Qubbet el-Hawa
Qubbet el-Hawa
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
73 reviews
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eLaReF
Scotland, UK20,474 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
To coin a phrase and mis-quote a film title - Not sure that 89 is the correct number but it must be close.
This was again organised by the Old Cataract Guest Services as part of my trip to St Simeons, but, rather than take the camel trip down from the monastery, we drove back into Aswan and I got a motor-boat to take me across and back. Cost was 80LE
I was left to control the boat whilst the very house-proud boat owner cleaned his paintwork, including my foot prints on the seating area (You have to walk on them to get on the boat). It took me about 5 minutes of to-ing & fro-in before I got the beast under my control in the cross-winds and about 10 mins of sailing.
You have to climb a l-o-t of worn, sand-filled steps to get from the ticket office area to the tombs. I only looked at three tombs out of the 6(?) and the church area, but I’d had enough of the un-seasonal heat by then. I am not sure if all are open .Get a good guide book and do your research before you visit.
Once finished, I could have taken the camel ride to the monastery, but I left that to those more adventurous than me – I’ve been on enough spitting camels in my time.
The boat dropped me off at the Cataract's own jetty where an ice cold G&T was beckoning from the hotel bAR
This was again organised by the Old Cataract Guest Services as part of my trip to St Simeons, but, rather than take the camel trip down from the monastery, we drove back into Aswan and I got a motor-boat to take me across and back. Cost was 80LE
I was left to control the boat whilst the very house-proud boat owner cleaned his paintwork, including my foot prints on the seating area (You have to walk on them to get on the boat). It took me about 5 minutes of to-ing & fro-in before I got the beast under my control in the cross-winds and about 10 mins of sailing.
You have to climb a l-o-t of worn, sand-filled steps to get from the ticket office area to the tombs. I only looked at three tombs out of the 6(?) and the church area, but I’d had enough of the un-seasonal heat by then. I am not sure if all are open .Get a good guide book and do your research before you visit.
Once finished, I could have taken the camel ride to the monastery, but I left that to those more adventurous than me – I’ve been on enough spitting camels in my time.
The boat dropped me off at the Cataract's own jetty where an ice cold G&T was beckoning from the hotel bAR
Written February 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Superkatt
Sweden6,727 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
The Tombs of the Nobles, also called Princes´s Tombs, lies on the west bank of Nile in Aswan. They are hewn in the stone side of the hill Qubbet el-Hawa (translated as The dome of the wind as we been told), to reach there you need to hire a boat in Aswan city and cross the Nile river. A long stairway of appr. 80-90 steps leads up to tombs level from the ticket office by the river bank. Tombs are well-preserved and beautifully decorated. From 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom there are Tomb of Pepynakht, Overseer of foreign lands, Tombs of Governors Mekhu and Sabni and Tomb of General Harkhuf. From 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom there are Tomb of Sarenput I, the Governor of Elephantine, and Sarenput II, his grandson. There is also a Tomb of Khunes. There were the separate stairways leading to the tombs from the riverbank and views from there towards the Nile, modern city and Kitchener´s Island are really spectacular. Ask in the ticket office to be sure you will be alloud to see all the tombs at once on the same ticket.
Written March 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowz
Lancashire, England1,581 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
Do some research before you visit these tombs of the nobles on the west bank.You will gain so much more from your visit, Just be aware that its hard going up the sand covered steps to the tombs.
Written March 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anagh
Bucharest, Romania2,283 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Do not miss what you can easily afford. It was so surprising to see such beautiful work only to few steps of Kitchener’s island … During the summer the best way is to visit the site in the morning, around 1 May it was very hot. Be sure to have enough water and be prepared for one little effort to climb the stairs. Try to see all the tombs. You need 3 hours but if you can, try to go up, to the top of the hill, the surroundings must be unique from this point, I realized too late … In our opinion, this area is among the first three attractions of Aswan as historical value, aesthetics, landscape and unusual place.
Written June 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig T
San Rafael, CA1,026 contributions
Nov 2019
We had to hire a boat to come here, although there may be a public ferry. Once you buy your ticket, it's a nice hike up a stairway to the tombs. We were followed by a policeman and there's a guard at the tombs to open them for you.
I"ve been to almost all the tombs in Egypt, including all the open Noble tombs in Luxor and the three that are open are among the best. I especially like Seremput II's tomb for it's amazing paintings and carvings. I was quite amazed how beautiful these tombs were, most dating to the Old Kingdom, over 4000 years old. You won't go here if you are on a big tour, but if you are traveling independently, don't miss it!
I"ve been to almost all the tombs in Egypt, including all the open Noble tombs in Luxor and the three that are open are among the best. I especially like Seremput II's tomb for it's amazing paintings and carvings. I was quite amazed how beautiful these tombs were, most dating to the Old Kingdom, over 4000 years old. You won't go here if you are on a big tour, but if you are traveling independently, don't miss it!
Written November 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie Q
Baltimore, MD151 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
We spent probably 4 or 5 hours over the course of two days wandering around the tombs. The view of the Nile and the desert are breath-taking. Exploring all the tombs was so much fun, and we could hear many bats chattering among themselves. We started walking into the desert just to see how far we could go, and a little boy ran after us to make sure we were okay. Watching the feluccas on the Nile below us... everything about this place was so beautiful!
Written August 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodman100
Wellington, New Zealand754 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
You have to catch a boat from the East bank to get to the tombs of the nobles on the West bank. The entry fee is LE40 and there is a bit of a walk up some steps to get to the tombs. There are 3 Egyptian tombs and 1 Christian tomb that are open to the public. The key holder will take you to the tombs to open them for viewing, so take some small notes for tips for him. There tombs are quite small but interesting as there are still paintings on the walls with some vivid colours.
Written June 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven W
Cairo, Egypt227 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
I have been to Aswan 6 times and did not know about this place. But I would say the best of the Old Kingdom tombs are here. They are amazing, they have color and sculpture and even statues in them.
It is a LONG walk up the hill from the Nile so make sure you bring water and a hat for the hot sun, but you will certainly be rewarded by the tombs of the princes and nobles of Elephantine Island.
It is a LONG walk up the hill from the Nile so make sure you bring water and a hat for the hot sun, but you will certainly be rewarded by the tombs of the princes and nobles of Elephantine Island.
Written November 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Windowseatview
London, UK385 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
A ferry will take you over to these Old Kingdom tombs for a pittance, or you can spend a little (not very much), cash and hire a shaded motor boat for the day and wander around Aswan afloat, stop and have tea and a Shisha and visit the other islands too; what could be nicer?. There's a reason these tombs are less visited than they may be; they are situated high up on a rocky crag, so it's buy your ticket and only one way to get up there; the stairs! But the nice thing about stairs is; you can sit on them and rest - take water. There are lot of tombs to visit, mostly belonging to local viziers and noble families, some of them with intriguing histories and inscriptions (young Pharaoh Pepi excitedly asking Governor Harkhuf to find him a dancing Pygmy!) along with the remains of a Coptic church but the Ghaffir is very nice and will let you take your time and take your photos. If feeling ambitious you can climb to the Qubba at the top of the hill for a wonderful panorama of the area (and a breeze).The tombs are austere but extensively carved and decorated and very interesting. Take your guide book as there's little information in situ but there's much to know and see; William Murnane's "Ancient Egypt" served well. Do this, it's fun and you'll probably be alone up there.
Written June 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawn_Storm
Portland, OR316 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
This attraction is on the West Bank and is easy to access via the public ferry which drops you off right nearby the ticket office. They may try to overcharge you on the ferry, so be aware that the current tourist price as of April 2015 is 2 EGP one way.
When I showed up, the ticket person was nowhere in sight. A person who seemed to be a guard (but was dressed normally) took my 40 EGP and said he would give it to the ticket guy (but didn't give me a ticket).
Once I got up to the tombs, I was greeted by locked gates at every single one. Nobody was in sight for the entire visit, so I couldn't inquire about getting inside. I could kind of see the tombs through the gates and they looked interesting. I hiked to the top of the hill which had great views of Aswan and The Nile. You can also see into the desert and even see the monastery if you go a little further.
When I came back down, the ticket guy was still gone, but there were some other fellows hanging around. I told them that I already paid and asked them about the tombs. One guy said he had a key and could let me in, but that I had to pay him for the service. The whole thing felt like a bit of a scam, so I gave up and left.
Overall, the place was ok, but it would of been much better if I could of gone inside the tombs.
When I showed up, the ticket person was nowhere in sight. A person who seemed to be a guard (but was dressed normally) took my 40 EGP and said he would give it to the ticket guy (but didn't give me a ticket).
Once I got up to the tombs, I was greeted by locked gates at every single one. Nobody was in sight for the entire visit, so I couldn't inquire about getting inside. I could kind of see the tombs through the gates and they looked interesting. I hiked to the top of the hill which had great views of Aswan and The Nile. You can also see into the desert and even see the monastery if you go a little further.
When I came back down, the ticket guy was still gone, but there were some other fellows hanging around. I told them that I already paid and asked them about the tombs. One guy said he had a key and could let me in, but that I had to pay him for the service. The whole thing felt like a bit of a scam, so I gave up and left.
Overall, the place was ok, but it would of been much better if I could of gone inside the tombs.
Written April 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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