Best Travel Destinations - Egypt
Some of the most remarkable achievements in human history stand in preservation on the Plateau of Giza, by Cairo in Egypt. The Great Pyramids of Egypt, built over 4,500 years ago, continues to astound the amazement of all who visit. The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous of ancient Egyptian monuments. This series of necropolises served the elite Royal Egyptians during the 4th Dynasty, approximately late 3rd millennium BCE. The most famous of these tombs is the Pyramid of Khufu. It is also known as the Great Pyramid (or the Pyramid of Cheops) and is the largest of the bunch. The next most prominent Great Pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafre; then followed by the modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure. Khufu Pyramid was built by ...
It was midnight, and our Egyptian driver was impatient as 10 tourists tried to stuff themselves into a rather undersized van. Making sure we had our passports to show for the midnight checkpoints, we were soon en route, sleepy but excited, towards our destination: climbing Mount Sinai by night. The night route for climbing Mount Sinai is a popular one, undertaken by many in order to bask in the beautiful Sinai sunrise. We were dropped off at the front gate along with hundreds of other travellers making the night trek. Waving flashlights, the Bedouin guides called for their assigned tour groups to make their way through the metal detectors to begin climbing Mount Sinai. Our guide was a friendly, quiet fellow who had an odd ...
The Luxor area is one of the premiere travel spots in Egypt, home to some of the best historical sights and experiences. There's so much to see and do here, from the Temple of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, that it's possible to see several enjoyable days go by in the blink of an eye. One of the top attractions in Luxor is the Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el-Bahri, which is located on the west bank of the famous Nile River opposite the city. A Coptic Christian cemetery is just one of several uses this area has had over the centuries, and includes a mortuary complex for Pharaoh Mentuhotep II who reunited Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. The most notable ...
A cruise down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca (small wooded boat) is a treat that should not be missed in a country awash in historical fortunes. It is quintessential Egypt. Skimming across the surface of the Nile River as the sun sets over the Sahara Desert can create a perfect end to a day full of interesting experiences. The father of modern history, Herodotus, said that Ancient Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Without it, the fertile strip of land that runs through the heart of the country would probably be as dry as the Sahara Desert surrounding it, and the history that existed around it probably never would've happened. But instead, today, it is lined with a great many marvels of ...
Perhaps overshadowed by the mainstream popularity of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, a visit to the vast Karnak Temple in Luxor brings you deep into the abode of the Gods. Known as Ipet-isut (the most selected of places), this conglomeration of ruined temples and chapels pays homage to the Theben triad of Gods: Amun, Mut and Khonsu. At 447 miles (721 km) downstream along the Nile River lies the Temple of Karnak, believed to be the second most visited site in Egypt. It’s easy to see why immediately as the temple imposes a grand and stately first impression. The massive open-air complex is filled with huge statues, sphinxes, temples, pylons and impressive hieroglyphics that are sure to wow. For a country that already has such ...
Long ago, in 1274 B.C., there was a great battle in present day Syria for control of the trade routes through the area. As many as 6,000 chariots, more than any other battle in history, and 70,000 men clashed for control, and an untold number were lost. Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II claimed he won a great victory over the Hittite empire, but the true outcome of the battle is uncertain as Kadesh never actually fell. Still though, upon his return, Ramesses commissioned a great temple be built to commemorate what he considered his victory. What is left of that temple sits on what is now known as Lake Nasser; it is called Abu Simbel. A legend tells that over 2,000 years later a local boy ...
The Citadel in Cairo, Egypt was built by military genius Saladin, a man who retook the Holy Land from the Crusaders, as a means to protect and unite the cities of Cairo and Fustat. Saladin planned to build a massive wall around the two cities, using the Citadel as its centerpiece, but was unable to complete it before he died in Syria in 1193 A.D. The huge wall was ultimately finished in 1238 A.D. with the Cairo Citadel prominently set on Muqattam Hill, overlooking the city. Saladin knew the hill was a great strategic location as it offered a commanding vantage point of the surrounding area, but it was also endowed with another powerful gift, wind. It was here, long before the wall or the ...
The Pyramids at Giza are an awesome sight, and the experience is made even more amazing when you see the Pyramids from camel-back in the desert. The tall Arabian camels sway gently to and fro under the blazing desert sun as you make your way through the dusty white buildings of town, finally breaking out into open sand dunes. The footsteps of these majestic animals are nearly soundless in the sand, the sky clear, and in the distance, the iconic silhouette of the Pyramids of Giza are outlined against the horizon. Time falls away, and you might almost be part of a caravan in the desert thousands of years ago. Most camel rides at Giza start at the entrance to the Pyramids, but do not ...
While cruising along the Nile RIver past the Egyptian city of Aswan, your eyes are quickly drawn to the Temple of Kom Ombo: a beautiful Egyptian temple located on the river’s edge, just 50 km from Aswan. Whether arriving by tour bus or by felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, visitors are in for a treat as they climb the magnificent stone steps and enter the inner sanctuary of Kom Ombo Temple—the temple of Haroeris and Sobek. Ancient crocodiles once covered the shores surrounding Kom Ombo, and Sobek is the crocodile god honoured by the Temple of Kom Ombo (also known as the Temple of Kom Omb). Sobek is depicted in various hieroglyphs throughout the temple, with the body of a man and the head of ...
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