nubian museum aswan

Kalabsha Temple & Nubian Museum Tour

Duration
Approx. 4 hours
Route
Kalabsha Temple, Nubian Museum
Style
Private Tour
Schedule
Available daily

Overview

The Kalabsha Temple & Nubian Museum Tour is one of Aswan’s quietest and most rewarding half-days, pairing a rescued island temple with the museum that tells the whole story of Nubia.

Kalabsha Temple sits on an island near the High Dam, one of several monuments moved stone by stone to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. A short motorboat brings you to a peaceful site that few tour groups reach, with fine Ptolemaic and Roman reliefs and the relocated chapels of Beit el-Wali and Kertassi nearby.

You then visit the Nubian Museum, an internationally acclaimed building that traces Nubian history and culture from prehistory to the great rescue campaign of the 1960s. Together they give real depth to the Nubian heritage you sense everywhere in Aswan.

Highlights

A short motorboat ride to the island Temple of Kalabsha
The rescued temples of Beit el-Wali and Kertassi
The award-winning Nubian Museum
The story of Nubia saved from the High Dam waters

Tour Itinerary

Your Visit, Step by Step
Your Egyptologist guide collects you from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise dock and drives to the shore near the High Dam, where a private motorboat waits. The short crossing brings you to the island that now holds Kalabsha Temple, the largest free-standing temple of Lower Nubia. Dedicated to the Nubian solar god Mandulis, it was dismantled and rebuilt here in the 1960s to save it from Lake Nasser. Your guide walks you through its pylon, courtyard and columned hall, then to the nearby rock-cut chapel of Beit el-Wali, with its brightly coloured battle scenes, and the delicate kiosk of Kertassi. The island setting, ringed by water, is calm and almost crowd-free. Returning to shore, you drive to the Nubian Museum. Opened to international acclaim, it presents Nubia’s long story (its kingdoms, crafts and customs) and, movingly, the UNESCO campaign that rescued temples like Abu Simbel, Philae and Kalabsha. Your guide connects the displays to the living Nubian culture you see along the Nile today. After the museum you are returned to your hotel or dock.

Kalabsha & Museum vs. Nubian Village Tour

FeatureKalabsha & Nubian MuseumNubian Village Tour
FocusRescued temples + museum historyLiving Nubian village & hospitality
SettingIsland temple + city museumColourful riverside village by boat
Best forHistory and archaeology loversCulture, colour and local life
PaceCalm, educationalSocial, relaxed, family-friendly

What’s Included

Included

  • Private motorboat to Kalabsha island
  • All transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Aswan (hotel or cruise dock)
  • Certified, English-speaking Egyptologist guide
  • Bottled water on board the vehicle

Not Included

  • Entrance fees (Kalabsha and the Nubian Museum)
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
  • Personal expenses and optional extras
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reach Kalabsha Temple?
Kalabsha stands on an island near the High Dam, so the visit includes a short private motorboat crossing each way. The boat is included in your tour and the ride itself, across the edge of Lake Nasser, is part of the experience.
Is the Nubian Museum worth visiting?
Absolutely, it is one of Egypt’s finest modern museums and the best place to understand Nubian history and the temple-rescue campaign. It adds important context to Abu Simbel, Philae and Kalabsha.
How is this different from the Nubian Village tour?
This tour focuses on rescued temples and museum history, while the Nubian Village tour is about meeting people and experiencing living Nubian culture by boat. Many guests enjoy doing both on separate half-days.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The tour runs privately for your party only, with your own guide, driver and vehicle, so the pace and timing flex around you. Group or shared options can be arranged on request if you prefer a lower price point.
How do I book and pay?
Press Book Now and send your date and group size. We confirm availability and your final price within 24 hours. A deposit then secures your booking, and payment is made by secure payment link or bank transfer as advised by our team. The remaining balance and its schedule are set out in your booking confirmation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour and you receive a full refund. Inside 24 hours the deposit is retained to cover guide and transport arrangements already committed. If we cancel for weather or safety reasons, you are always refunded in full or rescheduled at no cost. Full terms are in our Cancellation Policy.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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