Cut into the high cliffs across the river from the modern city of Aswan lies Qubbet el-Hawa, the site of the elite pharaonic cemetery associated with the ancient town. The earliest tombs here belong to high officials of the Old Kingdom. Although the interiors are sparsely decorated, “autobiographies” carved into their facades provide fascinating details of the lives of these men, several of whom led trading and military expeditions south into Nubia. Other tombs here belong to nomarchs (provincial governors) from the Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom officials. One of the most spectacular tombs here, that of Sarenput, dates from the 12th Dynasty.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

TICKET COST:
Egyptian: 2 LE
Foreign: 25 LE

LOCATION:
On the western bank at Aswan, just north of Qubbet el-Hawa.

DIRECTIONS:
BY FERRY: A public ferry runs every 30 minutes from the Corniche to Aswan Min Gharb, costing 1 LE for foreigners. You can either walk or hire transport to the ticket booth for the Tombs of the Nobles, or the maqabar el nobla’a.

BY BOAT: It is also possible to hire a private boat, such as a motorboat or felucca, to take you to the west bank.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED INSIDE THE TOMBS
The site is not wheelchair accessible.