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Cairo & Nile Cruise by Sleeping Train Tours CNT100
- Country: Egypt
- Cities: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo
- Duration:9 Nights / 10 Days
- Tour Runs:Thursday
- Overview:
Pyramids , Sphinx ,the Egyptian Museum, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples,Abu Simble Temple, Hatshpsute temple , Valley of Kings , Colossi of Memnon , Luxor and Karnak temple
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Tour Info
Includes:
Excludes:
Accommodation:
2 nights Cairo including breakfast Basis
1 night Sleeping Train (Cairo / Luxor) including half board Basis
4 nights Nile Cruise including full board Basis
1 night Aswan including breakfast Basis
1 night Cairo including breakfast Basis
Services Included:
Airport`s meet, assist and transfers
Tours to Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum and Khan el Khalili Bazaars
4 Nights / 5 Days daily tours as listed in itinerary during the Nile Cruise sailing between ( Luxor / Aswan)
Tours To Abu Simble Temple
One way sleeping train Ticket (Aswan / Cairo)
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Accommodation and Sightseeing as listed
Professional Multilingual tour guide and tour leader
All services in private basis
Entrance fees as sights listed in itinerary
Excludes:
Any Flights booking
Entry Visa to Egypt
Any Kind of Insurance
Personal expenses
Optional Tours
Tipping
Notes
Entering the pyramids chamber from inside & solar boat
Entering the Mummies room at the Egyptian Museum
Tour Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival Cairo
Arrival at Cairo international airport where you will be met and assisted through Visa and Customs by our staff and escorted to your hotel in Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: No
Day 02: (Cairo) Tours to Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum and Khan Khalili.
After breakfast at hotel ( normally start from 07:00 am to 09:00 am ) , our tour guide will meet you at Lobby to pick up and start the day tours to Pyramids and Sphinx after that transfer to restaurant to get your lunch meal , continue to visit Egyptian Museum and Khan Khalili , transfer back to your hotel - over night in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch
Day 03: (Cairo / Luxor) Tours to East Bank of Luxor
After breakfast, our staff will pick up you to transfer to Cairo international airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival to Luxor airport, you will be met and assisted by our staff then escorted you to your Nile cruiseIn the afternoon you will start your splendid cruise by visiting the East Bank of Luxor where you will discover the complexes of Karnak & Luxor temples. Dinner on board and overnight in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner
Day 04: (Luxor / Esna) Tours to West Bank of luxor
After breakfast, you will disembark for exploring the mysteries of the West Bank of Luxor: the great Valley of the Kings & Queens and Colossi of Memnon. You will then visit the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Back to the ship for lunch. Enjoy your time free while sailing to Edfu via Esna. Overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner
Day 05: (Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan) Tours to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nile while having breakfast on your way to Edfu. In Edfu you will discover Edfu temple dedicated to the god Horus by horse carriage. Enjoy your lunch while sailing to Kom Ombo where you will visit Kom Ombo temple dedicated to the god Sobek and the god Haroeris. Dinner and overnight in Kom Ombo.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner
Day 06: (Aswan) Tours to Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk ,Aswan High Dam and Botanical Garden by Felucca
Early sail to Aswan, after breakfast you will visit the high dam, the unfinished Obelisque and the beautiful Philae Temple. Back to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon you will visit the beautiful Botanical Garden by Felucca, Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner
Day 07: (Aswan) Tours to Abu Simble Temple
After breakfast. Disembark , our tour guide will meet you at Lobby to pick up and start the day tours to Abu Simble Temple after that transfer back to your hotel - over night in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast
Day 08: (Aswan / Cairo) Overnight Sleeping Train to Cairo
After breakfast, free day at leisure. At end of the day 0630 pm, transfer to Aswan Rail way station for your train depart on 0830 pm -dinner on board - over night Train
Meals: Breakfast -Lunch
Day 09: (Cairo) Back to Cairo
After breakfast, our staff will pick up you from Giza Railway Station, you will be met and assisted by our staff then escorted you to your hotel, free day at leisure. You may ask our staff for available optional tours
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Departure day
After breakfast, free time until your departure and check out then transfer to Cairo international airport for your final departure. Wish you a safe trip
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
Abu Simble Temple
Location: Southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 230 km southwest of Aswan. Built: Construction of the temple complex started in ... More Info.
Colossi of Memnon
Location: in a field at the side of the road to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of LuxorBuilt: For the past 3400 years (since 1350 BC)Built ... More Info.
Deir el-Bahari ( Hatshpsute )
Location: on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt.Built:in the 15th century BC.History: Deir el-Bahari is a complex of ... More Info.
Edfu Temple
Location:on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu 60 miles north of Aswan, Upper EgyptBuilt: in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 ... More Info.
Karnak Temple
Location: Luxor, EgyptBuilt: built and enlarged over a 1300 year periodHistory: the Karnak Temple Complex usually called Karnak ... More Info.
Khan el-Khalili
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, CairoBuilt:in 1382Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-KhaliliHistory:Â Khan el-Khalili, once ... More Info.
Kitchener Island
Location: Aswan, Egypt. History: Kitchener's Island is one of two major islands on the Nile in vicinity of Aswan, the other one being ... More Info.
Kom Ombo Temple
Location: 40km north of Aswan, Egypt.Built: during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395)Built by: Ptolemy VIHistory: The temple is split up in ... More Info.
Built: during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395)
Built by: Ptolemy VI
History: The temple is split up in two equal parts. It was dedicated to two Gods, Horus and Sobek The temple at Kom Ombo is about 30 miles (48 km) on the east bank of the Nile north Aswan. There was an earlier structure from the 18th dynasty but little remains .The Temple was mainly dedicated to the God Sobek, the crocodile God, together with his wife, in another form of the Goddess Hathor. The Temple is of Greco-Roman structure, dating back to the year 119 BC, when Ptolemy VI, who started the construction, built it out of limestone. Neos Dionysus finished most of the building, while the Emperor Augustus added the final touches. The temple is unique because it is in fact a double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels. On the inner side, of the back wall of the Temple, is a very remarkable scene! It shows the first illustration of medical and surgery tools, which are being presented to a seated God. Here you will find depictions of: scalpels, suction caps, bone saws, and dental tools; 2000 year old depictions! In the northwest side of the Temple, there is a huge well with a staircase, which was connected with the worship of the crocodile and was also used as a Nilo-meter. You still can see water there! Sobek is associated with the wicked god Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the Horus myth the allies of Seth made their escape by changing themselves into crocodile’s .Sobek’s chief sanctuary was at Kom Ombo, where there were once huge numbers of crocodiles. Until recent times the Egyptian Nile was infested with these ferocious animals, which would lay on the riverbank and devour animals and humans alike. So it is not surprising that the local inhabitants went in fear. The Eye of Horus the Udjat eye represents the eye of the god Horus which was torn from his head by the storm god Seth. It is a composite of the human eye and the markings of a falcon's eye and was used as an amulet against injury.
Luxor Temple
Location: on the east bank of the River Nile in Luxor.Built: 1400 BCEBuilt by: largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses ... More Info.
Philea Temple
Location: at the first Cataract of the Nile, Aswan, Egypt.History: Philae Island was a rocky island in the middle of the River Nile, south of Aswan. ... More Info.
Sphinx
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a ... More Info.
History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name 'sphinx' which means 'strangler' was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a sun god. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are, however, sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun. Where it sits was once a quarry. Chephren's workers shaped the stone into the lion and gave it their king's face over 4,500 years ago. The sphinx faces the rising sun with a temple to the front which resembles the sun temples which were built later by the kings of the 5th Dynasty. The figure was buried for most of its life in the sand. King Thutmose IV (1425 - 1417 BC) placed a stela between the front paws of the figure. It describes when Thutmose, while still a prince, had gone hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the sphinx. During a dream, the sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand because it was choking the sphinx. The sphinx told him that if he did this, he would be rewarded with a kingship. Thutmose carried out this request and the sphinx held up his end of the deal. The sphinx is built of soft sandstone and would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried for so long. The body is 200 feet (60m) in length and 65 feet (20m) tall. The face of the sphinx is 13 feet (4m) wide and its eyes are 6 feet (2m) high. Part of the uraeus (sacred cobra), the nose and the ritual beard are now missing. . The beard from the sphinx is displayed in the British Museum. The statue is crumbling today because of the wind, humidity and the smog from Cairo. Attempts to restore it have often caused more harm than good. No one can be certain who the figure is to personify. It is possible that it is Chephren. If that is so, it would then be the oldest known royal portrait in such large scale. Some say that it was built after the pyramid of Chephren was complete. It may have been set as a sort of scarecrow to guard his tomb. Still others say it is the face of his guardian deity, rather than Chephren himself. The image of the sphinx is a depiction of royal power. Only a pharaoh or an animal could be shown this way, with the animal representing a protective deity. In the 1980's, a carefully planned restoration of the Sphinx was in progress. Over 6 years, more than 2,000 limestone blocks were added to the body of the sphinx and chemicals were injected. This treatment did not work. It just flaked away along with parts of the original rock. Later, various mortars and many workers who were not trained in restoration worked for six months to repair it. In 1988 the left shoulder crumbled and blocks fell off. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists. They are concentrating on draining away subsoil seepage which is damaging the rock. They are also repairing the damaged shoulder with smaller blocks and staying with the original size.
The Egyptian Museum
Location: It is situated at Tahrir square, Cairo, EgyptBuilt: in 1897Built by: Khedive Abbass HelmiHistory: The Egyptian Museum was first built in ... More Info.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile RiverHistory: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the ... More Info.
Unfinished Obelisk Aswan
Location: in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, Egypt.History: The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient ... More Info.
Valley of the Kings
Location: on the east bank, Luxor, Egypt.History: the Valley of the Kings, less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings is a valley in Egypt ... More Info.
Valley of the Queens
Location: on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes).History: The Valley of the Queens is a place in Egypt where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ... More Info.
Location: Southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 230 km southwest of Aswan. Built: Construction of the temple complex started in ... More Info.
Abu Simble Temple
City:
Abu Simbel
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: Southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 230 km southwest of Aswan.
Built: Construction of the temple complex started in approximately 1284 BC and lasted for about 20 years.
Built by: Ramesses II.
History: The Temples of Abu Simbel are amongst the most interesting Pharaonic Temples. Consists of two, rock-cut Temples, which both date back to the reign of King Ramses II (1290-1223 BC). This is the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. The temple was cut into rock in the 13th century B.C. by the famous pharaoh Ramses II in honour of himself and the triad Amon-Ra, Ptah and Ra-Harakhte. Together with a smaller temple dedicated to Ramses' wife Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, it lay strategically in a bend of the river Nile overlooking the plains to the south as an impressive monument of Egypt's might. As such it must have served to impress people coming from the south, possibly to scare anyone thinking of invading the land of Egypt.The temple's strategical position proved unfortunate for its placement right at the bank of the Nile, because the building of a new dam in the Nile in the 1960s caused the water to rise to its feet, and threatened to eventually drown the great monument. During a great international rescue campaign headed by UNESCO between 1963 and 1967 the temple was moved to a higher and safe location.The front of the temple is dominated by four gigantic statues of the great pharaoh himself. The colossi of the king, wearing the characteristic nemes headcloth and double crown (of upper and lower Egypt), are each 20 metres high, while the facade is more than 35 metres wide and 30 metres high. The king is accompanied by some of his wives, sons and daughters who appear in much smaller size beside his legs. Right above the entrance stands a figure of the god Re-Harakhte in a small niche. The top of the facade is crowned by a row of baboons.One of Egypt's most impressive sites, Abu Simbel is unforgettable. Its two temples were built in the 13th century BC by Ramses II, one dedicated to himself and the gods Horus, Amun and Ptah, and another dedicated to his wife Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Ramesses built the temple too close to the Nile and the flood waters took their toll.The central entrance leads into a large hall with massive pillars fronted by Osiris figures of the king. The temple's orientation is arranged in such a way that twice every year on 22 February and 22 October the earliest sun-rays shine on the back wall of the innermost chamber, thus illuminating the statues of the four gods seated there.
Location: in a field at the side of the road to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of LuxorBuilt: For the past 3400 years (since 1350 BC)Built ... More Info.
Colossi of Memnon
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: in a field at the side of the road to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor
Built: For the past 3400 years (since 1350 BC)
Built by: Amenhotep III (18th Dynasty)
History: The Colossi of Memnon (known to locals as el-Colossat, or es-Salamat) are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3400 years they have stood in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor. Amenhotep III (18th Dynasty) built a mortuary temple in Thebes that was guarded by two gigantic statues on the outer gates. All that remains now are the 23 meter (75 ft) high, one thousand ton statues of Amenhotep III. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive. Perhaps the most imposing monument on the West Bank at Luxor is the famous 'Colossi of Memnon'. These massive quartzite (or quartzose sandstone) statues which once flanked the entrance to Amenhotep III's mortuary temple now stand virtually alone in a field at the side of the road to the valley of the kings. The temple on the west bank of Luxor, the first monument that you will encounter, it is the two gigantic statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. The Greeks gave them their name, after the Trojan hero Memnon, who was killed by Achilles. These two, gigantic figures of Amenhotep III were originally situated in front of his Mortuary temple, which was destroyed for unknown reasons! The two colossi are made of sandstone, which during ancient times was brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21m tall and represents King Amenhotep III seating on his throne, wearing the Nemes, or royal headdress, with the divine cobra protecting his forehead. On the sides of the colossi there is a representation of the Nile god Hapi, bending together the lotus and the papyrus plants, symbolizing the union of Upper and Lower Egypt. This site became a popular resort in the Roman Period. Many famous Romans.
Location: on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt.Built:in the 15th century BC.History: Deir el-Bahari is a complex of ... More Info.
Deir el-Bahari ( Hatshpsute )
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt.
Built:in the 15th century BC.
History: Deir el-Bahari is a complex of mortuary temples and tombs. The first monument built at the site was the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II of the Eleventh dynasty. During the Eighteenth dynasty, Amenhotep I and Hatshepsut also built extensively at the site.
Mortuary temple of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep: Mentuhotep II, Eleventh Dynasty king who reunited Egypt at the beginning of the Middle Kingdom, built a very unusual funerary complex. His mortuary temple was built on several levels in the great bay at Deir el-Bahari. It was approached by a 16-metre-wide (150-ft) causeway leading from a valley temple which no longer exists. The mortuary temple itself consists of a forecourt, enclosed by walls on three sides, and a terrace on which stands a large square structure that may represent the primeval mound that arose from the waters of chaos. As the temple faces east, the structure is likely to be connected with the sun cult of Ra and the resurrection of the king. From the eastern part of the forecourt, an opening called the Bab el-Hosan ('Gate of the Horseman') leads to an underground passage and an unfinished tomb or cenotaph containing a seated statue of the king. On the western side, tamarisk and sycamore trees were planted besides the ramp leading up to the terrace. At the back of the forecourt and terrace are colonnades decorated in relief with boat processions, hunts, and scenes showing the king's military achievements Statues of the Twelfth Dynasty king Senusret III were found here too? The inner part of the temple was actually cut into the cliff and consists of a peristyle court, a hypostyle hall and an underground passage leading into the tomb itself. The cult of the dead king centred on the small shrine cut into the rear of the Hypostyle Hall. The mastaba-like structure on the terrace is surrounded by a pillared ambulatory along the west wall, where the statue shrines and tombs of several royal wives and daughters were found. These royal princesses were the priestesses of Hathor, one of the main ancient Egyptian funerary deities. Although little remained of the king's own burial, six sarcophagi were retrieved from the tombs of the royal ladies (Ashayet, Henhenet, Kawit, Kemsit, Muyet and Sadhe). Each was formed of six slabs, held together at the corners by metal braces and carved in sunken relief. The sarcophagus of Queen Kawit, now in the Cairo Museum, is particularly fine. The burial shaft and subsequent tunnel descend for 150 meters and end in a burial chamber 45 meters below the court. The chamber held a shrine, which once held the wooden coffin of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep. A great tree-lined court was reached by means of the processional causeway, leading up from the valley temple. Beneath the court, a deep shaft was cut which led to unfinished rooms believed to have been intended originally as the king’s tomb. A wrapped image of the pharaoh was discovered in this area by Howard Carter. The temple complex also held six mortuary chapels and shaft tombs built for the pharaoh's wives and daughters.
Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut: The focal point of the Deir el-Bahari complex is the Djeser-Djeseru meaning "the Holy of Holies", the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. It is a colonnaded structure, which was designed and implemented by Senemut, royal steward and architect of Hatshepsut (and believed by some to be her lover), to serve for her posthumous worship and to honour the glory of Amun. Djeser-Djeseru sits atop a series of colonnaded terraces, reached by long ramps that once were graced with gardens. It is built into a cliff face that rises sharply above it, and is largely considered to be one of the "incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt". It is 97 feet (30 m) tall. The unusual form of Hatshepsut's temple is explained by the choice of location, in the valley basin of Deir el-Bahari, surrounded by steep cliffs. It was here, in about 2050 BC that Mentuhotep II, the founder of the Middle Kingdom, laid out his sloping, terrace-shaped mortuary temple. The pillared galleries at either side of the central ramp of the Djeser Djeseru correspond to the pillar positions on two successive levels of the Temple of Mentuhotep. Today the terraces of Deir el-Bahari only convey a faint impression of the original intentions of Senenmut. Most of the statue ornaments are missing - the statues of Osiris in front of the pillars of the upper colonnade, the sphinx avenues in front of the court, and the standing, sitting, and kneeling figures of Hatshepsut; these were destroyed in a posthumous condemnation of this pharaoh. The architecture of the temple has been considerably altered as a result of misguided reconstruction in the early twentieth century A.D.
Architecture: While Hatshepsut used Menuhotep’s temple as a model, the two structures are significantly different. Hatshepsut employed a lengthy colonnaded terrace that deviated from the centralized massing of Menuhotep’s model – an anomaly that may be caused by the decentralized location of her burial chamber. There are three layered terraces reaching 97 feet (30 m) in height. Each ‘story’ is articulated by a double colonnade of square piers, with the exception of the northwest corner of the central terrace, which employs Proto-Doric columns to house the chapel. These terraces are connected by long ramps which were once surrounded by gardens. The layering of Hatshepsuts temple corresponds with the classical Theban form, employing pylon, courts, hypostyle hall, sun court, chapel, and sanctuary the relief sculpture within Hatshepsut’s temple recites the tale of the divine birth of the pharaoh. The text and pictorial cycle also tell of an expedition to the Land of Punt, an exotic country on the Red Sea coast. On either side of the entrance to the sanctuary are painted pillars with images of Hathor as the capitals. Just under the roof is an image of Wadjet, displayed as a bilateral solar symbol, flanked by two other long serpents. The temple includes an image, shown to the right, of Hatshepsut depicted as male pharaoh giving offerings to Horus, and to their left, an animal skin wound around a tall staff that is a symbol of the god Osiris. While the statues and ornamentation have since been stolen or destroyed, the temple once was home to two statues of Osiris, a long avenue lined by sphinxes, as well as many sculptures of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in different attitudes standing, sitting, or kneeling.
Mortuary Temple of Thutmose III: Thutmose III built a temple complex here, dedicated to Amun. Discovered in 1961, it is believed to have been used during the Beautiful festival of the valley. Not much is known about the complex, as it was abandoned after sustaining severe damage during a landslide in the lattertwentieth Dynasty. After that time it was used a source of building materials and in Christian times became the site of a Coptic cemetery.
Location:on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu 60 miles north of Aswan, Upper EgyptBuilt: in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 ... More Info.
Edfu Temple
City:
Aswan
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location:on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu 60 miles north of Aswan, Upper Egypt
Built: in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE.
Built by: started during the reign of Ptolemy III and completed under Ptolemy XII
History: The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple which was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. It is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. In particular, the Temple's inscribed building texts "provide details of its construction, and also preserve information about the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation." There are also "important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth."They are translated by the German Edfu-Project. Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic period, including Dendera, Esna, Kom Ombo and Philae. Its size reflects the relative prosperity of the time. The present temple, which was begun "on 23 August 237 BCE, initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels."The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III and completed in 57 BCE under Ptolemy XII. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east-west rather than north-south as in the present site. A ruined pylon lies just to the east of the current temple; inscriptional evidence has been found indicating a building program under the New Kingdom rulers Ramesses I, Seti Iand Ramesses II. A naos of Nectanebo II, a relic from an earlier building, is preserved in the inner sanctuary, which stands alone while the temple's barque sanctuary is surrounded by nine chapels. The temple of Edfu fell into disuse as a religious monument following Theodosius I's edict banning non-Christian worship within the Roman Empire in 391 CE. As elsewhere, many of the temple's carved reliefs were razed by followers of the Christian faith which came to dominate Egypt. The blackened ceiling of the hypostyle hall, visible today, is believed to be the result of arson intended to destroy religious imagery that was then considered pagan. Over the centuries, the temple became buried to a depth of 12 meters (39 ft) beneath drifting desert sand and layers of river silt deposited by the Nile. Local inhabitants built homes directly over the former temple grounds. Only the upper reaches of the temple pylons were visible by 1798, when the temple was identified by a French expedition. In 1860 Auguste Mariette, a French Egyptologist, began the work of freeing Edfu temple from the sands. The Temple of Edfu is nearly intact and a very good example of an ancient Egyptian temple. The Temple of Edfu's archaeological significance and high state of preservation has made it a centre for tourism in Egypt and a frequent stop for the many riverboats that cruise the Nile. In 2005, access to the temple was revamped with the addition of a visitor center and paved carpark. A sophisticated lighting system was added in late 2006 to allow night visits.
Religious significance: The temple of Edfu is the largest temple dedicated to Horus and Hathor of Dendera. It was the center of several festivals sacred to Horus. Each year, "Hathor travelled south from her temple at Dendera to visit Horus at Edfu, and this event marking their sacred marriage was the occasion of a great festival and pilgrimage.
Location: Luxor, EgyptBuilt: built and enlarged over a 1300 year periodHistory: the Karnak Temple Complex usually called Karnak ... More Info.
Karnak Temple
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: Luxor, Egypt
Built: built and enlarged over a 1300 year period
History: the Karnak Temple Complex usually called Karnak comprises a vast mix of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amun and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II (ca. 1391-1351 BC). Sacred Lake is part of the site as well. It is located near Luxor, some 500 km south of Cairo, in Egypt. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes. The Karnak complex takes its name from the nearby and partly surrounded, modern village of el-Karnak, and some 2.5 km north of Luxor. The history of the Karnak complex is largely the history of Thebes and its changing role in the culture. Religious centers varied by region and with the establishment of the current capital of the unified culture that changed several times. The city of Thebes does not appear to have been of great significance before the Eleventh Dynasty and previous temple building here would have been relatively small, with shrines being dedicated to the early deities of Thebes, the Earth goddess Mut and Montu. Early building was destroyed by invaders. The earliest known artifact found in the area of the temple is a small, eight-sided temple from the Eleventh Dynasty, which mentions Amun-Re. Amun (sometimes called Amen) was long the local tutelary deity of Thebes. He was identified with the Ram and the Goose. The Egyptian meaning of Amen is, "hidden" or, the "hidden godâ€. Major construction work in the Precinct of Amun-Re took place during the Eighteenth dynasty when Thebes became the capital of the unified Ancient Egypt.Thutmose I erected an enclosure wall connecting the Fourth and Fifth pylons, which comprise the earliest part of the temple still standing in situ. Construction of the Hypostyle Hall also may have begun during the eighteenth dynasty, although most new building was undertaken under Seti I and Ramesses II.Almost every pharaoh of that dynasty has added something to the temple site. Merenptah commemorated his victories over the Sea Peoples on the walls of the Cachette Court, the start of the processional route to the Luxor Temple.Hatshepsut had monuments constructed and also restored the original Precinct of Mut, the ancient great goddess of Egypt, that had been ravaged by the foreign rulers during the Hyksos occupation. She had twin obelisks, at the time the tallest in the world, erected at the entrance to the temple. One still stands, as the tallest surviving ancient obelisk on Earth; the other has broken in two and toppled. Another of her projects at the site, Karnak's Red Chapel, or Chapelle Rouge, was intended as a barque shrine and originally, may have stood between her two obelisks. She later ordered the construction of two more obelisks to celebrate her sixteenth year as pharaoh; one of the obelisks broke during construction, and thus, a third was constructed to replace it. The broken obelisk was left at its quarrying site in Aswan, where it still remains. Known as The Unfinished Obelisk, it demonstrates how obelisks were quarried. The last major change to Precinct of Amun-Re's layout was the addition of the first pylon and the massive enclosure walls that surround the whole Precinct, both constructed by Nectanebo I.In 323 AD, Constantine the Great recognised the Christian religion, and in 356 ordered the closing of pagan temples throughout the empire. Karnak was by this time mostly abandoned and Christian churches were founded amongst the ruins, the most famous example of this is the reuse of the Festival Hall of Thutmose III's central hall, where painted decorations of saints and Coptic inscriptions can still be seen.
Main parts
Built: built and enlarged over a 1300 year period
History: the Karnak Temple Complex usually called Karnak comprises a vast mix of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amun and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II (ca. 1391-1351 BC). Sacred Lake is part of the site as well. It is located near Luxor, some 500 km south of Cairo, in Egypt. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes. The Karnak complex takes its name from the nearby and partly surrounded, modern village of el-Karnak, and some 2.5 km north of Luxor. The history of the Karnak complex is largely the history of Thebes and its changing role in the culture. Religious centers varied by region and with the establishment of the current capital of the unified culture that changed several times. The city of Thebes does not appear to have been of great significance before the Eleventh Dynasty and previous temple building here would have been relatively small, with shrines being dedicated to the early deities of Thebes, the Earth goddess Mut and Montu. Early building was destroyed by invaders. The earliest known artifact found in the area of the temple is a small, eight-sided temple from the Eleventh Dynasty, which mentions Amun-Re. Amun (sometimes called Amen) was long the local tutelary deity of Thebes. He was identified with the Ram and the Goose. The Egyptian meaning of Amen is, "hidden" or, the "hidden godâ€. Major construction work in the Precinct of Amun-Re took place during the Eighteenth dynasty when Thebes became the capital of the unified Ancient Egypt.Thutmose I erected an enclosure wall connecting the Fourth and Fifth pylons, which comprise the earliest part of the temple still standing in situ. Construction of the Hypostyle Hall also may have begun during the eighteenth dynasty, although most new building was undertaken under Seti I and Ramesses II.Almost every pharaoh of that dynasty has added something to the temple site. Merenptah commemorated his victories over the Sea Peoples on the walls of the Cachette Court, the start of the processional route to the Luxor Temple.Hatshepsut had monuments constructed and also restored the original Precinct of Mut, the ancient great goddess of Egypt, that had been ravaged by the foreign rulers during the Hyksos occupation. She had twin obelisks, at the time the tallest in the world, erected at the entrance to the temple. One still stands, as the tallest surviving ancient obelisk on Earth; the other has broken in two and toppled. Another of her projects at the site, Karnak's Red Chapel, or Chapelle Rouge, was intended as a barque shrine and originally, may have stood between her two obelisks. She later ordered the construction of two more obelisks to celebrate her sixteenth year as pharaoh; one of the obelisks broke during construction, and thus, a third was constructed to replace it. The broken obelisk was left at its quarrying site in Aswan, where it still remains. Known as The Unfinished Obelisk, it demonstrates how obelisks were quarried. The last major change to Precinct of Amun-Re's layout was the addition of the first pylon and the massive enclosure walls that surround the whole Precinct, both constructed by Nectanebo I.In 323 AD, Constantine the Great recognised the Christian religion, and in 356 ordered the closing of pagan temples throughout the empire. Karnak was by this time mostly abandoned and Christian churches were founded amongst the ruins, the most famous example of this is the reuse of the Festival Hall of Thutmose III's central hall, where painted decorations of saints and Coptic inscriptions can still be seen.
Main parts
Precinct of Amun-Re: This is the largest of the precincts of the temple complex, and is dedicated to Amun-Re, the chief deity of the Theban Triad. There are several colossal statues including the figure of Pinedjem I which is 10.5 meters tall. The sandstone for this temple, including all the columns, was transported from Gebel Silsila 100 miles south on the Nile river. It also has one of the largest obelisks weighing 328 tonnes and standing 29 meters tall.
Precinct of Mut: Located to the south of the newer Amen-Re complex, this precinct was dedicated to the mother goddess, Mut, who became identified as the wife of Amun-Re in the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad. It has several smaller temples associated with it and has its own sacred lake, constructed in a crescent shape. This temple has been ravaged, many portions having been used in other structures. It is not open to the public. Six hundred black granite statues were found in the courtyard to her temple. It may be the oldest portion of the site. In 2006, Betsy Bryan, an archaeologist with Johns Hopkins University excavating at the temple of Mut presented her findings about one festival that included illustrations of the priestesses being served to excess and its adverse effects being ministered to by temple attendants. Participation in the festival was great, including the priestesses and the population. Historical records of tens of thousands attending the festival exist. These findings were made in the temple of Mut because when Thebes rose to greater prominence, Mut absorbed the warrior goddesses, Sekhmet and Bast, as some of her aspects. First, Mut became Mut-Wadjet-Bast, then Mut-Sekhmet-Bast (Wadjet having merged into Bast), then Mut also assimilated Menhit, another lioness goddess, and her adopted son's wife, becoming Mut-Sekhmet-Bast-Menhit, and finally becoming Mut-Nekhbet.Temple excavations at Luxor discovered a "porch of drunkenness" built onto the temple by the pharaoh Hatshepsut, during the height of her twenty year reign. In a later myth developed around the annual drunken Sekhmet festival, Ra, by then the sun god of Upper Egypt, created her from a fiery eye gained from his mother, to destroy mortals who conspired against him (Lower Egypt). In the myth, Sekhmet's blood-lust was not quelled at the end of battle and led to her destroying almost all of humanity, so Ra had tricked her by turning the Nile as red as blood (the Nile turns red every year when filled with silt during inundation) so that Sekhmet would drink it. The trick, however, was that the red liquid was not blood, but beer mixed with pomegranate juice so that it resembled blood, making her so drunk that she gave up slaughter and became an aspect of the gentle Hathor. The complex interweaving of deities occurred over the thousands of years of the culture.
Precinct of Montu: This portion of the site is dedicated to the son of Mut and Amun-Re, Montu, the war-god of the Theban Triad. It is located to the north of the Amun-Re complex and is much smaller in size. It is not open to the public.
Temple of Amenhotep IV (deliberately dismantled): The temple that Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) constructed on the site was located to the east of the main complex, outside the walls of the Amun-Re precinct. It was destroyed immediately after the death of its builder, who attempted to overcome the powerful priesthood that had gained control over Egypt before his reign. It was so well demolished, that its full extent and lay-out currently is unknown. The priesthood of that temple regained its powerful position as soon as he died and was instrumental in destroying many records of his existence.
Precinct of Mut: Located to the south of the newer Amen-Re complex, this precinct was dedicated to the mother goddess, Mut, who became identified as the wife of Amun-Re in the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad. It has several smaller temples associated with it and has its own sacred lake, constructed in a crescent shape. This temple has been ravaged, many portions having been used in other structures. It is not open to the public. Six hundred black granite statues were found in the courtyard to her temple. It may be the oldest portion of the site. In 2006, Betsy Bryan, an archaeologist with Johns Hopkins University excavating at the temple of Mut presented her findings about one festival that included illustrations of the priestesses being served to excess and its adverse effects being ministered to by temple attendants. Participation in the festival was great, including the priestesses and the population. Historical records of tens of thousands attending the festival exist. These findings were made in the temple of Mut because when Thebes rose to greater prominence, Mut absorbed the warrior goddesses, Sekhmet and Bast, as some of her aspects. First, Mut became Mut-Wadjet-Bast, then Mut-Sekhmet-Bast (Wadjet having merged into Bast), then Mut also assimilated Menhit, another lioness goddess, and her adopted son's wife, becoming Mut-Sekhmet-Bast-Menhit, and finally becoming Mut-Nekhbet.Temple excavations at Luxor discovered a "porch of drunkenness" built onto the temple by the pharaoh Hatshepsut, during the height of her twenty year reign. In a later myth developed around the annual drunken Sekhmet festival, Ra, by then the sun god of Upper Egypt, created her from a fiery eye gained from his mother, to destroy mortals who conspired against him (Lower Egypt). In the myth, Sekhmet's blood-lust was not quelled at the end of battle and led to her destroying almost all of humanity, so Ra had tricked her by turning the Nile as red as blood (the Nile turns red every year when filled with silt during inundation) so that Sekhmet would drink it. The trick, however, was that the red liquid was not blood, but beer mixed with pomegranate juice so that it resembled blood, making her so drunk that she gave up slaughter and became an aspect of the gentle Hathor. The complex interweaving of deities occurred over the thousands of years of the culture.
Precinct of Montu: This portion of the site is dedicated to the son of Mut and Amun-Re, Montu, the war-god of the Theban Triad. It is located to the north of the Amun-Re complex and is much smaller in size. It is not open to the public.
Temple of Amenhotep IV (deliberately dismantled): The temple that Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) constructed on the site was located to the east of the main complex, outside the walls of the Amun-Re precinct. It was destroyed immediately after the death of its builder, who attempted to overcome the powerful priesthood that had gained control over Egypt before his reign. It was so well demolished, that its full extent and lay-out currently is unknown. The priesthood of that temple regained its powerful position as soon as he died and was instrumental in destroying many records of his existence.
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, CairoBuilt:in 1382Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-KhaliliHistory:Â Khan el-Khalili, once ... More Info.
Khan el-Khalili
City:
Cairo
Type:
Historical Bazaar
Description:
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, Cairo
Built:in 1382
Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili
History:Â Khan el-Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now usually just called the 'Khan', and the names of it and the Muski market are often used interchangeably to mean either. Named for the great Caravansary. Together with the al-Muski market to the west, they comprise one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. But more than that, they represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major center of trade, and at the Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Perhaps, this vary market was involved in the spice monopoly controlled by the Mamluks, which encouraged the Europeans to search for new routes to the East and led Columbus, indirectly, to discover the Americas. During its early period, the market was also a center for subversive groups, often subject to raids before the Sultan Ghawri rebuilt much of the area in the early 16th century. Regardless, it was trade which caused Cairo's early wealth, even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a settlement of traders.This market is situated at one corner of a triangle of markets that go south to Bab Zuwayla and west to Azbakiyyah. The Khan is bordered on the south by al-Azhar Street and on the west by the Muski Market. One of the old original gates guards the entrance to the original courtyard which lies midway down Sikkit al-Badistan (street). On a narrow street leading off al-Badistand, one will find the El-Fishawi Cafe, or Cafe of Mirrors, which was once a meeting place for local artists, and is still frequented by the Nobel Award winning Naguib Mahfouz, one of Egypt's most well known authors. There are any number of canvas covered streets such as the one pictured to the right. Egyptian buyers generally shop in the area north of al-Badistan and to the west, where prices may be lower. Better deals for gold and silver are to be found west of the Khan along the "street of the gold sellers", and further on one will find the Brass and Coppersmith Markets.
Location: Aswan, Egypt. History: Kitchener's Island is one of two major islands on the Nile in vicinity of Aswan, the other one being ... More Info.
Kitchener Island
City:
Aswan
Type:
Natural National Park
Description:
Location: Aswan, Egypt.
History: Kitchener's Island is one of two major islands on the Nile in vicinity of Aswan, the other one being Elephantine. It is officially known as Island of Plants, but the most common name refers to Consul general Kitchener, who was given this island in 1890, and established a botanical garden here through the early 20th century. The garden holds plants that are imported from all corners of the world, and attracts a splendid bird life. An oval-shaped island in the Nile at Aswan was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s for his part in the Sudanese campaigns while he was the Egyptian Consul. Kitchener, who was a keen gardener, turned his island home into a botanical garden, importing exotic plants and trees which flourished in the Aswan climate. The botanical garden was constructed in 1899 under the supervision of the Ministry of Irrigation and turned into an experimental station for plants from equatorial regions in 1928. Alongside the native trees and plants of Aswan such as the Sycamore Fig and the Date Palm, many trees were brought from abroad and cultivated for use in the timber industry. Experimental oil and fruit crops were also propagated on the island by the Ministry of Agriculture. The visitor to Kitchener's Island today will find a peaceful paradise, full of shady trees, beautiful flowers and unusual plants among the paved walkways. The island is a haven for rare exotic birds of many kinds and their colourful plumage can be glimpsed in the branches of most of the trees. It is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or contemplation during an otherwise hectic holiday. There is a cafeteria on the southern end of the island.
The island is now owned by the Egyptian government and there is a biological research station at its southern end which is not open to visitors. Now known as 'Plantation Island', it is also variously called Plant Island or Geziret el-Nabatat. The research station is able to supply rare tropical plants and timber trees to many parts of the world.
History: Kitchener's Island is one of two major islands on the Nile in vicinity of Aswan, the other one being Elephantine. It is officially known as Island of Plants, but the most common name refers to Consul general Kitchener, who was given this island in 1890, and established a botanical garden here through the early 20th century. The garden holds plants that are imported from all corners of the world, and attracts a splendid bird life. An oval-shaped island in the Nile at Aswan was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s for his part in the Sudanese campaigns while he was the Egyptian Consul. Kitchener, who was a keen gardener, turned his island home into a botanical garden, importing exotic plants and trees which flourished in the Aswan climate. The botanical garden was constructed in 1899 under the supervision of the Ministry of Irrigation and turned into an experimental station for plants from equatorial regions in 1928. Alongside the native trees and plants of Aswan such as the Sycamore Fig and the Date Palm, many trees were brought from abroad and cultivated for use in the timber industry. Experimental oil and fruit crops were also propagated on the island by the Ministry of Agriculture. The visitor to Kitchener's Island today will find a peaceful paradise, full of shady trees, beautiful flowers and unusual plants among the paved walkways. The island is a haven for rare exotic birds of many kinds and their colourful plumage can be glimpsed in the branches of most of the trees. It is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or contemplation during an otherwise hectic holiday. There is a cafeteria on the southern end of the island.
The island is now owned by the Egyptian government and there is a biological research station at its southern end which is not open to visitors. Now known as 'Plantation Island', it is also variously called Plant Island or Geziret el-Nabatat. The research station is able to supply rare tropical plants and timber trees to many parts of the world.
Opening hours: opens 7.00 and closes late in the afternoon.
Location: 40km north of Aswan, Egypt.Built: during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395)Built by: Ptolemy VIHistory: The temple is split up in ... More Info.
Kom Ombo Temple
City:
Aswan
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: 40km north of Aswan, Egypt.Built: during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395)
Built by: Ptolemy VI
History: The temple is split up in two equal parts. It was dedicated to two Gods, Horus and Sobek The temple at Kom Ombo is about 30 miles (48 km) on the east bank of the Nile north Aswan. There was an earlier structure from the 18th dynasty but little remains .The Temple was mainly dedicated to the God Sobek, the crocodile God, together with his wife, in another form of the Goddess Hathor. The Temple is of Greco-Roman structure, dating back to the year 119 BC, when Ptolemy VI, who started the construction, built it out of limestone. Neos Dionysus finished most of the building, while the Emperor Augustus added the final touches. The temple is unique because it is in fact a double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels. On the inner side, of the back wall of the Temple, is a very remarkable scene! It shows the first illustration of medical and surgery tools, which are being presented to a seated God. Here you will find depictions of: scalpels, suction caps, bone saws, and dental tools; 2000 year old depictions! In the northwest side of the Temple, there is a huge well with a staircase, which was connected with the worship of the crocodile and was also used as a Nilo-meter. You still can see water there! Sobek is associated with the wicked god Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the Horus myth the allies of Seth made their escape by changing themselves into crocodile’s .Sobek’s chief sanctuary was at Kom Ombo, where there were once huge numbers of crocodiles. Until recent times the Egyptian Nile was infested with these ferocious animals, which would lay on the riverbank and devour animals and humans alike. So it is not surprising that the local inhabitants went in fear. The Eye of Horus the Udjat eye represents the eye of the god Horus which was torn from his head by the storm god Seth. It is a composite of the human eye and the markings of a falcon's eye and was used as an amulet against injury.
Location: on the east bank of the River Nile in Luxor.Built: 1400 BCEBuilt by: largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses ... More Info.
Luxor Temple
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the east bank of the River Nile in Luxor.
Built: 1400 BCE
Built by: largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II
History: The Ancient Egyptians regarded their temples as the "homes" of their respective god or deity. Luxor Temple, or The Temple of Luxor, is among the most beautiful Temples in Egypt. It was known in the New Kingdom period as Ipt-Rsyt, which means the southern shrine. This was to differentiate between this Temple and Karnak Temple, which was the northern house of Amon Ra. it appears that the temple's purpose was for a suitable setting for the rituals of the festival. The festival itself was to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with the divine office. During the 18th Dynasty the festival lasted eleven days, but had grown to twenty-seven days by the reign of Ramesses III in the 20th Dynasty. The procession of images of the current royal family began at Karnak and ended at the temple of Luxor. By the late 18th Dynasty the journey was being made by barge, on the Nile River. Ramses II, with the help of his architect added the front part and completed the Temple. He also added the present large forecourt, and a Pylon at the (northern) front of the Temple. Kings Merenpetah, Seti I, Ramses III, Ramses IV and Ramses VI built many more small additions. Alexander the Great rebuilt the Sanctuary. During the Christian era, the inner section was converted to a church. The Muslims built a Mosque in the 10th century, which is known as the Mosque of Abou El-Hagag. King Nektanebo built the Sphinx Avenue in front of the Temple that leads to the entrance. In front of the Great Pylon of Ramses II, there once were 2 obelisks. Only one of them remains standing! The other was transported, in 1819, to La Place de le Concorde in Paris, as a gift to King Philip Louis of France by Mohamed Ali (who ruled Egypt 1805-1850 A.D).There were 6 standing statues in front of the Pylon, only one of them, on the western side, is still in place. Flanking the gate of the first pylon, which is 24m high, there are two seated colossi representing King Ramses II, seated on his throne, with all the royal features. Both towers of this pylon were once decorated with relief’s depicting the Battle of Kadesh, fought between the armies of Egypt and the Hittites. The open court of Ramses II leads to the Colonnade, which was built by Amenhotep III, and decorated by Tutankhamen and later, Horemheb; Seti I, Ramses II, and Seti II all recorded their names there. It consists of two pairs of large open papyrus columns, which are arranged to make a long processional avenue. The walls of this colonnade are decorated by scenes of the Opt Festival, special ceremonies for the visit of theTriad of Karnak to the Temple of Luxor. This feast lasted for about 24 days, including the return to the Karnak Temple.
Location: at the first Cataract of the Nile, Aswan, Egypt.History: Philae Island was a rocky island in the middle of the River Nile, south of Aswan. ... More Info.
Philea Temple
City:
Aswan
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: at the first Cataract of the Nile, Aswan, Egypt.
History: Philae Island was a rocky island in the middle of the River Nile, south of Aswan. It was called in Hieroglyphic Apo which means Ivory. It was also known by the Greek Elephantine, most probably because it was an important centre of trade, especially for ivory. The Ancient Egyptians built a beautiful and magnificent Temple on this island for the Goddess Isis, but the Temple became submerged after the first Aswan dam was built in 1906, and it was not until the seventies that many nations attempted to save the Temple. All these countries, together with UNESCO, selected a suitable place, but they had to wait until the completion of the High Dam, in 1971, which would stabilize the level of the water around their chosen island. The new island was called Egilica (also called Agilika), and it was completely reshaped to imitate Philae Island as closely as possible. Firstly, a cofferdam was built around the Temple and the water was drained. Next, the Temple was dismantled and transferred, stone by stone, from the submerged Philea Island to the redesigned Egilica Island. Each and every stone had to be numbered, and then replaced, in the same position, in the new location. It was a massive, and very complicated, project taking over 9 years to be accomplished. The oldest structure on the island is the kiosk built by Nectanebo I (380-362 BCE). To the north of the kiosk he also built a temple gate which was eventually integrated into the first pylon of the Temple of Aset. From this time until the Roman period, many different temples were added to the island. Among those was a temple of Het-Hert constructed under the Emperor Augustus. Philae served to disseminate Egyptian religion to Nubia and the Sudan in the south during hundreds of years. Many of the reliefs and inscriptions of Meroe in the Sudan show influence from the texts of the Temple of Aset at Philae. The Temple of Isis at Philae is actually on a small island in the Nile near Aswan. The temple like Abu Simbel was moved to a different location due to rising waters of the High Dam. It was finally restored and moved in the 1960's but after being under water for long periods of time a lot of the colors have been washed away. It would have been mind blowing to see this in the peak of its civilization but as I am lacking a time machine so this will have to do.
Temple of Isis: The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes. The construction began during the reign of King Ptolemy II, and then other Ptolemaic Kings (Ptolemy’s IV, V, VI, VII and XI) contributed by adding more parts to the main Temple. The Temple is built in the same style as the Temples of the New Kingdom, as well as some other elements, which appeared in the Greco-Roman period, such as the Mamisi (the House of the divine birth of Horus), and a Nilometer. The Temple of Isis consists of The 1st Pylon, which is a great traditional pylon with two towers, and an open forecourt, which leads to the 2nd pylon.On the left side of this court, is the Mamisi, which has scenes depicting the birth of the God Horus by his mother Isis. The 2nd Pylon leads to a Hypostyle Hall with 10 columns, and then 3 vestibules leading to a sanctuary. The oldest remains, of the Temple of Philae, date back to the reign of King Taharqa (25th Dynasty), who built the first chapel for the Goddess Isis. In addition to the main Temple of Isis there are other monuments here, such as The Kiosk of Trajan, the Chapel of Osiris, The Temple of Horus, The Temple of Hathor, The Gateway of Tiberius, the Gateway of Diocletian, and the Temple of Augustus. The Temples of the island were neglected, and some of them even destroyed, after the persecution of the Christians by the Roman Emperors. During the reign of the Emperor Justinian (527-565 A.D), the main Temple was converted to a church. The temple at Philae was nearly lost under water when the high Aswan dam was built in the 1960s. Fortunately the temple was rescued by a joint operation between the Egyptian government and UNESCO. In an engineering feat to rival the ancients the whole island was surrounded with a dam and the inside pumped dry. Then every stone block of the temple complex was labelled and removed later to be assembled, like a giant jigsaw puzzle, on the higher ground of Agilka Island. The whole project took ten years and has saved one of Egypt's most beautiful temples from certain destruction.
History: Philae Island was a rocky island in the middle of the River Nile, south of Aswan. It was called in Hieroglyphic Apo which means Ivory. It was also known by the Greek Elephantine, most probably because it was an important centre of trade, especially for ivory. The Ancient Egyptians built a beautiful and magnificent Temple on this island for the Goddess Isis, but the Temple became submerged after the first Aswan dam was built in 1906, and it was not until the seventies that many nations attempted to save the Temple. All these countries, together with UNESCO, selected a suitable place, but they had to wait until the completion of the High Dam, in 1971, which would stabilize the level of the water around their chosen island. The new island was called Egilica (also called Agilika), and it was completely reshaped to imitate Philae Island as closely as possible. Firstly, a cofferdam was built around the Temple and the water was drained. Next, the Temple was dismantled and transferred, stone by stone, from the submerged Philea Island to the redesigned Egilica Island. Each and every stone had to be numbered, and then replaced, in the same position, in the new location. It was a massive, and very complicated, project taking over 9 years to be accomplished. The oldest structure on the island is the kiosk built by Nectanebo I (380-362 BCE). To the north of the kiosk he also built a temple gate which was eventually integrated into the first pylon of the Temple of Aset. From this time until the Roman period, many different temples were added to the island. Among those was a temple of Het-Hert constructed under the Emperor Augustus. Philae served to disseminate Egyptian religion to Nubia and the Sudan in the south during hundreds of years. Many of the reliefs and inscriptions of Meroe in the Sudan show influence from the texts of the Temple of Aset at Philae. The Temple of Isis at Philae is actually on a small island in the Nile near Aswan. The temple like Abu Simbel was moved to a different location due to rising waters of the High Dam. It was finally restored and moved in the 1960's but after being under water for long periods of time a lot of the colors have been washed away. It would have been mind blowing to see this in the peak of its civilization but as I am lacking a time machine so this will have to do.
Temple of Isis: The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes. The construction began during the reign of King Ptolemy II, and then other Ptolemaic Kings (Ptolemy’s IV, V, VI, VII and XI) contributed by adding more parts to the main Temple. The Temple is built in the same style as the Temples of the New Kingdom, as well as some other elements, which appeared in the Greco-Roman period, such as the Mamisi (the House of the divine birth of Horus), and a Nilometer. The Temple of Isis consists of The 1st Pylon, which is a great traditional pylon with two towers, and an open forecourt, which leads to the 2nd pylon.On the left side of this court, is the Mamisi, which has scenes depicting the birth of the God Horus by his mother Isis. The 2nd Pylon leads to a Hypostyle Hall with 10 columns, and then 3 vestibules leading to a sanctuary. The oldest remains, of the Temple of Philae, date back to the reign of King Taharqa (25th Dynasty), who built the first chapel for the Goddess Isis. In addition to the main Temple of Isis there are other monuments here, such as The Kiosk of Trajan, the Chapel of Osiris, The Temple of Horus, The Temple of Hathor, The Gateway of Tiberius, the Gateway of Diocletian, and the Temple of Augustus. The Temples of the island were neglected, and some of them even destroyed, after the persecution of the Christians by the Roman Emperors. During the reign of the Emperor Justinian (527-565 A.D), the main Temple was converted to a church. The temple at Philae was nearly lost under water when the high Aswan dam was built in the 1960s. Fortunately the temple was rescued by a joint operation between the Egyptian government and UNESCO. In an engineering feat to rival the ancients the whole island was surrounded with a dam and the inside pumped dry. Then every stone block of the temple complex was labelled and removed later to be assembled, like a giant jigsaw puzzle, on the higher ground of Agilka Island. The whole project took ten years and has saved one of Egypt's most beautiful temples from certain destruction.
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a ... More Info.
Sphinx
City:
Giza
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name 'sphinx' which means 'strangler' was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a sun god. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are, however, sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun. Where it sits was once a quarry. Chephren's workers shaped the stone into the lion and gave it their king's face over 4,500 years ago. The sphinx faces the rising sun with a temple to the front which resembles the sun temples which were built later by the kings of the 5th Dynasty. The figure was buried for most of its life in the sand. King Thutmose IV (1425 - 1417 BC) placed a stela between the front paws of the figure. It describes when Thutmose, while still a prince, had gone hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the sphinx. During a dream, the sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand because it was choking the sphinx. The sphinx told him that if he did this, he would be rewarded with a kingship. Thutmose carried out this request and the sphinx held up his end of the deal. The sphinx is built of soft sandstone and would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried for so long. The body is 200 feet (60m) in length and 65 feet (20m) tall. The face of the sphinx is 13 feet (4m) wide and its eyes are 6 feet (2m) high. Part of the uraeus (sacred cobra), the nose and the ritual beard are now missing. . The beard from the sphinx is displayed in the British Museum. The statue is crumbling today because of the wind, humidity and the smog from Cairo. Attempts to restore it have often caused more harm than good. No one can be certain who the figure is to personify. It is possible that it is Chephren. If that is so, it would then be the oldest known royal portrait in such large scale. Some say that it was built after the pyramid of Chephren was complete. It may have been set as a sort of scarecrow to guard his tomb. Still others say it is the face of his guardian deity, rather than Chephren himself. The image of the sphinx is a depiction of royal power. Only a pharaoh or an animal could be shown this way, with the animal representing a protective deity. In the 1980's, a carefully planned restoration of the Sphinx was in progress. Over 6 years, more than 2,000 limestone blocks were added to the body of the sphinx and chemicals were injected. This treatment did not work. It just flaked away along with parts of the original rock. Later, various mortars and many workers who were not trained in restoration worked for six months to repair it. In 1988 the left shoulder crumbled and blocks fell off. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists. They are concentrating on draining away subsoil seepage which is damaging the rock. They are also repairing the damaged shoulder with smaller blocks and staying with the original size.
Location: It is situated at Tahrir square, Cairo, EgyptBuilt: in 1897Built by: Khedive Abbass HelmiHistory: The Egyptian Museum was first built in ... More Info.
The Egyptian Museum
City:
Cairo
Type:
Museum
Description:
Location: It is situated at Tahrir square, Cairo, Egypt
Built: in 1897
Built by: Khedive Abbass Helmi
History: The Egyptian Museum was first built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building . opened on November 15, 1902. It has 107 halls. At the ground floor there are the huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies. The Museum also comprises a photography section and a large library. The Egyptian museum comprises many sections arranged in chronological order
Interior design: There are two main floors in the museum, the ground floor and the first floor.
On the ground floor there is an extensive collection of papyrus and coins used in the Ancient world. The numerous pieces of papyrus are generally small fragments, due to their decay over the past two millennia. Several languages are found on these pieces, including Greek, Latin, Arabic, and the Ancient Egyptian writing language of hieroglyphs. The coins found on this floor are made of many different metals, including gold, silver, and bronze. The coins are not only Egyptian, but also Greek, Roman, and Islamic. This has helped historians research the history of Ancient Egyptian trade. Also on the ground floor are artifacts from the New Kingdom, the time period between 1550 and 1069 BC. These artifacts are generally larger than items created in earlier centuries. Those items include statues, tables, and coffins (sarcophagi).
On the first floor there are artifacts from the final two dynasties of Ancient Egypt, including items from the tombs of the Pharaohs Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and the courtier Maiherpri, as well as many artifacts from the Valley of the Kings.
The first section houses Tutankhamon's treasures.
The second section houses the pre-dynasty and the Old Kingdom monuments.
The third section houses the first intermediate period and the Middle Kingdom monuments.
The forth section houses the monuments of the Modern Kingdom.
The fifth section houses the monuments of the late period and the Greek and Roman periods.
The sixth section houses coins and papyrus.
The seventh section houses sarcophagi and scrabs.
Royal Mummy Room :containing 27 royal mummies from Pharaonic times was closed on the orders of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. It was reopened, with a slightly curtailed display of New Kingdom kings and queens in 1985. Today, there are about 9 mummies displayed. One of them is the newly discovered mummy of Queen Hatshepsut.
More than a million and half tourists visit the museum annually, in addition to half a million Egyptians.
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile RiverHistory: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the ... More Info.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
City:
Giza
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile River
History: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the icon most associated with the Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years. They are named Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre) and Pyramid of Menkaure.
Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu): Cheops was the second king of the 4th Dynasty and was the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khufu was succeeded by Radjedef, his son by a lesser wife, whose reign was abruptly ended. He was succeeded by Khephren, Khufu's son by Queen Henutsen. A miniature statue of Khufu is on display at the Cairo Museum. This is the only likeness of him known to be in existence. How the Great Pyramid was built is a question that may never be answered. Herodotus said that it would have taken 30 years and 100,000 slaves to have built it. Another theory is that it was built by peasants who were unable to work the land while the Nile flooded between July and November. They may have been paid with food for their labor. The flooded waters would have also aided in the moving of the casing stones. These stones were brought from Aswan and Tura and the water would have brought the stones right to the pyramid. This pyramid is thought to have been built between 2589 - 2566 BC. It would have taken over 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average weight of 2.5 tons each. The total weight would have been 6,000,000 tons and a height of 482 feet (140m). It is the largest and the oldest of the Pyramids of Giza. Not much is known about Cheops (Khufu). The tomb had been robbed long before archeologists came upon it. Any information about him was taken with the objects inside the tomb. He is thought to have been the ruler of a highly structured society and he must have been very wealthy. He was buried alone in this massive tomb. His wives may have been buried nearby in smaller mastabas.
Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre): His birth name was Khafre, which means "Appearing like Re". He is also sometimes referred to as Khafra, Rakhaef, Khephren or Chephren by the Greeks, and Suphis II by Manetho. He was possibly a younger son of Khufu (Cheops) by his consort, Henutsen, so he was required to wait out the reign of Djedefre, his older brother, prior to ascending to the throne of Egypt as the fourth ruler of the fourth Dynasty. However, there is disagreement on this matter. There is no evidence that anyone was ever buried in the main chamber. No inscriptions have been found in the pyramid; however there is a sarcophagus in the main chamber. There are two entrances that lead into the pyramid which are placed one directly above the other. The most distinctive feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid.
Pyramid of Menkaure: The last major pyramid of Giza is the Pyramid of Menkaure, son of Khafre. Although much smaller than the other two pyramids on the plateau, the lower courses were originally encased in granite. It has three subsidiary pyramids and some of its Mortuary temple remains intact. The interior of this pyramid includes a room possibly for the burial of some of the king's family as well as the king himself. At the end of the steps leading to the opening, there are a few steps downward into the descending passageway. As the descending passageway ends we enter into the first antechamber. This room is relatively small and there is another opening at the far end. Both openings are flanked by a carved "palace facade" design, the first such carved relief seen in any major pyramid since that of Zoser. The opening at the end of the first antechamber leads to another passageway. End of this passageway is the opening into the next set of chambers. This next chamber is unique because it offers a view of the top of the vaulted ceiling of the main burial chamber through a space that you can look through at the far end. Menkaure's Pyramid had an original height of 65.5 metres (215 feet). It now stands at 62 m (203 ft) tall with a base of 105 m (344 ft). Its angle of incline is approximately 51°20′25″. It was constructed of limestone and granite. The mortuary temple of the Menkaure complex is the most intact mortuary temple on the Giza plateau. It is made of core limestone and was originally lined with granite in its interior. The entrance corridor was made of mudbrick and leads to a large courtyard. The courtyard was also cased with mudbrick, though with an outer layer of limestone. An interesting feature is that there is a basin and drainage system at the center of the courtyard. A recessed portico is located on the western wall of the court; this has 6 red granite columns. At the west end of this is a long narrow sanctuary. At the south end of the portico is a passage that leads to annex structures that do not appear to have been finished. From the north end of the portico a passage leads to 5 small rooms. At the westernmost end of the temple is an offering shrine which is built right against the face of the pyramid. This may have had a false door, and was paved with red granite. Just east of this is a corridor containing 6 limestone pillars, this was most likely built later during the 6th dynasty.
Location: in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, Egypt.History: The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient ... More Info.
Unfinished Obelisk Aswan
City:
Aswan
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, Egypt.
History: The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk; it is unknown which Pharaoh created this structure. It is nearly one third larger than any ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected. If finished it would have measured around 42 m (approximately 137 feet) and would have weighed nearly 1,200 tons. Archeologists speculate that it was intended to complement the so-called Lateran Obelisk which was originally at Karnak and is now outside the Lateran Palace in Rome. (Thutmose III obelisk in Lateran, Rome: 105 ft) The obelisk's creators began to carve it directly out of bedrock, but cracks appeared in the granite and the project was abandoned. Originally it was thought that the stone had an undetected flaw but it is also possible that the quarrying process allowed the cracking to develop by releasing the stress. The bottom side of the obelisk is still attached to the bedrock. The unfinished obelisk offers unusual insights into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques, with marks from workers' tools still clearly visible as well as ocher-colored lines marking where they were working. Besides the unfinished obelisk, an unfinished partly worked obelisk base was discovered in 2005 at the quarries of Aswan. Also discovered were some rock carvings and remains that may correspond to the site where most of the famous obelisks were worked. All these quarries in Aswan and the unfinished objects are an open air museum and are officially protected by the Egyptian government as an archeological site.
Location: on the east bank, Luxor, Egypt.History: the Valley of the Kings, less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings is a valley in Egypt ... More Info.
Valley of the Kings
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the east bank, Luxor, Egypt.
History: the Valley of the Kings, less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The wadi consists of two valleys, East Valley (where the majority of the royal tombs situated) and West Valley. The Valley of the Kings took its name from the furnished rock-cut tombs for the kings of the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties. At least 26 of the 32 rulers of these dynasties were buried in the Valley of the Kings. It is a small valley that lies about six kilometers or four miles from the western bank of the Nile at Thebes. It is 70 meters or 230 feet above the level of the river Nile. The valley was probably chosen as the burial place for royalty because of its geology and relatively convenient access to the Nile flood plain. The pyramid-shaped mountain, called the Qurn, which means forehead or horn, rises about 300 meters or 984 feet and was perhaps used as a symbol of the god Re. With the 2006 discovery of a new chamber (KV63), and the 2008 discovery of 2 further tomb entrances, the valley is known to contain 63 tombs and chambers (ranging in size from a simple pit to a complex tomb with over 120 chambers), and was the principal burial place of the major royal figures of the Egyptian New Kingdom, together with those of a number of privileged nobles. The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. Almost all of the tombs seem to have been opened and robbed in antiquity, but they still give an idea of the opulence and power of the rulers of this time. This area has been a focus of archaeological and egyptological exploration since the end of the eighteenth century, and its tombs and burials continue to stimulate research and interest. In modern times the valley has become famous for the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site, along with the rest of the Theban Necropolis. Exploration, excavation and conservation continue in the valley, and a new tourist centre has recently been opened.Ramesses IX: Two sets of steps lead down to the tomb door that is decorated with the Pharaoh worshipping the solar disc. Isis and Nephthys stand behind him on either side. Three corridors lead into an antechamber that opens into a pillared hall. The passage beyond that leads to the sarcophagus chamber.
Merneptah: The steep descent into the tombis typical of the designs of the XIX Dynasty. The entrance is decorated with Isis and Nephthys worshipping the solar disc. Text from the Book of the Gates line the corridors. The outer granite lid of the sarcophagus is located in the antechamber, while the lid of the inner sarcophagus is located down more steps in the pillared hall. Carved on the pink granite lid is the figure of Merneptah as Osiris.
Ramesses VI: Originally built for Ramesses V this tomb has three chambers and a 4th pillared chamber was added by Ramesses VI. Complete texts of the Book of the Gates, the Book of Caverns and the Book of Day and Night line the chambers. Portions of the Book of the Dead are located in the pillared chamber, along with scenes of the sky goddess, Nut.
Ramesses III: The tomb is sometimes referred to as the "Harpers Tomb" due to the two harpers playing to the gods in four of the chambers. Ten small chambers branch off of the main corridors. These were for the placement of tomb furniture.
Seti I: The longest tomb in the valley, 100m, contains very well preserved reliefs in all of its eleven chambers and side rooms. One of the back chambers is decorated with the Ritual of the Opening of the Mouth, which stated that the mummy's eating and drinking organs were properly functioning. Believing in the need for these functions in the afterlife, this was a very important ritual. The sarcophagus is now in the Sir John Soane Museum, London.From the Temple of Seti I at Abydos
Tuthmosis III: The approach to this unusual tomb is an ascent up wooden steps, crossing over a pit, and then a steep descent down into the tomb. The pit was probably dug as a deterrent to tomb robbers. Two small chambers, decorated with stars and a larger vestibule are in front of the sarcophagus chamber, which is uniquely rounded and decorated with only red and black.
Amenhotep II: In this Tomb, a steep flight of stairs and a long unadorned corridor lead to the sarcophagus chamber. Three mummies, Tuthmosis IV, Amenhotep II III and Seti II, were found in one side room and nine mummies were found in another.
Horemheb: This tomb's construction is identical to that of Seti I's with the exception of some of the inner decorations.
Tutankhamun: Though small and unimpressive, Tutankhamen’s Tomb is probably the most famous, due to its late discovery. Howard Carter's description upon opening the tomb in 1922 was, "At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flames to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues and gold - everywhere the glint of gold. For the moment - an eternity it must have seemed to the others standing by - I was dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, 'Can you see anything?' it was all I could do to get out the words, "Yes, wonderful things."' The royal seal on the door was found intact. The first three chambers were unadorned, with evidence of early entrance through one of the outside walls. The next chamber contained most of the funerary objects. The sarcophagus was four guilded wooden shrines, one inside the other, within which lay the stone sarcophagus, three mummiform coffins, the inner one being solid gold, and then the mummy. Haste can be seen in the reliefs and the sarcophagus, due to the fact that Tutankhamen died at only 19 years of age following a brief reign. Though extremely impressive to the modern world, the treasures of Tutankhamen must have paled when compared to the tombs of the great Pharaohs that ruled for many years during Egypt's golden age.
Location: on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes).History: The Valley of the Queens is a place in Egypt where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ... More Info.
Valley of the Queens
City:
Luxor
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes).
History: The Valley of the Queens is a place in Egypt where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times. In ancient times, it was known as Ta-Set-Neferu, meaning –‘the place of the Children of the Pharaoh’, because along with the Queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties (1550–1070 BCE) many princes and princesses were also buried with various members of the nobility. The tombs of these individuals were maintained by mortuary priests who performed daily rituals and provided offerings and prayers for the deceased nobility. The valley is located near the better known Valley of the Kings, on the west bank of the Nile across from Thebes (modern Luxor). This barren area in the western hills was chosen due to its relative isolation and proximity to the capital. The kings of the 18th dynasty, instead of the traditional building of pyramids as burial chambers (perhaps because of their vulnerability to tomb robbers), now chose to be buried in rock-cut tombs. This necropolis is said to hold more than seventy tombs, many of which are stylish and lavishly decorated. An example of this is the resting place carved out of the rock for Queen Nefertari (1290–1224 BCE) of the 19th Dynasty. The polychrome reliefs in her tomb are still intact.
There are between 75 and 80 tombs in the Valley of the Queens, or Biban al-Harim.
The Tomb of Khaemwese (Tomb 44): Scenes in Khaemwese's tomb show him being presented to the guardians of the gates to the afterlife along with his father. He is making an offering in the scene, and is dressed in a robe, wearing a necklace and the side locks of youth.
The Tomb of Queen Titi (Tomb 52): She is probably the queen of a 20th Dynasty. She is depicted with the side locks common to the Egyptian young of the period and in the presence of the gods Thoth, Atum, Isis and Nephthys. In the next chamber the queens is a shown making offering to Hathor the cow, and in the last chamber the gods Neith, Osiris, Selquit, Nephthys and Thoth.
The Tomb of Amenhikhopeshef (Tomb 55): Amenhikhopeshef was a son of Ramesses III and scenes show him with his father and the gods Thoth, Ptah and others. He was probably about nine years old when he died. Scenes show him being presented to various gods, including Anubis, the Jackal-headed god of the dead, by his father, Ramesses III. A premature baby was also found in to tomb. This belonged to this mother, who aborted upon learning of Amenhikhopeshef's death.
The Tomb of Nefertari (Tomb 66): One of five wives of Ramesses II, Nefertari was his favorite and the tomb here has been is said to be one of the most beautiful in Egypt. The tomb is completely painted with scenes though out. In most of these, Nefertari, known as 'the most beautiful of them', is accompanied by gods. She is usually wearing a golden crown with two feathers extended from the back of a vulture and clothed in a white, gossamer gown. Be sure not to miss the side room where one scene depicts the queen worshipping the mummified body of Osiris. Near the stairs to the burial chamber is another wonderful scene with Nefertarti offering milk to the goddess Hathor.
Other burials: Fragments of burial equipments were found for several additional members of the royal family. No known tombs exist for these individuals but the existence of the burial equipment suggests that these people may have once been buried in the Valley of the Queens as well. King's Wife Henut. Mid 18th Dynasty. Her name was enclosed in a cartouche on canopic fragments. Prince Menkheperre, Son of Tuthmosis III and Merytre Hatshepsut. Canopic fragments were found. King's Great Wife Nebetnehat. Mid 18th Dynasty. Her name was enclosed in a cartouche on canopic fragments. King's Daughter Ti. Mid 18th Dynasty. Canopic fragments were found.
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Rates:
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Payment should be in USD and if by another currency it will be due to daily exchange rate
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Children Policy:
Child up to 03 years old free of charge and sharing parent`s room
Child from 03-05 years old will be charged 25 % of adult`s rate
Child from 05-11, 99 year old will be 50 % of adult rate and sharing parent`s room
Child over 12 years old will be Adult`s rate
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Chosen hotels in each package is a sample of package category not secured booking and your final booking will be sent within confirmation letter and invoice
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Trip2egypt.com only accepts cancellation made writing document by official email ( info@trip2egypt.com ) . If travelers cancel his/her reservation the following fees will be applies,
On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment
02 - 04 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged
05 - 07 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged
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Cairo Lunch Cruise on MS Nile Crystal Enjoy a relaxing lunch cruise, fine food, accompanying live music, impeccable service and spectacular views of Cairo any day of the week accompanied ... More Info.
Cairo Lunch Cruise on MS Nile Crystal
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 3PM To: 6PM Total: (03 Hours)
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All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Buffet lunch at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
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Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
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Cairo Famous Tower Evening Tours with dinnerSpend a wonderful day tours visiting Cairo tower and dinner at Cairo tower restaurant accompanied by our professional English speaking representative ... More Info.
Cairo Famous Tower Evening Tours with dinner
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 7PM To: 9PM Total: ( 03 Hours)
places:
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Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
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Professional Multilingual tour leader
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
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Dinner meal at Cairo tower restaurant
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Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2014)
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2:4 Persons price:85
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2:4 Persons price:85
5:8 Persons price:85
9:12 Persons price:85
13:15 Persons price:85
5:8 Persons price:85
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13:15 Persons price:85
9:12 Persons price:85
13:15 Persons price:85
13:15 Persons price:85
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Cairo Night Dinner Cruise Trip on MS.Nile CrystalSpend a wonderful dinner at Nile crystal 5*Deluxe floating restaurant in Cairo and enjoy a view of the Nile accompanied by our professional English ... More Info.
Cairo Night Dinner Cruise Trip on MS.Nile Crystal
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 7PM To: 10PM Total: (03 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Buffet Dinner at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
Buffet Dinner at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
Excludes:
Drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2014)
1 Person price :65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Hot Air Balloon Ride in LuxorYou will be picked up early in the morning for your hot air balloon ride. You will be taken to the marina to enjoy soft drinks before your motorboat ... More Info.
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor
City:Luxor
Duration: From: 9AM To: 12PM Total: (03 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel
All transfers by A/C vehicles
Professional Egyptologist tour guide
Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Approximately 30:45 minutes of a balloon flight depend on the weather
Tea/Coffee & Cookies are served at the motorboat or launch site
A Certificate of First Flight shall be handed over duly signed by your pilot
A T-Shirt shall be handed at the end of flight - After landing and crew party
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2014)
1 Person price :80
2:4 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
2:4 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Have you ever wondered what life have been thousands years ago? You will know about them through the splendid Sound and Light Show at the Karnak ... More Info.
Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show
City:Luxor
Duration: From: 8PM To: 10PM Total: (02 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Entrance fees to Sound & light Show
Professional Multilingual tour guide
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2014)
1 Person price :65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Felucca Tour on the NileGet excited one of the famous ways in ancient time to navigate on the River Nile. You will be picked up from hotel via A/C vehicle and start sailing ... More Info.
Felucca Tour on the Nile
City:Aswan
Duration: From: 9AM To: 11PM Total: (02 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Professional Multilingual tour guide
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Felucca ride for about 02 hours
Felucca ride for about 02 hours
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2013)
1 Person price :80
2:4 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
2:4 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
5:8 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
9:12 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
13:15 Persons price:80
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Philae Temple Sound and Light ShowSpend the evening at Philae Temple and watch the Sound and Light Show! It takes you on a narrated journey to discover the legends of Goddess Isis & ... More Info.
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show
City:Aswan
Duration: From: 8PM To: 10PM Total: (02 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Entrance fees to Philae Temple Sound & Light Show
Professional Multilingual tour guide
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2013)
1 Person price :70
2:4 Persons price:70
5:8 Persons price:70
9:12 Persons price:70
13:15 Persons price:70
2:4 Persons price:70
5:8 Persons price:70
9:12 Persons price:70
13:15 Persons price:70
5:8 Persons price:70
9:12 Persons price:70
13:15 Persons price:70
9:12 Persons price:70
13:15 Persons price:70
13:15 Persons price:70
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
