Discovery Tours Egypt

Aswan, gateway to Nubia.

Aswan is the southernmost Nile town, with the river running in channels around granite islands. It is the turnaround point of the Luxor to Aswan cruise and the gateway to Nubia and Abu Simbel. We run it from our Aswan base.

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Felucca sailing on the Nile at Aswan past rocky islets and a hotel on the bank

Aswan & Nubia · Nearest airport Aswan International (ASW)

  • Temple pylons at Philae rising behind rocks and trees at the water edgePhilae temple
  • Houses and palm trees on the Nile bank at Elephantine Island, AswanElephantine Island
  • The unfinished obelisk lying cracked in its granite quarry at AswanUnfinished obelisk, Aswan

At a glance.

Region
Aswan & Nubia, Upper Egypt.
Nearest airport
Aswan International (ASW), about 25 minutes from town. Daily flights from Cairo and Luxor, plus the Abu Simbel hop.
Aswan to Abu Simbel
Flight of about 40 to 50 minutes, or about 280 km by road, roughly 3 to 4 hours depending on vehicle and traffic.
Aswan to Kom Ombo and Edfu
Kom Ombo about 48 km, around 45 minutes by road. Edfu about an hour further.
Aswan to Luxor
Nile cruise of 3 to 4 nights via Kom Ombo and Edfu; or about 3 hours by road.
UNESCO
Philae is part of "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae", inscribed 1979.
Philae
About 10 minutes by motorboat; allow 60 to 75 minutes on site.
Climate
October to April: 24 to 32 °C. May to September: above 40 °C.
Typical stay
2 nights. One is a cruise stop (Philae, High Dam, sunset felucca); two add Abu Simbel and the Nubian villages; three add the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubian Museum.

What we operate here.

Our Aswan base is part of our Upper Egypt operations, with dedicated staff, a vehicle fleet and guide teams.

  1. Day tours

    Private day tours with an Egyptologist and hotel or cruise pickup, plus private boats and feluccas.

  2. Transfers

    Airport and cruise-terminal transfers.

  3. Nile and Lake Nasser cruises

    Luxor to Aswan cruises, a dahabiya option for small groups, and Lake Nasser cruises sold from Aswan. Schedules on request.

  4. Hotels

    Hotel contracting in Aswan.

Programme building blocks.

  1. Philae

    The temple of Isis and the Kiosk of Trajan, reached by motorboat. The Sound and Light show runs in the evening.

    Half day

  2. High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk

    Both on one half-day tour; the dam visit itself runs 30 to 45 minutes.

    Half day

  3. High Dam, Philae and Unfinished Obelisk

    The three combined.

    Full day

  4. Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum

    The temple and the Nubian Museum together.

    About 5 hours

  5. Elephantine Island and Botanical Garden

    By motorboat, with the island's ruins and Nilometer.

    About 4 hours

  6. Nubian village

    West bank village reached by boat in 10 to 15 minutes, or a private felucca.

    Short boat ride

  7. Kom Ombo and Edfu

    Road day trip north, with the option to finish in Luxor.

    About 9 hours

Planning notes for trade.

  • About half the sights are reached by boat: Philae by motorboat, the villages and islands by felucca. The town centre is walkable along the corniche.
  • Book around Christmas and in February, when demand peaks.
  • In summer the town is very hot at midday. Felucca sailing suits October to April.
  • Abu Simbel is its own destination, with road and air options.
  • Ask our team for a costed programme.
Abu SimbelLuxorCairo

Related reading from our operations desk.

  1. The Wonders of Aswan

    Philae, the High Dam, Abu Simbel, Nubian villages — the Aswan-corridor briefing.

  2. Lake Nasser cruises: operational briefing for trade

    For tour operators: Lake Nasser cruises in Egypt — seasonality, permits, vessel options and itinerary/commercial guidance to develop higher‑value programmes.

  3. Nile Cruise Timings and Transfers: Trade Briefing

    B2B briefing: optimise Nile cruise schedules and transfers between Luxor and Aswan. Seasonal notes, contingency protocols and local DMC support for trade agents.

  4. Dahabiya Cruises — A Luxury Experience on the Nile

    Why the Dahabiya format wins for FIT and high-end series.

Build Aswan into the Nile programme.

Tell us where the cruise turns round or how many nights you want, and our Aswan team will plan the days.

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