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Private Tour: Kalabsha Temple on Lake Nasser

Aswan, Egypt

3 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the beautiful but often-overlooked Kalabsha Temple on the shores of Lake Nasser on this 3-hour private tour from Aswan, with an Egyptologist guide. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to this stunning water’s edge temple, originally built in 30 BC, and dismantled and relocated here in the 1960s after the building of the Aswan High Dam. View the pylon, court, hall and sanctuary and ogle the richly carved Egyptian and Roman-themed reliefs as your knowledgeable guide unlocks their fascinating secrets and symbolism. Ideal for ancient history buffs!

Visit this stunning Nubian temple, one of the lesser-known jewels on the banks of Lake Nasser
Inspect the wall reliefs of Egyptian and Roman motifs, and examples of Christian imagery
Learn about the temple’s ancient history and how it was moved here to save it from flooding
Enjoy one-to-one attention from a private Egyptologist guide on this private tour

What's Included

Enjoy sailing by a motor boat around the island.
Visit the great temple of Roman emperors and Ramsis the second.
Experience a Private and an expert Qualified Egyptologist guide.
Private transportation by air-conditioned minivans ; pick up from hotel and drop off.

Gratuities
Landing and facility fees

A supplement of 1000 L.E. applies to all languages except the English language guide.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Aswan hotels or Port area

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

After pickup from your Aswan hotel, hop inside your private, air-conditioned minivan with your private guide and set out on your 3-hour private tour.

Enjoy the views of the palm groves and desert landscapes as you drive southward to the banks of Lake Nasser. As you travel, hear from your Egyptologist guide explains how Kalabsha was one of 18 monuments relocated in the 1960s to its current position to protect it from flooding after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Hear how the building, regarded as one of the best examples of a free-standing Nubian temple, was dismantled and then rebuilt on the banks of the newly formed lake.

On arrival, tour the court, halls and sanctuary as your guide recounts the temple’s history. Learn how it was largely completed, but never finished, under the rule of Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus in around 30 BC, and dedicated to the Nubian deity, Mandulis.

View the impressive pylon and undecorated façade, and then inspect the striking columns, hypostyle hall, sanctuary and reliefs, one of the latter depicting Augustus making an offering to Mandulis.

See the interesting reliefs of St George and Coptic crosses that testify to a period when the temple was used as a Christian church, and take in other carvings, including an inscription in Meroitic — an ancient language that’s still a mystery to today’s Egyptologists.

Having explored the temple, admire the beautiful views over Lake Nasser from the water’s edge, and then return to Aswan, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Not wheelchair accessible

Stroller accessible
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

4.8

based on 4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great morning tour out on Lake Nasser...

William Z, Apr 2009

Great morning tour out on Lake Nasser. Kalabsha, plus other temples on the island, were a welcome addition to our journey and a great ending to our Egyptian adventure, showing us the Greco-Roman as well as Egyptian style in Nubia.

Pas le plus beau des...

Flavie_R, Oct 2023

Pas le plus beau des temples Mais si le temps, vous pouvez aller le visiter. Guide au top Attention, il était indiqué lors de la réservation prise en charge à l’hôtel ce qui n’a finalement pas été le cas L’agence n’a pas voulu

Nous avions déjà visité Abou Simbel...

Rene J, Apr 2017

Nous avions déjà visité Abou Simbel et voulions donc voir un autre site. Celui-ci est très intéressant et mérite vraiment le détour. De plus, note guide était excellente , parlant un français impeccable. Et pour ne rien gâcher, nous étions seuls sur le site, ce qui est malgré tout regrettable pour la fréquentation touristique .