Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum Tour from Aswan

Duration: 4–5 hours
Style: Private Tour
From, per person: $50

Few visitors take the boat to Kalabsha, which is why this half-day tour feels so unhurried. You cross the water to a temple that was rescued from the flood of Lake Nasser, then walk through the museum that preserves the heritage of the people who lived there.

Kalabsha Temple was built in the Roman period and dedicated to Mandulis, a Nubian sun god. Its carved columns and reliefs are well preserved, and in the 1960s the whole building was moved block by block to its present site beside the High Dam. Your Egyptologist guide explains how it was done and what the carvings show.

The Nubian Museum, opened with the support of UNESCO, displays objects saved when the dam was built, with galleries on Nubian art, daily life and history from the earliest times to today.

The tour is easy and mostly flat, so it suits couples, families and older travelers, and it is a good choice for a quiet morning after a busy day of sightseeing. Bring a hat and water, as the temple has little shade.

Statue of a king beside a stone doorway at Kalabsha Temple with mud-brick walls

Entrance of the Nubian Museum in Aswan, a stone building with an arched doorway and triangle patterns

Your itinerary

01

Motorboat to Kalabsha Temple and the Nubian Museum

Your Egyptologist guide meets you at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise boat and drives you to the landing near the High Dam. A scenic motorboat ride across the lake takes you to Kalabsha Temple, where you spend about an hour and a half.

Your guide shows you the pylon, the court and the columned hall, and points out the reliefs of Roman rulers making offerings to Mandulis and other gods. You can also walk around the temple to see its massive stonework and the view over the water.

Afterward you return by boat and drive to the Nubian Museum, where you spend about an hour and a half among statues, tools, jewelry and models that tell the story of Nubia from prehistoric times to the present. Then you are driven back to your hotel or cruise boat.

Sandstone pylon and entrance gateway of Kalabsha Temple under a clear blue sky

Included

Pick-up and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise boat
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Private Egyptologist guide in your language
Entrance fees to Kalabsha Temple and the Nubian Museum
Motorboat ride to Kalabsha and back
Bottled water during the visits
All service charges and taxes

Not included

Drinks and meals
Tipping (recommended)
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Good to know

We confirm your pick-up time on WhatsApp the evening before the trip.
Pick-up areas: hotels and Nile ships in Aswan.
Private trip: the day is for your group only. Vehicle: a car for up to 3 to 4 guests, a minivan for up to 7 to 8, and two vehicles for larger groups.
Walking at the sites, often in the sun. Suitable for most ages, with rests for young children and older guests.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes and modest clothing for temples and religious sites.
Runs all year. October to April is the most comfortable; in summer we start early.
The price shown is the starting price per person. The final price depends on your dates, group size and hotel area, and we confirm it on WhatsApp before you book.
Children: under 6 travel free, ages 6 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the full price.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up. After that the trip is not refundable.

Questions

Why is Kalabsha Temple not at its original site?

The original site was going to be flooded by Lake Nasser after the High Dam was built. In the early 1960s the temple was taken apart and rebuilt on higher ground near the dam as part of the international Nubian rescue campaign.

How long is the boat ride?

The ride across the water to the temple is short, just enough for a few photos. The landing is close to the High Dam, so the drive from Aswan town is also brief, which keeps the whole trip within about four to five hours.

Is Kalabsha busy with other tourists?

It is usually far quieter than the big temples on the Nile, which many visitors enjoy. We cannot promise an empty site on any day, but you can expect room to explore and take photos.

Can I combine this with Philae?

Yes. Philae is nearby, and our longer tour of Philae, Kalabsha and the Nubian Museum covers all three in one day. Tell us what you would like to see and we will suggest the best option.