3 Days in Aswan: Suggested Itineraries

Written by Viator, August 2010

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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.

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All 3 Days in Aswan: Suggested Itineraries Reviews

Reply by Viator, September 2012
Doing what: 4-Day Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Optional Private Guide

Amazing value !!! A very relaxing and super informative tour. You will miss a lot if you just stay in Cairo and visit the pyramids. Lots of temples and Valley of the Kings !!!. Ship and crew where wonderful. Our tours where conducted by the local Viator agent South Sinai Travel. They make sure you are escorted when you leave the ship. Our local guide "Moe" who stayed with us in the cruise is a very qualified Egyptologist from Cairo University who gave us a very comprehensive background on egyptian mythology and history. So if you rather do the photography thing than learning egyptology, make sure to inform him so that he can talk less and give you more photo time !!! I recommend to take the optional Abu Simbel tour. Definitely better than the pyramids !!!

Word of warning !! Egypt has no oil and is a poor country. Lots of people depends on the tourist trade so do not freak out if there are hordes of vendors trying to sell you some tourist trinkets. They will not accept a "No thank you". Just don't make I contact and smile and say No and go on your way. Avoid private taxi tours or horse carriage rides beacuse they will bring you to their own perfume shops and egyptian dress shops and if you don't buy anything, they will demand a bigger tip aside from the agreed fare.

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Reply by Viator, April 2012
Doing what: 4-Day Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Optional Private Guide

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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Reply by Viator, 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.

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