Egyptian Ancient Archaeological sites are Awe Inspiring
Egypt is an incredible experience that I cannot wait to share. Here’s a quick snapshot of my trip and some of the exciting areas I explored.
Cairo
We arrived in Cairo and were met at the airport by a representative from Excel Travel who ushered me through customs, secured my visa, and gathered my luggage. I then went via private car to the St Regis Cairo where I stayed for the first two nights. We were escorted during the entire trip by Excel team members and our amazing Egyptologist guide, Walid El Batouty.
Our first full day we flew to Aswan and Abu Simbel. It is important to note that to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel it is necessary to fly to Aswan and then on to Abu Simbel. While you visit the temple your plane stays on the ground and then you fly back to Aswan (or on to Cairo or another destination) on the same plane. Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient temple complex located in the southern part of Egypt. It is significant due to its monumental rock-cut temples that were carved in a mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. The structures were relocated in the 1960’s to save them from being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
Nile River Cruise
After we visited the Abu Simbel, we flew back to Aswan to embark on a 3-night Nile River Cruise aboard the Historia The Boutique Hotel Cruise Line. This cruise line offers a luxurious way to explore the wonders of Egypt’s ancient civilization along the Nile River. The line features upscale accommodations, gourmet dining, and personalized service. The ship was absolutely beautiful. The rooms were very spacious for a river cruise and very well appointed. The rooftop pool was a favorite gathering spot for our group as was the upscale dining area.
That evening we set sail and woke up in Kom Ombo. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unique because it is dedicated to two gods, Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus the Elder. The temple features symmetrical design with twin entrances, courtyards, and halls. Visitors can explore well-preserved reliefs, columns, and statues as well as scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology.
Relaxing on deck down the Nile River
We had a short rest and a relaxing lunch onboard the Historia as we sailed to Edfu. Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile River in Upper Egypt. It is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. The temple was constructed during the Ptolemaic period (around 237 BCE) and completed during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus. The Temple of Edfu is constructed of massive pylons, towering columns, intricately decorated walls, and well-preserved reliefs depicting scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and religious rituals. The temple’s centerpiece is the sanctuary housing the sacred barque of Horus.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
That evening we had dinner on board while we sailed on to Luxor. Very early the next morning we crossed the Nile River on small boats and went off to take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. The scenic trip was a major highlight and a first for me! After the hot air balloon ride we toured the Valley of the Kings which is a famous archaeological site that contains over 60 known tombs of pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom period (approximately 16th to 11th century BCE). It is known for rock-cut tombs, which were elaborately decorated and filled with treasures to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.
The tombs of famous pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I were all found here.. The tomb of Tutankhamun, was found virtually intact by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. The treasures found within Tutankhamun’s tomb have provided invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and daily life. Some of the most beautiful and well-preserved paintings and carvings in Egypt are located here.
The Valley of the Queens is an archaeological site is located next to the Valley of the Kings. It served as the burial place for queens and royal children during the New Kingdom period. The valley contains around 90 known tombs, though not all of them belong to queens—some are the final resting places of royal princes and other members of the nobility. The tombs in the Valley of the Queens tend to be smaller and less elaborate compared to those in the Valley of the Kings. Valley of the Queens is where the Tomb of Nefertari, the favorite wife of Pharaoh Ramses II is located. It is known for its exquisite decorations and is considered one of the most beautiful tombs in Egypt.
The Temple of Karnak was the next stop on our trip. Karnak is a vast ancient temple complex located near Luxor. It is one of the largest temple complexes in the world and was dedicated primarily to the god Amun, along with his consort Mut and their son Khonsu. It is comprised of several temples, chapels, pylons, and obelisks, built over a period of approximately 2,000 years by various pharaohs and rulers, including Amenhotep III, Ramesses II, and Hatshepsut. Highlights include the Avenue of Sphinxes, a long processional avenue lined with sphinx statues that originally linked this site with the Luxor Temple. , The Sacred Lake, believed to have been used for ritual purification ceremonies, is also located here.
Luxor
Luxor Temple was our last stop of the day. It was also dedicated to the God Amun, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. It was constructed primarily during the New Kingdom period, with additions and renovations made by various pharaohs over several centuries. It is a very well preserved temple with massive pylons, towering obelisks, and detailed carvings. It is sometimes used for evening events and is beautiful when it is illuminated.
From Luxor (our last stop on our Nile River cruise) we flew back to Cairo. Upon arrival, we headed to the Egyptian Museum, also known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. It is one of the largest and most important museums of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world. The museum houses an extensive collection of over 120,000 items spanning thousands of years of Egyptian history, from the prehistoric era to the Roman period. This is where the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun including his iconic gold mask and sarcophagi are located. The museum also boasts an impressive collection of sarcophagus’ (mummified remains), statues, reliefs, jewelry, papyrus scrolls, and mummies, providing a comprehensive overview of ancient Egyptian civilization. The last two nights of our trip were spent at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza in Cairo. It was an amazing hotel with gorgeous rooms and views of either the Nile or the city behind it.
Saqqara and the Pyramids
Our last full day we visited Saqqara and the Pyramids of Giza. Saqqara is a vast burial ground in Egypt, serving as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. It’s well known for its step pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser, which is one of the earliest colossal stone buildings in the world. Saqqara also contains numerous other pyramids, tombs, and monuments dating back to different periods of ancient Egyptian history.
After lunch at the Marriott Mena House Hotel overlooking the Pyramids. We headed to the Pyramids of Giza. These are among the most iconic and well-known structures in the world. They include the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, which were built as tombs for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, respectively. The Great Sphinx of Giza, a large limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a human, is situated near the pyramids. It’s believed to represent the pharaoh Khafre or a manifestation of the sun god, and it's one of the oldest and largest statues in the world.
It was truly a trip to remember forever and I didn’t even scratch the surface of the history and archaeological treasures the country holds.
A few things to note:
1. There is security everywhere. At first, this can be a little unnerving but you do get used to it. It is different than being in the United States but I never felt unsafe at all. We went through metal detectors to get into our hotels and all archaeological sites. We also had a police escort for the full day that we were in Cairo.
2. Unless you are going to a religious site you can dress as you want to. We only went to archaeological sites and women weren’t expected to cover their shoulders or heads.
3. Small American bills are great for tips here. $1 bills go far for tipping but you can also use these in most of the vendor stalls in the markets and to
pay for camel rides and other fun activities.
4. Most people speak English, or at least enough to communicate.
5. I found the Egyptian people to be warm and welcoming.
6. The vendors in the markets and bazaars can be pushy. Be ready! And be ready to bargain!
