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 travellers. 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 metres.

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.

Day Tour Aswan

Aswan High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk, Half-Day Tour

Private half-day visit to the High Dam viewpoint and the Unfinished Obelisk, hotel pickup in Aswan, optional Egyptologist, arranged by a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

At a glance

Departs: Daily

The short answer

High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk Half Day Tour is a 1-day private excursion covering the Aswan High Dam viewpoint and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Best for

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration: Half Day (3–4 hours)
Time of day: Morning departure
Travel style: Private Guided Excursion
Accommodation: N/A
Operated by: Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations: Aswan High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Northern Quarry · Central Aswan
Includes: Private air-conditioned vehicle · Driver · Hotel or Nile-cruise pickup and drop-off within Aswan city limits · Entrance fees to listed sites · Bottled water · Local taxes · Optional licensed Egyptologist on request
Best for: Short-stay visitors in Aswan · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Families with children · Cruise passengers with limited time · Travellers seeking a private excursion
Guide languages: English

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are generally October to April, when daytime temperatures in Aswan are milder and easier for outdoor sightseeing. From May to September, midday heat can be intense, so early morning or late-afternoon departures are preferable. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours and traffic conditions can vary, so timing should be confirmed in advance.

Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
Hotel or Nile-cruise pickup and drop-off within Aswan city limits
Entrance fees included for the listed sites
Optional licensed Egyptologist available on request at booking
Local taxes and operational costs included
On-the-ground coordination for a short, time-efficient excursion

02 Overview

A first look

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.

Background

The facts

This Aswan half day excursion visits two of the city’s best-known archaeological and engineering sites: the Aswan High Dam viewpoint and the Unfinished Obelisk in the northern granite quarry. The High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970 and inaugurated in 1970; it controls the Nile and impounds Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.

The first stop is typically the High Dam viewpoint, located roughly 3–4 km south of central Aswan. From there, visitors can see the dam structure and understand its role in flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation in modern Egypt. The second stop is the Unfinished Obelisk, about 2 km north of central Aswan in the ancient granite quarry area.

The Unfinished Obelisk is usually dated to the New Kingdom period and is believed to have been intended for the goddess or temple complexes associated with royal monumental building. It remains attached to bedrock, showing tool marks and breakage points that illustrate ancient stone-working methods. If completed, it would have measured about 42 metres, making it one of the largest obelisks ever attempted.

Because the sites are close together, the driving time between them is short and the full excursion is often completed in about 3 to 4 hours, depending on pickup location and time spent at each stop. Hotel or Nile-cruise pickup is generally arranged within Aswan city limits, and the visit is commonly scheduled in the morning or late afternoon to reduce exposure to high temperatures.

Named in this entry

Aswan High Dam · Lake Nasser · Unfinished Obelisk · Northern Quarry · Aswan · Nile River · New Kingdom · Ancient Egyptian granite quarry

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

This tour is suited to travellers who want a short, focused sightseeing outing in Aswan rather than a longer day programme. It works well for adults and older children interested in engineering, ancient quarrying, and brief historical visits, especially those with moderate walking tolerance.

What lingers

01 Visit the Aswan High Dam (completed 1970); 20 to 30-minute stop with panoramic Nile views.
02 Explore the Unfinished Obelisk at the northern granite quarries; see ancient tool marks and the stalled 1,200-ton stone.
03 Private transfers from Aswan hotels; our driver (English-speaking) included; half-day schedule flexible on request.
04 Licensed Egyptian tour operator: our Egyptologist briefing explains High Dam's role in Nile control and resettlement impacts.
05 Unlike large coach tours, we run this privately – shorter queues, more time at quarries, flexible pacing.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a longer Nile itinerary, this excursion focuses on two sites that are close to central Aswan and can be visited in a few hours. Compared with independent taxi visits, it includes arranged pickup, drop-off, entrance fees, and private vehicle transport, with an Egyptologist available on request. It is also shorter and less physically demanding than a full-day Aswan sightseeing programme.

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

08:00 to 10:00 AM

Bundled in

Private transfer
Hotel pickup
All entry tickets

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

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

Tailor it

Make it yours

The tour can be booked as a private excursion or adjusted for small travel groups, with pickup from hotels or Nile cruises within Aswan city limits. A licensed Egyptologist can be added on request at booking, and the itinerary may sometimes be timed for cooler morning or late-afternoon conditions. Extra stops, meal arrangements, or extended sightseeing in Aswan can also be added for travellers who want a longer itinerary.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Minimum age is 5 years for safety around the quarry and dam viewing areas. Child pricing is available for children aged 5 to 11, subject to proof of age; children 12 and over pay adult price. Strollers are not practical at the Unfinished Obelisk because of uneven rock and gravel; a baby carrier is more suitable. We can provide booster seats in vehicles if requested at booking; high chairs are not provided at sites.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where: Hotel or Nile-cruise pickup within Aswan city limits Map

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

· In summary

This tour includes private air-conditioned transport, hotel or Nile-cruise pickup and drop-off within Aswan city limits, entrance fees to the Aswan High Dam viewpoint and the Unfinished Obelisk, bottled water, and local taxes. A licensed Egyptologist can be added on request at booking. The excursion usually takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

01 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.
02 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.
03 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.
04 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.
05 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.
06 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 travellers. Children should be supervised, especially near the dam viewpoint.
07 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.
08 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.
09 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 metres.
10 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.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days: Full refund less a £50 admin fee
15–30 days: 50% refund
Within 14 days: No refund – date changes considered case by case

Editorial review

Discovery Tours

Last updated 17 May 2026 Product ID: EXC-ASW-096300

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