Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourMarsa Alam

Aswan Day Trip from Marsa Alam – Private, High Dam, Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk

16 hours, your own vehicle and Egyptologist, tickets, boat and lunch included, private pick-up from 03:30.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 16-hour private day trip by road from Marsa Alam to Aswan: 4.5 to 5 hours each way, then the High Dam, a boat to Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and lunch with an Egyptologist.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · Aswan · High Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk
Includes
Private hotel pick-up and return from Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request) · Own air-conditioned vehicle and driver · Private English-speaking Egyptologist · Entrance tickets for Philae Temple with its boat, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam · Lunch at a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is much cooler for the open sites. In summer the quarry and dam are very hot.

  • Our Marsa Alam team organizes this day for an Egyptian operator that has run tours since 1988
  • ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and an IATA agent

02Overview

A first look

Aswan is further from the coast than Luxor, so this is a very long day, and it is private from start to finish. Your driver collects you at 03:30 and crosses the Eastern Desert, about four and a half to five hours each way with rest stops. In Aswan your Egyptologist shows you the High Dam, takes you by boat to Philae Temple and visits the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarry. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Tickets and the Philae boat are included. The trip suits travelers who want Aswan's sites in a single day and can cope with the hours on the road.

Background

The facts

Aswan lies at the southern end of Egypt's Nile valley. The road from Marsa Alam crosses the Eastern Desert and takes about four and a half to five hours each way.

Named in this entry

Aswan·High Dam·Philae Temple·Unfinished Obelisk·Eastern Desert·Marsa Alam

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travelers who want Aswan's temples and dam in one private day from a Marsa Alam hotel.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for small children or for guests who dislike very long drives.

What lingers

  • 01A private vehicle, driver and Egyptologist who speaks English
  • 02The High Dam, one of the biggest engineering works of modern Egypt
  • 03A short boat ride to Philae Temple and a guided visit
  • 04The Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry
  • 05Lunch at a local restaurant in Aswan

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Three major Aswan sights in one day
  • Philae boat and tickets included
  • A flexible pace with your own guide and vehicle

Things to Consider

  • Nine to ten hours of driving in total
  • Starts at 03:30 and ends in the evening

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Private hotel pick-up and return from Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request)
  • Own air-conditioned vehicle and driver
  • Private English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Entrance tickets for Philae Temple with its boat, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Drinks with lunch
  • Personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Eat a proper breakfast on the way, because the first stop is at the dam

  2. 02

    Take small notes for restrooms and the boatman's tip

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Because the trip is private, each child's price comes from the age you give when you ask for the trip. We do not set a minimum age, but about nine to ten hours of the day are spent on the road, so we recommend it for children who travel well and cope with heat.

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

On the ground

Your route

1Marsa Alam2Aswan

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for this private Aswan trip set?
    The price is per person and falls as your party gets larger, because the vehicle and guide are shared among you. It includes the transfers, the Egyptologist, the listed tickets, the Philae boat and lunch. Children's prices come from the ages in your request, and our team confirms the total.
  2. 02How long is the drive each way?
    About four and a half to five hours, with rest stops, on the desert road across the Eastern Desert. You leave at 03:30 and return around 19:30. It is a long day, and you should plan your evening accordingly.
  3. 03Is the Philae visit by boat part of the price?
    Yes. The boat to Philae Temple is included, along with the temple ticket. The boat ride takes only a few minutes, and the island is a short walk from the landing.
  4. 04What should we wear and bring?
    Wear light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, a hat and sturdy shoes. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, your passport or a copy and cash for drinks and tips. A light layer is useful for the cool early start.
  5. 05What if we have to cancel?
    Notice of three days or more brings a full refund. Notice given in the window from three days to 24 hours brings half. Anything shorter, or not showing at the car, brings no refund. Early word helps us with the driver and guide.
  6. 06Can others join our group?
    No. The trip is private, so only your own party rides in the vehicle with your own driver and Egyptologist. You can ask for a slower or faster pace on the day. The maximum group size is 16.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit toward future travel with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours: keep the full amount as credit, or take a partial refund.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't show up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • If we ever have to cancel, for weather or anything beyond our control, you lose nothing.

Credit is valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can be used on any tour, cruise or stay with us.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-976480

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