Aswan is a city in southern Egypt, situated where the Nile is at its narrowest and rockiest. This page lists Nile cruises that include Aswan and cultural tours covering Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
The Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, was moved to its present location on Agilkia Island to prevent it from being submerged during the construction of the Aswan Dam, and is reached by boat. The Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient quarry would have been Egypt’s largest obelisk if completed. The Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser are also classic stops in the city.
The rock-cut temples of Ramesses II are about 280 km south of Aswan and are usually visited on an optional excursion departing early in the morning from Aswan. Whether the excursion is included is stated in each tour’s optional excursions section.
The Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan includes accommodation on board; along the way, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo. Most itineraries combine Nile cruises with Cairo; travel between Cairo and Aswan or Cairo and Luxor is by plane or train.
In Aswan, you can take a trip on the Nile aboard a traditional sailing felucca; Elephantine Island and the Botanical Island can be visited by boat. The colorful houses and local handicrafts in Nubian villages set the city apart from northern Egypt.
Aswan is Egypt’s hottest and driest city; October to March is the best time to visit. In summer, temperatures exceed 40 °C.
There are no direct flights from Türkiye to Aswan. Itineraries fly into Cairo, then continue south by domestic flight or overnight train. On Nile cruises, the journey between Luxor and Aswan is made by ship; the ship sails at night and stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo during the day. On the return, you fly to Cairo from Aswan or Luxor.
The sights in Aswan are close to one another and can easily be explored in a day and a half: the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam are combined in one tour; a felucca ride is usually saved for sunset. If Abu Simbel is included, a separate morning is set aside; as the journey is long, departure is in the early hours of the morning.
The sun is very strong during the day in Aswan, so bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water. Temple admission fees are not included in most tours; check the tour's inclusions and exclusions to see which admissions are covered.
In Aswan, accommodation is at hotels along the Nile or on a Nile cruise ship. Hotels on Elephantine Island and the historic Old Cataract Hotel on the banks of the Nile are known for their views. The hotel or ship name is listed on each tour’s page.
Yes; a full tourist visa is required for Egypt. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your return date.
The duration varies by itinerary; Aswan is included in most tours alongside Cairo and Luxor. The number of nights for each tour is shown above its listing card.
It varies by tour; if it is not included, it can be booked as an optional excursion. Details are provided on each tour’s page.
On cruise tours, nights are spent on board; cabin type and board basis are specified in the accommodation section of the tour.