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Tailor made Egypt holidays

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Temple at Aswan
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Aswan holidays

A Kuoni Egypt holiday isn't complete with a visit to Aswan

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Aswan stands on the East Bank of the Nile at the first Cataract of the great river, in an incredibly beautiful setting. The feluccas ply the waters and Aga Khan's Mausoleum dominates the skyline. This pretty town is renowned for the monumental High Dam and the Temple of Philae on Lake Nasser and the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel is easily reached by optional air excursions.

This picturesque town on the banks of Lake Nassar has little nightlife outside the hotels but is perfect for those wanting to relax after visiting more lively Egyptian resorts such as Luxor or Cairo.

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Highlights of Aswan holidays
•   Just east of Aswan is the famous quarry that houses the gigantic Unfinished Obelisk and just south of this, you can find two Graeco-Roman sarcophagi and an unfinished colossus.
•   A visit to Elephantine Island is also a must due to its array of ancient artefacts that date from pre-Dynastic times onward.
•   You can also explore a 6th century Coptic Monastery and visit the Tomb of the Aga Khan.

Nile cruises Luxor to Aswan
Drift along the Nile on one of our sublime Nile Cruises such as the Presidential Nile Experience from Luxor to Aswan and stop off at the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the soaring High Dam.

Aswan hotels
Enjoy a stay at the serene Movenpick Resort Aswan set on the 23 acre Elephantine Island or the Iberotel Aswan just on the outskirts of town. Both offer beautiful views of the Nile and access to Aswan’s shops and restaurants.

Egypt tailor made
Create your perfect hotel with Kuoni as you tailor make every aspect of your dream getaway.

Simply:
•   Browse our online portfolio, or request a copy of our fantastic Egypt, Dubai, Morocco & Arabia brochure.
•   Call our knowledgeable Personal Travel Experts on 01306 747002 who will help guide you through your options and prepare your detailed holiday quotation.
•   Or request a quote online.

Egypt multi-centre itineraries

Combine the feluccas and Aga Khan’s Mausoleum in Aswan with the great Temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak on a simply stunning Aswan and Luxor multi-centre that allows you to really get to the heart of this historic country and see some of its best known treasures and ancient wonders.

Aswan information

Get to know Aswan a little better by reading our comprehensive list of Aswan facts and information.

Time difference / local time

GMT +2 hours
Language

Arabic

Currency

Egyptian pound
Safety

Pickpockets operate around tourist areas, so never carry money in your back pocket and leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe.

Highlights

Philae Temple
South of Aswan, this temple had to be relocated to another island to escape flooding. It’s dedicated to Goddess Isis and hosts a fantastic sound and light show.

Aswan High Dam
Built between 1960 and 1971, this fascinating dam controls the Nile and generates useful hydroelectric power. Excursions to Abu Simbel usually stop here.

Elephantine Island
This beautiful island on the River Nile is home to a Nubian settlement, a museum and the ruins of the Temple of Khnum.

Kitchener’s Island
Also known as Botanic Island or Plantation Island, this beautiful spot was transformed into a flourishing garden by Lord Kitchener and is reachable by boat.

Mausoleum of Aga Khan

Visit this elaborate marble monument, the resting place of the late Islamic leader. (Closed on Mondays.)

Events and festivals

January
International Symposium of Sculpture
Artists from across the globe come to practice the art of carving on Aswan’s hard stones.

February & October
Abu Simbel Festival
The Temple of Abu Simbel is illuminated with shafts of sunlight twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October – the birthday and coronation respectively of the pharaoh who built it. It’s an incredible spectacle that draws thousands to the site.

Shopping

Browse the vibrant stalls of Aswan’s souks in search of jewellery, carpets, silks, shishas, herbs, brassware, oils, spices and textiles. Every sale is bartered here, so brush up on your haggling skills!

Flying time to destination

4¾ hours to Cairo; 1¼ hours to Aswan

Eating/Drinking

Food
• Authentic Egyptian starters are called mezzeh, and are best eaten with traditional pitta-style bread.
• Lamb is marinated in spices and grilled for juicy kebabs, and shwarma is the Egyptian equivalent of the Turkish doner kebab.
• Popular desserts include dates soaked in milk, honey-laced pastries and baked rice.

Water
• Stick to bottled water, and remember it’s easy to get dehydrated here in the summer.

Good to know

Religion
Islam


Dialling code
+20 97

Telephone dialling codes

+20
Clothing

• Egypt is predominately a Muslim country, so make sure you’re properly dressed when out and about - revealing outfits are a no-no, especially for women.
• Pack lightweight cotton clothes in the summer and a jumper or jacket for cooler winter evenings.

Tipping

Tipping or ‘baksheesh’ is a way of life in Egypt and it’s customary to tip about LE£1 for every little service, so keep a pocketful of small change!

Climate data for this region

Best time to visit

From February to April and October to November.

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  • Abu Simbel By Air: Explore the Great Temples of Aswan with a flight transfer for convenience

    Enjoy a short flight south to Abu Simbel, an archaeological site on the banks of Lake Nasser. During this half day tour, you’ll discover The Great Temple and four colossal statues of Ramses II. On 22 February and 22 October each year – allegedly the king’s birthday and coronation – the sun's rays strike through the te...


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  • Abu Simbel By Road: Explore the Great Temples of Aswan

    An early-morning departure from your ship or hotel in Aswan, through the spectacular desert scenery to the banks of Lake Nasser. During a guided tour of Abu Simbel you’ll discover The Great Temple and four colossal statues of Ramses II and find out how Abu Simbel’s temples were moved during the construction of the Asw...


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  • High Dam & Philae Temple: Marvel at the modern wonder of the Aswan High Dam

    This morning marvel at the modern wonder of Egypt – the enormous Aswan High Dam, a truly miraculous feat of engineering. Massive in every sense, the dam stands over two miles long, 111 metres tall and up to 980 metres thick. The amount of materials used to construct it was 18 times the amount used to build the great P...


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