At the top of every travelers list you will most likely find Egypt. People are drawn to its great monuments and world famous temples and pyramids. These incredible structures have intrigued us all for centuries.
While visiting this ancient city, you can imagine being back in the time of the Pharaohs. People still dress traditionally wearing their headscarfs and bedouin wraps. Call to prayer can be heard 5 times a day. There is a strong sense of tradition in the land and you feel as if you are frozen in time. Visiting the great pyramids lets you imagine exactly what life would have been like thousands of years ago.
It is impossible to understand how the Pyramids of Giza have survived over 4000 years. The desert, looters and all of the elements that Mother Nature can throw at them will not destroy these ancient structures. To see these giants standing proud over the land, you wonder in awe how they could have possibly be built by human hands. Take a camel to see the grounds and imagine that you are an ancient Pharaoh coming across these great monuments for the first time. What would it have felt like then?
Another must see destination in Egypt is the Valley of the Kings. Located in Southern Egypt near the city of Luxor, a great valley houses 63 chambers of great kings. The most famous is King Tuts tomb, but there are many more to explore.
Your camera will be confiscated at the gate if they see it around your neck. The don't seem to do a thorough search, so if you want to have memories of your time in the Valley, keep it in your bag until you enter the grounds. However, be respectful and do not take any photos inside the tombs. Flash photography can damage the fragile walls and you will be in trouble with the guards if you are caught, which will most likely occur. Some harmless photos of outside however will give you lasting memories of this incredible sight.
Only a handful of tombs are open at any given time. King Tuts tomb is not high on the tour route as it is not an impressive tomb compared to the others. The tombs of Rameses VI, Merneptah, and Rameses IV are far more impressive. The chambers are surprisingly large and airy. They have bright paintings on their walls depicting scenes from the book of the dead, and the book of caverns among others.
The large size and bright colours make you feel comfortable and the fact the they don't contain any sarcophagi anymore keeps it from becoming and eerie experience. You also won't find any jewels or hidden treasures here, they have been either looted or excavated. If you want to see most of Egypt's treasures, you will find them at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
While visiting the Valley of the Kings, you can also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. A woman ruler from 1479-1458 BC, she was one of Egypt's most successful rulers. Egypt was run by a woman for 21 years. Our modern world has not been quite so liberal.
Built in harmony into the side of a cliff, Hatsheput's Temple is considered to be the most dramatically situated temple on earth. Three tiers lead to the main grounds where statues and pillars create a labyrinth to explore.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
Luxor Temple While in Luxor, you cannot miss the Luxor Temple. Located right in town on the Nile River, it is an impressive monument. It is lit up at night for breathtaking photo opportunities. A little travel tip...the McDonald's right across the street has an incredible view of the temple, but not only that, has free Wifi. So you can have lunch, update your blog and take in the sights all at once.
Located almost at the border of the Sudan stands the last great ruin of Egypt, Abu Simbel. Luckily it was saved from being submerged under water in the 1960's due to a great undertaking of relocating it piece by piece. When the Aswan Dam was constructed it flooded the entire area and everything in its way. The government of Egypt would not let one of its national treasures be lost, so it was moved to higher ground.
They are now safe and sound and ready for your viewing. Four 20-metre statues representing Rameses II stand guard over the banks of the lake. Built around 1265 BC, three of the statues are still in relatively good shape. You can take a tour from Luxor to see these temples up close and personal, it is well worth the 280km travel from Luxor. Next to the pyramids, they are one of the most recognizable images of Egypt.
Not many destinations rival the ancient country of Egypt. Besides its great temples and monuments, it houses the Sahara Desert, the Nile River and is located on the Red and Mediterranean Sea, there are activities for everyone to enjoy and it will not disappoint even the most jaded traveler.
While visiting this ancient city, you can imagine being back in the time of the Pharaohs. People still dress traditionally wearing their headscarfs and bedouin wraps. Call to prayer can be heard 5 times a day. There is a strong sense of tradition in the land and you feel as if you are frozen in time. Visiting the great pyramids lets you imagine exactly what life would have been like thousands of years ago.
It is impossible to understand how the Pyramids of Giza have survived over 4000 years. The desert, looters and all of the elements that Mother Nature can throw at them will not destroy these ancient structures. To see these giants standing proud over the land, you wonder in awe how they could have possibly be built by human hands. Take a camel to see the grounds and imagine that you are an ancient Pharaoh coming across these great monuments for the first time. What would it have felt like then?
Another must see destination in Egypt is the Valley of the Kings. Located in Southern Egypt near the city of Luxor, a great valley houses 63 chambers of great kings. The most famous is King Tuts tomb, but there are many more to explore.
Your camera will be confiscated at the gate if they see it around your neck. The don't seem to do a thorough search, so if you want to have memories of your time in the Valley, keep it in your bag until you enter the grounds. However, be respectful and do not take any photos inside the tombs. Flash photography can damage the fragile walls and you will be in trouble with the guards if you are caught, which will most likely occur. Some harmless photos of outside however will give you lasting memories of this incredible sight.
Only a handful of tombs are open at any given time. King Tuts tomb is not high on the tour route as it is not an impressive tomb compared to the others. The tombs of Rameses VI, Merneptah, and Rameses IV are far more impressive. The chambers are surprisingly large and airy. They have bright paintings on their walls depicting scenes from the book of the dead, and the book of caverns among others.
The large size and bright colours make you feel comfortable and the fact the they don't contain any sarcophagi anymore keeps it from becoming and eerie experience. You also won't find any jewels or hidden treasures here, they have been either looted or excavated. If you want to see most of Egypt's treasures, you will find them at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
While visiting the Valley of the Kings, you can also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. A woman ruler from 1479-1458 BC, she was one of Egypt's most successful rulers. Egypt was run by a woman for 21 years. Our modern world has not been quite so liberal.
Built in harmony into the side of a cliff, Hatsheput's Temple is considered to be the most dramatically situated temple on earth. Three tiers lead to the main grounds where statues and pillars create a labyrinth to explore.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
Luxor Temple While in Luxor, you cannot miss the Luxor Temple. Located right in town on the Nile River, it is an impressive monument. It is lit up at night for breathtaking photo opportunities. A little travel tip...the McDonald's right across the street has an incredible view of the temple, but not only that, has free Wifi. So you can have lunch, update your blog and take in the sights all at once.
Located almost at the border of the Sudan stands the last great ruin of Egypt, Abu Simbel. Luckily it was saved from being submerged under water in the 1960's due to a great undertaking of relocating it piece by piece. When the Aswan Dam was constructed it flooded the entire area and everything in its way. The government of Egypt would not let one of its national treasures be lost, so it was moved to higher ground.
They are now safe and sound and ready for your viewing. Four 20-metre statues representing Rameses II stand guard over the banks of the lake. Built around 1265 BC, three of the statues are still in relatively good shape. You can take a tour from Luxor to see these temples up close and personal, it is well worth the 280km travel from Luxor. Next to the pyramids, they are one of the most recognizable images of Egypt.
Not many destinations rival the ancient country of Egypt. Besides its great temples and monuments, it houses the Sahara Desert, the Nile River and is located on the Red and Mediterranean Sea, there are activities for everyone to enjoy and it will not disappoint even the most jaded traveler.
About the Author:
Deb Corbeil is one half of Canada's Adventure Couple. Side by side with her spouse Dave Bouskill they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to over 30 countries all over the world. click on their website theplanetd for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure destinations. To view their photo gallery click on picturetheplanet
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