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Arabic lexicon
Hello Salam aleikum
(response: aleikum es salam)
Thank you Shukran
Please Min fadlik (to a woman),
Min fadlak (to a man)
Yes Aiwa
No La
Goodbye Ma’as salama
God willing Insha’Allah
Go on! Yalla
It doesn’t matter Maalesh
Sorry Asif
Good morning Sabah al-kheir
Good evening Maasa al-kheir
ArabicEnglish
All information contained herein is correct at the time of production. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this brochure, the Egyptian Tourist Authority cannot be held liable for any inaccuracy, omission or alteration that may occur.
Historical cities:Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan...
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EGYPT
Historical cities:Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan...
Felucca on the Nile River
5
uContentsP.6-9 WELCOME TO THE NILE VALLEY
P.10-19 ATMOSPHEREP.10-11 ROMANCE...SAILING THE NILE RIVERP.12-13 URBAN LIFEP.14-15 NATUREP.16-17 GASTRONOMYP.18-19 PHARAONIC EGYPT
P.20-41 GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACHP.20-21 THE COAST: FROM MARSA MATROUH TO DAMIETTA AND PORT SAIDP.22-23 ALEXANDRIAP.24-27 CAIRO AND GIZAP.28-29 EL FAYOUM TO HERMOPOLISP.30-31 ASYUT TO DANDARAP.32-35 LUXOR AND THE WEST BANKP.36-37 VALLEY OF THE KINGSP.38-39 ASWANP.40-41 ABU SIMBEL
P.46-47 PRACTICAL INFORMATION
P.42-45 PLANNING THE TRIP
P.48-51 ACCOMMODATION
P.52-53 ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS
P.54 DO’S & DON’TS
P.55 EGYPT GENERAL MAP
The land of pharaohs, intriguing legends, ancient civilizations and amazing temples, Egypt is one of the world’s greatest and most captivating countries.
Egypt enjoys a strategic location in North Africa close to the Middle East. Officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, it borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the east via the Sinai Peninsula and a land bridge that crosses the Suez Canal. It is, however, far from landlocked. Its north coast is lapped by the Mediterranean, while its lower east coast and south Sinai lie alongside the Red Sea.
The country has long played an important role in connecting Africa with Asia, and the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean, and as such has been at the centre of the world’s political and economical arena for centuries. It is a vast country, totalling well over million square kilometres. That’s four times the size of the United Kingdom and twice the size of France, and yet most of its cities like Cairo, Aswan, Asyut and Luxor hug the shores of the Nile Valley. Even Alexandria, the country’s second largest city after Cairo, is in the Nile Delta.
Egypt has four distinct areas. The Nile Delta, itself, is a stretch of land that fans out north from a point close to Cairo where the Nile splits into smaller flows of water, reaching a stretch of coastline that runs from Alexandria to Port Said. At the
coast the waters of the Nile flow into the Mediterranean. Along the coastline are the towns and cities of El Alamein, famed for its Second World War battles and muse-ums, along with Marsa Matrouh and Sal-lum to the west of Alexandria, while to its east is the historic Rosetta, where the Ro-setta Stone, an important artefact that was key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hiero-glyphic writing, was discovered. Further along the coast is Damietta and Port Said.
The Nile Valley stretches from the delta to Egypt’s southernmost border with Sudan, and along with its great cities is home to some of the world’s most iconic symbols of ancient civilizations. It is here visitors can see the three Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx that ‘guards’ them, the fabulous Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temples in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and, of course, the Nile River itself. The Sahara Desert, the world’s second larg-est, makes up much of Egypt’s distinct des-ert and oases areas, which are fascinat-ing if sparsely inhabited, while the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea coastline and resorts are the country’s top spots for fam-ily fun and water sport themed holidays.
A fabulously rich history and achieve-ments sit comfortably with the Egypt of today. Deserts that stretch for kilometres into the distance and holiday resorts with top notch hotels offering family fun such as swimming and diving in the Red Sea contrast well with the Nile Delta and the
Nile Valley that leave you breathless at their bustling cities and ancient temples. Visitors arrive in their thousands, are totally captivated and return time after time. Whether it’s a view of the sun going down behind the centuries-old pyramids, turning the sky to a magical bright orange,
G E O G R A P H Y
E N V I R O N M E N T
Nile ValleyE G Y P T G U I D E
Welcome To The Nile Valley
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or seeing the mesmerising sun-scorched Sphinx, the priceless treasures contained tantalisingly behind glass in Cairo’s Egyp-tian Museum or standing in awe of the fabulous temples the sights of the world’s most entrancing country stay with visitors for a lifetime.
Add to this experiences of seeing one of Egypt’s most trusted residents, the camel, make its way casually across the sands, perhaps dressed in brightly coloured rugs and tassels for a festival, street vendors selling their goods in the bustling souks, children playing in the streets, craftspeo-ple weaving carpets or locals mingling in an animated fashion around the streets, all of which sit well with innovative new com-mercial buildings, and you have a country that will become part of your soul.
Egypt is a religious country. Islam is the official religion and most Egyptians are
Muslim, although over 12 million are Chris-tians. The atmosphere is one of friend-ship. Egyptians like to work hard and live life to the full, and tend to work in the heart of the cities which have seen many changes in recent years and are now at the forefront of world politics, or working the agricultural lands of the Nile Valley or in tourism. Everyone can enjoy lively cul-tural experiences too - everything from the latest art sensations to music, theatre and dance.
Egypt is a warm country for most of the year. Some days in summer the tempera-tures can reach 25-35C (95F) in Cairo, and so the way Egyptians live tends to reflect this as it has done for centuries. The pace of life is generally slow, and although city centres often appear bustling it isn’t long before everyone gives in and finds a cool place to rest awhile.
The history of Egypt stretches back to unimaginable times. It is a country prob-ably best known to the world over for its pharaohs, such as Tutankhamun, and its ancient civilizations that largely existed along the banks of the Nile River and created so many of its iconic structures.
The earliest signs of civilization have been dated to prehistoric times, although the towns and cities of today can probably trace their roots back to around 8000 BC when the Sahara was formed and settlers started moving closer to the fertile land of the Nile River banks and eventually created communities. These ancient civilizations developed and grew almost entirely because of the Nile during a period known as the predynastic, a time before the pharaohs ruled the country.
The dynastic period, widely regarded as one of the oldest ever cultural periods in the world and so called because it was a
series of dynasties that ruled the coun-try, began in around 3100 BC. The first pharaoh is generally believed to have been Menes, who was instrumental in joining a then divided Egypt into one. The country was known as tawy, meaning ‘two lands’.
A total of 30 dynasties ruled over the next three millennia until around the year 30 BC. Many, if not all of the pharaohs, want-ed to put their own mark on Egypt and had supremely beautiful palaces, temples, tombs and structures built. It was dur-ing this time that most of the astonish-ing sights that can still be seen today were constructed, among them the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx of the Old Kingdom and the Temples of Luxor in the New Kingdom.
Egypt has seen many periods of history since the ancient dynastic era and has reminders of how it flourished under different civilizations.
7
H I S T O R Y
Welcome To The Nile Valley
Nile ValleyE G Y P T G U I D E
Welcome To The Nile ValleyIt has been occupied by the Persians, Romans, the Greeks, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, British and the French, but it is probably the pharaohs that have left the most mesmerising legacy on the country and one which makes tourism one of the country’s leading industry sectors today.
Who cannot be captivated by the story of Tutankhamun, the young boy who
became king in 1333 BC, becoming the Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, and whose solid gold death mask is probably the most famous artefact ever found in Egypt. Or the beautiful Nefertiti, the wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten, who might have ruled in her own right before Tutankhamun became king. Both-from many-make Egypt legendary.
H I S T O R Y
S O C I O E C O N O M I C
Today, Egypt is one of the key political and cultural leaders in the Middle East. It has a buoyant economy as a result of economic reforms and foreign investment and a rap-idly evolving high technology communica-tions sector. Its government continues to pledge investment into its infrastructure of highways, railways and waterways that stretch from the north coast and the Nile Delta to the southern points of the Nile Valley at Aswan and Abu Simbel, into the Western Desert and across to the Red Sea coast and into Sinai.
Egypt also has one of the highest popu-lations of all the countries in this part of the world with around 83 million people. Many live in the densely populated cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, where they are engaged in commerce, poli-tics, retailing and tourism, while others live in rural areas near the banks of the Nile River and are engaged in agriculture. The rich soil of the banks provides the most ar-able agricultural land in Egypt today as it has done for around 10,000 years. It is on this land that man has relied on since an-cient times. Without the river the country would likely only ever have been desert. Much of Egypt’s national income relies on agriculture, along with tourism, petroleum exports and capital generated by traffic us-ing the Suez Canal.
Far fewer people live in areas like the Sahara Desert, which although massive is unsympathetic to human needs, while Sinai and the Red Sea coastal areas have strong population figures, especially in the major towns which have good general infrastructures and amenities. There are healthcare facilities, shops, restaurants, many sports centres, especially those for water sports, and top hotels. The popu-lation in these areas is bolstered by the many visitors who arrive during the sum-mer months on leisure, sea & land adven-tures, spa and wellness holidays, golf holi-days, and short breaks.
Egyptian society is geared very much around the family, and it is not uncommon to see all generations dining together or on an outing. Religion is important, with Muslims and Christians living and work-ing together in harmony. As a visitor, you will always be made to feel welcome and protected.
Giza Pyramids
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Welcome To The Nile Valley
It is the longest river in the world. the Nile follows a path along the length of Egypt from its southernmost boundary to the north Mediterranean coast, Damietta and on to its sources the White Nile and the Blue Nile, in the depths of Africa.Alexandria, the country’s second largest city and founded by Alexander the Great, hugs the Mediterranean coastline to the north and forms part of the Nile Delta along with two branches Damietta and Rosetta which embrace the highly fertile agricultural lands of the Delta
Visitors to Egypt should always schedule into their agenda a stay in Cairo. One of the last remaining seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids at Giza are ‘must sees’. The Great Pyramid was built by King Cheops of the 5th dynasty around 2600 BC and stands some 137 meters high. It’s well worth stepping inside to see the fabulous chambers. There are two other large pyramids to see, plus lots of smaller ones dedicated to family members of the kings. A few steps away is the huge Sphinx with its body of a lion and a human head. Make a point of visiting Memphis and Saqqara
to see the Colossus of Ramses II, the Serapeum and the ancient cemetery too. Spend time in Old Cairo. It’s rather like a living museum of historic and religious buildings, plus traditional markets to snap up some souvenirs to take home. And, of course, no visit to Cairo would be complete without a visit to the Egyptian Museum. It is one of the world’s most famous mu-seums with an astonishing collection of ancient artefacts. Its most famous displays are treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Heading south, the Nile River flows through Al-Fayoum, Biba, Beni Mazar and on to the delightful El Minya. It has beautiful villas reminiscent of those found in old Tuscany which were built by the cotton merchants who made the town wealthy. The trading centre of Asyut and famous Dandara are reached, and then it’s on to the wondrous Luxor and Thebes with their fabulous temples, museums and tombs. Here the world famous iconic Karnak Temples and the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshep-sut, the colossi of Memnon and the Ramesseum are just some of the sights that simply cannot be missed. Every visit to Egypt should include time spent in Luxor.
Finally, the Nile Valley reaches Esna and Kom Ombo, both historic sites, Aswan which has a large Nubian community, temples and the feat of engineering the Aswan Dam to see, and finally to Abu Simbel where the notable Great Temple of Abu Simbel and the Temple of Hathor make a remarkable sight carved into sheer rock faces.
The Nile Valley is a mix of the old and the new, the classic and the innovative. It is cultural Egypt at its best.
T H E N I L E V A L L E Y
9
Karnak Temple
To enjoy your ultimate romantic
adventure make sure you book
your cruise between Luxor
& Aswan around the time of
El Sadda El Shitwia (the time
of closing the Nile), lock of Esna
two weeks each December &
June otherwise you will use land
transportation to reach Luxor
from Esna.
RomanceSailing the Nile...
There’s nothing quite like a touch of romance under the stars with that special person, and if you hap-pen to be on the Nile drifting slowly along past temples and sand dunes watching the sun set together then it doesn’t get much more memorable than that. It will be a highlight of a holiday in Egypt.
The Nile has held a fascination for centuries and even today conjures up images of whimsical days and roman-tic nights on board elegant steamers, but then perhaps that’s all down to English novelist Agatha Christie and her famous work “Death on the Nile”. The book was later made into a film starring Peter Ustinov as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and much of the filming was done in the Nile Val-ley.
Cruising on the Nile has been a popular pastime for countless visitors since the 19th century. Florence Nightingale was so captivated by the river and wrote about it in glowing terms, and Thomas Cook, the entrepreneur behind the leading travel com-pany, was so smitten he began offering cruises to his clientele, one of the first to do so.
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There are a number of ways to sail on the Nile. You can take a short hop of a few hours on a cruise boat or a felucca, a small wooden sailing boat, and while this doesn’t give you the full experience of a romantic journey elegantly drifting down the Nile it does give you a taste. It’s especially good way to sail if you have a limited amount of time.
Another way is to take a journey of several days on board one of the cruise ships or restored ornate steamers that are a familiar sight along the Nile. Many are to a luxuri-ous 5-star standard, complete with wood-cladded walls, top notch linens and gourmet cuisine. They have be-come as much a part of the Egypt scene as the Pyramids.
Typically, a cruise will see you board-ing the ship at Aswan, setting sail and seeing great sights. You can take a luxury cruise to Abu Simbel passing by Kalabsha, Bait el-Walli, Wadi el-Subua and Amada Temple
or head north towards Luxor. Your cruise might then see you sailing to Kom Ombo to see the Temple of
Sobek and Hareoeris, a captivating sight from the river. Then it’s on-wards to Edfu and maybe stopping awhile to visit the Temple of Horus and Esna to see the Temple of Khunum. Finally, your cruise might end in Lux-or where you can visit the fabulous Karnak Temples, the Luxor Temple and the museum, or take a trip to the extraordinary Valley of the Kings.
Some ships may start at Luxor and so your journey will be in reverse, or you may choose to travel beyond Luxor and see Dandara or Abydos, but all will sail at a slow pace, giving you time to see the sights, relax and take in the atmosphere. You will be able to wave to children on the riverbank and see fishing boats go by.It’s a great way to combine a trip on the river with seeing the ancient sites along the way too. Be sure to share the memorable experience with loved ones.
Urban life...
While Egypt will be forever famous for its ancient civilizations and pharaohs, it is also home to around 83 million people who live and work here today. Egypt has a strong political, religious and cultural identity. In addition, you can experience both the feel of ancient life when you visit the historical places as well as modern life through technology found throughout the country.
The country’s people work mainly in agriculture, the petroleum industry, commerce, government and tourism, although real estate linked to tourist hotspots is starting to be-come a buoyant sector too. The vast majority of Egyptians live and work in the cities of the Nile Valley. Here you can find trendy cafes and restau-rants serving Egyptian and Interna-tional cuisine, bustling souks, leisure opportunities, sports and venues full of cultural experiences from art to theatre and dance.
Khan el-Khalili
City Stars Mall
Egypt’s economy is booming
through tourism, oil and gas
exports, revenue from the Suez
Canal and foreign investment.
Much of daily urban life revolves around the cities’ souks and markets. Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili, for instance, is an astonishing labyrinth of shops teeming with locals and tourists alike.Almost every neighbourhood will have a market selling fruit and vegetables, and it is from these that most Egyptians will buy their fresh products.
13
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Egypt is changing though and now more shopping malls complete with glass lifts, shiny decors, swish shops and even cinemas are emerging. A casual stroll around one of the malls will reveal names like Nike and Adidas, with music from the likes of Justin Timberlake emerging from stores selling CDs. The malls tend to be located in modern Cairo, or cities such as Alexandria.
The trendy set is leading the way when it comes to nightlife and culture, es-pecially in Cairo and Alexandria. Where once entertainment consisted solely of traditional music and dancing the choice is expanding as Egyptians be-come more accustomed to western styles too. Concerts by worldwide rock stars and westernised classical music, musical theatre, opera and bal-let can all be found. Even the historic sights have adopted new technology by offering sound and light shows (at
the Pyramids of Giza, the Karnak Temples
in Luxor, the Philae temple in Aswan and in
Abu Simbel)
Art galleries and cultural centres, conference venues, theatres and cinemas are all growing in number. The El Sawy Culture Wheel art centre in Zamalek which hosts contemporary art collections and the fabulous Cairo Opera House where the Cairo
Symphony Orchestra perform.There are venues in Luxor, Aswan, Sinai and Red Sea resorts.
In Alexandria, Opera House and Sayed
Darwish Theatre have concerts and dance events, while the city’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a futuristic building containing a library of millions of books and multimedia, three museums, a planetarium, four art galleries and numerous exhibition centres. It is a fabulous facility for the people of Egypt.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Nature
The climate provides the perfect
environment for many species of
animals, reptiles and amphibians.
This area is home to turtles and
tortoises, frogs, mongooses and
the Nile Monitor, a fabulous if
somewhat menacing prehistoric-
like lizard that can grow up to two
metres long.
Much of the Nile Valley lies in what
is known as the Upper Egypt,
a stretch of fertile land that runs
from the southernmost boundar-
ies of Cairo due south to Aswan.
To the north it is bordered by the
Nile Delta. To the east there’s the
Eastern Desert and the Western
Desert to the west.
Upper Egypt has by far the rich-
est soil and it is here that most of
the crops are grown. Almost all of
the 83 million population relies on
the region for food. It is also here,
that most of the plants and wildlife
species of Egypt thrive. Look out
for the Lotus Flower. Its bright pet-
als provide a carpet of colour over
the Nile riverbanks in summer
months. Also the bright yellow
pom-poms of the Acacia tree can
be spotted.
Middle Egypt and the northern
areas of Upper Egypt enjoy a
warm climate, with dry summers
and very little rainfall. July and
August are the hottest months.
The Nile Valley is also a birdwatch-ers paradise. Ornithologists come to see the incredible number of birds that live or winter in the region, including Little Gulls, Whiskered Terns and the small wader, the Kentish Plover. The Grey Heron makes a dramatic sight in the marshy areas too, as does similar species of egret. Birds have always played an important role in both day-to-day life and the sacred culture of Egypt. There are over 150 indigenous species of birds that live here all year round, with a further 280 or more species migrating in the summer months.
As you travel further south along the Nile the temperature rises. Summer temperatures in Aswan are dry and warm, although if plan-ning an excursion into the desert go in the morning before the sun is high. The desert makes up well over 90 per cent of the land mass of Egypt, leaving only around
3.5 per cent of the total million or more square kilometres being cultivated.
The Nile Valley becomes more desert-like the closer you get to Aswan and beyond to Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel. The desert envi-ronment is ideal for Fennec foxes, the Desert Lynx, snakes such as the Spitting Cobra, the iconic symbol of Pharaonic Egypt, and scorpions, all of which should be treated with respect.
The Nile Valley, the delta and the surrounding desert is a fabulous mix of contrasts with vastly dif-ferent natural environments and habitats.
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Egyptian countryside
k
When the Great Pyramids of Giza
were excavated it was found that
workers in Ancient Egypt were paid
with onions and a type of bread
that would have been coarse and
filling. The two remain staple foods
of the Egyptian diet today. It was
discovered that many workers also
received beer made from cereals.
GastronomyEgyptian cuisine...
Some of the world’s most delicious
and healthiest cuisine can be found
in Egypt. With influences from the
Mediterranean and Europe, Africa
and the Middle East, the dishes of
modern day Egypt combine fresh
often brightly coloured vegetables
and fruit straight off the trees with
fish, seafood, meats and an abun-
dance of pulses, aromatic herbs
and strong spices.
While many cooking practices are
much the same as they were in
Pharaonic times, the periods of
history that saw, among others,
the Ottomans and the French live
alongside the Egyptians, bringing
with them their very distinct style
of cooking, has left an indelible
mark.
Typically, a meal will start with
soup, such as melokhiyah made
from green leafy vegetables.
There are many soup recipes
that use tomatoes, watercress,
pulses or beans, with herbs such as
fennel giving them a real kick.
Garlic is used lavishly, as is onion.
Spices too.
Traditional herbs
Egyptian bread
kEgyptian cuisine...
Egyptian restaurants will have rows of dishes full of brightly coloured spices that are a key ingredient. Soups are served with flatbreads like aish or pitta.
Fresh fish (samak), seafood or fish stew accompanied by rice may follow. Meat is prepared to perfection. Chicken, lamb and veal are the most popular, and usually slow roasted, grilled with lots of herbs, or minced and added to dishes like stuffed vine leaves. Pigeon, hamaam, is consid-ered a delicacy, and you will find it’s always delicious as it is cooked with much care. Koshari is a national dish and can be found delicately prepared on gourmet menus, as well as in ‘fast food’ outlets or on street carts. Made from macaroni or spaghetti, rice, lentils and chickpeas, all served with a thick garlic and tomato sauce, topped with fried onions and herbs, it may sound a rare combination but is truly delicious. Other traditional dishes include Foul Medames, a dish
of beans served with boiled eggs, and the popular falafel, a dish of spicy beans mashed together with herbs into patties and fried.
Almost all meals will be served with a fresh salad, and probably some dips like hummus or tahini, or the local babaghanoug, a dip made from pureed eggplant. Foul is a flavour-some dip made from beans, mashed with olive oil, lemon and herbs.
Egyptian desserts usually take the form of a rice pudding made with rosewater and sprinkled with spice, or yoghurt or pastries filled with figs, nuts or dates. Honey is often drenched over desserts in much the same way as is done in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean countries. Fresh fruit, especially figs and dates, as well as oranges will almost certainly be served at the end of a meal.
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The history of Egypt can be
traced back to prehistoric times
and when the Sahara Desert
wasformed in around 8000 BC,
prompting early civilizations
to move closer towards the
Nile in order to catch fish and
grow crops, but it is Pharaonic
Egypt that began some 5,000
years ago that truly captures
the imagination of people the
world over. Great people from
30 different dynasties, their
lives, cultures and phenomenal
knowledge of mummification,
mathematics and astronomy
have created iconic images of an
ancient Egypt.
Who cannot be intrigued by
the lives of ancient kings like
Tutankhamun, the young boy
who came to the throne in
around 1333 BC. He ruled for
just ten years and his golden
death mask unearthed when his
tomb was discovered the Valley
of the Kings near Luxor in 1922
is one of the most fabulous trea-
sures in the world today.
Or the great female pharaoh
Hatshepsut who was the longest
ruling Egyptian king (indeed she
was considered by her people
as a king and not a queen) The
mighty Ramses II who changed
the face of ancient Egypt and
defended it against invaders,
or Nefertiti, the wife of the
Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten,
who might have ruled in her
own right. Her life, as well as the
location of her tomb, remains a
tantalising mystery.
The start of Pharaonic Egypt
saw more than 3000 years of
remarkable achievements and
prosperity, with the pharaohs be-
ing the most important people
in the land. They created strong
government, military and reli-
gious structures, held court and
ruled the land unquestioned.
They were worshipped as if gods
and had phenomenal wealth,
which they lavished on building
temples and other monuments.
Abu Simbel Temple
Giza Pyramid
Pharaonic Egypt
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The Pharaonic period, known as the Dynastic era because Egypt was ruled by a series of dynasties, in fact 30 in total, began around 3150 BC under the first Pharaoh who united the then divided Upper and Lower Egypt. The first pharaoh is widely believed to have been Menes, although there is belief that he was in fact the pharaoh Narmer or Aha depicted in many archaeological records. He established a capital called Memphis, which became the heart of the country.
There is little known about the kings of the 1st and 2nd dynasties, but it is the kings from the 3rd dynasty onwards in a period that became known as the Old Kingdom who made Egypt one of the wealthiest in the ancient world. Massive and elaborate buildings were erected, the culmination of which was the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza. The Pyramids are an extraordinary example of the pharaoh’s advanced
understanding of the science of mathematics and still perplex experts today.
The next period of pharaonic rule was known as the First Intermedi-ate Period starting in around 2150 BC, followed by the Middle King-dom from around 2000 BC when the capital became Thebes, the next period, the New Kingdom, began around 1539 BC and gave us some of the greatest pharaohs of all time, including Ahmose, Hatshepsut, Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. In around 1279 BC the heroic Ramses II came to the throne where he stayed for over 67 years. Pharaonic Egypt, meaning a land ruled by Pharaohs, ended in around 30 BC, although a form of monarchy continued for several thousand years until the country was conquered by the Romans. Leading figures include Alexander the Great and Cleopatra.
Tutankhamun’s mask
El-Alamein is 200 km or so further along the coast road from Marsa Matrouh. A small village that is developing into a popular tourist spot, it is best known for the important role it played in the Second World War. Visitors can visit a war museum that tells of the battles that changed the campaign in the Allies’ favour, as well as the Commonwealth War Cemetery with monuments dedicated to the Greek, South African, Australian and New Zealand troops who fought on the British side, and
cemeteries commemorating the bravery of the Italian and German soldiers.
There were two battles fought in El Alamein, the first inJuly 1942, when Axis troops tried unsuccessfully to advanceon Alexandria, and the second when British General Montgomery’s 8th Army fought a bitter battle withRommel’s troops who were forced to retreat to Tunisia. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said of the battles, “Before Alamein we had no victory and after it we had no defeats.”
Marsa Matrouh Beach
Located some 290 km from Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh is a gem. It is hugely popular with Egyptians looking for their own escape from the busy cities, and families can often be seen enjoying the seven or so kilometres of soft white sand that are protected by a necklace of natural rocky breakwaters. Calm turquoise seas lap the shores of the bay.
There are several beaches, including the Cleopatra Beach that lies just to the west of the town, the quiet and relaxing Ra’as Al-Hak-ma Beach, Al-Abyad Beach and Agiba Beach. Marsa Matrouh town, itself, is said to have been founded by Alexander the Great on his way to Siwa where he was to pay homage to the god Amun.
Other attractions for visitors are the remains of a navel fleet anchorage built by the Ptolemies, a Coptic chapel and the Rommel Museum created within a cave where Erwin Rommel, a German Commander, is said to have finalised his military plans during the Second World War. The museum displays arms and tools from the period.
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The Coast: Marsa Matrouh to Damietta, Rosetta and Port SaidWith its jugged coastline, bays and long sweeps of golden sands, the north coast of Egypt is quiet, supremely beautiful and attracts a steady stream of visitors. It stretches from Sallum to the west, the last Egyptian town before hitting the Libyan border which perches high on the cliff looking out to sea, along the coast road to Marsa Matrouh, El-Alamein, the huge colonial city of Alexandria to Abu Quir in the Nile Delta, the famous Rosetta and to Damietta and Port Said at the mouth of the Suez Canal. Along the way you will see historic monuments and wonderful beaches.
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Agiba Beach, meaning wonder, which lives up to its name with natural caves and coves to explore.
Marsa Matrouh, Agiba Beach
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Rosetta, or Rashid as it is historically known, lies 60 or so kilometres east of Alexandria. A bustling port town, Rosetta can trace its history way back to 800 AD when it was founded by the Muslim governor of Egypt, Ibn Tulun. Known for its beautiful Ottoman mansions from the time of the Ottoman conquest when, as a port, it was immensely prosperous, its citrus groves and its elegant feel, Rosetta has long been a popular holi-day spot. What really puts it on the map however is the fact that it was here that the Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799.
An Egyptian stone slab from the Ptolemaic era, the Rosetta Stone has proved key to de-ciphering the ancient hieroglyphic style of writing discovered in places like the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Hieroglyphic was the form of writing used in Egypt 3,000 years ago, but it took until the discovery of the stone and the work of a 19th century scientist and professor to understand it. Finally, the coastal journey ends at Damietta and Port Said, both busy ports, and the famous Suez Canal.
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
Alexandria and Marsa Matrouth have air-ports with regular flights most of the year, and the coast is well served by train and bus services from Alexandria and Cairo.Port Said Tourist Office :Phone : 066 3235289 - Fax : 066 3235289
Marsa Matrouh Tourist Office :Phone : 046 4931841 - Fax : 046 4931841
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Continuing along the coast road, you pass the road to Abu Mina and its beautiful Cop-tic Monastery of Abu Mina, Deir Mari Mina, which honours the saint Mina or Mena as it is sometimes spelt. He is one of the best known Egyptian saints and, as the story goes, many miracles have been attributed to him. It is believed he was tortured and killed for his religious beliefs by Asia Mi-nor rulers in the 3rd century and today pilgrims regularly visit the site, especially on November 11, St Mina’s Day. The mon-astery, which is relatively new and stands on the site of an ancient basilica, is known throughout Egypt. The village, itself, is a World Heritage Site and well worth a visit.
The resort of Agami has been top of the list for holidaying professionals from Cairo and Alexandria since the 1950s. It is the last town along the coast before you en-ter the environs of the elegant Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city and known as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’.
The north coast was Cleopa-tra’s favourite spot and, accord-ing to legend, she would bathe in the clear waters. Cleopatra was the monarch of Egypt dur-ing the time of Caesar as the country entered its Roman era.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rosetta, Muallaq Mosque
Rosetta Stone
Port Said
A 20 kilometre-long palm tree-lined esplanade and boulevards, swish hotels, long stretches of fine sandy beach and gardens characterise Alexandria, widely considered to be one of the finest summer resorts in this part of the world. Unlike many other areas of Egypt, its cultural heritage, climate of warm summers, mild winters and pleasingly warm spring and autumn months and its cosmopolitan atmosphere give it a Mediterranean feel. Alexandria is known as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’.
Egypt’s second largest city with a population of around four million, Alexandria is the country’s largest sea-port and the centre of much of its maritime activity. It is also one of the oldest cities in Egypt and lies around 225 kilometres northwest of Cairo. As records suggest, Alexandria was established by Alexander the Great in around 332 BC on the site of a small village called Rhakotis. He wanted to create one of the finest capital cities in the world, and one for which his reign would go down in history.
Alexandria remained the capital of Egypt for nearly a thousand years and was immensely prosperous because of its strategic trading location between the Mediter-ranean and the Red Sea. It also became the centre of learning for the ancient world, and retains its academic importance to this day.
Among the sights for visitors to see is the beautiful Montazah Palace, which is perched on a hill overlooking the sea. It was once the summer home of the Egyptian royal family and now houses a museum in their honour. Built to a Turkish and Italian architectural design, it stands in some of the prettiest gardens in Alexandria. They are open to the public and well worth a visit.
Holidaying visitors flock to Alexandria for its good diving sites, and its beaches which are among the best in Egypt if not the Mediterranean. Its most famous are the beaches of
Al-Ma’moura, Mandara, Al-Assafrah, Miami, Sidi Bishr and Montazah, as well as Sidi Gaber, Rushdi, Stanley, Gleem and Cleopatra. All are dotted along the corniche, the seafront boulevard.
Qaitbay Citadel, a turreted fortress that was built in the 15th century on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is a ‘must see’. It is said that stones from the original lighthouse built in the 3rd century BC on an island in the harbour were used in its construction. Excavations in the harbour continue to this day, and recently there have been more ancient stone found which in all likeli-hood once formed part of the lighthouse’s structure. The city has many mosques too, the most notable being the Al-Mursi Abul Abbas with a towering minaret and domes that dominate the city’s skyline, and the 14th century Al-Attareen Mosque.
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The Shallalat Gardens in the Al Shatby district is a massive expanse of lawns, trees and shrubs with lakes designed so that the water tumbles in waterfalls. It is a calm space in a busy city. Also the Mediterranean-style street cafes.
Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria seafront
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The Graeco-Roman Museum, located in the heart of modern Alexandria, houses an impressive collection of 40,000 or more ar-tefacts found in and around the city, some dating as far back to 332 BC. The museum was founded in the 19th century, quickly became an important exhibitor of ancient artefacts and remains a key amenity in Alexandria today, along with the NationalMuseum of Alexandria.
Alexandria also has lots of archaeological sites too, including a Roman amphitheatre at Kom Al-Dekka, a Serapium pillar dating from the 3rd century known as Pompey’s Pillar, the ancient catacombs at Kom el Shoqa-fa that show a mix of Pharaonic and Greco Ro-man art, the Al-Shatby Necropolis site and a series of tombs.
The city, however, while celebrating its glorious past also has a thoroughly modern approach to providing facilities for its residents and visitors. This is supremely evident in the opening of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an important library and cultural centre designed to put Alexandria back on the academic map. It stands near the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria dating from the 3rd century, which was considered to be the largest library in the ancient world. Among the famous scholars who studied here are mathematicians Euclid in 300 BC and Heron in 62 AD, and philosopher and astronomer Eratosthenes in around 200 BC.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in 2002 following a competition organised by UNESCO to find the best architectural design for the commemorative building. A futuristic design was chosen, complete with a glass roof angled so that it faces the sea. There are specialised libraries for children, those who are blind or vi-sually impaired and the young, along with sec-tions dedicated to the arts, multimedia, audio-visual, microforms and rare books.
This extraordinary facility also has four art gal-leries for temporary exhibitions and a further nine for permanent displays, three museums dedicated to antiquities, manuscripts and sci-ence, a planetarium, internet archive, a manu-script restoration laboratory and seven aca-demic research centres. Its cultural centre has nine screens for projection presentations, and an interactive environment. It is a fabulous facility for the people of Alexandria, an award-winner and considered one of the leading such centres in the world.
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
Alexandria has its own international air-port, as well as being a seaport for cruise ships. It is served by the express service buses and rail network that link it to Cai-ro and other major towns and cities.
You can live different experiences by exploring the under-water treasures in Alexandria. Don’t miss also the Wadi El Natroun Monasteries.
Along the Mediterrean coast luxurious resorts open their endless possibilities for memorable vacations (one of them is
Porto Marina).Alexandria Tourist Office :Phone : 034843380/51556 Fax : 034843380
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has a library capable of holding eight million books, and is one of the largest libraries in the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kom el-Shoqafa
Fish market
To say Cairo is a city of contrasts is perhaps an under-statement. It is an astonishing mix of reminders from an ancient world that sit, surprisingly comfortably, with modern day life. You can see historic buildings and market squares in Old Cairo, fabulous Mamluk and Ottoman mosques, Christian churches, swish hotels and contemporary commercial offices in Greater Cairo, lush parks, residential areas and the amazing area where the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza dominate the skyline and the city meets the desert.
Add to this the chance of visiting the Egyptian Mu-seum where exhibits are too ancient and too fabulous to comprehend, the streets of Khan el-Khalili, the old-est bazaar in the world, and the huge museum and cultural centre complex of the Opera House and you have a city that captivates. To visit Cairo, one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world with a population said to be almost 8 million in the metropolitan area alone, will be a thoroughly memo-rable, if hectic, and at times bewildering, experience.
Millions of Egyptian live and work in the city, with the total number of people bolstered by tourists from every corner of the world at most times of the years. Spring and autumn tend to be the busiest times as the sun is not so hot, although winter and sum-mer see many visitors too. Expect to hear Japanese, Chinese, American voices, Canadians, French, Italian and English among the throngs of people who gather to see the sights of this glorious city.
Cairo lies on the banks of the Nile River, at the point where it splits in a fan-like manner for its onward route north through the low-lying Nile Delta to the Mediterranean. It is a warm city, although has a raising humidly level due to the Nile. July to August are
Giza, Sphinx and the Pyramids
Cairo and Giza
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The Sound and Light show at the Pyramids of Giza’ the narrator of Egypt’s ancient history is the Sphinx itself. Languages include French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Italian and Japanese. Also don’t miss the chance of lunch or din-ner on a floating restaurant’ the often luxurious boats can be seen moored along the riverside.
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Tutankhamun’s treasures
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in advance or join a group visit. Mid-morning tends to be especially busy, so try visiting early in the day or in the afternoon when it is quieter.
DID YOU KNOW?
the hottest months when temperatures tend to be 30-40°C (107.6oF), while in winter it is cooler at around 24-30°C (86oF). It has little rainfall.
Cairo is divided into several main areas, each with their own character and many at-tractions that should be a ‘must’ on every visitor’s itinerary. Central Cairo, or Greater Cairo, is where the administrative heart of the city, and indeed the country, is located. It lies to the north of the city and takes in part of Giza on the western side of the river and a large expanse of area to the east. The area feels contemporary and modern with a network of wide 19th century boulevards resembling the layout of cities such as Paris, shiny futuristic buildings, parklands, swish restaurants and hotels. It is quite different to almost all other areas of the city.
Corniche el-Nil runs along the length of the Nile on the east side and offers bridges across the water to the island of Gezira in the Zamalek district, and in turn to the west bank. The Cairo Tower, a tall television tower with a lattice-like exterior, is a famous
landmark of the island and can be seen for some distance. You can go to the top for a great panoramic view of the city. Central Cairo contains some fabulous sights, such as the 19th century Midan Opera and Midan Ataba, the Mausoleum of former Prime Minister Saad Zaghloul, Manial Palace which was once a royal home and the new sprawling Opera House complex where residents and visitors can hear classical music and opera, and see dance performances, theatre and ballet.
Midan Tahrir is the busy heart of Central Cairo, and it is here where there are numerous shops, cafes and restaurants in streets such as Qasr el-Nil. There’s also the American University housed in a grand neo-Islamic building, plus the city’s absolute ‘must do’ at-traction, the Egyptian Museum. You can reach it via the Sadat subway station.
Housed in a neo-classical building colour washed in pink, it is the home of the largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. In fact, it is said there are around 120,000 pieces on display, including mummies, numerous sarcophagi and, of course, the world famous Tut Ankh Amun (Tutankhamun) collection of gold and alabaster trea-sures found when the boy pharaoh’s tomb was discovered in 1922. You can also see a replica of the Rosetta Stone in the foyer as you enter the museum. The original was discovered in Rosetta, Rashid, on the north coast and was
The Citadel
instrumental in deciphering hieroglyphics, the ancient Egyptian form of handwriting that dates from before Pharaonic Egypt times. If visiting the museum you can book a guided tour or purchase a book and wander around at your own pace. Allow several hours or, if a dedicated Egyptologist, many days. East of Central Cairo is the Islamic part of the city, while to the south is the oldest. Full of atmosphere and charm, they both are characterised by narrow streets and labyrinths of tiny alleyways and lanes, ancient ar-chitecture seen on mosques and churches, and residen-tial streets that stretch for several kilometres into the distance. Khan el-Khalili, the famous network of streets that make up the largest bazaar in the Middle East, and one of the oldest markets in the world, is in the Islamic part of Cairo. It was built by Emir Djaharks el-Khalili who created a khan, a caravanserai for traders. From as far back as 1382 traders have plied their goods of gems, gold and silver, copper and highly scented spices. Today, similar items can be found although they are joined by trinkets more suited to holidaying visitors looking for a souvenir to take home. To wander around the bazaar is fascinating, and good fun. Nearby, is the great Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein, considered the holiest site in Cairo, which is well worth seeing, along with the fabulously old Mosque of al-Azhar, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the 12th century citadel built by Salah El Din to protect the city from invaders, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali on the Citadel and the Wikalat al-Ghouri, a medieval former caravanserai that now houses an arts and crafts centre. The Islamic part of the city is generally bustling, but is a key area for visitors new to Cairo to experience.To the west of Central Cairo are the Pyramids of Giza on the Giza plateau, not far from the site of the ancient city of Memphis and Saqqara. The last remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the pyramids are the iconic image of Egypt. You can visit the Great Pyramid built for King Khufu of the 4th dynasty, the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafre dated from around 2500 BC and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Dotted around are several smaller pyramids where members of the kings’ families would have been entombed. To one side stands the much-photographed Sphinx with its body of a lion and the head of a human, while a short walk away is the Solar Boat Museum that houses a full-size ancient Egyptian boat that was discovered in pieces but put together again with much care. It is fascinating to see.
The Egyptian Museum
Al-Azhar Mosque
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Saqqara complex of pyramids and monuments, the centrepieces of which are the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Pyramid of Sekhmket, along with the city of Memphis that during much of the Pharaonic Egypt period was the capital city.
While the Pyramids of Giza and the beau-tiful Sphinx that ‘guards’ them date from Pharaonic times and are one of the oldest monuments in the city today, Old Cairo, or Coptic Cairo as it is known, is where the city actually began. In fact, the area, along with Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur, predates the city as we know it today.
Old Cairo was founded in around the 6th century AD, at a time when Alexandria was the capital of Egypt and the Pyramids and Sphinx lay way beyond the small commu-nity’s boundary. Then the site that was to become Cairo was little more than a few dwellings on the banks of the Nile and a Roman fortress that guarded the route be-tween the ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopolis.
As the stories go, an Arab general, Amr Ibn al-Aas, decided the area was a good spot for establishing a much larger community and began to construct homes and places of worship. The community grew and grew at a time when the country was predomi-nately Christian. Today, some of the most historic and important Christian buildings and churches in the city can be found in the narrow little alleyways and streets of Coptic Cairo. Be sure to visit the Church of St Barbara, one of the largest in Egypt, is still used regularly for worship.
Other buildings to look out for in this area are the Church of St George, the Church of St Sergius, which is the oldest church in Coptic Cairo and lies a few feet below street level, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Amr Ibn al-Aas Mosque and the beautiful Hanging Church, so called because it is built high on top of the old Roman fortress structure, the Babylon Fort. A splendid building, it has a distinctive front façade with twin bell tow-ers and inside a vaulted roof and a series of columns.
The Coptic Museum tucked away down one of the alleyways not far away is well worth a visit too. It hides a lovely courtyard gar-den behind its walls, which is a quiet place
EASY TRAVEL
Shuttle buses run regularly from Cairo International Airport into the city centre, plus there’s limousine and car hire facilities available. In town, there are taxis galore. Look out for the black and white cars, which can be hailed, or book a bright yellow air-conditioned City Cab. Taxis also wait outside hotels. Cairo has a good metro railway system and a bus network too.
Pyramids Tourist Office :Phone : 33838823 - Fax : 33853526Dowtown Cairo Tourist Office :Phone : 23913454 - Fax : 23913454Railway Station Ramses Tourist Office: Phone : 25790767 - Fax : 25790767
to visit amongst the hustle and bustle of Cairo. Look out for the delicately carved mashrabiya windows. Inside, the muse-um offers a surprise at every turn. With one of the finest collections of Coptic art in the world, it covers the periods from Pharaonic times through to Graeco-Ro-man and Islamic. On display are pulpits, ancient textiles and embroidered silks, icons, manuscripts and ceramics.
Cairo’s history is wondrous. It has seen pharaohs, Christians and Islam followers, and has also been the seat of the ruling Royal dynasty, the Fatimid Caliphate, the capital during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, and the centre of Napoleon’s empire when France occupied Egypt in the 18th century. It retained its capital city status under British rule until Egypt became independent in 1922. Today, it is the administrative capital and heart of the country.
Coptic Cairo, St Georges’ Church
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
El Fayoum lies just to the west of the Nile, a few kilometres south of Abusir, one of the most ancient archaeological sites in Egypt. Its monuments include the Pyramid of Sahure, the Pyra-mid of Nyuserre, the Pyramid of Neferirkare and the Pyramid of Neferefere.
El Fayoum is a wondrous site. An exceptionally lush and green area that comes into view as you head out through the sand dunes of the Western Desert to the west of the Nile, it is Egypt’s largest oasis. Surrounded by high plateaux, the city revolves around the great and ancient Lake Qarun, which is fed by water from the Nile via the Bahr Youssef. A series of canals were constructed by the Pharaoh Amenemhat III of the 12th dynasty, around the time when it was part of the ancient Moeris Lake, which lies 43 metres below sea level.
Enjoying a temperate climate, the area is noted for its significant leisure, cultural and historical importance. Said to have been a fa-vourite holiday spot of the pharaohs, the oasis saw many buildings constructed during the dynastic reigns and, indeed, in later years meaning there are many reminders of ancient Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic times.
Of the Pharaonic monuments to see there is the Hawara Pyramid built by Amenemhat III, the Al-Lahoun Pyramid and the remains of the Amenemhat III pyramid, plus the fascinating Senousert I Obelisk that stands at the entrance to El Fayoum. Look out also for the Medinet Madi Temple dating from the 12th dynasty, the small temple of Qasr Al Sagha that lies just
to the north of the lake and Kiman Fares where the remains of the original ancient city can be seen.
To see monuments from later periods head off north to the ruins of the Karanis Town. Here there are temples, a Roman bath, winery and the remains of Coptic, early Arab and the ancient Ptolemaic communities. Closer to the oasis are the remains of the ancient city of Um Al-Atal to see, the ruins of Demiet al-Sebaa complete with ancient Greek monuments and the astonishing Qasr Qarun Temple where much of its original decorative carvings and inscriptions can still be seen. Be sure to see the Pyramid of Meidum, a beautiful step structure that is believed to have been built for the last pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty, Huni, and the nearby UNESCO sites of Wadi Rayyan and Wadi El Hitan or the Valley of the Whales.
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The stretch of Nile Valley from El Fayoum to Hermopolis, taking in the towns and areas of Biba, Beni Suef, Beni Mazar and El Minya with its famous Beni Hassan Tombs, Mallawi and Tel El Amarna is as popular with visitors as it is with residents of Cairo looking for a break away from the city’s hustle and bustle. The landscape is one of beautiful scenery and tall date palms combined with great expanses of land dedicated to agriculture, andyet has a desert-like ambience.
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The cemetery at Mal-lawi, famous for its displays of beautiful ancient Pharaonic and Greek art seen on murals.
El Fayoum to Hermopolis
El Fayoum Oasis
Qarun Lake
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El Minya is in North Upper Egypt and the capital of Minya Governorate . It is a rural area on the west bank of the Nile that has prospered over the years since the early 20th century through its cotton industry. Merchants built Italian styled houses that can still been seen today. With the town’s pretty tree-lined corniche and squares, and its monuments from Pharaonic, Greco Roman, Byzantine, Coptic and Islamic eras, El Minya is an attractive and lively town with a great cultural heritage.
It is best known for Beni Hassan, a collection of paintings that date from the Pharaonic Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. They display astonishing engravings that are considered important for they show a change of style from the Old to the Middle Kingdom. Amenemhat’s tomb, which shows hunting scenes, and those of the 12th Dynasty governor Khunum Hotep, and Baket and Khety from the 11th Dynasty are the most important.
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Nearby are temples built by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Thutmosis III, along with Pharaonic tombs at Deir El Barsha and remains of a city and tombs from the period at Tel el-Amarna. It is said to be the home of the pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife, the famous Nefertiti. At Mallawi, just along the Nile riverbank is the remains of the Graeco-Roman capital Ashmounein where the ruins of an acropolis-style basilica can still be seen. Finally, you will arrive at the important site of Hermopolis, or Tuna El Gebel as it is known locally, and although it offers only a few remains to see today such as the archaeological sites of the Tomb of Petosiris, the catacombs where mummified birds and animals were found and Isadora, it was one of the most prosperous cities in ancient Egyptian times.
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INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
El Fayoum is reached by train and coach from Cairo and the major towns and cit-ies of the Nile Valley. Organised guided tours can be provided by the tourist of-fice for exploring the area around El Minya.El Minya Tourist officephone: 086/2371521”
Lake Qarun is a protected area and, along with the nearby springs of Ein Silleen and waterways of Wadi Al Rayyan, are famous for water sports, fishing and bird watching.
DID YOU KNOW?
El Fayoum has been both an ancient Christian and Islamic settlement during its history, and there are beautiful churches and mosques to see too. The finest examples are the Al-Azab Monastery in Al-Azab village, which is easy to find just a few kilometres south of the city, and contains a fascinating Coptic museum. There is also the Al-Malak Monastery and the Islamic monuments of Qaitbay Mosque that dates from the Mameluke period and has the most delighted rostrum inlaid with ivory, plus the Suspended Mosque to Prince Sulaiman, so called because it is built on the side of a hill. It dates from the Ottoman period.
Travelling south along the Nile from El Fayoum you pass through the small town of Biba, Beni Suef which is famous for its cotton, and the traditional village of Beni Mazar. You then arrive in the beautiful town of El Minya.
El Fayoum Oasis
Wadi Hitan
Felucca riding the Nile
Characterised by its Coptic Christian population which grew as a result of an apparition of the Virgin Mary that was said to have appeared in the city, an event acknowledged in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Asyut is one of the holiest places in Egypt. It is also one of the largest, in fact the largest in Upper Egypt. With a population of around 400,000, many of its residents are students studying at one of the country’s foremost universities, the University of Asyut.
Asyut has a modern feel and yet can trace its history back centuries. The first communities are said to have settled during the Pharaonic period and named it Syut. Later it became known as Lycopolis, prompting a distinct local dialect in Graeco-Roman times to be called Lycopolitan. For a spell it was a capital city, although lost out to Thebes which took the crown during the New Kingdom period. Today, though, Asyut does have many reminders of its ancient past.
One of its most valuable treasures is the major archaeological site of the Tombs of Assiut, located to the west of the city. The tombs are carved into the limestone rock of the mountain, and are said to include those of pharaohs from the 9th, 10th and 12th dynasties such as Kheti I and II. Other ancient sites around the city include the Meir Rocky Tombs that contain the Princes of Qusseia, the Deir El Gabrawy in Abnub where tombs can be found in the monastery, and the Deir el-Barsha necropolis which was an important cemetery in the Middle Kingdom and where leading nobles and governors were entombed.
Nearby, is the Deir Al Adra, otherwise known as the Virgin’s Monastery, where it is said the holy family crossed on their way back from the holy land, and in Shatub village, just to the south of Asyut, is the Al Muharraq Monastery where a church bears the Virgin Mary’s name. It was here the family is said to have stayed during their journey to Egypt. Its alter stone is believed to have been the exact same one that blocked the entrance to a cave where the holy family lived. Every summer, festivals are held at both venues when pilgrims from the world over gather.
In more recent times, Asyut became known for being at the end of the camel caravan route from Darfur in the Sudan and, as a result, was home to the largest slave market in Egypt. Today, it has thriving cotton, grain and carpet industries, and a prosperous feel. One of the relatively modern sights of the city, if compared to its ancient monuments, is the Asyut Barrage. It was built in the late 1800s to regulate the water flow from the Nile into the main canal, the Ibrahimiyya Canal, which is a key resource for irrigating the agricultural land upon which the population relies.
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Asyut to DandaraWith a combination of fabulously ancient temples, some of the holiest places in Egypt, great expanses of agricultural lands and a wealth of modern amenities, the stretch of the Nile Valley from Asyut to Dandera has one step in the past and the other very much in the future.
DON’T MISS
The astronomical ceiling inside the Temple of Hathor at Dandara – its detailing is exquisite.
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Dandara is the jewel in the crown of this stretch of the Nile. It sits on the edge of the desert, and offers visitors the chance to see one of the best, if not the best, preserved temples in Egypt. The huge Dandara Temple complex, which includes the great Temple of Hathor which is almost intact, was buried under the sand until the 19th century. When it was discovered there was much excitement. The present building dates from Ptolemaic times, although takes the form of Graeco-Roman architectural styling. It stands on the site of buildings dating from around 2500 BC. Visitors can see a Coptic church, chapel and a modern centre that tells the fascinating story of the temples.
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From Asyut, heading south, you pass through the town of Suhag, where the Abydos tombs were discovered in the 19th century and are said to have been those of kings from the 1st and 2nd dynasties. You can also see the Temple of Seti I, a commemorative monument to the great King Seti I, along with the Temple of Ramses II where scenes of battle that have lost little of their original coloured decoration. There are numerous churches and monasteries to see too. Perhaps the most notable is the Pope Shenouda monastery, sometimes known as the Deir El Abyad or the White Monastery, which has a beautiful 5th century church. From here it’s onward to Dandera.
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It is believed that in the Biblical story of when Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus fled from King Herod’s men who were killing all the baby boys in Betlehem they took refuge in a cave near Asyut.
DID YOU KNOW?
Another significant building in Asyut is the Lillian Trasher Orphanage, the first orphanage in Egypt. It was founded by Lillian Trasher, a Christian missionary who left her homeland of Florida in the US to travel to Africa and seek her life’s work. Today it is one of the world’s largest orphanages and a source of much local pride.
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
You can get to Asyut by train and the Upper Egypt Coach company serves most of the towns in the area. Tours by road or river run to Dandara from Luxor.Asyut Tourist obhice phone: 088/2305110Suhag Tourist obhice Phone: 093/4604453
Sunset on the Nile
Shores of the Nile
Fauna of the Nile
To say Luxor is one of the world’s greatest cities is nothing less than an understatement. It is, in fact, one of its most astonishing, if not singularly the best, outdoor museum anywhere on the planet and offers visitors the chance of seeing almost a third of all the ancient antiquities known to man in just a few kilometres. The temples and struc-tures that have stood for thousands of years are beauti-fully preserved.
Home to the city of Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt during the Pharaonic New Kingdom period, along with the fabulous Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple and the necropolis of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Luxor can trace its history back to unimaginable times. It actually has three distinct areas, the city centre on the East Bank of the Nile, Karnak which is a town in its own right and lies just to the north and Thebes, location of the Valley of the Kings.
The city is said to have gained importance as early as around 2000 BC under the rule of the 11th dynasty. In ancient times it was known as Waset, a name that indicated its power, and later Thebes under the Greeks. Homer is said to have described Luxor as the ‘City of the Hundred Gates’. It was, for a great many years, one of the most important cities in the world, and certainly at the centre of political, economic, religious and military life of Ancient Egypt.
The Luxor of today is a com-pact city, running lengthways along the banks of the Nile and bordered by the desert. Its population stands at around 380,000 with a regular stream of international visitors increasing this figure during the spring and autumn months when the tempera-ture is at a pleasing level for sightseeing. Temperatures of 31-40°C (107.6°F) in June to August are not uncommon.
Luxor Temple
Luxor and the West Bank
DON’T MISS
The Sound and Light show at the Karnak Temples. A nar-ration in several languages, including English, French, Arabic and Japanese, tells the story of the temples to light and music. Also a day cruise from Luxor to Dandara or Abydos with sight-seeing and lunch.
Luxor, Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple and the Nile corniche
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The Arabs once dubbed Luxor the ‘City of Palaces’ because of the astonishing number of great buildings that were beautifully preserved.
DID YOU KNOW?
Luxor’s size makes it easy to navigate. It’s a short hop of 20 minutes or so from the Luxor International Airport into the city centre, which largely only comprises three main roads. The corniche, a pretty tree-lined boulevard that runs along the banks of the Nile in an es-planade fashion, is central for all the city’s attractions. It is home to the Winter Palace Hotel, now run by the hotel group Sofitel, that was where Agatha Christie is said to have penned her classic work ‘Death on the Nile’.
The two other main roads are the street al-Mahatta in which lies the train station, and the street al-Karnak that runs from the Karnak Temple into town past the Luxor Temple. For visitors the size and layout of Luxor means that all the sites are within a short distance of each other and easy to find.
Getting across from the East Bank or city centre to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens is now straightforward by road with the opening of a bridge ten years ago. It’s just a few kilometres upstream. Before the bridge opened it was very much a case of hopping on one of the frequent and inexpensive ferries or motorboats that ran, and still do run, across the Nile. There’s a landing just opposite the Luxor Temple. It’s a great way to cross the river. Visitors have a wealth of opportunities to sightsee in
Luxor. There are the two big attractions of the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temples, of course, plus the fabulous Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum.
The Luxor Temple is an astonishing sight from the corniche. It is particularly attractive when subtlety lit in the evening. Dating from the time of Amenhotep II and Ramses II, it is dedicated to the god Amun Ra and his wife Mut. You enter it from an entrance facing north, at the point where at one time it would have been connected to the Karnak Temples via a causeway. The causeway, which is currently being restored and is set to be a highlight of Luxor, would have been lined with sphinx statues. A later addition was a long road, a dromos, built by Nectanebo I in the 30th dynasty. Sadly, most of the sphinxes have disappeared over the years, but a few exceptionally good examples still exist close to the temple today.
Built during the New Kingdom, the temple is entered past a huge pylon built by Ramses II, with two of the original six statues representing the king on either side. There is also the remaining one of two matching 25-metre high granite obelisks. The other is erected in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, and a much loved and photographed landmark.
Ramesseum, Ramses II Temple
Inside, there are courtyards, columns and fabulous colonnades, one a hundred me-tres in length and built by Amenhotep III. Its columns are topped with carvings of the papyrus plant. Along the way there are inscriptions, scenes from ancient Egypt and even Roman stuccoes that can be seen partially covering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. On the outer wall of the pylon are inscriptions that tell of the battle between Ramses II and Hittites. The temple is a glorious celebration of the power of the pharaohs of the New King-dom and a ‘must see’ sight.
Heading out of the Luxor Temple towards the next ‘must see’ sight, the Karnak Temples, you will reach the Luxor Museum on the corniche. Be sure to go inside. Quite modern in appearance, it was founded in 1975 to house antiquities dating from the ancient civilizations of the area found in more recent times, including some of the Tutankhamun treasures. While the Egyptian Museum in Cairo displays ancient artefacts to perfection, it is quite moving to see such extraordinary items exhibited in Luxor, the city where they were found.
The Karnak Temples barely need an introduction, they are so famous. The largest ancient religious site in the world, the complex takes its name from the village of Al-Karnak and, in fact, comprises three distinct temples. The largest, the Precinct of Amun-Ra, is ancient and dedicated to the god Amun. It is the only area open to the public. There is also the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut and a now dismantled building, the Temple of Amen-hotep IV. The triad of Luxor is Amun, Mut and Khonsu.
The site dates from as far back as 2000 BC and although building would have been low key in the beginning it is said that around 30 pharaohs added buildings, temples, cha-pels and architectural wonders to it over a period of about 2,000 years from the Middle Kingdom right through to Ptolemaic times. The result is a fabu-lous treasure trove of ancient buildings and structures, columns, courtyards, pylons and obelisks, even a sacred lake, the scale of which is unparalleled anywhere in the world.
At the entrance you pass over what is believed to have been a canal connected to the Nile, complete with an ancient dock. Sadly, there is little remaining of the dock today. The entrance road, dromos, is lined with a row of statues either side and is known as the Avenue of Rams. The statues represent Amun and are beautifully preserved. Once inside the building be sure to see the huge statue of Ramses II, one of the iconic images of the Karnak Temples.
Karnak Temple
Medinet Habu, Ramses III Temple
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INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
Luxor is served by its international airport, and has a good bus network which is mainly used by locals, lots of taxis and horse-drawn carriages known as caleches for getting around the city centre. Access from the East Bank to the West Bank can be done by road using a modern bridge a few kilometres upstream or by ferry or motorboat across the river. A landing is located opposite the Luxor Temple. There are regular trains and sleeping luxurious one that run from Cairo to Aswan via Luxor. Wi-Fi service is now available in Luxor.To travel between Luxor and Aswan by land, you will have to follow one of the Police Convoys.Tourist Office :Luxor (Head Office) :Phone : 0952373294 - Fax : 0952373294
Hatshepsut Temple
Other major sights to see on the East Bank of Luxor include the Mummification Museum, which is located right on the corniche. It has a huge sign outside and is really easy to find. Inside, there’s a graphic display of how the ancient Egyptians would mummify not only humans, but also crocodiles, of which there were plenty in the Nile, household pets and even fish. All are exhibited in mummified form, including the body of Masaharta, a High Priest of Amun in Thebes around 1050 BC.
In the museum you can also see examples of the tools used to remove bodies’ vital or-gans and drain fluids, and to replace voids with salt, plus artefacts like embalming fluid, canopic jars and coffins. Like the Cairo Mum-mification Museum inside the Egyptian Mu-seum, this is fascinating place but not one for the faint hearted.
Look out also for the oldest mosque in Luxor, the El-Mekashkesh Mosque, where it is said to contain the remains of a 10th century Islamic saint, several churches and the great Coptic basilica next to Luxor Temple. For a lei-surely way to see Luxor from the river, take a felucca, which is a wooden sailing boat, or one of the motorboats that can be seen making their way up or downstream at most times of the day. The landing stages along the East Bank are the starting point for many of the cruise ships that run to and from Aswan too.
On the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Nobles, plus many other fabulous temples and structures can be seen. Look out for the Madinet Habu Temple, which includes temples to Amenhotep I and Ramses III, the two huge statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, the funerary temple of Ramesseum and the landmark temple to the great female pharaoh Hatshepsut, the elegant building known as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. Carved into the sheer limestone rock face, the beautiful temple has three floors and a long sweep of steps and a walkway as its entrance.
It is said to have been designed by the pharaoh’s own architect Senenmut during the time of the 18th dynasty. It makes an astonishing, almost haunting, sight from the East Bank.To one side of Hatshepsut’s temple are the ruins of the Temple of Montuhotep II, while to the other is the Shrine to Amun and the Sanctuary of the Sun. A row of statues are said to depict the queen, although ap-pear in a male form. You can also visit the Chapel of Anubis where the paintings and reliefs on the walls and columns are fasci-nating and retain much of their original co-lour. They tell the story of Hatshepsut, one of only three females to have ruled Egypt.
Luxor, the West Bank
The astonishing landscape of the Valley of the Kings with its sand dunes that stretch almost to the waters-edge of the Nile opposite Luxor to the high mountains is matched only by the treasures the area has hidden for centuries, and may still even hide.
Many tombs have been discovered, such as those of Tutankhamun, Ramses I, Ramses II, Ramses III and Ramses VI, Amenhotep II, Seti I, Sipteh, Thutmose III and Horem-heb, and their treasures displayed in museums such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or in the Luxor Museum, but you can’t help but wonder what other fascinating riches are hidden underground just wait-ing to be discovered. Over 60 tombs and chambers are known to be in the valley, but as excavations continue and more tombs are found it is believed there could be many more.
Of course, the pharaohs who chose the site as their graveyard and had astonishing tombs built way underground thought the strategy would stop robbers from removing the priceless treasures that were buried with them when they died. They believed in the afterlife and by burying their possessions with them they would everything they needed, materially, when they entered their new life. Sadly, most of the tombs were robbed over time, with only a few having been discovered intact. The most notable of these is the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The Valley of the Kings dates back to around the 16th to the 11th centuries BC as a ne-cropolis of the Pharaonic Egypt’s New Kingdom dynasties. It is believed to have been used for around 500 years, and is the resting place of the kings and other nobles of the 18th through to the 21st dynasties. In 1979 it was made a World Heritage Site and remains one of the most important and famous archaeological sites in the world.
If visiting the Valley of the Kings from Luxor you will cross the bridge over the Nile and pass by the villages of New and Old Gurna (Qurna), which gives a fascinating glimpse into how local residents have lived and farmed their land for centuries. Old Gurna, par-ticularly, has a collection of brightly painted mud houses that have stood for years. Some are today used as alabas-ter factories.
The Valley of the Kings, itself, though is intriguing. Follow-ing the remote road through the valley (wadi) to the en-trance you will past barren sand dunes and hills. You then reach an interesting information centre from where you can hop on a small train provided for visitors that eases the sun-scorched walk to the first of the tombs enormously,
V a l l e y o f t h e K i n g s
DON’T MISS
The chance to see alabaster delicately carved into vases and ornaments in Qurna, on your way to the Valley of the Kings.
Medinet Habu and Ramses III Temple, Luxor West Bank
Deir el Medina Tomb, West Bank, Luxor
Valley of the Kings
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and then you are at the heart of the valley. It is here that most of the more significant tombs are located.
To the right is the tomb of Tutankhamun, numbered KV62, and almost everyone who visits the valley will wish to enter the boy pharaoh’s last resting place. The tomb was discovered in November 1922 by British ar-chaeologist Howard Carter, who spent days, months and years in his search for the tomb. Carter’s small domed house where he lived during this time can still be seen as you jour-ney to the valley.
When Carter found steps leading to the tomb and then an antechamber full of gold and ivory treasures it caused worldwide ex-citement. He then went on to find a sealed door which, when opened, contained the outer sarcophagus of Tutankhamun. He was buried in coffins one inside the other. Some were solid gold, others wood with gold. The treasures are now contained in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and include the sarcopha-guses, jewellery, smaller sarcophaguses for his organs that would have been removed during the mummification process and the iconic gold death mask that is the image of ancient Egypt.
The tomb, itself, is quite small and undeco-rated, but the tombs of other pharaohs, like Ramses I and Ramses III, for example, are highly decorated and colourful. These lie to the left of Tutankhamun’s tomb.You enter by stairways that lead down past extraordinary wall paintings and hieroglyphics. The colours yellow, orange and red feature strongly, and are so bright it is hard to imagine that they were drawn so many centuries ago. The Tomb of Ramses I (KV16), the second pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, is particularly enchanting, as is the Tomb of Ramses III (KV11), which was discovered in the 18th century. It is known as The Harper’s Tomb after drawings depicting musicians were found inside. It is sometimes known as Bruce’s Tomb too, after the man, James Bruce, who discovered it.
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
The Valley of the Kings is easily reached from Luxor by car or guided tour bus. A little train takes you from the entrance gate and information centre to the heart of the valley.
Hatshepsut Temple
The Curse of the Pharaohs, a phenomenon said to be bestowed on anyone who disturbs an ancient Egyptian mummy, origi-nated after many of Howard Carter’s archaeological team were said to have contracted lethal diseases and viruses when opening Tutankhamun’s tomb.
DID YOU KNOW?
Another tomb, that of the Pharaoh Akhenre Setepenre Siptah (KV47) of the 19th dynasty, is one of the longest in the Valley of the Kings, however his mummy was oddly discovered in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35) in 1898.
A visit to the Valley of the Kings is an ab-solute must on any agenda, and the fact that it is so easily accessible from Luxor city centre where there is a good choice of hotel accommodation makes a family excursion straightforward. Tickets include visits to many tombs, although King Tut-ankhamun’s is extra. Many guided tours include a visit to the nearby Valley of the Queens too, and perhaps even the Val-ley of the Nobles, which lies just to the south of the Valley of the Kings and con-tains hundreds of tombs of high officials of the day. Nearby, too, is Deir El-Madina, where there are the tombs of artisans and workmen who worked on the kings’ tombs. It dates from the Ptolemic era.
Aswan
Aswan, Felucca and the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the West Bank
Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city and lies, like Luxor and Cairo, on the shores of the Nile River, at its first cataract. To its north lies some 750 miles of the Nile until it reaches the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea. What sets this beautiful city apart from Cairo and Luxor, however, is that its buildings occupy only the East Bank and two islands in the river, with its barren West Bank’s sand dunes, literally, on the watersedge. The West Bank has only a handful, albeit supremely notable, structures including the Monastery of St Simeon, the Aga Khan Mausoleum and the Tombs of the Nobles.
Aswan is located roughly where the Western Desert and the Eastern Desert meet, and just north of the great expanse of water created by the Aswan Dam known as Lake Nasser. Aswan has a gorgeous winter climate and is a popular sun resort from November through to March with Egyptians as well as international holidaymakers. Temperatures tend to be around 22-32°C (89.6°F).
Hugely attractive, Aswan is the busy market centre of the region. In fact, its ancient name of Swenet, if translated literally from symbols of the time, means ‘trade’. It can trace its history back to ancient times when it is believed to have been the site of the very first Egyptian community. Its people had moved from the desert dunes to the fertile banks of the Nile in search of a supply of water, fish and land on which to grow produce. They would then trade their goods and so its reputation as a trading centre developed.
As Swenet, the city had the important role of protecting Egypt from invaders at its south-ernmost boundary. In Pharaonic Egypt times, during it is believed every dynasty, the city was a military town. Its stone quarries are said to have provided the granite rock known as Syenite for most of the fabulous temples, columns and obelisks built by the pharaohs, including the Pyramids of Giza.
Today, Aswan is characterised by its abundance of palm trees and tropical gardens, standing beside one of the widest parts of the Nile River. As such, it has many islands dotted off its shores. Two of the largest are Plant’s Island(Kitchener’s Island), known for being covered with exotic plants, and the much larger Elephantine Island.
Plant’s Island(Kitchener’s Island) lies mid-stream and is so called because it was given to Lord Kitchen-er in recognition of his services to the Egyptian army during the Sudan Campaign of the late 1800s. A keen horticulturist, Lord Kitchener created an island of fantastic trees and plants. In fact, it would not be inaccurate to call it a botanical exhibition. Many of the species were imported from around the world, and include huge palms where birds nest. Today, it is one
DON’T MISS
The Unfinished Obelisk, an important relic from the New Kingdom because it clearly shows how the ancient Egyptians created such structures.
Bazaar
of the loveliest places along the Nile and a great place to relax. You can hop across on a boat and go ashore to take advantage of the shade.
The much larger Elephantine Island can trace its history back to ancient times when, as a fort, its role was to defend the city. It marked the southern border with Nubia. Dotted around the island are reminders that it once was home to many people, in fact it is believed to have been one of the oldest inhabited areas of the city.
There are the remains of the temple dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god of the cataracts, which dates from the Old King-dom. You can also visit the Aswan Museum where there is a fascinating collection of ar-tifacts from the Graeco-Roman period on dis-play, and see the Roman Nilometer, the device used to establish the level of the Nile. This one in particular was also used to assess the circumference of the earth in around 200 BC.
The great Philae Temple (dedicated to the goddess Isis), was dismantled and reconstructed on Agilika Island after Aswan dam was constructed.
The Nubians, renowned for their love of festivals and colourful dress, lived on the shores of the Nile as they had done for centuries until quite recently. In fact, the area is widely believed to be where the first Nubian civilization lived as far back as 2000 BC. A visit to Nubian Musuem is worth to have idea about this rich culture.
Modern day Egyptian Nubians moved to Aswan, along with Cairo and Luxor, when the Aswan Dam was built and huge areas of the desert became Lake Nasser.
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Aswan offers sightseeing programmes that takes in the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Philae Temple, plus sailing with a Felucca. Also see the great bazaar in Aswan, the Sound and Light Show in Philae and the Museum of Nubian Civilization.
DID YOU KNOW?
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
The local carrier EgyptAir operates regu-lar flights to Aswan, express trains, and luxurious sleeping trains link the city with Cairo and Luxor. Aswan is a popular starting and disembarkation point of the Nile cruise ships that are as much a part of Egypt as the pyramids. Luxury cruises go from Aswan to Abu Simbel too. Aswan has a plentiful number of taxis and cars available for hire. Tourist Office :Aswan (Head Office) :Phone: 0972312811 - Fax: 0972312811
Nubian village, West Bank
Elephantine Island, Khnum Temple
The stretch of the Nile Valley that runs from Aswan, past the great Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was dismantled and reconstructed on Agilika Island before its former site, Philae Island, was flooded when the old dam was constructed, onwards past the Aswan Dam and the huge manmade lake, Lake Nasser, comes to a halt at Abu Simbel. The town is around 280 kilometres from Aswan and some 100 kilometres from the Sudan border.
Abu Simbel is best known for its two magnificent temples that were originally carved out of solid rock on a mountainside way back in the 13th century BC. An UNESCO World Heri-tage Site, they are known as the Nu-bian Monuments and dedicated to the great deities of the day Ra-Horakhty or Horus, Ptah and Amun. They were built to honour the great pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.
Such was their historical importance and the glimpse they gave the world of an ancient civilization that when the new dam was built to regulate the waters of the Nile, and create the massive Lake Nasser, the temples were the subject of much discus-sion. A subsequent rise in water levels threatened to submerge them. A mammoth project to save the temples was conceived and work began in the early 1960s.
UNESCO stepped in with expert knowledge of ancient buildings, as well as funds created largely from international donations, and managed the project to relocate them to a hill high above the water level of the new lake. The project was a lengthy, but highly successful, one. Massive blocks of rock were cut, dismantled and reassembled over a period of several years.
The temples were, literally, cut from the mountainside and moved to higher ground. They were positioned against manmade semi domes so that the statues on the front facades looked out over the waters as they have done for centuries.
The temples, known as the Great Temple of Abu Simbel for Ramses II, and the Small Temple of Abu Simbel for Nefertari, date back to Pharaonic Egypt and the reign of Ramses II. As the story goes, he wanted to create a lasting monument to his reign, and that of his queen Nefertari. A victory at the Battle of Kadesh proved the perfect opportunity to build the complex. It is believed that work started on the great
DON’T MISS
The Sound and Light show at the Abu Simbel temples. Through narration, lights and sounds the wondrous story of Abu Simbel is told. Also the fabulous sights that can be seen on a cruise between Aswan and Abu Simbel: Kalabsha, Wadi El-Subua, Amada and Qasr Ibram.
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel, Ramses II Temple
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Abu Simbel
temple in the mid-1200s BC and took around 20 years to complete. The smaller temple’s construction started a little later.
At the entrance to the largest temple there are four mighty statues of Ramses II in which he can clearly be seen wearing the double crown of the Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt regions. They are some 20 metres high and, astonish-ingly, were delicately carved from the rock of the mountainside where they originally stood. Sadly, one is badly damaged, but it does not distract from their magnificence. The temple’s frieze is way above their heads.
There are various scenes of battle, including one of Kadesh that show Ramses II’s victories. There are many statues within the complex, including those depicting his wife Nefertari, his sons and daughters, and the deities to which the temple is dedicated. The temple was, in fact, built on an east-west axis so that the early morning sun reached the inside of the temple and shone on some of the statues it contained. This is particularly evident on February 22 and October 22 every year. The smaller temple to Nefertari, sometimes referred to as the Temple of Hathor, stands 50 or so metres from the great temple. It is beautifully decorated with scenes of Ramses II and his wife making sacrifices to the gods, as well as statues showing the pharaoh and Nefertari.
Interestingly, unlike other statues from ancient Egypt where a pharaoh is depicted with his queen, the statues are the same size. Tradi-tionally, the queen was always at knee height to the pharaoh.
At the time they would have been important monuments, but as subsequent dynasties took the reign, and invaders from around the world made their mark on Egypt, the temples of Abu Simbel became all but forgotten. Over many centuries the winds of the desert whipped up the sand until eventually the temples were cov-ered. In 1813, the temples were discovered lying under a massive layer of sand by the famous Swiss traveller Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. He spotted the top frieze of the largest temple and so began the work to unearth them.
Today, they are one of the top tourist attrac-tions in Egypt, and widely considered the greatest temples ever built to honour Ramses II. Escorted buses and coaches full of visitors arrive daily from Aswan.
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As legend has it, Abu Simbel was a young boy who, having had glimpses of the buried temples when the sands moved, had guided travellers to the site.
DID YOU KNOW?
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
EgyptAir flies to Abu Simbel’s small air-field daily from Cairo and Aswan. Guard-ed convoys of buses and cars depart twice a day from Aswan.
Temple of Hathor
Abu Simbel
Temple of Ramses II
The Nile River
Planning the trip
Alexandria is a great summer holiday destination. Be sure to visit Montazah Palace, once the summer home of the Egyptian royal family. It houses a museum and has a great view of the coastline and sea (Allow 2 hour). Visit the Graeco-Roman Museum, located in the heart of the city (Allow 2 hour) and the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Allow 1 to 2 hours to appreciate the atmosphere of the waterside and maybe have some lunch).
You can then head out to one of Alexandria’s archaeological sites, such as the Roman amphitheatre at Kom Al-Dekka, Pompey’s Pillar, the ancient catacombs at Kom el Shoqafa or the Al-Shatby Necropolis site. All are within easy reach and make great detours. Choose the ones you prefer, look them up on the map, and then allow good time to appreciate their ancient history (Allow 3 to 4 hours). Finally, no visit to Alexandria would be complete without a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It may be something you would wish to do on a first visit or a second, but you should allow plenty of time in your schedule to see the massive libraries, the art galleries, museums dedicated to antiquities, manuscripts and science, and its planetarium (Allow 1 day or 3 hours for a quick visit).
A pleasant excursion from Alexandria would be a visit to El-Alamein to visit the war museum that tells of the area’s role in the Second World War, and the Commonwealth War Cemetery or the Italian and German cemeteries (Allow 1 day). Rosetta, or Rashid, is another great excursion. Located around 60 kilometres east of Alexandria, it was where the Rosetta stone was discovered in 1799. The stone was instrumental in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic style of writing. (Allow a half day).
A l e x a n d r i a a n d t h e N o r t h C o a s t
Egypt, and especially the Nile Valley, has so many wonderful sights to see it would be impossible to do everything on one short trip. A first visit to Cairo will almost inevitably mean you will wish to see the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum, while a visit to Luxor would not be complete without going to the Karnak Temples, the Luxor Temple and of course, the fabulous Valley of the Kings.
Many people will choose a holiday featuring several destinations. For example, you may stay a day or two in Cairo, take the short 45-minute flight to Luxor for a few more days and then, maybe, board a cruise boat for a trip up the Nile to Aswan. There are flights from Aswan directly back to Cairo. Alternatively, a trip to the Nile Valley may be extended with a visit to an oasis in the Western Desert, to the Red Sea coast or to Sinai. We offer suggestions for the ‘must see’ sights and excursions :
Legende
Qaitbay Citadel
Cairo is a city where you would get a glimpse of its wonders in just a day or so. Conversely, you could spend days in the Egyptian Museum alone. You may even wish to spend several weeks in the city to really explore its fabulous streets and sights. Top of the list will almost inevitably the Pyramids.
The Pyramids of Giza stands to the west of Central Cairo, as they have for centuries. The site is not far from those of the ancient cities of Memphis and Saqqara. The Pyramids, including the Great Pyramid built for pharaoh Cheops of the 4th dynasty, the slightly smaller Pyramid of Chephren dated from around 2500 BC and the Pyramid of Mykerinos, plus several smaller ones for the kings’ families, are the last remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can go inside the Great Pyramid and Chephren’s Pyramid. From here it’s a short hop by vehicle to the Sphinx (Allow 3 hours in total). If you plan to visit the Solar Boat Museum that houses a full-size ancient Egyptian boat allow a bit extra time, say around a further half hour.
Don’t forget to visit Saqqara and The Step Pyramid of Djoser.
Take time to explore Central Cairo. It has the Corniche el-Nil that runs alongside the Nile, which makes a pleasant morning walk. You can cross to Gezira Island and go up the Cairo Tower for a panoramic view of the city, or visit the 19th century Opera Square and Ataba square, or the Manial Palace (Allow 1 day). In the evening head for the new Opera House for a spot of classical music, opera, theatre or ballet.
The Egyptian Museum is home to one of the largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. You could spend a few hours here and see only a fraction of the 250,000 or so antique pieces on display, including the famous Tutankhamun collection of treasures. There are mummies and tombs, ancient architectural pieces, an embalming table and a replica of the Rosetta Stone in the foyer (Allow 2 hours to several days).
East of Central Cairo is the Islamic part of the city, where you will find the famous network of streets of the Khan el-Khalili. It is the largest bazaar in the Middle East and one of the oldest markets in the world. You can buy everything from spices to gold, copper and silver pieces, fashions, leatherwear and traditional Egyptian musical instruments (Allow 1 to 2 hours).
Old Cairo has some of the most historic and important Christian buildings and churches in the city, including the Church of St Barbara, one of the largest in Egypt, the Church of St George and the oldest the Church of St Sergius. There’s also the enchanting Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Amr Ibn al-As Mosque and the beautiful Hanging Church, so called because it is built high on top of the old Roman fortress structure, the Babylon Fort. The Coptic Museum has one of the finest collections of Coptic art in the world dating from Pharaonic times to Graeco-Roman and Islamic. The little alleyways of Coptic Cairo are a delight to explore (Allow 2 hours).Don’t forget to visit the El Fayoum oasis in the Western Desert, including Lake Qarun and some fine monuments, the remains of the Hawara Pyramid built by Amenemhat III.
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The Pyramids of Giza
The Egyptian Museum
Saqqara Pyramid
On display are a mummified human, crocodile and fish, plus tools used to remove bodies’ vital organs and drain fluids, embalming fluid, canopic jars and coffins (Allow 2 hours). Take time to explore the East Bank of Luxor too. See the Winter Palace Hotel where Agatha Christie is said to have penned her classic work ‘Death on the Nile’, the El-Mekashkesh Mosque and the great Coptic basilica next to Luxor Temple (Allow 2 hours).
The Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor at Thebes is easy to reach by a bridge a little way upstream. Allow about 30 minutes or so for the journey by vehicle and schedule in more time if you wish to take an excursion to the bank’s other main sights, the Madinet Habu Temple, the two huge statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, the funerary temple of Ramesseum and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari.
L u x o r
Luxor is, arguably, the finest outdoor museum in the world. Depending on your depth of fascination with ancient Egypt, you could spend hours, days or even weeks exploring its fabulous temples, visiting the Luxor Museum full of ancient antiquities and seeing the tombs of the Valley of the Kings.
The Karnak Temples is the largest ancient religious site in the world. Visitors can see the Precinct of Amun-Ra, the only area open to the public. There are three other areas, the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut and the now dismantled building, the Temple of Amenhotep IV. It is a fabulous collection of ancient buildings and structures, columns, courtyards, statues including one of Ramses II with his wife Nefertari, pylons and obelisks, even a sacred lake. The entrance dromos is lined with a row of statues both sides, and is known as the Avenue of Rams. It is a ‘must’ (Allow 2 hours).
The Luxor Temple, located right on the corniche, and wonderful lit up at night, can be easily combined with a visit to the Karnak Temples. They lie along the same road within a short distance of each other. Dating from the time of Amenhotep II and Ramses II, the temple has pylons, statues, columns and fabulous colonnades, one a hundred metres in length and built by Amenhotep III himself, courtyards and an obelisk. It is a twin. The other is erected in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. There are also some good examples of Roman stuccoes (Allow 2 hours).
Allow some time to visit the Mum- mification Museum on the corniche.
Islamic Cairo, Sultan Hassan Mosque
Ramesseum, Temple of Ramses II
C R U I S I N G O N T H E N I L E A N D L A K E N A S S E R
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CRUISING ON THE NILE AND LAKE NASSER
A great way to relax and see the sights is to take a cruise along the Nile or a sail around Lake Nasser. From the decks of a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat, or a luxury boat you can see many temples along the way. On the shores of Lake Nasser, for example, there’s the wonderful sight of the Great Temples of Abu Simbel for Ramses II and the Small Temple of Abu Simbel for Nefertari, which date back to Pharaonic Egypt and the reign of Ramses II. They were moved in an UNESCO project to their present site when the Aswan Dam caused water levels to rise and they were in danger of being submerged under the water. They were, literally, carved out of the mountainside (Allow 2 to 3 hours). Motorboats take visitors on shorter trips too.
Luxor’s East Bank is the spot where most of the cruise ships leave for their trip to Aswan. The sight of the cruise ships or ornate steamers, many affording top notch luxury facilities, making their way upstream is a familiar sight. They have comfy air-conditioned guest suites, often complete with King-size beds, and gourmet restaurants and bars on board. From Luxor you will pass by the Valley of the Kings to Esna, on through Edfu and Kom Ombo where you will see the Temple of Sobek and Hareoeris, and on to Aswan. Cruise ships also start at Aswan and so the journey will be in reverse. At Aswan you will see Elephantine Island, which once marked the southernmost border with Nubia, and the beautiful Plant’s Island (Kitchener’s Island) Island full of exotic plants. They lie in the centre of the river. Cruising is a wonderful way to see the stretch of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan (Allow from 3 to 4 days). If you wish to continue your cruise experience, take a boat from Aswan to Abu Simbel. You will see some wondrous sights like the Temple of Wadi El-Subua and the Temple of Amada along the way.
You may also like to stop awhile at the villages of New and Old Gurna (Allow 3 hours). Once at the Valley of the Kings you could spend hours.
The Valley of the Kings dates back to around the 16th to the 11th centuries BC as a necropolis of the Pharaonic Egypt’s New Kingdom dynasties. It is approached through a barren landscape of sand dunes and hills until you reach the centre of the valley. Here you will be able to visit several tombs, including that of Ramses I and Ramses III, plus probably the most famous of all the tomb of Tut Ankh Amun (Tutankhamun) discovered in 1922 (Allow 3 hours).
Practical InfoVisitors will need a single-visit visa to en-ter Egypt. The visa is valid for 90 days. If the planned trip involves travel in and out of Egypt over the same period, then the best option is a multiple-visit visa. Ob-taining a visa is pretty straightforward. It can simply be arranged in advance through one of the Egyptian consulates dotted around the world or purchased on entry at Cairo or Luxor airports. All visi-tors will need to have a passport which must have at least six months remaining of its validity on the date of entry. Egypt, like all other countries, apply strict cus-toms rules about bringing items such as alcohol and cigarettes into the country, so to avoid any misunderstandings it is probably advisable to buy at an airport shop. Under no circumstances should you attempt to leave the country with antiquities.
E n t r y a n d D e p a r t u r e
There are no vaccinations needed to visit Egypt. Sunburn and dehydration can be avoided by using plenty of sun cream, wearing light cotton clothing and a hat, and drinking lots of water. The health care facilities in Egypt are generally good and it is advisable to have health insurance.
H e a l t h
The Nile Valley region stretches nearly 1532 kilometres and as such the weather can differ quite considerably from Alexandria on the coast in the north, along the river to Luxor, Aswan or Abu Simbel further south. Generally, though, the climate in the Nile Valley is moderate with lots of sunshine and very few rainy days, unlike the desert areas that have much hotter temperatures. The best times to go are from mid-April onwards and May or September and October, November when the temperatures are lower, therefore making it easier to sight-see and explore. Between the months of July and August the sun is at its hottest. Average temperatures in Cairo are around 25-35°C (95°F), while in Luxor they are 30-40°C (107.6°F) and in Aswan hotter still at 31-42°C (107.6°F).
C l i m a t e
Egypt has embraced internet services and now it is easy to go online at hotels, offices and internet cafes. Egypt has Wi-fi – Wimax wireless internet that enables you to access the internet in most of the popular places in the country, particu-larly around Luxor. The telephone sys-tem is efficient and visitors should have no problem in finding public phones that take cards. You can buy visitor mobile cards that enable you to use your mobile. The bright yellow and green half booths favoured by one of the leading telecom providers, Menatel, are usually easy to spot. Cards are available from most newspaper stalls and shops showing the Menatel sign and come in 10 and 30 de-nominations for local and international use. You can buy stamps and post your letter at post offices or from your hotel. Post offices are closed on Fridays.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s
E l e c t r i c i t y
Egypt’s electricity works on 220v with sockets being of the two-pin European mainland variety. It’s a good idea to pack an adaptor if planning to use personal items like mobile phone chargers.
The official language of Egypt is Arabic and other languages are widely spoken too, especially in tourist areas.
L a n g u a g e
I n f o r m a t i o n a n d B o o k i n g
Flying to Egypt, and in particular the Nile Valley, is relatively straightforward. The main airline, EgyptAir (www.egyptair.com), runs a regular and efficient service to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan from airports around the world. It also provides inexpensive domestic flights. Some visitors can arrive by road or by sea. Cruise ships often make Egypt a key stop on their itineraries. Booking holidays or short trips to Egypt is easily done via links from the Egyptian Tourist Authority’s website (www.egypt.travel) online direct with local agents or by visit-ing your nearest travel agent.
The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound, which is divided into 100 piasters. Cash is generally easily obtained from ATMs, which can be found in larger towns and cities. Most of the major hotels and stores accept credit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, along with travellers’ cheques and certain foreign currencies like euro, sterling and dollars. If venturing off the beaten track you will find that generally only the Egyptian pound in cash will be accepted.
M o n ey, AT M s a n d C re d i t Ca rd s
While other areas of Egypt are synony-mous with scuba diving and snorkelling, such as the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai, the Nile Valley is known for its balloon trips over the Valley of the Kings, its excellent golf courses, particularly in and around Cairo and Luxor, and its felucca sailing opportunities. For the energetic there’s horse and camel riding, organised hikes and safaris, while for those who like to take it really slow there’s some superb spas just waiting to be enjoyed.
Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT.
As Egypt is such a vast country the best way for holidaying visitors who may have a limited amount of time to explore is to travel from one city to another by air. There are long distance buses and trains available which are cheaper, but of course take much longer to reach their destination. Travel within cities is probably best done by taxi or
- Tourist Police 126
- Fire 180
- Ambulance 123
- Telephone guide 140
- Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus service
19970
- Flying hospital service 02/37766393/2
- Information tourist offices :
* Cairo 02/391 3454
* Pyramids 02/383 8823
* Alexandria 03/485 1556
* Marsa Matrouh 046/493 1841
* Elminya 086/2371521
* Asyut 088/2305110
* Suhag 093/4604453
* Luxor 095/237 2306
* Aswan 097/231 2811
S p o r t s
T i m e
T r a n s p o r t
P r a c t i c a l N u m b e r s
Holidays include the Coptic Christmas in January 7, Labour Day in May 1, Revolution Day in July 23, Armed Forces Day in October 6. The Islamic New Year, the Birth of the Prophet and Ramadan, the major religious period of fasting that precedes the Bairam Feast, change every year.
P u b l i c H o l i d a y s
Government, administrative offices and Banks are generally open from 9am to 2pm each day, except for Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Most shops are open from 10am to 10pm every day except Sunday. Please note that all these times may vary in shopping centres and during Ramadan. Most historic sites and museums are open from 9am to 5pm daily, and often until 6pm in the summer.
B u s i n e s s H o u r s
Cruising the Nile
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minibus, although car hire is an option. Hire a car with a guide by the day, which is a good idea if you have a tight schedule and want to see all the sights. If planning to go into the desert it is a must to take a guide to avoid becoming disorientated. Cairo also has an underground rail system, which is a good way to travel around the city.
Accommodation
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
Whether you plan a stay in a fabulous five-star or four-star hotel, a floating hotel on the River Nile or you are set to enjoy a backpacking experience with overnight stops along the way you can expect an increasingly high standard of facilities in Egypt. The country enjoys a high level of amenities and comfort at exceptional value-for-money.
With its history dating back to
ancient civilizations, its world-class
archaeological sites, landmarks like
the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley
of the Kings, its deserts, diving
waters and vibrant resorts along its
coastline, Egypt attracts visitors from
every corner of the globe. Whether
they opt for a top class luxury
hotel in Alexandria or along the
Mediterranean Coast, the Nile Valley’s
Cairo, Luxor or Aswan, at one of the
fabulous resorts in the Red Sea and
Sinai regions or choose a specialist
venue like a spa centre, a boutique
or historical hotel, an ecolodge, golf
resort or a desert camp, the hotels in
Egypt cater for all tastes and budgets,
making visitors’ stays a memory that
will last a lifetime.
Visitors to Egypt have lots of choice
when deciding where and in what type of accommodation to stay. In the luxury
and historical sector of the market there’s the former hunting lodge the Mena
House Oberoi overlooking the Pyramids, or the 19th century Cairo Marriott
that opened at the same time as the Suez Canal, the five-star Sofitel Old Cata-
ract, one of ‘Death on the Nile’ writer Agatha Christie’s favourite hotels and
one of Egypt’s most famous. It is located on the banks of the Nile at Aswan. In
Luxor, the Sofitel Winter Palace is a landmark five-star hotel next to the Nile.
You get a great view of the Valley of the Kings on the opposite of the river. Or,
El Salamlek in Alexandria, which used to be the residence of the Royal family.
Many visitors to Egypt do so to enjoy a spa and wellbeing break or the chance
to enjoy several rounds of golf. The lavish Intercontinental Citystars in Cairo,
the Four Seasons Health Club and Spa in Alexandria, the Charm Life El Alam-
ein, Luxor’s Hilton Resort and Spa, and Sofitel Karnak, or the Mena Ville resort
at Safaga, the Stella Di Mare Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea coast or the Savoy and
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Marriott, Italian Restaurant, Taba Heights
Grand Rotana at Sharm el-Sheikh are all among the hotels specialising in spa
breaks.
The JW Marriott in Cairo, the Porto Marina in El Alamein, the Steigenberger
Al Dau in Hurghada and the Cascades in Soma Bay are just four of Egypt’s top
hotels with golf courses.
If you are planning to go ‘off the beaten track’ with a tour you may have the en
viable opportunity to stay in one of the country’s ecolodge hotels. At the amaz-
ingly beautiful Bahariya Oasis you can stay at the Qasr El-Bawity ecolodge hotel,
while at Dakhla the Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary Luxury Lodge and Spa. Both are
located in the Western Desert. In the town of Siwa, one of the western desert’s
largest communities, the Adrere Amellal is an ecolodge hotel that has amenities
such as its own swimming pool and guestrooms full of character. A similar expe-
rience can be enjoyed in the Sinai region at Basata ecolodge in Nuweiba.
Whatever type of hotel you choose you can have the peace of mind in knowing
that we are passionate that you should have a wonderful stay in Egypt.
• The hotels mentioned in this section are just a small selection from a
great many establishments available in Egypt. For a full list please visit the
Egyptian Hotel Association website at www.eha.org.eg
Al Tarfa Lodge & Luxury Spa
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Marsa Alam, Kahramana Beach Resort
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The White Desert
AlternativesBahariya Oasis, located around 365 kilometres west of Giza in Cairo is one of the most popular oases in the Western Desert. The Siwa Oasis further into the desert is another. Date palms grow in abundance and are key to the success of making an oasis productive as they form a cover and therefore shade for other smaller trees and plants to thrive. Fig trees, olives trees and some fruit trees can grow in these conditions, as well as vegetables. Bahariya Oasis is famous for its natural ancient Roman hot and cold springs that are said to have therapeutic benefits. Visitors come from far and wide to experience the waters. Culturally, it has a number of ruins from the Graeco-Roman period to see.
Similarly, visit the Siwa Oasis where ancient Egypt enthusiasts can visit the Gabal Al Mawta which houses ancient mummies, the Amun temple with some good examples of paintings and engravings, and the Amun Prophecy Temple dating from the 26th dynasty. There’s a fabulous citadel in old Siwa City too, which is striking and well worth visiting. Other Western Desert oases include the Kharga Oasis, the Dakhla Oasis and the Farafra Oasis, all of which have great ancient sights to see.
THE WESTERN DESERT AND THE OASES
DON’T MISS
The chance to take a ferry boat from Sharm el-Sheikh to Hurghada. Boats leave for the 90 minute crossing. If you are lucky you will see dolphins. You can also join an overland excursion for a trip from Luxor to Hurghada in about 4.30 hours.
The Desert near Bahariya
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The Red Sea Rivera coastline offers an entirely different experience of Egypt. Although featuring many kilometres square of desert, it also has some bustling holiday resorts. Hurghada is one. Home to around 40,000 people, a figure boosted during the late spring and summer months with holidaymakers who adore the fact that, like many places in Egypt, it manages to combine a modern approach to life with a long and fascinating history.
As a former fishing village and home to fishermens’ families for centuries, it is a living history museum in its own right. Hurghada, which is a town of two halves, Ad-Dahar to the north and Sigala to the south, changed little until the 1990s when it began to grow into the holiday hotspot it is today. Stretching some 20 kilometres along the shorelines, it is famous for its great beaches and water sports.20km from Hurghada, El Gouna family and luxury resorts : you will find to suit each your family needs.The much smaller Marsa Alam is further south along the coast. It is quieter compared to Hurghada and tourism is only just starting to make an impact. Several five-star resorts have opened in the past few years. It is a pretty unspoilt village, set right on the coast from where the most strenuous activity is taking a boat out to see the fish, turtles and dolphins or dining in one of its waterside restaurants. The more active can take Red Sea desert adventures on quad bikes, camels or horses, combining day activities with dining under the stars in a traditional Bedouin village.Near Marsa Alam, you will find, Port Ghalib luxury resort with all facilities and services to awaken your sense .
Sinai is an important area too. Sharm el-Sheikh lies just north of Ras Mohammed National Park on the southernmost tip of Sinai. It is a lively resort, with two distinct areas. The tourist area of Naama Bay, which was created in the late 1980s and continues to flourish as a tourist hotspot, and the town and port to the south, along with Sinai Taba, Taba Heights, Nuweiba and Dahab are popular spots too.
The area around Sharm el-Sheikh has a good choice of hotel accommodation and restaurants, plus lots of excursions to places like St Catherine’s Monastery, believed to be the oldest such structure in the world, and standing serenely at the foot of the Moses’s Mountain. You can take trips to the national park and boats for snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea.
THE RED SEA & SINAI
INFO POINT
EASY TRAVEL
Flights arrive into Hurghada and Marsa Alam airports on the Red Sea coast and Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba in south Sinai regularly. Taxis and car hire available in most areas, with a few exceptions in the Western Desert.
Diving spot in the Red Sea
Egypt makes an ideal place to visit for a long weekend. Base your stay in a city such as Cairo or Luxor and see the sights, or opt for a spa and wellbeing resort for a relaxing few days.
DID YOU KNOW?
If venturing to north Sinai head for the cities of Al Arish. The National Parks of Al Zaraneek and Al Bardaweel are famous for their migrating birds and are often full with bird watching enthusiasts.
From the Nile to the Red Sea, you will find a immense mountain range along the coast where the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul, the Roman Ruins of Mons Porphyrites and Mons Claudianus are located in Eastern Desert.
DO
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Do’s & Don’ts
Dorespect the monuments archaeological
sites are human heritage don’t touch
scratch or sit on it.
dress correctly whilst there is no spe-
cific dress code in the cities, women will
feel more comfortable if they do not wear
shorts or have their shoulders uncove-
red. This is particularly relevant when
visiting churches and mosques.
drink lots of water be sure to drink lots
of water and apply sun cream.
have Egyptian money with you
Hotels and the main shops in tourist
areas are likely to accept credit cards and
foreign currencies, but smaller restaurants
and stores are unlikely to, especially the
further you go out into the desert and
away from the tourist areas. Souk traders
will expect cash.
buy souvenirs one of the joys of holi-
daying in a country as fascinating as
Egypt is the variety of souvenirs you
can buy to take home as a reminder of
your stay. Beautiful souks and numerous
Egyptian handcrafts reflect the culture of
different destinations along the Nile such
as blown glass rugs, perfumes, alabaster,
basketware, textile and jewellery. Howe-
ver, do not attempt to take any antiquity.
This is strictly forbidden.
Don’tgo for desert excursions without expe-
rienced guide and good driver.
forget to check the time of Esna Lock
during booking your Nile cruise
miss to attend one of the sound and
light shows along the archaeological hot
spots through the Nile.
miss your camera otherwise you‘ll miss
enjoyable memories with your loved
ones.
Above all, do have a lovely time and
don’t take long to return to Egypt!
