Unfinished Obelisk & Nubian Museum Tour
Ancient quarrying secrets and Nubia's story, in one morning
About this activity
Visit the ancient granite quarry with its Unfinished Obelisk and the award-winning Nubian Museum on this half-day Aswan tour.
Full description
Your guide first walks you around the Unfinished Obelisk, explaining ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques and why this giant monument was abandoned mid-carving, then takes you to the Nubian Museum for a guided walk through its galleries of artifacts, models and displays.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional guide
Not included
- Entry tickets to both sites
- Gratuities
About this activity
Highlights
- ✓See the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its ancient quarry
- ✓Explore Nubian history and culture at the Nubian Museum
- ✓Visit two of Aswan's most underrated sites in one morning
Tour Itinerary & Map
- 1 Pickup from your Aswan hotel
- 2 Visit the Unfinished Obelisk quarry
- 3 Guided tour of the Nubian Museum
- 4 Return to your hotel
Places You'll Visit
The Unfinished Obelisk lies in the ancient granite quarries of Aswan, still partly attached to the bedrock it was carved from. Believed commissioned during the reign of Hatshepsut, it would have stood roughly 42 meters tall and weighed over 1,000 tonnes, making it the largest obelisk ever attempted in ancient Egypt, before cracks in the stone forced its abandonment.
The Nubian Museum in Aswan opened in 1997 as part of UNESCO's campaign to document and preserve Nubian heritage threatened by the Aswan High Dam's floodwaters. Designed by Egyptian architect Mahmoud El-Hakim in a style echoing traditional Nubian architecture, it won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001 and houses artifacts spanning Nubian history from prehistory to the present.
Why Choose This Tour
Covers sites often skipped by standard Aswan itineraries.
A dedicated guide explains the quarrying story and Nubian history.
Hotel pickup and drop-off included.
What to Bring
Trip Essentials
Half day (3 hours)
Aswan, Egypt
Professional guides & equipment
Secure & flexible options
Frequently Asked Questions
You Might Also Like
Popular Tours
- 10 Yacht [6]
