petrol motorboats and Toyota Hiace or similar air-conditioned minibuses for transfers. Entrance fees you pay to visit Philae go to site maintenance and the Ministry of Antiquities; we do not retain those government fees. Our Egyptologists are locally based in Aswan, and we contract them direct rather than through distant agencies, which keeps payments within the community. For shore pickups we consolidate transfers where practical to reduce vehicle kilometers, and we ask guests to bring reusable water bottles to cut single-use plastic. Unlike large coach-led excursions that run fixed daily crossings, we use locally hired boats matched to the group size, which supports small crew livelihoods and reduces idle running time.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
·In summary
This tour includes hotel pickup in central Aswan or an agreed meeting point, round-trip transport to the quayside, a short motorboat crossing to Agilkia Island, and a guided visit to Philae Temple. Entrance fees are included as stated at booking, and a local Egyptologist or licensed guide accompanies the visit. Gratuities, meals, drinks, and transfers outside the central Aswan pickup zone are excluded.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Philae Temple half-day tour?
The Philae Temple half-day tour typically lasts four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. This includes travel time, the motorboat crossing to Agilkia Island, and a guided visit to the temple complex with an Egyptologist.02What is included in the Philae Temple tour price?
The tour includes round-trip transportation from central Aswan hotels, entrance fees for Philae Temple, and the services of a licensed Egyptologist guide. The motorboat crossing to Agilkia Island is also covered.03What is not included in the Philae Temple tour?
Gratuities for your Egyptologist, guide, or driver are not included. Meals, snacks, and drinks are also excluded unless specifically arranged. Transfers outside central Aswan or personal travel insurance are not part of the standard package.04Is the Philae Temple tour accessible for guests with mobility challenges?
The tour involves a motorboat transfer and walking on uneven ancient stone at Philae Temple, which may present challenges for some guests. We recommend discussing specific mobility needs with us in advance to assess suitability.05What should I wear for the Philae Temple tour?
We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable clothing, especially during warmer months. Modest dress is appreciated when visiting religious sites in Egypt.06Can children participate in the Philae Temple tour?
Children are welcome on the Philae Temple tour. The walking is manageable for most children, and our Egyptologists can tailor explanations to engage younger visitors. Please ensure they have sun protection.07What is the best time of day to visit Philae Temple?
We recommend an early morning visit to Philae Temple to avoid the midday heat and larger crowds. This allows for a more peaceful experience and better photography conditions.08What is the photography policy at Philae Temple?
Photography is generally permitted at Philae Temple for personal use. There may be restrictions in certain areas or for professional equipment, so it is always best to check with your guide on the day of your visit.09How do we get to Agilkia Island for Philae Temple?
Access to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island is via a short motorboat ride from the Aswan quayside. This transfer is included in your tour, and we arrange the boat for your group.10Will our Egyptologist explain the UNESCO rescue story of Philae Temple?
Yes, our Egyptologist will detail the fascinating UNESCO-led effort to relocate Philae Temple from its original site to Agilkia Island in the 1960s to save it from submersion by the Aswan High Dam.
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-ASW-572026
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees
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