Located about 899 km south from Cairo, Aswan is a serene Nile Valley destination where the Nile is more majestic than anywhere else, flowing through granite rocks, and round emerald islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. It is considered as an all-time favorite winter destination. Moreover, you’ll be surprised to see how many monuments and sites this small city has to offer. Consider sailing to the temple of Philae, seeing the Agha Khan Mausoleum and taking an excursion to St. Simeon Monastery. Egypt’s sunniest southern city is the perfect destination to stroll and relax in a magical cultural setting: wander down the broad walkway, locally known as the corniche, to watch feluccas slowly sailing the Nile then stop at one of the floating restaurants to enjoy Nubian music and freshly caught fish. Aswan offers a splendid view of the Nile and is a great starting point for a Nile cruise. Aswan also offers a rich cultural experience; you will get to know Nubian culture and shop for spices, henna tattoos, souvenirs and African handmade goods at the Aswan souk. The word Aswan derives in fact from the Ancient Egyptian word Soun meaning souk or trade. It has earned its name thanks to the city strategic position, on the trade route linking the North of Egypt to its South. Since Ancient times, Aswan has also been known for its environmental therapy: burying the aching parts of your body in Aswan sand gives valuable results and can help relieving you from stubborn ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, joint edema and skin inflammation. The town climate is also known to have great relaxing and rejuvenating properties.The best times to visit Aswan are May and September, summers are scorching, and winter temperatures have been known to reach 27 during the day, with cold nights.

The area now known as Nubia extends along the Nile from south of Aswan to Dabba near the 4th Cataract. Nubia’s name is first mentioned in Strabo’s Geographia. He was a Greek who is thought to have visited Egypt in 29 BC. The name Nubia’s origin is not certain but many agree that it originates from the Ancient Egyptian word nbu, meaning Gold – Nubia had many gold mines which Egypt depended on for its wealth. However, the name does not appear in any Ancient Egyptian text, which refers to Nubia as Ta-Seti, meaning “Land of the Bow.”

Ancient Egyptians always distinguished Lower Nubia between the 1st and 2nd cataracts (which they named wawat) from the area south of the 2nd cataract which they named Kush. The Nubians settled and lived along the Nile and were distinct from the semi-nomadic tribes who lived in the eastern desert (between the Nile and the Red Sea).