Standing at the crossroads of the great trade routes since earliest times, Aswan, the 'gateway to Africa', boasts some of the most beautiful scenery on the Nile.
Aswan's islands has lush vegetation contrasting with the surrounding desert. The city of Aswan is home to a large Nubian community.
Aswan is situated next to the First Nile Cataract, 260 km (162 miles) from Luxor.
Sights in Aswan, Egypt include:
Unfinished Obelisk
Behind the Fatimid cemetery lies this gigantic obelisk. Three of its four faces were carved out before it was abandoned in its granite quarry. It was probably intended for the Temple of Karnak.
Short tour (30 mins): watch how granite is carved.
Extended tour (1 hour): brick-domed tombs dating from 8th and 12th centuries.
Temple of Philae
Cult centre for the worship of Isis, later transferred to Agilkia Island, this temple complex is unique and romantic, as well as a sophisticated combination of several different styles.
Short tour (1.5 hrs): ferry ride, vestibule of Nectanebo I, temple of Arensnuphis, Ptolemy's Gate, First Pylon of the Temple of Isis, birth house, hypostyle hall.
Extended tour (2.5 hrs): Hadrian's Gate, temple of Hathor, vestibule of Trajan.
Tips: take a felucca trip round the islands at sunset. Spectacular sound and light show.
The High Dam
Conceived under President Nasser, this impressive dam (length 4 km, height 111 m) brought about a 30% increase in the country's cultivable land area, and also doubled electricity production.
Short tour (15 mins): view downstream over the Nile and upstream over Lake Nasser, largest artificial lake in the world.
Extended tour (40 mins): tour of the visitors' centre which tells the story of the construction project.
Tips: tours under high surveillance: photography is not permitted.
Nearby
Aga Khan Mausoleum
Erected by his wife, the Begum, on the West Bank opposite Aswan, this domed sandstone monument was built in imitation of the Fatimid tombs in Cairo.
Kitchener Island
In 1900, an English lord who was also an enthusiastic horticulturist planted rich gardens across the entire island: the perfect setting for a cool walk beneath foliage filled with bird life.
Tour (30-50 mins): sycamores, palm trees, coconut palms and a wonderful collection of exotic plants and flowers from around the world.
Tips: bird chorus at sunset.
Elephantine Island
Site of the first human habitation in Aswan, subsequently centre of the cult of Khnum, the ram-headed god of the Nile floods, the island got its name from the ivory trade.
Short tour (30 mins): Fortress and ruins of the Temple of Khnum; Ptolemy's Gate, Graeco-Roman necropolis of the sacred rams; Temple of Satet.
Extended tour (1 hr): colourful Nubian villages in the middle of the island. Nilometer and Aswan Museum at the southern tip.
Tips: ferries leave from the Corniche every 15 mins between 6.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m..
Near Aswan
The colourful maze of streets in the Nubian bazaar.
The Nubian Museum, which pays homage to the people whose lands now lie beneath the waters of Lake Nasser. Camel rides to the Monastery of St. Simeon. Excursions on cross-country trails or by plane
Travel times:
• City-Unfinished obelisk: 15-20 mins
• Unfinished obelisk-Philae Temple: 10 mins
• Philae Temple-High Dam: 15 mins
• High Dam-floating hotels: 30 mins
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