Overview

Aswan is a beautiful, picturesque city in the south of Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile, at the first cataract. It is one of the driest inhabited places in the world and at the same time the winter capital of Egypt.

In the vicinity of Aswan there is an ancient syenite quarry (red granite) in which sculptures and the largest unfinished obelisk were found. Above, the High Dam was built on the Nile. Damming the waters would lead to the irreversible destruction of the monuments in Abu Simbel and on the island of Philae. Thanks to the help of UNESCO, the monuments were moved to higher places. Below the High Tama, or closer to the city of Aswan, there is an Aswan Dam built at the beginning of the 20th century, which is older and lower than the High Dam. On the Nile near Aswan, there are two large islands - Elephantine and Kitchener Island.

At Elephantine, there is the Oberoi hotel and the Nubian villages, and Kitchener Island is a botanical garden.

Departure from red sea in the early morning hours (05:00 am) we will transfer to Aswan by car. We will then cruise to the picturesque Agilkia Island, where there is a temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis (transferred there from previously flooded Philae Island). We will also visit the Great Dam on the Nile near Aswan.

The dam offers a magnificent view of Lake Nasser and the first cataract on the Nile. We will then visit the largest, unfinished obelisk. Lunch at a local restaurant (drinks additionally payable) and return to Marsa Alam in the evening​