9 Best Tours and Day Trips in Aswan

The city of Aswan or Aswan, as it is also known, is one of the most important places in Egypt. Here you will find temples dedicated to pharaohs and Egyptian gods, cathedrals, mosques, traditional markets, natural spaces and more.

Among the best things to do in Aswan you will find a series of tours and excursions. For example, you can go to the Philae Temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk. Also, take a carriage ride through the streets of the city center, join an excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, sail on the Nile, and so on.

Aswan has truly essential sites, which are part of the Egyptian architectural legacy preserved in these lands. If you want to discover part of the history of this city during your stay, you should join a tour of the Aswan Philae Temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk.

You will visit the Aswan High Dam, which gave rise to the artificial Lake Nasser. This monumental structure was erected more than 60 years ago for the purpose of generating electricity.

You will also see the Unfinished Obelisk, which dates back to the reign of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Hatshepsut. This stone carving measures more than 40 meters and is inside a trench in the quarries north of the city. You will also go to the Aswan Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and located on an island across the Nile.

This tour of the Aswan Philae Temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk is usually guided. This is convenient, as you will have the company of an expert who will take you directly to each destination and tell you its history.

Details of interest

• Price: the average cost of the activity is 56€ per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours (approx.).
• Means of transport: air-conditioned car and boat.

Taking a boat ride on the Nile River and discovering the history of the ancient Nubian people is a very popular excursion in Aswan. You will live a unique outdoor experience, where you will contemplate a privileged landscape.

In Aswan you will board a boat and, together with a guide, you will enter the calm waters of the Nile. You will sail by Elephantine Island and Sohail, as well as Lake Nasser, formed by the High Dam reservoir. These are the main places where the Nubian people are still found.

On this boat tour of the Nubian people from Aswan you will stop at one of the above mentioned destinations to explore at your own pace. You will walk through its streets lined with traditional houses, see some tamed crocodiles and gain access to the home of a Nubian family.

Details of interest

• Price: you will pay approximately 46€ per person.
• Duration: the duration of the excursion is at least 3 hours.
• Means of transport: boat or falucho.

The Abu Simbel temple complex is a must-see destination on your itinerary. You will see an archaeological find more than 3000 years old, discovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt and declared by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

For this adventure you will travel by car about 300 kilometers in the direction of the southern area of Aswan. There, you will find the pair of temples of Abu Simbel. One is dedicated to Ramses II and the other in honor of Nefertari, who was his wife during his lifetime.

Upon arrival, you will see the four monumental statues guarding the main entrance. Then you will find the temple of the pharaoh, followed by that of his wife. In both places, you will see dozens of life-size statues alluding to this pair of characters in Egyptian history. Also, hundreds of hieroglyphs describing their great deeds.

This day trip to the temple of Abu Simbel from Aswan can be done on your own, but it is recommended that you join a guided activity. This way, you will not have to worry about the transfer, as you will have a driver-guide.

Details of interest

• Price: this experience starts at 30€ per person.
• Duration: this excursion lasts about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned car.

Another experience that you can live in this Egyptian city combines a couple of destinations incorporated in the first two activities of this list of tours and excursions in Aswan. It is the famous Philae Temple and a very ancient Nubian village, which is located on the islands along the Nile. You will delve into the history and traditions that are part of the local culture.

The tour usually starts with a drive to the Philae Temple. This is a sacred place, where the goddess Isis is worshipped. You will be left breathless at the sight of this majestic building, statues and other treasures.

Afterwards, the guide will take you to the Nile River to board a boat and sail to a Nubian village located off Soheil Island, very close to the Aswan Dam crossing. There, you will get off and walk among the picturesque traditional houses and leafy palm trees.

Without a doubt, this is an unmissable tour that combines perfectly with other activities such as, for example, the Nile cruises from Aswan. In fact, if you have enough time, you could take a 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: around 95€ per person.
• Duration: usually the activity is done in 3 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned car and boat.

Another of the best tours of Aswan is the guided tour aboard a horse-drawn carriage. This is a different way to explore this Egyptian city, giving you a glimpse of local life while discovering some interesting destinations.

You will board a comfortable carriage in the center of the city and immediately the driver will pull the reins to start this fun adventure. You will enjoy a different perspective of Aswan while the guide tells you the history of each place.

You will see iconic sites such as the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the Corniche El Nile Street, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel and the El-Tabia Mosque, among others.

Details of interest

• Price: an average price of 84€ per person.
• Duration: approximately a couple of hours.
• Means of transport: horse-drawn carriage.

If you are an enthusiast of Egyptian cuisine and also want to have a different view of the city, you should visit the Aswan Spice Market. You will be enveloped in a lively atmosphere with food stalls, vendors offering their wares and bargaining.

When you arrive at this traditional souk in the center of the city, you will notice that it is a popular place for locals and tourists alike. You can visit it on your own or with a guide. In any case, you will find dozens of picturesque stalls that you can explore freely and without haste.

You can buy a variety of spices and other kitchen products for your preparations: thyme, fennel, hibiscus flower, etc.. You will also be able to taste the delicious Arabica coffee, infusions and fresh juices. On the other hand, you will find handicrafts of the Nubian people that are characterized by their high level of quality, especially in footwear and fashion.

Details of interest

• Price: the tour on your own is free. Guided activities start at 25€ per person.
• Duration: the self-paced tour has no time limit. The guided tour can last 2 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

A sunset falucca ride in Aswan is a good option for you to relax after a long day. You will witness a picturesque natural scene: the last rays of the sun coloring the sky, the blue waters of the Nile and the surrounding islands.

This tour takes place in the late afternoon, precisely so that you can enjoy the sunset. You will set sail from the banks of the Nile River and slowly navigate the calm waters. The guide in charge of the activity will tell you the history of this iconic site, which dates back to Pharaonic times.

From the boat you will watch the sun set over the plants and palms of the Aswan Botanical Garden, which is an important natural lung on Lord Kitchener Island. You will see the reflection of a dune in the Nile, Elephantine Island, among other destinations.

Details of interest

• Price: about 80€ per person (Approx.).
• Duration: this tour lasts from 1 to 2 hours.
• Means of transport: falucca.

Another good tour in Aswan is bird watching from the Nile. Embark on a traditional boat tour on these calm waters and see the amazing native flying species that inhabit the nearby islands.

The experience usually starts at the port of Aswan, where you will board a falucca sailboat with a birdwatcher. You will sail the Nile from the east bank to the west bank, heading for Lord Kitchener's Island. There, you will spot parakeets and egrets and enjoy the picturesque flora: acacias, mimosas, etc.

You will pass around the Cataract Islands, which is on the way to the Aga Khan Mausoleum. In this area you will observe much more birdlife: kingfishers, stretch herons, night herons, etc.

Details of interest

• Price: you will pay around 140€ per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours is the approximate time of the tour.
• Means of transportation: traditional boat.

A walking tour of Aswan is one of the experiences you must live during your stay. You will see the highlights of this Egyptian city and discover what lies within.

To enjoy this tour you will be accompanied by an experienced local guide. He will tell you the history of each destination, allowing you to get into the local culture as if you were a local.

Although the itinerary may vary according to the contracted activity, there are unmissable places such as the following:

• El-Tabia Mosque, surrounded by beautiful and picturesque gardens.
• The Aswan market, which is the best place to get to know the local life.
• The Coptic Orthodox Cathedral dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

Details of interest

• Price: the average cost is 32€ per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (approx.).
• Means of transport: on foot.

The Egyptian city of Aswan is a place with a wide range of tours and excursions, which will allow you to discover its history and culture. By embarking on one of these experiences, you will have the opportunity to see dreamlike natural spaces, monuments and archaeological findings, among other things.

You will see unique places such as the High Dam, the leaning obelisk and the Philae Temple, considered three of Aswan's main attractions. You will also visit the Abu Simbel temple complex, dedicated to Ramses II and Nefertari; the Spice Market, which will bring you closer to local life; the Tabia Mosque, dating back to 1974, among others.

When embarking on a tour or excursion in Aswan, it is important that you take into consideration some basic tips that will allow you to avoid possible inconveniences. This way, you will get the most out of every experience.

• Take a bottle of water and a snack with you, as food and drinks are not always included in the tours and excursions.
• Learn a few words in Arabic. They will help you communicate with the locals. You can also use this app from Google Play
• Enjoy the culture of bargaining. If you visit the local markets this is very common.
• Don't forget to have cash. You will need it for tipping.