Egypt: A mystical country at the top of every explorers destination list. After all it houses the greatest monuments on earth. Its temples and pyramids are world famous and they have intrigued the human race for centuries.
While visiting this ancient city, you can imagine being back in the time of the Pharaohs. People still dress traditionally wearing their headscarfs and bedouin wraps. Call to prayer can be heard 5 times a day. There is a strong sense of tradition in the land and you feel as if you are frozen in time. Visiting the great pyramids lets you imagine exactly what life would have been like thousands of years ago.
Built is 2500 BC, the Pyramids of Egypt an incredible sight. You can see them from almost any point in the city, but an up close and personal view is a must. Rent a camel and guide and explore the ruins as the ancient explorers did. You will be away from all of the tour buses and even have the extra bonus of riding through the back alley ways of Cairo.
Once you have explored Cairo, make your way south to Luxor a city located on the Nile River. It is here that you will find The Valley of the Kings, the final resting place for 63 kings and noblemen of ancient time. King Tut was buried here and his chamber can be explored.
Your camera will be confiscated at the gate if they see it around your neck. The don’t seem to do a thorough search, so if you want to have memories of your time in the Valley, keep it in your bag until you enter the grounds. However, be respectful and do not take any photos inside the tombs. Flash photography can damage the fragile walls and you will be in trouble with the guards if you are caught, which will most likely occur. Some harmless photos of outside however will give you lasting memories of this incredible sight.
Rameses IV and Merneptah are two temples not to be missed. Well preserved and interesting, they are both quite different experiences. King Tuts tomb is most likely not open for visitors, but it is not considered and impressive tomb anyway. Only a handful of tombs are open to tourists at any one time, so you are at the mercy of what is open for viewing on the day of your visit. The chambers are all impressive though, simply for the fact that they are thousands of years old. But also with the grand scale of their size and for the scenes painted on their walls that have survived for centuries.
The large size and bright colours make you feel comfortable and the fact the they don’t contain any sarcophagi anymore keeps it from becoming and eerie experience. You also won’t find any jewels or hidden treasures here, they have been either looted or excavated. If you want to see most of Egypt’s treasures, you will find them at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
While visiting the Valley of the Kings, you can also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. A woman ruler from 1479-1458 BC, she was one of Egypt’s most successful rulers. Egypt was run by a woman for 21 years. Our modern world has not been quite so liberal.
Built in harmony into the side of a cliff, Hatsheput’s Temple is considered to be the most dramatically situated temple on earth. Three tiers lead to the main grounds where statues and pillars create a labyrinth to explore.
In 1997 a tragic event took place where 60 tourists were killed at the temple. After over a decade of time, things have returned back to normal. You hardly notice that such an event took place, however the armed guards are a reminder of unpleasant times.
Your tour may take you to the Luxor Temple located right downtown Luxor. A massive structure of pillars, statues and temple spans along the Nile River. It is an impressive sight that is even more beautiful at night when it is lit up for your viewing pleasure. If you are looking for internet and have a laptop, the McDonalds across the street has free Wifi and a great view of the entire Temple.
The last temple that you must see in Egypt is Abu Simbel. Located on Lake Nasser, it is bit harder to get to than the others, but well worth the visit. In the 1960’s it was relocated to a hight point on the lakes banks. With the construction of the Aswan Dam, it would have been buried underwater and lost forever. The relocation was a success however and it is alive and well ready to be viewed.
Abu Simbel was built in 1265 BC. Four great images of Rameses II stand 20-metres high overlooking the great lake. It is definitely worth the over 200km trip from Luxor, or you can see it from the ferry to Wadi Halfa in the Sudan.
Not many destinations rival the ancient country of Egypt. Besides its great temples and monuments, it houses the Sahara Desert, the Nile River and is located on the Red and Mediterranean Sea, there are activities for everyone to enjoy and it will not disappoint even the most jaded traveler.
