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top spots in egypt
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  The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza
Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Known as Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the pyramids were already more than 2,000 years old when Herodotus the Greek historian visited them (5th century BC).
A highly skilled corps of mathematicians, masons, surveyors and stonecutters did the job of building the Pyramids. 100,000 slaves were used to carry out the backbreaking task of moving and laying the stones of the largest pyramid-Cheops. About 2.5 million limestone blocks, quarried locally and weighing in excess of 6 million tonnes, were used in the construction of Cheops. | |
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 Abu Simbel
Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut façade, the great Sun Temple of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself.
Over the centuries, the desert sands imperceptibly shifted until the temple was all but lost to humanity. It was rediscovered by chance in 1813 by a Swiss explorer called John Lewis Burkhardt. Only one of the heads of the pharaohs was showing and only a small part of the rest of the colossal temple peeked above the desert sands. It wasn’t until the British happened upon Abu Simbel and starting excavating, that the full glory of the temple of Abu Simbel was revealed to the modern world. | |
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 Luxor and Valley of the Kings
Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Highlights include the legendary Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi-enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting their passage into the after-life. Some of the best known tombs are those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamen.
In all, more than 60 tombs have been excavated. There are at least 75 tombs in Biban al-Harim, the Valley of the Queens, around 4 of which are open. Deir al- Bahri, otherwise known as the famous Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces. Partly rock-cut, partly freestanding, it is one of Egypt’s finest and most photographed monuments |
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 The Tomb of King Tutankhamen
Discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter, the Tomb of Tutankhamen is possibly one of the most dazzling archaeological finds ever. Tutankhamenn lived over 3,300 years ago during the New Kingdom period. For two centuries, Egypt had ruled as a world superpower, while its royal family lived an opulent lifestyle. The powerful priesthood of the god Amun had controlled vast temples and estates. Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) -Tutankhamen’s father renounced the multitude of gods worshipped by the Egyptians, abolished the priesthood and established a new order to worship the sun god Aten and changed his own name to Akhenaten, meaning "servant of the Aten."
Upon the death of Akhenaten, Tutankhaten (Tutankhamen) became king at the age of 9yrs. He ruled for a very short time and possibly died in 1325 BC of somewhat mysterious causes. After 70 days, King Tut’s mortuary tomb was sealed and remained untouched until Carter’s astonishing find. King Tutankhamen’s solid gold funerary mask and his priceless cache of treasures entombed with him for his journey to the afterlife, are now on display at the world famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo. | |
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 Aswan
The pictureque town of Aswan is set on the River Nile and it's start point for both the felucca journey downstream to Kom Ombo & also optional Abu Simbel excursions.
Elephantine and Kitchener Island are worth exploring and sampling the restaurants along the corniche is a good bet. Head out by boat to Agelika Island to explore the Temple of Philae belonging to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The largest monument of the island is the temple of Isis - occupying about one quarter of the island. The walls are covered with scenes of Ptolemic kings and Roman emperors performing daily and ritualistic ceremonies. Later, when this temple became a church, Christians added their crosses to the stones.
Be sure to include Aswan to your itinerary, the laid-back Nubian town is overflowing with colourful markets, spicy aromas, Pharaonic and roman ruins, antiquity from the ancient land of Nubia and off course the ever flowing river Nile.
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 Dahab
Settled originally by the Bedouin, Dahab (which means ‘gold’ in Arabic) is a small, somewhat unspoiled and almost intimate coastal resort town on the Sinai Peninsular. Just 90km from the more commercialised and glitzy Sharm el-Sheikh and around 7 hours drive from Cairo, Dahab has developed from a hippy village to a respected haven with a solid infrastructure for scuba divers, snorkellers and travellers seeking sun, sea and relaxation. Hotels tend to be more basic than in other locations in Egypt. By being mindful of this and keeping your expectations simple, you’ll love Dahab’s simplicity. Located alongside some of the best reef waters on the Red Sea coast, Dahab offers mostly shore-diving to around 30 diving sites for both beginners and the more experienced diver. You’ll usually be driven along the coast by jeep, to ‘gear-up’ at water’s edge and commence your dive or practical side of your chosen PADI dive course.
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 Bahariya Oasis
Situated in a 2000 sq km depression about 330km south-west of Cairo is Bahariyya Oasis. Dating back to ancient times, it was prosperous until the 4th century, when attacks from surrounding tribes and the decline of Roman rule left great chunks of its surrounding agricultural land to be reclaimed by the surrounding desert.
In the last few years, the oasis has received considerable archaeological attention, following the accidental discovery of a field of tombs dating back to the Graeco-Roman period. There are believed to be as many as 1,000 mummies in the area, but only a few have been excavated so far. |
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 Siwa Oasis
Siwa, once the most mysterious of all Egypt's oases, is also the most fascinating. It's history has not only been shaped by all major civilisations, but also by the contrast of the surrounding desert with the lush soil of the oasis setting.
The modern town of Siwa is set among thick palm groves, walled gardens and olive orchards, with numerous freshwater springs and salt lakes. Siwan people have their own culture, customs and language. Women still wear traditional costume heavily laden with locally crafted antique silver ornaments.
There is plenty to keep us busy in Siwa, walk, hire a bicycle or ride in a caretta (donkey cart) and explore the ancient fortress of Old Shali - made of salt and mud-brick, visit Mountain of the Dead - the Roman necropolis strewn with dozens of rock-cut tombs, Cleopatra's Bath and the famed Temple of the Oracle – where Alexandra the Great visited in 331BC, seeking confirmation from the Oracle that he was the son of Zeus.
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