Aswan Attractions
Typically, visitors to Aswan will be offered the below excursions. These excursions are readily available from travel agencies (in Aswan and in other Egyptian cities), from hotels, and from the many touts that patrol the riverside looking to make a commission.
As a rule of thumb, upmarket hotels will charge more than travel agencies and travel agencies will charge more than budget hotels, with no guarantee of greater quality. It’s worth shopping around for excursions from Aswan, finding out exactly what is and what isn’t included, and as always in Egypt, negotiating!
The prices shown below are typical of what a budget hotel may charge. Touts and middle men are best avoided (find out why?)
Aswan Attractions include:
1) Abu Simbel
The prodigious site is one of the most unique and breathtaking in all of Egypt. Located on the southernmost border of Egypt and Sudan, visitors to Abu Simbel have two options. Rise before dawn and join the convoy of coaches and taxis that race their way across the desert (3.5 hours each way), or pay the extra to take a plane (circa £100).
Approximate cost by tourist mini bus: 50LE or 60LE with stops at Philae, the Obelisk and the High Dam.
2) Philae Temple
Philae Island and the Temple of Isis are a leisurely half day excursion from Aswan often linked with a visit to the high dam, and the unfinished obelisk. The temple was intricately carved up and relocated as part of a UNESCO project when it became flooded by the building of the new dam.
3) The High Dam
The lasting legacies of Egypt’s most controversial president are the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser. With a surface area of more than 6000 square kilometres, the lake is the world’s largest reservoir and seeps out for more than 450km from the Dam into Sudan. For those who don’t otherwise suffer from vertigo, the viewpoint is a standard stop on route to Philae and Abu Simbel.
4) Elephantine Island
The main focal point for the many cafes that line the east bank, Elephantine Island takes its name from the semi submerged rocks dotted around its southern end. The mellow trip across the river by felucca is significantly more pleasant than visiting any of the sites on the Island. Aside from the Nubian villages at the Southern End, Elephantine features a rather neglected Aswan Museum and the archaeological remains of the ancient town of Yebu.
Approximate cost of visiting the island by felucca is 20LE or 30LE with a stop at the Botanical Gardens.
4) The Botanical Gardens
The Island of Plants, also known as Kitchener Island, is located on a craggy rock on the west side of Elephantine Island.
The shady, botanical gardens here were once the property of Consul General Kitchener, who was rewarded with the Island for his hard work in the Sudan. Kitchener then had flora imported from all over the colonial world and beyond. Read on...
Approximate cost of visiting the island by felucca is 20LE or 30LE with a stop at the Botanical Gardens. Read more about visiting the botanical gardens
5) Fryal Gardens
These are the quiet and secluded Gardens built by King Farouk just a short walk to the south of town. The gardens are located on the river bank opposite the Coptic Church and offer splendid view across the river to Elephantine Island. Read more...
Entrance fee: 5LE
6) Nubian Village
The indigenous Nubian population still live in Aswan (mostly on the west bank), and if you take the time to cross the river you can experience some authentic Nubian culture and cuisine.
Many travel agencies arrange trips to visit their houses, sample dinner and see Nubian music and dancing. The authenticity of such a pre arranged excursion is questionable, but can be a fun way to learn about the local populace never the less.
Prices range depending on which village you visit, what you do there and what you see on the way.
7) St Simeon's Monastery
The fort like monastery built in the 7th Century where St Simeon famously stood for prolonged periods reading the bible, his beard tied to the ceiling to prevent 'nodding off'
To visit, cross the river by felucca or ferry, then you can either walk or negotiate camel hire with one of the awaiting touts. If visiting by camel, it's not uncommon to combine with the Aga Khan Mausoleum - the final resting place of the 48th Imam of the Ism'ili sect of Shiite Muslims - located just a short distance away. Read more about St Simeon's Monastery
8) The Tombs of the Nobles
Often neglected by tourists who have had their fill of the more spectacular ancient monuments, the tombs of the novel adorn the hillside on the west bank of the river. They are easily reached by ferry boat and a short walk.
9) Edfu & Kom Ombo
Edfu and Kom Ombo are the two mighty temples on the banks of the river Nile between Luxor and Aswan. These can be visited by train, coach, taxi or preferably by cruise boat. If booked locally, 2 nights all inclusive on a five start luxury cruise boat can start from as little as 35$ per night.
