The High Dam, Aswan Travel Guide

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Witness the Aswan High Dam, an engineering feat that tamed the Nile, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into Egypt's modern ambitions.

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The High Dam

The Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, is an engineering marvel that controls the Nile's floods and generates hydroelectric power. It offers visitors panoramic views of Lake Nasser and the surrounding desert landscape, representing a pivotal moment in Egypt's modernization.

A brief summary to The High Dam

XVCG+9W2, Aswan, Manteqet as Sad Al Aali, Aswan Governorate, EG
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The High Dam.

Take a taxi or arrange transportation in advance, as it is the most convenient way to reach the High Dam from Aswan.
Bring your passport, as there are security checkpoints along the access road to the dam.
Visit the visitor center to learn about the history, construction, and impact of the dam.
Combine your visit with a trip to nearby attractions such as the Philae Temple or the Kalabsha Temple.

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Explore The High Dam on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The High Dam, mapped for you.

Getting There

Taxi

From central Aswan, a taxi is the most direct way to reach the High Dam. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey. A typical one-way trip should cost around 50-75 EGP. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.
Public Transport

Local buses run from Aswan to the High Dam, offering a budget-friendly option. The bus fare is approximately 5 EGP. Be prepared for a potentially longer journey with multiple stops. Check local schedules for the most up-to-date information.

Discover more about The High Dam

The Aswan High Dam, an embankment dam built across the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, stands as a testament to modern engineering and Egypt's ambition to control its most vital resource. Constructed between 1960 and 1970, the dam aimed to regulate the Nile's annual floods, provide water for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity, all crucial for the country's industrialization plans.The dam is immense, containing 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Its construction led to the creation of Lake Nasser, one of the world's largest artificial lakes, which extends approximately 320 km (200 miles) into Egypt and nearly 160 km (100 miles) into Sudan. The dam's power station was once the largest in Africa, providing electricity to many Egyptian villages for the first time.Visiting the High Dam offers a chance to witness this impressive structure and learn about its impact on Egypt. A visitor center provides insights into the dam's construction and operation. From the top of the dam, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Nasser and the surrounding desert. A monument on the western side commemorates the cooperation between Egypt and the Soviet Union in the dam's construction.While the dam has brought significant benefits, including flood control and increased agricultural land, it has also faced controversy. The creation of Lake Nasser necessitated the relocation of ancient monuments, including the Abu Simbel temples, and displaced thousands of Nubian people. The dam's impact on the Nile's ecosystem, including reduced silt deposition and altered water quality, has also raised environmental concerns.