catalogs the best life experiences around the world; country results for Egypt /countries/show/egypt/1.rss en-us Kom Ombo: The Crocodile Temple While cruising along the Nile RIver past the Egyptian city of Aswan, your eyes are quickly drawn to the Temple of Kom Ombo: a beautiful Egyptian temple located on the river’s edge, just 50 km from Aswan. Whether arriving by tour bus or by felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, visitors are in for a treat as they climb the magnificent stone steps and enter the inner sanctuary of Kom Ombo Temple—the temple of Haroeris and Sobek. Ancient crocodiles once covered the shores surrounding Kom Ombo, and Sobek is the crocodile god honoured by the Temple of Kom Ombo (also known as the Temple of Kom Omb). Sobek is depicted in various hieroglyphs throughout the temple, with the body of a man and the head of a crocodile. Haroeris, the “Good Doctor,” also covers the walls, and is represented by the head of a falcon. The Temple of Kom Ombo’s bisymmetry is what makes it truly unique: twin entrances, and nominally divided sanctuaries and halls. The left side of the temple is dedicated to Haroeris, while the right is dedicated to Sobek. The Temple of Kom Ombo is a large roofless structure made up of an outer corridor surrounding an inner corridor, which in turn encases the Hypostyle Hall and the inner sanctuaries. Traditionally adorned with 31 large columns, only 13 remain in various stages of deterioration today. At the entrance of Kom Ombo Temple, many of the larger columns have remained intact, adorned with various pictures of serpents, birds, fruits and surgical tools. Larger than life depictions of Sobek and Haroeris, in addition to other gods such as Horus, are also seen covering the columns and the corridor walls. The Temple of Kom Ombo's proximity to the Nile has been both a blessing and a curse. The moisture from the surrounding waters has allowed for the exceptional preservation of some beautiful, coloured works. To truly appreciate, you must look up while entering the temple as brilliant blues and reds cover images of large falcons on the underside of several stones, protected from the sand. Most of the images seen in this temple were carved into the stone and painted, as with many temples throughout Egypt. However, the Temple of Kom Ombo is one of the few remaining temples to have such bright and plentiful colours. Being situated on the once caravan route into the heart of Egypt and the gold mines of the Eastern Desert, Kom Ombo had often been a resting stop for conquering armies. As you walk through Kom Ombo, you are reminded that The Temple of Kom Ombo has stood and watched centuries of history be written. This history is reflected in every inch of the temple, from the large pillars that are capped with Roman-era floral bursts, to the records tablet that recorded offerings to Haroeris. It is even rumoured that the floors of the outer corridor once held small carving from individuals waiting to see the “Good Doctor”.    With the overwhelming number of images covering the walls of Kom Ombo Temple, each one tells a story, whether one inch or meters in size. Visitors could spend all day running their fingers along the continuous pictures feeling their way through history. Kom Ombo Temple is truly is a temple of the gods. Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:20:26 +0000 Ride a Camel Through the Desert in Egypt The Pyramids at Giza are an awesome sight, and the experience is made even more amazing when you see the Pyramids from camel-back in the desert. The tall Arabian camels sway gently to and fro under the blazing desert sun as you make your way through the dusty white buildings of town, finally breaking out into open sand dunes. The footsteps of these majestic animals are nearly soundless in the sand, the sky clear, and in the distance, the iconic silhouette of the Pyramids of Giza are outlined against the horizon. Time falls away, and you might almost be part of a caravan in the desert thousands of years ago. Most camel rides at Giza start at the entrance to the Pyramids, but do not journey within the enclosure itself. Instead, you have a chance to gaze at the Pyramids from across a wide swath of desert, culminating in an amazing view from a sandy hilltop a few miles away. The view of the Pyramids at this distance is almost more impressive than viewing them from up close, especially minus the crowds of tourists. The camel ride itself is quite an experience as you perch on top of the camel's humps, cushioned by layers of colorful blankets. The swaying of the camel as it walks on those long legs makes your muscles clench and release to compensate for the rocking motion. You're sure to experience sore muscles the next day, but it's all part of the fun. Be sure to snap a picture in front of the Pyramids with you and your camel. Your camel will kneel down to let you clamber off and on again, which is another exciting experience - just try not to tip over and fall off the front of the camel when he gets down on his knees. Before starting out on your ride, however, be sure to agree on a price with the guide, and be clear on the expected duration of your ride. This area of Egypt is known for overcharging naïve tourists, so be prepared to haggle to get a reasonable price (it's a good idea to ask at your hotel what the expected price should be before heading out). After agreeing on a price, you may (if you're lucky) get a free ride on a horse or a horse-drawn buggy to the site where your camel ride begins. Be prepared to give your guide a hefty tip upon the conclusion of your ride, which again you will have to haggle over – this is expected if you want to have a happy and scowl-free end to your trip. In the best situations, both you and the guide end up satisfied with your camel trip to one of the greatest wonders of the world. Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:01:35 +0000 Feel the Cool Breeze Sweep Over You at the Cairo Citadel The Citadel in Cairo, Egypt was built by military genius Saladin, a man who retook the Holy Land from the Crusaders, as a means to protect and unite the cities of Cairo and Fustat. Saladin planned to build a massive wall around the two cities, using the Citadel as its centerpiece, but was unable to complete it before he died in Syria in 1193 A.D. The huge wall was ultimately finished in 1238 A.D. with the Cairo Citadel prominently set on Muqattam Hill, overlooking the city. Saladin knew the hill was a great strategic location as it offered a commanding vantage point of the surrounding area, but it was also endowed with another powerful gift, wind. It was here, long before the wall or the Citadel were built, that people gathered to enjoy the “Dome of the Wind.” Egypt's Citadel is one of the most popular medieval sites in Cairo encompassing three mosques, a military museum and a beautiful park. These ornate history-laden complexes harbor is a simpler pleasure though, an outcrop above Cairo perfect for catching a cool breeze. In 810 A.D. the governor had a pavilion constructed so people could sit back, relax, and enjoy the grand views of Cairo while basking in the refreshing breeze. Muqattam Hill was a great place to relax and enjoy the day long before the Cairo Citadel was built, and is so once again following the movement of the seat of government to its new home, the Abdin Palace, in the 1860's. The Cairo Citadel has changed significantly over the years as various leaders have left their own mark on the complex. The most prominent and well known of these changes was the addition of the grand Mohamed Ali Mosque, which has dominated the Cairo skyline with its piercing minarets since its completion in 1848. Beside the Mohamed Ali Mosque is the Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad, and although not as large, it offers greater eloquence. The beautiful masonry and ornate craftsmanship displayed here is the quintessential Ottoman style used in many Islamic monuments, and have captivated countless people over the years. The only original parts of the once mighty fortress that remain from initial construction are parts of the walls and a well that once supplied the Saladin Citadel with water. Unfortunately the area around the 285 foot (87 meters) deep Bir Yusuf Well is not open for tourists to investigate. Defense of the Cairo Citadel is no longer a concern as it was in Saladin’s day. Instead today, the three mosques built in its boundaries serve as active homes of prayer; the large military museum remembers a long history of the armies that have ruled over Egypt; and a park, not far from the small Suleyman Pasha Mosque, is a great place to relax and let a cool breeze sweep over you. After a day exploring Egypt's Citadel and all it encompasses in its mighty walls, it’s easy to see why the non-Pharaonic structure is so popular, with tourists and locals alike, as a fantastic spot to relax and enjoy the wind washing over you. Mon, 17 May 2010 18:52:42 +0000 Abu Simbel, the Temple Named for a Boy Long ago, in 1274 B.C., there was a great battle in present day Syria for control of the trade routes through the area. As many as 6,000 chariots, more than any other battle in history, and 70,000 men clashed for control, and an untold number were lost. Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II claimed he won a great victory over the Hittite empire, but the true outcome of the battle is uncertain as Kadesh never actually fell. Still though, upon his return, Ramesses commissioned a great temple be built to commemorate what he considered his victory. What is left of that temple sits on what is now known as Lake Nasser; it is called Abu Simbel. A legend tells that over 2,000 years later a local boy guided explorers to the site. It was almost completely covered in sand at this point, having fallen into disuse as many ancient Egyptian temples did, with only the top of the main temple visible. The four massive statues of Ramesses II, sitting tall at 66 feet (20 meters), which guard the entrance to the main temple were totally submerged. It took years to dig through the sand to clear the complex and find the temple. When they did, they named the find after the boy who led them there, calling it Abu Simbel. Six rock temples were built in the area during Ramesses II’s long reign. Some say Abu Simbel temple, which took 20 years to build, is the most beautiful of all the temples the pharaoh commissioned; the grand temple complex of Karnak also being one he had a hand in. Unlike its neighbor downstream in Luxor though, this temple wasn’t meant to just mark his victory in battle or give praise to gods like Ptah and Amun. Ab Simbel temple was also meant to intimidate the nearby neighbors to the south in Nubia. Abu Simbel isn’t just a marvel of design and construction from the days of the New Kingdom, it is also one of modern engineering. Starting in 1964, the temples were moved in their entirety from danger as the Aswan Dam was built on the Nile River to create a massive reservoir. Had it been left, the waters would’ve covered it as the sands once did. Instead it now sits safely 656 feet (200 meters) away on the bank. This was done by cutting the hills into huge blocks, up to 30 tons in weight, and carefully moving them to safety. Egypt's Abu Simbel temple has prominently been displayed in pop culture, most notably the Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” as well as “The Mummy Returns” and “Star Wars Episode One,” but at its best it is an experience to be savored due to its surreal ancient history. Tourists and travelers now venture to the site and stand in awe of an impressive display, especially of Ramesses II’s ego, that shouldn’t be missed. Abu Simbel temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Nubian Monuments,” and it’s obvious why when taking in this complex. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:24:04 +0000 Uncover the Temple of Karnak in the Shifting Sands of Luxor Perhaps overshadowed by the mainstream popularity of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, a visit to the vast Karnak Temple in Luxor brings you deep into the abode of the Gods. Known as Ipet-isut (the most selected of places), this conglomeration of ruined temples and chapels pays homage to the Theben triad of Gods: Amun, Mut and Khonsu. At 447 miles (721 km) downstream along the Nile River lies the Temple of Karnak, believed to be the second most visited site in Egypt. It’s easy to see why immediately as the temple imposes a grand and stately first impression. The massive open-air complex is filled with huge statues, sphinxes, temples, pylons and impressive hieroglyphics that are sure to wow. For a country that already has such an extensive collection of archaeological sites and artifacts—this is certainly saying something. Sitting on almost 70 acres, the Temple of Karnak is split into four different parts. Three of the areas are closed to the public while excavation and restoration work still continues; but the precinct of Amun-Re remains open. Thankfully, the highlight of the complex—the 50,000 square foot (5,000 m²) Hypostyle Hall—lies within this area. It is here where, on 134 enormous columns, scenes can be found describing the battles and accomplishments of Seti I and his son Ramesses II. Many of the hieroglyphs on the 3 meter diameter columns, some of which are 21 meters tall, even retain their original colouring. Construction began on the Karnak Temple complex in the 18th Dynasty under the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Over 2,000 years, approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to its design to make it the wonder it is today. The true work, though, as would be expected for the time period, was done by the estimated 80,000 labourers, guards, priests and servants over several generations. Its enormity can be hard to comprehend, if you imagine that some 2,000 sphinx statues once lined a 3 km long avenue between the Temple of Karnak and the nearby Luxor Temple; or that some of the beams on top of the columns in the Hypostyle Hall weigh an estimated 70 tons. It’s so gargantuan that that it must be experienced in person to truly appreciate the ancient craftsmanship. Over time, Karnak was abandoned and forgotten to the sand. It wasn’t until the rediscovery in the mid-19th century, buried in the desert for over 1,000 years, that the Temple of Karnak began to be appreciated in the modern era. In the excavation, remains of Christian churches were found in the ruins. These churches were supposedly built after Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and ordered the closing of pagan temples throughout the empire in 356 A.D. While some of this behaviour may be explained as period vandalism, it is worth a look as it does add to the historical nature of the Temple. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:27:56 +0000 Felucca Down the Nile Under the Shadows of the Great Pyramids of Egypt A cruise down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca (small wooded boat) is a treat that should not be missed in a country awash in historical fortunes. It is quintessential Egypt. Skimming across the surface of the Nile River as the sun sets over the Sahara Desert can create a perfect end to a day full of interesting experiences. The father of modern history, Herodotus, said that Ancient Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Without it, the fertile strip of land that runs through the heart of the country would probably be as dry as the Sahara Desert surrounding it, and the history that existed around it probably never would've happened. But instead, today, it is lined with a great many marvels of the ancient world. In a country full of treasures too dense to appreciate in one trip, a felucca cruise on the Nile should be a priority Egyptian travel experience. The Nile is the world's longest river and has been the source of Egypt's livelihood for many millennia. As you peacefully sail along one of the world's most famous rivers in the traditional felucca, ancient cities, temples thousands of years old, and (of course) the Great Pyramids line its river banks. The north-flowing Nile River runs through ten African countries, with headwaters as far away as Tanzania in the southern hemisphere, and empties into the Mediterranean Sea on the north side of Egypt. It is the product of the Blue and White Nile, which converge just outside the capital city of Khartoum in Sudan, and runs a total of 4,132 miles (6,650 km). In ancient Egyptian it means "Great River," and in Coptic it's translated as "The River." Whichever translation you prefer, the River Nile is a river of beauty and legends. Explorers have marvelled over it for centuries, filmmakers have chronicled it for decades, and today it is still used to transport goods throughout the continent as it was long ago in the days of Ancient Egypt. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:46:37 +0000 Hatshepsut Temple, Shrine to the Queen that was King The Luxor area is one of the premiere travel spots in Egypt, home to some of the best historical sights and experiences. There's so much to see and do here, from the Temple of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, that it's possible to see several enjoyable days go by in the blink of an eye. One of the top attractions in Luxor is the Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el-Bahri, which is located on the west bank of the famous Nile River opposite the city. A Coptic Christian cemetery is just one of several uses this area has had over the centuries, and includes a mortuary complex for Pharaoh Mentuhotep II who reunited Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. The most notable construction though is the Hatshepsut Temple, a beautiful mortuary shrine which rises 30 meters (97 feet) up a cliff face at the end of a grand boardwalk, and was once lined with sphinxes. The Hatshepsut Temple is considered by many to be the closest the Egyptians came to Classical Architecture, and is commonly associated with ancient Greece and Rome, as opposed to the Pyramids of Egypt. Queen Hatshepsut, the second and only female pharaoh in the 18th dynasty, reigned for approximately 22 years. She is generally considered to be one of the most successful Egyptian pharaohs, having established trade routes and commissioned several new building projects. Queen Hatshepsut is believed to have lived into her fifties, dying of a blood infection while also suffering from several other ailments, such as diabetes. Hatshepsut Temple is a stunning funerary complex in her memory, and a spectacular one at that. As artifacts have been collected, and even vandalized by successive generations, many of the items that once adorned the Temple of Hatshepsut are now scattered across the world. A huge group of mummies was found at the Hatshepsut Temple, including many pharaohs which are now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, along with several other artifacts. Many package tours to Luxor are combined with stops in Cairo as well, so make sure to leave enough time, a full day even, to stop in at the Egyptian Museum. Here you can enjoy an extensive exhibit on mummies which will help you to fully appreciate the history of the queen that was king, and her mortuary shrine: Hatshepsut Temple. Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:08:27 +0000 Ascend Mount Sinai by Cover of Night It was midnight, and our Egyptian driver was impatient as 10 tourists tried to stuff themselves into a rather undersized van. Making sure we had our passports to show for the midnight checkpoints, we were soon en route, sleepy but excited, towards our destination: climbing Mount Sinai by night. The night route for climbing Mount Sinai is a popular one, undertaken by many in order to bask in the beautiful Sinai sunrise. We were dropped off at the front gate along with hundreds of other travellers making the night trek. Waving flashlights, the Bedouin guides called for their assigned tour groups to make their way through the metal detectors to begin climbing Mount Sinai. Our guide was a friendly, quiet fellow who had an odd knack of suddenly disappearing to go check on those lagging behind in the rear, and then suddenly reappearing again far ahead of us, apparently not the least bit out of breath. The path to the summit of the mythical mountain was not particularly steep, but I had endured a case of the Egyptian tummy the night before, and having ingested little else but crackers for the past 12 hours, I found myself sweating with exertion as I fought stomach cramps and looked forward to the next rest point. For most people in good health, however, climbing Mount Sinai is easy, and made much more pleasant by the absence of the scorching desert sun. We reached the top about an hour before the Sinai sunrise, and spent several minutes settling ourselves on the perfect rock outcropping. We stared out into the darkness and tried to make out some of the features of the shadowy landscape. With surprising rapidity, dawn broke over the horizon, and pale gold and rose fingers of light illuminated the spectacular desert mountains. Rocky mountain ranges stretched in every direction as far as the eye could see, as if a giant’s hand had reached out and crumpled the surface of the earth. I imagined the small band of Israelites camped below in Sinai’s shadow, dwarfed by the grandeur of the landscape. The Sinai sunrise was magnificent. Mount Sinai Egypt is located in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, the traditional location of the mountain mentioned in both Biblical/Jewish accounts, and in the Koran. 2,285 meters in height, the mountain currently known as Mount Sinai may or may not be the same mountain described in ancient texts, but it still has great religious and cultural significance. The Monastery of Saint Catherine is located at its foot, and a mosque and Greek Orthodox chapel perched at its peak. There are two routes for climbing Mount Sinai. The longer, 2.5 km route uses a series of switchbacks to make the climb less steep. A steeper, more direct route is also available, though the difficulty of ascending the 3,750 steps makes it more desirable as a way DOWN after the trek from the top. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:49:49 +0000 Behold the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt Some of the most remarkable achievements in human history stand in preservation on the Plateau of Giza, by Cairo in Egypt. The Great Pyramids of Egypt, built over 4,500 years ago, continues to astound the amazement of all who visit. The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous of ancient Egyptian monuments. This series of necropolises served the elite Royal Egyptians during the 4th Dynasty, approximately late 3rd millennium BCE. The most famous of these tombs is the Pyramid of Khufu. It is also known as the Great Pyramid (or the Pyramid of Cheops) and is the largest of the bunch. The next most prominent Great Pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafre; then followed by the modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure. Khufu Pyramid was built by over 1,300,000 limestone blocks weighing from 2.5 to 15 ton. The four sides of this architectural masterpiece face the four cardinal points perfectly. In its original enormity, it measured 488 ft., but today (due to theft) it is only 455 ft. How the Egyptians actually built the Pyramids with large stone blocks, and managed the extensive labour force to build them, is still largely unknown today. It’s widely believed that a majority of this labour force came from the farming community after the Nile River had flooded, rendering the farmland completely underwater. Many noted archeologists and engineers have offered some theories on this matter through demonstrating how heavy blocks of stone can be maneuvered and transported into place with special ramps and sledges. Not all of the pyramids in Egypt have survived the years in a preserved state. There are just over a hundred pyramids known to still be recognizable as such in Egypt. Although the main understanding of the pyramid is as a mausoleum for deceased kings and queens of the time, they are also understood to be culturally significant to ancient Egyptian belief as stairways into heaven. Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:24:12 +0000