Things To see:
Luxor, Egypt
Luxor is known for housing numerous ancient temples, tombs and chapels.
Tap into the alacrity of Luxor with its numerous temples, tombs, chapels, sanctuaries, and pylons of the Ancient Egypt. This regal city is a product of an antediluvian amalgamation of the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom of the Ancient Egypt with their exceptional charm. Pass through resplendent palaces, grand tombs, and ancient temples with a far away view of the Precincts of Amun, Mut and Montu. Motley of beige sand in this open-air museum unifies with the vast collection of historical monuments and ruins to make a perfect destination for exploration.
Attractions in Luxor
The Valley of the Kings is an Egyptian archeological site on the hills immediately behind the West Bank of Luxor. One of the most remarkable archeological destinations in the world, it is the burial place of most of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom period including Tutankhamun, possibly the most famous pharaoh in all of history, and other royalty and privileged noblemen. The place is an archeological goldmine and a must visit for any history-buff. Inside the tombs, the formal names and titles of the pharaohs are inscribed along with their images and beautifully carved statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone and have a similar design; i.e. three passageways, an anteroom, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. With its rumors of the Curse of the Pharaoh, it is one of the most famous archeological sites in the world.
Being the second largest ancient religious site in the world, the Temple of Karnak is a vast open-air complex that consists of temples, chapels, sanctuaries, and pylons. Located about 3 km north of Luxor on 247 acres of land, the erstwhile name of thissite was Ipet-isut, which meant “The Most Selected (or Sacred) of Places.” Contemporarily, it was named after the nearby village of El-Karnak. The largest temple in the complex, Temple of Amun-Ra, is dedicated to Amun and is famous for the 134 massive obelisks of the Hypostyle Hall. The whole complex was built and expounded over a period of 1,300 years and visitors are often awestricken by its grandeur. The impressive Precincts of Mut and Montu are dedicated to Mother Goddess Mut and her and Amun-Re’s son Montu, the war god of the Theban Triad.
Built as a memorial or funerary temple for Ramesses II, the Ramesseum is not as well preserved as the other locations in Luxor. However, the scattered remains of the statues that surround the complex are a stunning sight to behold and it is easy to picture how impressive the place would have looked back in its heyday. The layout of the Ramesseum is quite orthodox based on the standard canons of the New Kingdom temple architecture with two courts, hypostyle halls, sanctuaries, chambers, and storerooms. However, it also incorporates a smaller temple of Tuya, the mother of Ramesses II.
Built in the 12th century by Ramesses III, Medinet Habu was the last great architectural endeavor of the Pharaonic era. It was modeled after the Ramesseum. Depicting the defeat of the Sea Peoples (a confederacy of naval raiders) during the reign of Ramesses III, the mud-brick walls that surround the temple once safeguarded Thebes from these raiders. The temple also acted as an administrative center for Thebes in the 20th dynasty.
Located on the West Bank of Luxor, the Colossi of Memon are two massive sandstone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Although much of the details on the statues have eroded, the immense size has been a source of wonder and amazement since the Graeco-Roman times. Referred to as the ‘Ruler of Rulers’ by the ancient Egyptians, the Colossi’s main purpose was to stand guard at the entrance of the memorial temple of Amenhotep III.
Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada is an ideal resort destination in Egypt.. Once just a simple fishing village along the Red Sea coast in Egypt, Hurghada has now transformed into one of the best tourist destinations in the country. The crystal clear water, untouched reefs, and numerous shipwrecks, along with its bazaars, mosques, and lively atmosphere make it an ideal resort destination. An international center for aquatic sports, Hurghada is famous for windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and swimming, but above all snorkeling and diving. The combination of sun, sand and rich marine life has come together to make the town a lively Eden for tourists.
Attractions in Hurghada
Located about 40 km away from Hurghada in Gebel Abu-Dukhan, Roman Mons Porphyrites are the ruins of an old Roman quarry that was the only known source of imperial porphyry. Mons Porphyrites was an abundant source of Granodiorite for Rome that used it as a basic material to build imperial monuments and architectural features. The site was an erstwhile flourishing settlement where there were workshops, encampments, and temples. The name porphyry, which is Latin for purple, stems from the fact that the rocks here were purple in color. These rocks were used to make everything from statues, alters, basins, columns to floors.
An excellent spot for diving, Careless Reef lies in north of Giftun Island and offers virtually no protection against the high seas. It consists of two coral towns with a deep valley with a variety of dive possibilities in the caves and cavelets. The reef is home to dense coral forests and a vast population of fishes such as hammerhead sharks, jacks, tuna, and more. However, the reef is most famous for its large population of giant moray eels.
Also known as Omo Gamar,the island is positioned at the southern tip of a very long reef stretching for a distance of 2km. The spot opposite the lighthouse is perfect for diving as it is teeming with pelagic fishes. The many cracks and overhangs that mark the upper section of the reef are adorned with soft coral. A distinctive feature of the island is a coral formation on the reef wall that is exactly in the shape of a rhino horn. Surrounded by soft corals and gorgonians, the water has a small shipwreck, stonefish, turtles, and porcupinefish.
This reef is nicknamed “The Aquarium”; thanks to the diverse variety of fishes that can be found here. Even reef fish, which are typically found in pairs, tend to cluster in large groups here. The enormous schools of bannerfish are particularly impressive. The eastern section of the reef has altogether a very different character, with soft corals and rocky outcrops predominating.
Marine Biology Museum, with a small aquarium, offers a quick look at the rich marine life that abounds in the Red Sea and an opportunity to see the ancient relics on display. From world’s rare coral reefs to the Red Sea’s ecological environment, the museum showcases the complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea.
Aswan, Egypt
Aswan is Egypt’s sunniest southern city.
With its distinctive African atmosphere, Aswan is Egypt’s sunniest southern city. Located on the Nile Valley, the city is simply gorgeous to behold. Aswan is small enough to be explored on foot; the pace of life is slow and relaxing. The souks, or the local markets, are full of scents and colors of spices and perfumes, as well as exquisite African handicrafts, Nubian artifacts, Sudanese swords, and Bedouin handmade carpets that add to the erstwhile charm of Aswan.
Attractions in Aswan
Located atop a hill, Nubian Museum displays 3,000 antiquities that reflect the phases of the development of the Nubian culture and civilization as well as its influences during the Pharaonic and the Roman ages. Established as a part of the UNESCO International Campaign, the museum depicts the scenes of Nubian life with a range of life-size displays. The open-door exhibition includes 90 rare monumental artifacts, while the halls have almost 50 prehistoric artifacts and more including pieces from the Pharaonic period, the Coptic era, the Islamic age, the Nubian era, and the history of the city. The museum also houses a library and a research and documentation centre on Nubian archaeology, history and culture. The surrounding gardens feature antiquities, a waterway representing the River Nile, a cave with prehistoric wall carvings, and a Nubian house.
One of the largest islands, Elephantine is also one of the most ancient sites in Egypt with artifacts dating to the pre-dynastic periods. Even though most of the artifacts lie in ruins in this beautiful island, there is still a lot to see. The top most amongst the list is the Nilometer, which was used to measure clarity of the water of the Nile and the level of its annual flooding all the way until the late 19th century. There is also the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of Dynasty XVIII, which was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the ‘Holy of the Holies’ in the ancient times. The temple also features Chapels of Anubis and Hathor, Tomb of Senenmut, Sanctuary of Amun, Birth Colonnade, and Punt Colonnade.
This is the mausoleum of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan, who was the 48th imam, spiritual leader, of the Ismailis, a Shi’ite sect. Built in the late 1950s, the mausoleum is a very elegant pink granite structure. The mausoleum provides an excellent view of Aga Khan’s white villa below and Monastery of St. Simeon. The interiors are done in light colors and are floored with red carpets that are immaculately maintained. The sarcophagus of Aga Khan is constructed in white marble with Koranic text carved on relief. On the Begum’s (his wife) instructions, a fresh red rose was to be laid on the sarcophagus each day – a tradition that continues till now.
Founded in the seventh century, the monastery is dedicated to the fourth century monk known as Anba Hatre, who came to Aswan in the hope of converting the Nubians to Christianity. Destroyed by the troops of Saladin in 1173, the ruined monastery is located on the west bank of the Nile. The huge walls surrounding the building are made of two levels – stone at the base and mud brick at the top. Along the walls, there are a few collapsed towers. There is a small church inside with mastaba (bench). Though the basilica has collapsed, the icons and paintings are still visible. The frescoes of apostles and angels and the other artwork have a distinctively Byzantine style. There is also graffiti in an adjacent room by Muslim pilgrims who stayed at the monastery en route to Mecca.
The Aswan High Dam is a vast structure on the Nile River, just south of the city. The dam took more than 18 times the building material that was required for the Great Pyramid to be completed and is considered to be one of the great engineering feats of the late 20th century. The Aswan High Dam is a great draw for Egyptians and foreign travelers alike. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding area as well as a large artificial lake where tourists can enjoy recreational activities.
The largest known ancient obelisk, the ‘Unfinished’ Obelisk is located in the Northern Quarry. Work on the obelisk was abandoned when a crack was discovered where it was being cut from the rock. Had it been completed, it would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds and been the largest obelisk in the world. The chisel marks on the obelisk are a great source of interest to archeologists as they provide an insight into how these monuments were made.
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is the largest city of Egypt
Cairo can be best described as the melting pot of ancient and modern Egypt. With its modern infrastructure blending perfectly with the monuments of the past, a journey through Cairo is really a journey through time. Cairo has so much to offer that one can spend weeks exploring the city. Known as the “the city of a thousand minarets”, Cairo has been home to the Pharaohs, the Greeks, the Babylonians, and the Romans who left their remarkable imprints on the city.
Attractions in Cairo
No trip to Egypt is complete without a visit to The Pyramids of Giza – the world’s most recognizable landmark. Hundreds of tourists visit it each day to get a glimpse of its glory and immense size. Guarded by the Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza have tombs of the mighty Pharaohs – Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure along with the royal family, the nobility, and the priesthood. Of the three, the Khufu’s Great Pyramid is a part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and is the only one to be still standing. Aligned with the Constellation of Orion, the pyramids are the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Housing the world’s premier collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, the present Egyptian Museum was built in 1900 in a neoclassical style with desert-plateau-styled translucent façade and grand staircase that brings the visitors from modernity – Cairo back in time to antiquity – the pyramid complex chronologically. An encyclopedia of the Egyptian Pharaonic culture, the museum is famous for the sheer number of antiquities it has on display. The most famous and popular with the tourists is the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Aside form Egyptian artifacts, there are also a number of exhibits that range from prehistoric era to the Greco-Roman period like fascinating royal mummies exhibits.
Founded by the Pharaoh Menes, Memphis was more like a fortress than a city. However, much of the city lies in ruins scattered across villages, fields and the Nile silt. Most of the remains of the city are concentrated around the village of Mit Rahina. Here, tourists can find the ruins of the Temple of Ptah as well as two large statues of Ramasses II along with a number of smaller shrines and sanctuaries. There is also the Alabaster Sphinx, which is dedicated to an unknown pharaoh.
Often called the centre of Islamic Cairo, the Citadel of Cairo was built between 1176 and 1183 by Muhammad Ali, who was a lieutenant of the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din. Providing protection against the crusaders, the Citadel of Cairo served as a royal residence as well as a military base. Among its existing monuments, the Hypostyle Mosque of Al-Nasir Muhammad is a crowd-puller and so are the 16th-century Mosque of Suleyman Pasha and the Mosque of Muhammad ‘Ali al-Kabir. It also has the Al-Gawhara Palace as well as several mosques, tombs, caravanserais, madrasas, and mansions.
Saqqara is a burial ground where the nobles from Memphis and many pharaohs were buried. Home to numerous pyramids, the most famous and most visible is the Djoser Step Pyramid, which is the oldest of Egypt’s pyramids. The images at the Old Kingdom Tombs offer revealing insights into the lives of the ancient Egyptians. Other places of interest at Saqqara are the Tombs of the Apis Bulls and the amazing relief carvings that can be seen in the tombs around the pyramid of Teti.
Coptic Monuments are considered as a liaison between ancient Egyptian art during the Pharaonic and the Greco-Roman periods on one hand and the Islamic art on the other. Housing the world’s most important examples of Coptic art, the Coptic Museum was founded by Marcus Simaika Pasha in 1910 to display these monuments and in order to easily trace the history of Christianity in Egypt. Spread over 8,000 sq. m, the museum has over 16,000 artifacts that are arranged in a chronological order in 12 different sections to ensure that tourist can easily understand the exhibits.
An ancient bazaar, Khan el-Khalili is an open-air marketplace (souk) that was built in 1385 when Amir Jarkas el-Khalili built a large caravanserai. This marketplace was demolished by Sultan Al-Ghuri and then rebuilt in the early 16th century. Islamic and Ottoman motifs like the ornate Mamluk-style gateways aptly showcase the craftsmanship of the people during that era. Paradise for shoppers, this marketplace houses exquisite collections of statuettes, souvenirs, silver jewelery, and belly dancing costumes and even you can buy spices here.
Alexandria, Egypt
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt. Today, Alexandria is known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean” and is the second largest city in Egypt. With an ambience that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern, the city is worth a visit for its many cultural attractions and ruins that hark back to its glorious past. It is a city that can be explored randomly at leisure.
Attractions in Alexandria
Also known as the Citadel of Qaitbey,the fort was built by Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay in 1477 on the foundation of one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World – the legendary Pharos Lighthouse. Since its construction, it has been razed and reconstructed twice. Tourists can still see the remains of the lighthouse around the nigh seabed as well as on certain sections of the fort’s walls as materials from the fallen lighthouse were reused to build those outer walls. The fort is very impressive and inside it, there is a Naval Museum that exhibits artifacts from the Roman and Napoleonic sea battles.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a newly built library constructed on the site of the former Library of Alexandria, which was destroyed in 400 AD. The new library is an attempt to replace the ancient library as a knowledge bank about the heritage of Alexandria and the Mediterranean region from the Hellenistic to the Romanic and from the Byzantine to the Islamic epochs. The design of the library is quite striking as it resembles a circular disc that is partially imbedded in the ground. Located just to the east of Corniche, it is the best library for the ancient world and is a prominent research center for research scholars. Bibliotheca Alexandrina also has four museums – The Antiquities Museum, The Manuscripts Museum, The Sadat Museum, and The History of Science Museum within it, as well as a planetarium, an exploratorium, a cultural panorama on Egyptian history displayed through nine screens, and the VISTA, an interactive virtual reality environment.
Built as a small museum with just 11 galleries in 1892, it was transferred to the present site in 1895. The specialty of the Graeco-Roman Museum is its extensive coin collection from different countries and empires in history. Some of the coins date all the way back to 630 BC. These coins are arranged in a chronological order. The museum also contains hundreds of precious antiques such as the Apis Bull, two headless sphinxes, mummies, and sarcophagi amongst other things.
Pompey’s Pillar is a polished Aswan granite pillar, laid beside two sphinx statues, with a height of 27m surrounded by the ruins of the temple of Serapis. The pillar was built in 297 AD in the honor of Emperor Diocletian who fled to Egypt after his defeat at the hands of Julius Caesar. He was murdered in 48 BC and his body is said to have been buried here. The pillar is the tallest ancient monument in the whole of Alexandria.
The Catacombs of Kam-el-Shuqqafa is the largest Roman cemetery and date back to the 2nd century AD. Cut in the rock to a depth of 100ft, the cemetery is built in three levels to represent the Pharaonic and Roman art. The interiors of the catacombs are intricately detailed and feature a mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures and traditions. They are so beautiful and marvelous that they are considered to be a part of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
Corniche is a beachfront avenue decked with casinos, palaces, and hotels that are built on stilts and graced with rows of beach huts that line the popular beaches of Ma’amura, Sidi Bishr, Glymonopolou, and Ibrahimia. Due to the beaches, it is a quite lively and popular with tourists. People sauntering around, adults pole fishing, youngsters enjoying music over coffee, oldies playing backgammon, kids squandering on Ferris Wheel, and adventurers diving are all what best describes Corniche.
Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, situated near Al-Jizah, are a popular site in Egypt. This archeological site is located on the west bank of the Nile River and comprises the Great Sphinx guarding thePyramids of Khufu (Gr. Cheops), Khafre (Gr. Chephren), and Menkaure (Gr. Mycerinus) – the pyramids of all of the prominent rulers from the 4th Dynasty (circa 2550 BC). In front of the pyramid, there is a temple ruin, from where the visitors click photographs of the pyramids.
At a height of 481.4 feet (147 meters), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure until the 1800s. Visitors can enter the Great Pyramid through a passage in the masonry. The pyramids are notable for their incredible construction, using limestone and granite, which features a high degree of mathematical accuracy. Many theories about how the pyramids were constructed without the assistance of modern machines have been postulated. However, the mystery of the pyramids is yet to be solved.
The Great Pyramid is also called the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), after the Pharaoh who probably had the pyramids built. The other pyramids are called the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
Each side of the Great Pyramid is oriented with one of the cardinal directions of the compass (north, south, east, and west). The Great Pyramid of Khufu is made up of around 2.3 million blocks of stone, and is estimated to weigh 5.75 million tonnes.
The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), the second pyramid, is situated to the southwest of the Pyramid of Khufu. Although it appears to be taller than the Great Pyramid, it is actually smaller than that of Khufu and only appears taller because it stands on a higher ground. This pyramid was built by Khufu’s son Khafre.
The third pyramid, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus), is the smallest of all the three and stands some 67m (220ft) high. It was started by Khafre’s son Menkaure.
In front of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, a statue of a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The Sphinx, which stands 20 meters (66 feet) high, and measures about 73.5 meters long, was probably carved over 4,500 years ago out of sandstone.
The mystery of the pyramids has allured many archeologists to discover the secrets hidden within the tombs. Dr. Zahi Hawass, former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs and an Egyptian archeologist, has led several successful campaigns to unearth the secrets of the pyramids. Some hieroglyphics have been discovered in the pyramids in one of the recent expeditions.
There is a disputed theory known as “The Orion Correlation Theory”, proposed by Robert Bauval, author of “The Orion Mystery”, which states that the disposition of the three pyramids of Giza was inspired from three stars in the Orion’s belt.
The Pyramids of Giza featuring the Ancient Egyptian architectural style promote tourism in Egypt. People travel from all over the world to see these wonderful monuments. You may ride a camel, or just walk around and see the pyramids. Do not miss the Pyramids of Giza sound and light show conducted at night. The guarding Sphinx is the venue for the night show conducted by the MISR Company for Sound, Light and Cinema. Book a tour to Egypt to enjoy the sight of these wonders.
Sahara Desert
Sahara Desert is the third largest desert in the world
The Sahara Desert or the Great Desert located in most of the northern region of Africa, is an ideal place for enjoying adventurous camel treks and camping under the sparkling starry skies. It is a place of extreme temperatures – intense heat in the afternoon and cold freezing at night are a common phenomenon in this desert region. In 1922, the highest temperature ever in the world (136°F) was recorded in Al Aziziyah in Libya. The size and the climate of the Sahara Desert have undergone much change through history. It is believed that the desert was much bigger and perhaps drier, prior to 8,000 BC. The region had vegetation and animals, geographers say. With changing climate, the savanna turned into desert land. The evolution of the Sahara into its present form started after the removal of ice sheets post the ice age. The monsoon retreated down south; in fact, the present arid hot climatic conditions have been the characteristic of the Sahara Desert for about 13,000 years. Huge, wild, and magnificent are some of the adjectives commonly used to describe the landscape of the Sahara Desert. Covered mainly by sand and sand dunes, the monotony of this land is broken by the presence of oases, which support life in the form of plants and animals in this region. Home to several barren mountain ranges of granite and sandstone, this desert is also made up of different forms of landforms. Gravel plains, plateaus, river, underground aquifers, areas of vegetation and valleys are also spread across the desert. This land of golden sand under clear blue sky is beauty personified.
The Sahara Desert is not navigable in many parts and the virgin wilderness is inimical to explorers. This part of the world has known human inhabitation since 6,000 BC. The Egyptian and Phoenician civilizations were centered on the desert. Most of the tribes living in the Sahara are nomadic groups who keep traveling across the desert. There is an increase in the number of cities encircling oases and fertile belts. This undulating land of gravel, sand dunes, scattered oasis, mountain ranges, steppes, and nomadic Bedouins holds an undying charm over tourists from across the world. The other major attractions of a trip to the Sahara are the desert safaris and camel caravans.The camel caravans usually start from Timbuktu and end at the oasis points in Taoudenni and Araouane. These treks are organized on demand. The camel caravans set out in the morning and go on for several days depending upon the distance the visitors wish to travel. The performances by the local snake charmers, acrobats, and jugglers are sources of entertainment at night. A Saharan safari is ideal for people who want to enjoy the beauty of nature and the taste of adventure. The four main highlights of traveling to the Sahara are the camel treks, the desert wilderness, Marrakech, and the kasbahs. Camping out in the solitude of the sand dunes under the sparking starry sky blended with the warn hospitality of the local tribes is an experience of a lifetime.