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.
Only a handful of tombs are open at any given time. King Tuts tomb is not high on the tour route as it is not an impressive tomb compared to the others. The tombs of Rameses VI, Merneptah, and Rameses IV are far more impressive. The chambers are surprisingly large and airy. They have bright paintings on their walls depicting scenes from the book of the dead, and the book of caverns among others.
They have made the afterlife pleasant for their rulers. Large airy chambers are inviting and the bright colours on the walls make you feel as if you are visiting a joyous place rather than a place of burial. Kings were buried with great treasures, but the chambers in the Valley of the Kings are empty. Bandits had robbed the tombs years ago and whatever had been saved by excavators are now safely stored 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.
Her Temple is another impressive piece of architecture. Known to be one of the most dramatically situated temples in the world, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Built into the side of a large cliff, it has three tiers leading out to the desert. At one time it would have been filled with lush vegetation, but now it is dry and blends with the desert landscape.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
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.
Standing on the banks of Lake Nasser enroute to Sudan is Abu Simbel this temple was originally built on lower ground. With the creation of the Aswan Dam, an enormous undertaking was initiated in the 1960s to move the ruins to higher ground to keep them from becoming submerged under water.
They are now safe and sound and ready for your viewing. Four 20-metre statues representing Rameses II stand guard over the banks of the lake. Built around 1265 BC, three of the statues are still in relatively good shape. You can take a tour from Luxor to see these temples up close and personal, it is well worth the 280km travel from Luxor. Next to the pyramids, they are one of the most recognizable images of Egypt.
It is difficult to grasp just how ancient everything is in the country. Everywhere you turn buildings are thousands of years old. It is almost overwhelming to fathom that every building, structure and monument has a story to tell.
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.
Only a handful of tombs are open at any given time. King Tuts tomb is not high on the tour route as it is not an impressive tomb compared to the others. The tombs of Rameses VI, Merneptah, and Rameses IV are far more impressive. The chambers are surprisingly large and airy. They have bright paintings on their walls depicting scenes from the book of the dead, and the book of caverns among others.
They have made the afterlife pleasant for their rulers. Large airy chambers are inviting and the bright colours on the walls make you feel as if you are visiting a joyous place rather than a place of burial. Kings were buried with great treasures, but the chambers in the Valley of the Kings are empty. Bandits had robbed the tombs years ago and whatever had been saved by excavators are now safely stored 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.
Her Temple is another impressive piece of architecture. Known to be one of the most dramatically situated temples in the world, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Built into the side of a large cliff, it has three tiers leading out to the desert. At one time it would have been filled with lush vegetation, but now it is dry and blends with the desert landscape.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
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.
Standing on the banks of Lake Nasser enroute to Sudan is Abu Simbel this temple was originally built on lower ground. With the creation of the Aswan Dam, an enormous undertaking was initiated in the 1960s to move the ruins to higher ground to keep them from becoming submerged under water.
They are now safe and sound and ready for your viewing. Four 20-metre statues representing Rameses II stand guard over the banks of the lake. Built around 1265 BC, three of the statues are still in relatively good shape. You can take a tour from Luxor to see these temples up close and personal, it is well worth the 280km travel from Luxor. Next to the pyramids, they are one of the most recognizable images of Egypt.
It is difficult to grasp just how ancient everything is in the country. Everywhere you turn buildings are thousands of years old. It is almost overwhelming to fathom that every building, structure and monument has a story to tell.
About the Author:
Deb Corbeil is one half of Canada's unique Couple. Together with her spouse Dave Bouskill they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to around 30 countries all around the globe. Visit their website theplanetd for more tips, advice and information on travel and unique destinations. To view their photo gallery click on picturetheplanet
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