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Province · Upper Egypt
Aswan, where the Nile flows between granite islands: the Philae temple, Nubian villages, the High Dam and Lake Nasser, and to the south, the temples of Abu Simbel.
In the photo: The Philae complex on Agilkia Island, seen from the Nile.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Aswan is the southernmost governorate of Egypt, in the stretch of the Nile where the First Cataract used to be, among granite rocks. The city of Aswan, the capital, sits on the east bank, opposite Elephantine Island, and feluccas, the sailboats, cross the river between the islands and the dunes of the west bank.
On Elephantine Island are ancient ruins and a nilometer, which measured the height of the river’s floods. Kitchener’s Island has a botanical garden, and on the west bank are the tombs of the nobles at Qubbet el-Hawa and the Monastery of Saint Simeon. Nubian villages, such as Gharb Soheil, have houses painted in bright colors, and the Nubian Museum tells the history of the region’s people.
South of the city, the High Dam created Lake Nasser. The works prompted UNESCO to coordinate the rescue of Nubian monuments: the Philae temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was dismantled and reassembled on a nearby island, reached by boat. In Aswan’s old quarry stands the Unfinished Obelisk, still attached to the rock.
About 280 km to the south, on the shore of Lake Nasser, Abu Simbel has the two temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, also moved to higher ground. Twice a year, around February 22 and October 22, the rising sun penetrates to the back of the Great Temple. North of Aswan, the double temple of Kom Ombo and the temple of Horus at Edfu are stops on Nile cruises.
Flavors of Egypt
Destinations
Cities
Capital of Aswan governorate, on the east bank of the Nile, facing Elephantine Island. The Corniche has hotels, the felucca and cruise docks, and a parallel street holds the market. Around town are the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, the Nubian Museum and the Nubian villages on the west bank.
Small town on the shore of Lake Nasser, about 280 km south of Aswan and near the border with Sudan. Next to it stand the two rock-cut temples ordered by Ramses II—the Great Temple and the temple of Nefertari—moved to higher ground during the UNESCO campaign. It is the site of the Sun Festival in February and October.
From October to April the days are mild and dry, and this is the cruise season. From May to September the heat is very strong, with highs frequently above 40 °C. The Abu Simbel sun festival takes place around February 22 and October 22 and attracts large crowds.
Aswan International Airport (ASW) is about 25 km from downtown, with flights from Cairo; Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) receives flights from Aswan and Cairo. Trains from Cairo and Luxor, including the sleeper train, arrive at the central station. By road, Luxor is about 210 km away, and Abu Simbel about 280 km. Nile cruises connect Aswan and Luxor, and Lake Nasser cruises go as far as Abu Simbel.
Your questions
By car or bus, about 280 km along the desert road, roughly three and a half hours; day tours usually depart very early. There are also flights from Aswan and Cairo and cruises on Lake Nasser.
Two days allow you to see Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, Elephantine Island, a Nubian village and a felucca ride. With Abu Simbel, allow three days.
Twice a year, around February 22 and October 22, the rising sun enters the Great Temple and lights the statues at the back of the sanctuary. On those days the temple receives very large numbers of visitors.
By boat, from the Shellal dock south of Aswan, a short crossing. The temple is on Agilkia Island, where it was relocated.
It is the traditional Nile sailboat. In Aswan, felucca rides go around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, especially at sunset.
