Egypt Discovery
ExcursionMarsa Alam

Private Aswan Excursion from Marsa Alam by Road

16 hours, private vehicle and Egyptologist guide, High Dam, Philae by boat, Unfinished Obelisk and lunch included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 16-hour private excursion from Marsa Alam to Aswan by road: the High Dam, a boat to Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, with a private guide and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · Aswan · High Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk
Includes
Private A driver to fetch you from, and take you back to, your hotel in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request) · A private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver · Your own English-speaking Egyptologist · Entry to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae, boat crossing included · A meal at a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is much more comfortable. In summer, the midday heat in Aswan is severe.

  • ETAA Category A licence, trading since 1988
  • Our own Marsa Alam office

02Overview

A first look

This is a private day trip from Marsa Alam to Aswan by road. The drive takes four and a half to five hours each way across the Eastern Desert, so the start is early, at 03:30. In Aswan, your own Egyptologist guide takes you to the High Dam, across the water by boat to Philae Temple and on to the Unfinished Obelisk. Lunch and tickets are included. Your party has its own vehicle and sets the pace, and you get back to the coast in the evening.

Background

The facts

Aswan lies on the Nile in the far south of Egypt, about four and a half to five hours by road from Marsa Alam across the Eastern Desert.

Named in this entry

Lake Nasser·Eastern Desert of Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers based on the Red Sea who want Aswan's main sights in one long private day.

Maybe not, if

  • Not recommended for young children, wheelchair users or anyone who cannot manage a very long day.

What lingers

  • 01The High Dam, with views over Lake Nasser
  • 02A boat ride to Philae Temple, an island temple to the goddess Isis
  • 03The Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its quarry
  • 04A private Egyptologist guide for your party
  • 05Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver
  • 06A meal at a local restaurant

Honest assessment

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

Highlights

  • Aswan's best-known sights in one day
  • Your own guide and vehicle
  • Philae boat ride and lunch included

Things to Consider

  • A 03:30 start and around ten hours on the road
  • Very hot in summer

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  5. 5

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  7. 7

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Private A driver to fetch you from, and take you back to, your hotel in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request)
  • A private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
  • Your own English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Entry to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae, boat crossing included
  • A meal at a local restaurant
  • Water to drink, in bottles

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and your driver
  • What you drink at lunch
  • Money for your own purchases

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sleep on the drive out so that you have energy for Philae

  2. 02

    Keep small notes for tips, as change is not always to hand

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The figure for the Aswan day is quoted for the whole party, and children are counted in the group size. Add their ages to your request. The Aswan day is 16 hours long, so it suits children who cope well with long journeys.

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.

On the ground

Your route

1Marsa Alam2Aswan

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for the Aswan day worked out?
    The figure for the Aswan day is set for your whole party, not per head, and it comes down as the group grows. For the Aswan day it pays for the vehicle, driver, guide, tickets and lunch listed above. Our team confirms the final figure for the Aswan day after you send a request. The Aswan day runs under our ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and IATA accreditation, and flights to Egypt are not part of what we sell.
  2. 02Where do you collect from, and when?
    For the Aswan day, hotels in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between are covered, with El Quseir on request. The first collection for the Aswan day is at 03:30. For the Aswan day, tell us your hotel and room number when you send your request, and we will confirm the time.
  3. 03How are children counted on the Aswan day?
    Children are counted in your party size, and the figure for the Aswan day is quoted for the whole group. Add everyone's ages to your the Aswan day request so we can give you an accurate total. Please think about whether younger children can manage 16 hours of travel and sightseeing on the Aswan day.
  4. 04How long is the drive to Aswan?
    It is about four and a half to five hours each way across the Eastern Desert, so roughly ten hours in the vehicle. Rest stops are planned, and because the trip is private you can ask for more breaks when you need them.
  5. 05What happens if my plans for the Aswan day change?
    Cancelling the Aswan day three or more days before the date brings a full refund. Between three days and 24 hours before the Aswan day, you get half back. In the last 24 hours before the Aswan day, or if you do not appear for collection, the money cannot be refunded.
  6. 06Is the Philae boat ride included?
    Yes. The boat to Philae Temple and the entry ticket are both included, along with tickets for the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam. Tips and drinks with lunch are not.

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-MRS-976480

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