Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAswan

Private Half-Day Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum Tour from Aswan

About 5 hours, private car, boat and Egyptologist guide, two quieter sights away from the crowds.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private five-hour excursion from Aswan: a motorboat crossing to Kalabsha Temple, the Kiosk of Qertassi and Beit el-Wali, then the Nubian Museum, with an Egyptologist guide and a private car.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Aswan · Kalabsha Temple · Lake Nasser · Nubian Museum
Includes
Pick-up from and return to your Aswan hotel or cruise boat · A private air-conditioned car and driver · A private motorboat to Kalabsha island and back · An English-speaking Egyptologist for your party · Tickets for Kalabsha Temple and the Nubian Museum
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is milder. In summer start early, as there is little shade on the island.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator, founded in 1988
  • An Aswan office on hand locally

02Overview

A first look

This is a private half-day excursion to two less visited sights near Aswan. Your Egyptologist guide collects you at 08:00 from your hotel or cruise boat, and you drive to the harbour beside the High Dam. A private motorboat takes you across Lake Nasser to Kalabsha island, where you see Kalabsha Temple, the Kiosk of Qertassi and the small temple of Beit el-Wali. You then drive into town for the Nubian Museum. You are back at about 13:00. Because these sights are off the main Aswan route, it is usually quiet and the pace is easy.

Background

The facts

Kalabsha Temple stands on an island in Lake Nasser, close to the High Dam, south of Aswan. The Nubian Museum is in Aswan town.

Named in this entry

Aswan High Dam·Kiosk of Qertassi

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers who have seen Aswan's main sights and want a quieter, off-the-usual-route half day.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suitable for wheelchair users, because of the boat and uneven temple ground.

What lingers

  • 01A private motorboat crossing from the High Dam to Kalabsha island
  • 02Kalabsha Temple, moved stone by stone to save it from the rising lake
  • 03The Kiosk of Qertassi and the temple of Beit el-Wali
  • 04The Nubian Museum, with three thousand years of Nubian history and a garden
  • 05A private Egyptologist guide who speaks English
  • 06Your own air-conditioned car and driver

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Quiet sites with few other visitors
  • A private boat as well as a private car
  • A good first-or second-visit addition to Aswan

Things to Consider

  • You buy your own lunch
  • Little shade at Kalabsha

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  5. 5

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Pick-up from and return to your Aswan hotel or cruise boat
  • A private air-conditioned car and driver
  • A private motorboat to Kalabsha island and back
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist for your party
  • Tickets for Kalabsha Temple and the Nubian Museum
  • Bottled water in the car

Not included

  • Tips for your guide, driver and boatman
  • Lunch or any meal
  • Anything you buy for yourself

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Wear a hat, as the island has almost no shade

  2. 02

    Ask your guide about the relocation of the temple in the 1960s

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and are counted in your party size. The boat trip is short and the temples are open and easy to explore. Please give their ages when you book so we can check life jackets are available.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Is this a private excursion?
    Yes. Your party has its own car, boat and Egyptologist. Up to 12 people can travel in one party.
  2. 02Why is Kalabsha Temple on an island?
    When the High Dam was built, the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened the temple. It was taken apart and rebuilt on higher ground on this island in the 1960s. Your guide explains the story on site.
  3. 03Does the price cover lunch?
    No. The excursion ends at about 13:00, and your guide can suggest a place for lunch in Aswan if you would like one.
  4. 04How long is the boat crossing?
    It is a short crossing of around 15 minutes each way in a small motorboat.
  5. 05What should I wear?
    Wear light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and comfortable shoes for the uneven temple ground. Bring a hat and sun cream, as there is not much shade.
  6. 06How does cancelling work?
    Cancel three or more days before for a full refund. Cancel one or two days before and we refund half. There is no refund on the day or if you miss your pick-up.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-ASW-222081

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