Egypt's most romantic temple — the island sanctuary of Isis, rescued from the rising Nile and reassembled stone by stone on Agilkia Island — reached by private motorboat, with a private Egyptologist guide for the full mythological story. Tripadvisor rates it 8.4 and 5.0/5 respectively.
What to expect
A private air-conditioned vehicle transfers you ~45 km south from Kom Ombo to the Aswan boat landing at Shellal. Your private motorboat skims across the turquoise reservoir to Agilkia Island, where Philae's colonnaded temple rises from the water like a mirage. Your Egyptologist narrates the astonishing UNESCO Save Nubia Campaign that moved the entire complex block by block in the 1970s, then leads you through the hypostyle hall, birth house, and inner sanctuary of Isis — goddess of magic and motherhood. The island setting, with water on all sides and palms framing the pylons, is uniquely beautiful.
Good to know
Journey time from Kom Ombo dock to Philae island is approximately 1.5 hours each way — confirm all-aboard time carefully and allow a full 5–6 hours. An evening Sound & Light Show is also available if docked overnight. Pre-book the private motorboat through your guide to avoid dock queues.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Kom Ombo — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.