Aswan High Dam
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience,
Monument - Modern
Built in the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam was an engineering marvel at the time and changed the face of Egypt. It increased the cultivable land by 30% and doubled Egypt's available electricity supply. It also created Lake Nasser, at the time the world's largest artificial lake, which would have covered the important Abu Simbel Temple monuments if not for the support of UNESCO and a worldwide appeal for funds to move them to higher ground, a massive feat which was successfully achieved.
The dam itself is massive, containing 18 times the material used to build the famous Pyramid of Cheops at Giza. It is 11,811 feet (3,600 meters) long, 3,215 ft (980 m) thick at the base, and 364 ft (111 m) tall. Today, it provides visitors with wonderful views up and down the Nile River.
Latest Reviews
Review by Michael W, April 2012
Doing what: Private Tour: Abu Simbel Flight and Tour from Aswan
This is a must see. The only drawback is you spend the extra money to shorten the day by flying instead of travelling by road but spend some 3 hrs at both airports.
Review by Prabhu Kannan, India, January 2012
Doing what: Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
The trip was great experience
Review by Jennifer S, December 2011
Doing what: Private Tour: Abu Simbel Flight and Tour from Aswan
I had an exceptional experience with my tour through Viator, especially being a woman traveling alone to Egypt. A representative (Hedra) picked me up from my ship in Aswan, got my boarding pass for me at the airport, and sent me off. There were 2 more representatives who helped me during my tour at Abu Simbel which was awesome. There were barely any other tourists there so I felt I had the place to myself (good for me, not good for Egypt). Hedra was waiting for me back at the airport in Aswan and took me to my hotel (and waited while all my accommodations were arranged). Everyone was extremely kind and made the trip easy and enjoyable for me.
Practical Info
The dam is near Aswan, at one end of Lake Nasser. It is best visited by organized tour where you take in other sites at the same time, including the Philae Temple.
