Begin here
The place
Aswan is Egypt at a gentler rhythm, where granite islands divide the Nile and traditional sails move between botanical gardens and Nubian villages. The essential things to do in Aswan include the island temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its granite quarry, and tea in a colorful Nubian village — and Aswan is the natural gateway for an Abu Simbel day trip to the colossal temples of Ramesses II on Lake Nasser. Its temples tell stories of ancient devotion and modern rescue, while its quarries reveal how Egypt's largest monuments were made.
Explore locally
01Discover Aswan’s beauty on land and water in one easy, memorable day. Take a private boat to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued stone by stone onto its own island. See the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry and revealing how ancient Egyptians cut giant monuments. Then sail to a colorful Nubian village for tea, local hospitality, music and the warm traditions of southern Egypt.
02Travel by private car across the open Nubian desert to one of the most spectacular sites on earth. Stand before the four colossal statues of Ramesses II, carved directly into the mountain on the shores of Lake Nasser. Step inside the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari, filled with vivid carvings of battles and gods. Learn how the entire complex was moved, block by block, to save it from rising waters — an engineering marvel.
Begin a conversation
Tell us what draws you here. We’ll shape the rest around you.
Plan my trip