Egypt,
land of the pyramids and pharaohs, mysterious tombs and temples, and
more than 5,000 years of history. One of the most spectacular
sightseeing destinations in the world. Travelers have been marveling at
Egypt's antiquities for thousands of years. Today a visit to Egypt is
much more than just an immersion in past glories. The clamorous present
is ever present, mud-brick villages sprout TV antennae, stone and glass
high-rise buildings tower over ancient monuments
In addition to the great monuments of the Nile Valley, an Egyptian
itinerary is also likely to include diving along the Red Sea coast or a
desert trek to remote oasis or the Sinai. The hub of transportation and
most likely your first and last stop in the country remains Cairo, a
city which never fails to make a strong impression
Nearly all of Egypt is desert, but the small part which isn't, the
valley of the Nile River is vital to the nation (95% of the population
lives within a few miles of the Nile's banks).
Abu Simbel
Information
Abu Simbel is the
location of the most famous temple of Ramses II. The most spectacular
aspect of this temple is its setting in the solid rock above the banks
of the Nile River between the First and Second Cataracts. Ramses II
built the Great Temple to honor himself and the gods of the state. The
four seated statues of Ramses are about 20 meters in height and at the
feet of Ramses stand the statues of his favorite children
The temples were cut from the rock and shifted to higher ground in the
early 1960's as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise, following
completion of the Aswan High Dam.
The Small Temple was probably completed ahead of the Great Temple and is
dedicated to Ramses favorite wife, Nefertari. At the entrance stands six
33 feet high rock cut statues, two of Ramses and one of Nefertari.
Inside, Nefertari’s temple has a single pillared hall, with carved
Hathor heads on top of the pillars. On the sides facing the center of
the hypostyle, Ramses is shown enraged at his enemies and offered before
various gods, while Nefertari is shown graceful and slender, with hands
raised.
Temples of
Abu Simbel
Fee LE | 55.00 |
Aswan
Information
Aswan is located
south of Luxor and has an African atmosphere. The pace of life here is
slow and relaxing and days can be spent strolling up and down the
Corniche watching the sailboats, or sitting in floating restaurants
listening to Nubian music and eating fresh fish. It is possible to view
the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of the Old
Cataract Hotel or enjoy Nubian dancers and music at night.
Sites of
Aswan
Aswan lies
on the east bank of the Nile. Relax here, visit a few mosques or the
bazaar which runs along the Corniche.
Ferial Gardens
Nubian Museum
Aswan Cemetery
- with tombs from the Fatimid period
Unfinished
Obelisk
- East of the cemetery is the gigantic Unfinished Obelisk and just to
the south of this, two Greco-Roman sarcophagi and an unfinished
colossus remain half buried in the sand
Elephantine
Island,
which is timeless, with artifacts dating from pre-Dynastic times
onward. This is the largest island in the area
Kitchener's
Island
was named after
the British general Haratio Kitchener, who was sent to Egypt in 1883
to reorganize the Egyptian army. The island is known for its garden
and the exotic plants Kitchener planted there and which continue to
flourish to this day
Tomb of Mohammed
Shah Aga Khan
who died in 1957. Known as the Tomb of the Aga Khan, it is beautiful
in its simplicity. A road from there leads back to the Coptic
Monastery of St Simeon, built in honor of Amba Hadra, a local saint
Old Aswan Dam,
which was expanded but unable to control the Nile for irrigation.
ASWAN
|
Fee LE | High Dam
| 10.00
| Philae
Temple | 35.00
|
Elephantine Island | 20.00
| Kitchener
Island | 10.00
| Botanical
Gardens | 5.00
| Nubian
Museum | 35.00
| Unfinished
Obelisk | 20.00
|
Cairo Information
Cairo, known as the
'City of Minarets' is a must on any visit to Egypt. Cairo is a colorful
bustling city, with a blend of ancient and modern, with excellent bars,
an incredible selection of shopping, leisure, culture and nightlife.
Cairo comes alive at night, which is the best time to shop, eat
delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, or simply watch the world go by from a
pavement cafe. You can dine in a floating restaurant on the Nile, sample
an apple-flavored shisha water pipe at a coffee-shop or see oriental
dancers and cabarets at a luxury hotel.
Sights of Cairo
Pyramids - One of
the wonders of the world
The Sphinx of
Giza - truly spectacular!
Egyptian Museum -
full of Egyptian history, a must on everyone's itinerary
Shopping - Khan
el-Khalili souk, largely unchanged since the 14th century Particular
good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass,
copperware, leatherwork, glass and ceramics. Famous street markets,
like Wekala-al-Balaq offers fabrics including Egyptian cotton. There
are also many modern shopping malls in Cairo
Camel Market -
makes a fascinating trip though I don't think you'll want to buy
The Cairo Tower -
A trip to the top of The Cairo Tower, a modern 187 meter-high tower
with far reaching views of the city from all sides, topped by a
revolving restaurant. is worth experiencing
The Cairo Opera
House complex, houses several galleries including the Museum of Modern
Art, restaurants and concert halls. Listening to Arabic music under
the stars in the open-air theatre, is a magical experience
Sound and Light
show at the Pyramids, with a dramatic fusion of light and music
recounting the story of antiquity
Cairo Zoo and the
Botanical Gardens
Nile Trips - Take
a trip on the River Nile in a felucca
Golf - When you
need a break from city life, try a round of golf at the Mena House
course overlooking the Pyramids
Horse racing at
the Gezira Club
Horseback rides from the Giza Pyramids to Sakkara.
CAIRO |
Fee LE |
Egyptian Museum | 40.00
| Royal
Mummy Room | 70.00
|
Citadel | 35.00
| Coptic
Museum | 30.00
|
Islamic Art Museum | 30.00
|
National Museum of Egyptian Modern Art | 10.00
| Solar
Boat Museum | 35.00
| Cairo
Tower | 40.00
|
GIZA PYRAMIDS
|
Fee LE |
Entrance to Giza Pyramids Area |
40.00 |
Entry to Great Pyramid |
100.00 |
Entry to 2nd Pyramid |
20.00 |
Entry to 3rd Pyramid |
15.00 |
Camera / Video Permit | 100.00 |
|
El
Gouna Information
El Gouna is situated 20 minutes north of Hurghada on the Red Sea and
offers a cosmopolitan town centre with a selection of fine bars. The
hotels on offer in El Gouna are of an exceptional standard and are
built to blend in with the dramatic location of deserts, mountains
and the beautiful Red Sea. El Gouna rests between 10 kms of scenic
beachfront and the dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Desert
Mountains, it boasts unique and diverse award-winning architecture
and is spread across a myriad of islands inter-linked by beautiful
lagoons
El Gouna has its own 18 hole USPGA championship golf course designed
by Fred Couples and Gene Bates architectural firm, and offers the
widest range of leisure possibilities in the entire Red Sea area.
Many national and international film companies shoot films in El
Gouna because of its unique character and outstanding beauty.
If you are
looking for something to do other than just relax on one of El
Gouna's beaches, there are numerous interesting, exciting and fun
excursions for you to discover, including desert trips with
Bedouin's where you can experience camel riding, jeep safari's and
horse riding.
El Gouna
town offers a few shops and some local restaurants and bars in front
of a beautiful marina. There is also a Go Cart track which can be a
fun afternoon out!
If you prefer to explore the beautiful Red Sea and are a non diver,
why not try a daily boat excursion. snorkel, swim, walk, or just
relax in the sun on an uninhabited island.
Hurghada
Information
Hurghada, known
in Egypt as Ghardaga, was at one time just a simple fishing village,
but now, with it's crystal clear waters, untouched reefs and a
multitude of ship wrecks, it has become one of the best Egyptian
tourist destinations. Hurghada offers more than 20 km of pristine
beaches and can satisfy the needs of every visitor and is well
known for it's spectacular landscape of colorful mountains and
canyons, these can be explored by taking desert safari's on camels,
horses or even by quad bikes and 4 x 4 vehicles
Oberoi Sahl
Hasheesh is located 25 minutes south of Hurghada in a small bay and
is ideal for those looking for complete relaxation. If you are
looking for some sightseeing and shopping, plenty of excursions
are available to keep you entertained; if not just relax in Egypt's
finest hotel in the Red Sea.
El Gouna is
situated 20 minutes north of Hurghada on the Red Sea and offers a
cosmopolitan town centre with a selection of fine bars. The hotels
on offer in El Gouna are of an exceptional standard and are built
to blend in with the dramatic location of deserts, mountains and the
beautiful Red Sea.
Luxor
Information
Luxor in
ancient times was known as “ the city of a thousand gates” and was
once the playground of the Pharaohs and the site of Egypt’s capital.
Luxor is unique among the cities of the world. Wherever you tread,
you feel you are experiencing the past and the present at one and
the same time. There is hardly a place in the city that does not
have a relic that tells of the splendor of the Ancient Egyptians
several thousand years ago.
Sites
of Luxor
Luxor Temple
was built by the two Pharaohs, Amenhotep II and Ramses II. The
temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, whose marriage to Mut was
celebrated annually, when the sacred procession moved by boat from
Karnak to Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple
includes many singular temples, dedicated to Amun, his wife (Mut),
and heir son Khonsu. Since the Arab conquest, it became known as
Al-Karnak, which means the fort. If visiting Karnak Temple it is
wise to take in The
Sound and Light Spectacle which
uses words, light and music to tell the story of the temple. The
programme is presented twice daily in Arabic, English, French and
German
The Luxor
Museum
is another major attraction worth visiting on the east bank, it is
situated between the temples Luxor and Karnak. It houses pharaonic
relics from Luxor and nearby areas
Valley of the
Kings and Queens,
located on the west bank, with more than 400 tombs and temples.
The tombs of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens are the two
tombs, ordered by the kings and queens of the New Kingdom to be
carved in the rock-faces of the valley so as to safeguard them
against grave robbers. The tomb is composed of several rooms and
corridors leading to the Burial Chamber. The most important of
these tombs are Tut-Ankh-Amun, Ramses Ill, Seti I, Ramses VI,
Amenhotep II, Hur-Moheb, Tuthmosis III. The chief tombs of the
Valley of the Queens are Queen Nefertari, wife of Ramses II
The Colossi
of Memnon
is the only remnant of a temple commemorating Amenhotep II, these
statues are 19.20 metres high. When they suffered cracks, and were
said to sing, the Greeks named them after Memnon the legendary
hero who was killed in the Trojan Wars
LUXOR |
Fee LE
|
Colossi of Memnon |
Free |
Valley of The Kings - 3 tombs only |
55.00 |
Tomb of King Tutankhamen - when open |
70.00 |
Deir al-Bahri ( Temple of Queen Hatshepsut )
|
15.00 |
Medinat Habu ( Temple of King Ramses III) |
20.00 |
Valley of the Queens (excluding Tomb of Queen Nefertari)
|
20.00 |
Tomb of Queen Nefertari - when open |
100.00 |
Temple of Seti I |
20.00 |
Luxor Museum |
55.00 |
Mummification Museum - Photo ticket |
20.00 |
Mummification Museum - no flash |
10.00 |
Mummification Museum - video permit |
100.00 |
Luxor Temple |
35.00 |
Temples of Karnak |
40.00 |
Sound & Light show at Temples of Karnak (evenings only -
check with staff for schedules) |
35.00 |
| North &
South of LUXOR |
Fee LE
|
Edfu Temple |
35.00 |
Kom Ombo Temple |
20.00 |
|
Nile Cruises
Information
The River Nile encompasses centuries of
history, with monuments from deep in the South, Northward to Cairo
and beyond. The Nile is the longest river in the world and from its
principal source, Lake Victoria in east central Africa, the Nile
flows north through Uganda, Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean
Sea, a distance of 5584 km
In pre-historic times forests covered the river banks when the river
was just a vast swamp composed of rushes, papyrus and weeds.
However, due to the thousands of years of human intervention, the
Nile throughout Egypt flows through green fields, looking much like
a rich, well cultivated European plain
A cruise on the Nile aboard one of our luxurious cruise ships
is like taking a tour through an
Egyptian Museum and retracing the journeys taken by the great
Pharaohs, such as Tutankhamen
Cruises begin in Aswan or Luxor,
covering a distance of 200 km. A highly qualified and knowledgeable
Egyptologist travels with you throughout your journey to provide
insights and a comprehensive understanding of the ancient kingdoms
Esna Lock
Closure
Itineraries and boats can change at short notice and your final
itinerary will be confirmed upon arrival in Luxor. Cruise boats are
often moored alongside one another restricting views from some
cabins. Domestic flight tickets for the optional Abu Simbel
excursion are issued locally. and timings cannot be given in advance
or guaranteed.
During the closure of Esna Lock (approx 01-16Dec 04), cruise boats
will be positioned at the Esna side of the lock. This will incur
longer journeys to/from Luxor
for sightseeing and arrival/departure transfers. Any departure
between these dates will be affected
Sahl Hashish
Information
Sahl Hashish is
located South of Hurghada in a small bay, and is ideal for those
looking for complete relaxation. If you are looking for some
sightseeing and shopping, there are also plenty of excursions
available to keep you entertained, such as:
Coptic Monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul
Hidden away in the barren cliffs of the Eastern Desert, these Coptic
Christian monasteries are the oldest in Egypt. Built during the 4th
century AD, they represent the beginning of the Christian monastic
tradition
Giftun Island
Located north of Sahl Hashish is Giftun Island and is known for it's
vibrant coral reefs and exotic species of marine life
Desert Safari's
Drive off into the desert, to the south of Hurghada and experience
panoramic and breathtaking views of the Red Sea mountain
ranges, also take in Bedouin local life, camel riding or quad biking
Sharm El Sheikh
Information
The region of
Sharm El Sheikh is located on the eastern shore of the southern most
tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It overlooks the crystal clear
waters of the Red Sea and is made up of a series of bays with
outstanding coral reefs off shore making it a Mecca for divers from
around the world. There is a range of good quality hotels in the
area and all offer easy access to the lively resort of Naama Bay
which has shops, bazaars, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Apart from superb diving, there are many other sporting activities
on offer including golf, tennis and either horse or camel riding.
There are trips into the desert on horse back or by camel as well as
by jeep. Quad biking in the desert is also a popular pastime. The
little town of Sharm El Sheikh is worth visiting for a taste of old
Egypt with its spice shops, shisha cafes and sugar cane juice
stalls. Sharm also makes a good base from which to explore the
nearby mountains and desert, and with access to St Catherine's
Monastery, the Colored Canyon and a number of beautiful National
Parks there is always something new and interesting to discover |
|
