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.
Time stands still in this country. People dress traditionally and as you walk the streets you can hear the call to prayer being played over loud speakers throughout the city. Horse carts weave through busy traffic and fruit stands line the streets. The city is alive with energy and you can almost feel the ancient Pharaohs presence in every corner. Nowhere is this more prominent than a visit to the greatest temples on earth.
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?
Valley of the Kings is another popular place to visit on the tourist route is The Valley of the Kings. Located just outside of Luxor. The Valley of the Kings is a giant valley in the desert containing 63 tombs and chambers of Kings and noblemen; the most famous being King Tut.
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.
King Tuts tomb may be the most famous but it is hardly the most impressive. There are only a limited number of tombs open and one time and some of the other tombs are far more interesting of a visit. Rameses IV and Merneptah are two that are interesting. Mernaptah is located in a deep chamber and the walk down and up is steep. Rameses is large and very well preserved. Bright paintings on the walls depict scenes from various scriptures.
They have made the afterlife pleasant for their rulers. Large airy chambers are inviting and the bright colours on the walls make you feel as if you are visiting a joyous place rather than a place of burial. Kings were buried with great treasures, but the chambers in the Valley of the Kings are empty. Bandits had robbed the tombs years ago and whatever had been saved by excavators are now safely stored at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
Don't miss visiting the Hatshepsut's Temple nearby. Another must see destination in Egypt, it is a temple made for one of Egypt's most successful Pharaohs. What is so interesting about this temple is that it was made for a female king. It is amazing to see that Egypt was ruled by a woman for 21 years, in 1479 BC!
Her Temple is another impressive piece of architecture. Known to be one of the most dramatically situated temples in the world, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Built into the side of a large cliff, it has three tiers leading out to the desert. At one time it would have been filled with lush vegetation, but now it is dry and blends with the desert landscape.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
Your tour may take you to the Luxor Temple located right downtown Luxor. A massive structure of pillars, statues and temple spans along the Nile River. It is an impressive sight that is even more beautiful at night when it is lit up for your viewing pleasure. If you are looking for internet and have a laptop, the McDonalds across the street has free Wifi and a great view of the entire Temple.
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.
Egypt is a destination that everyone must make time to visit. It is one of the most ancient locations on earth. Filled with grand temples and monuments, blessed with the Nile River and alive with energy and excitement it has something for every explorer to see.
Time stands still in this country. People dress traditionally and as you walk the streets you can hear the call to prayer being played over loud speakers throughout the city. Horse carts weave through busy traffic and fruit stands line the streets. The city is alive with energy and you can almost feel the ancient Pharaohs presence in every corner. Nowhere is this more prominent than a visit to the greatest temples on earth.
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?
Valley of the Kings is another popular place to visit on the tourist route is The Valley of the Kings. Located just outside of Luxor. The Valley of the Kings is a giant valley in the desert containing 63 tombs and chambers of Kings and noblemen; the most famous being King Tut.
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.
King Tuts tomb may be the most famous but it is hardly the most impressive. There are only a limited number of tombs open and one time and some of the other tombs are far more interesting of a visit. Rameses IV and Merneptah are two that are interesting. Mernaptah is located in a deep chamber and the walk down and up is steep. Rameses is large and very well preserved. Bright paintings on the walls depict scenes from various scriptures.
They have made the afterlife pleasant for their rulers. Large airy chambers are inviting and the bright colours on the walls make you feel as if you are visiting a joyous place rather than a place of burial. Kings were buried with great treasures, but the chambers in the Valley of the Kings are empty. Bandits had robbed the tombs years ago and whatever had been saved by excavators are now safely stored at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
Don't miss visiting the Hatshepsut's Temple nearby. Another must see destination in Egypt, it is a temple made for one of Egypt's most successful Pharaohs. What is so interesting about this temple is that it was made for a female king. It is amazing to see that Egypt was ruled by a woman for 21 years, in 1479 BC!
Her Temple is another impressive piece of architecture. Known to be one of the most dramatically situated temples in the world, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Built into the side of a large cliff, it has three tiers leading out to the desert. At one time it would have been filled with lush vegetation, but now it is dry and blends with the desert landscape.
Don't let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.
Your tour may take you to the Luxor Temple located right downtown Luxor. A massive structure of pillars, statues and temple spans along the Nile River. It is an impressive sight that is even more beautiful at night when it is lit up for your viewing pleasure. If you are looking for internet and have a laptop, the McDonalds across the street has free Wifi and a great view of the entire Temple.
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.
Egypt is a destination that everyone must make time to visit. It is one of the most ancient locations on earth. Filled with grand temples and monuments, blessed with the Nile River and alive with energy and excitement it has something for every explorer to see.
About the Author:
Deb Corbeil is one half of Canada's Adventure Couple. Together with her husband Dave Bouskill they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to around 30 countries all around the world. Visit their website theplanetd for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure locations. To view their photo gallery check out picturetheplanet
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