Philae Temple of Isis — by Boat

Overview

The Temple of Isis at Philae stands on an island in the Nile, reached only by boat — which is half the pleasure of visiting. When the old Aswan dams began to drown its original island, the entire temple was cut into blocks and rebuilt, stone for stone, on higher Agilkia Island nearby, where it now sits ringed by water. A short motorboat crossing brings you to a temple where the worship of Isis outlasted almost anywhere else in Egypt, its pylons, colonnades and the elegant Kiosk of Trajan rising straight from the shore. On the way your guide stops at the Aswan High Dam, the vast rock-fill wall that created Lake Nasser and reshaped the modern Nile, and — on many departures — the granite quarry where the Unfinished Obelisk still lies half-carved in the bedrock, cracked and abandoned, a rare window on how the ancients cut their monoliths. A licensed Egyptologist guide, private transfers and the boat are all arranged. It's a compact half-day that reaches one of the loveliest settings on the whole river.

Highlights

• ✦Island Temple of Isis at Philae
• ✦Motorboat crossing to Agilkia Island
• ✦Kiosk of Trajan rising from the shore
• ✦Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser
• ✦Granite Unfinished Obelisk in its quarry
• ✦Licensed Egyptologist guide

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1
   Hotel pickup, Aswan

   Collected from your Aswan hotel by your guide and private car.

2. 2
   Aswan High Dam

   Stop at the High Dam that holds back Lake Nasser and reshaped the modern Nile.

3. 3
   Unfinished Obelisk

   Visit the granite quarry where the Unfinished Obelisk lies half-cut in the bedrock (on many departures).

4. 4
   Motorboat to Philae

   Board a motorboat across the reservoir to the island Temple of Isis.

5. 5
   Temple of Isis, Philae

   Explore the rebuilt temple on Agilkia Island — its pylons, colonnades and the Kiosk of Trajan.

6. 6
   Return to Aswan

   Cross back by boat and transfer to your hotel.

Meeting point

📍 Hotel pickup included, or meet at the operator's downtown office.

Frequently asked questions

How long is this experience?

Half day

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes — you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before it starts.

Where does it start?

Hotel pickup included, or meet at the operator's downtown office.

Will I get instant confirmation?

Yes — your confirmation arrives on your phone right after booking.

What's included?

Private air-conditioned transfer · Motorboat to Philae Island · Licensed Egyptologist guide · All entrance fees · Hotel pickup & drop-off · Bottled water