3 Days in Aswan: Suggested Itineraries
Ancient treasures, Nubian culture and the mighty Nile await you in the southern Egyptian city of Aswan.
Day 1: Central Aswan
Aswan has been a trading city for millennia, so a visit to the excellent souk is a fitting start. Then head for the Nubia Museum, a compelling site which records Nubian art and culture which would otherwise have been lost under Lake Nasser when the High Dam was constructed. The modern structure is intended to evoke a Nubian village, set in a handsome landscaped garden. Afterward take a walk in nearby Fatimid Cemetery where domed tombs form an eerie, atmospheric village. Finally, see the crack in the enormous Unfinished Obelisk (which is exactly why it remained unfinished).
Day 2: Elephantine Island and Western Shoreline
Cross to Elephantine Island, a fascinating ancient site which once formed the boundary between Egypt and Nubia, to see the villages of Siou and Koti. On the island’s southern tip, visit the ruins of Abu, among Egypt’s oldest antiquities. Then see how the life-giving waters of the Nile have worked their magic in Aswan’s Botanic Gardens, a lovingly landscaped oasis whose towering palms attract a wealth of birdlife. On the western shore, do a circuit of the Aga Khan Mausoleum, an imposing stone structure which belies its recent age. If time allows and you still want to explore Dynastic Egypt, the Tombs of the Nobles abound in wall paintings and hieroglyphs. Finally, visit the ruins of the 7th century St. Simeon’s Monastery, where graceful arches cast lengthening shadows in the late afternoon sun.
Day 3: Dam and Lake
The Nubian villages of Soheil Island are a handy stopover on your way to the engineering marvel of the High Dam. On Lake Nasser, you’ll see the dramatic, jagged shoreline formed by this artificially created body of water. See ancient structures which were moved from lower ground during the dam's construction, including the Roman Kalabsha Temple with its traces of later Christian use. Philae Temple is even older; you might want to come back in the evening to see the sound and light show.
Just brilliant! We were a little worried about making such a tour booking online, but from our meeting at the airport in Aswan, until our farewell in Luxor, we were treated very well and felt safe all the way. Food was top notch, the pool on the top deck bliss, and our rooms were better than we expected. There were only 14 guests on our boat, which actually holds 120, so we were very spoilt for space. Our guide Mustafa was a real gentleman, gave us all the history/stories/real life of Egypt. My biggest tip for future travellers would be to take US$50 in one dollar bills to use for tipping, since we found it very difficult to get small Egyptian Pound notes anywhere. Also take 50 + pens to give to children, since many were asking! Best day on the cruise was the 8 hour journey between temples, during the day, since we really got a great view of the Nile from the pool deck. Boat did not have any snack foods on board, so take your own, or buy on the street. Finally, we made specific room requests via Viator (2 x twin + 1 x double) and this was passed onto the boat operator. Very happy all around!
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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.
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Travel really cool, amazing places. The ship is comfortable, the food is good and the service was great (guide, transfers, officials of the ship). Viator is always very efficient and has quality services.
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3 Days in Aswan: Suggested Itineraries Written by Viator
Felucca Cruises on the Nile Written by Viator
Highlights of Aswan Written by JC
