Egypt Is Considered The Land Of ‘Sights’ In The Popular Imagination, And Not Without Good Reason—From The Pyramids At Giza, The Awe-Inspiring Sphinx And The Monuments Liberally Littering Ancient Thebes, To The Underwater Explosion Of Color In The Coral Reefs Off The Red Sea Coast.
Egypt’s Destinations Can Be Divided Into Six Super-Sites The North Coast And The Delta Area,The Upper Nile Area, The Lower Nile Area, The Desert And Oases, The Sinai And Red Sea Area, and Cairo And The Surrounding Areas

Cairo
Cairo Was Once The Byzantine City Of Babylon—The Same As In The Song "By The Rivers Of Babylon…" In 969 AD, The Fatimid Rulers Captured The Reigns Of Power, To Be Succeeded By The Mameluks, A Slave Dynasty. They Left Behind A Warren Of Districts Like Al-
Muski, Darb Al-Ahmar And Gamaliya. The Old-World Charm Here Is Palpable, And Well Worth Soaking In.

The Egyptian Museum
In 1834 Mohamed Ali decreed an administration for the antiquities. He also ordered constituting the first museum in Al-Azbaquia. In 1858, August Mariette was in charge of the Egyptian Antiquities Institution and he built a museum in Bulaq, which opened in1863.
In 1891, the antiquities were transferred from Bulaq to the Palace of Giza (Saray El-Giza). In 1902 the present museum was built. It has about 120,000 objects on display, and several hundred thousand are still in the vaults.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. Coordinates The museum's 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.

Khan Al-Khalili
The Khan El-Khalili is one of the most interesting bazaars, not only in Egypt, but also in the whole Middle East.
It was named after Prince Jaharkas Al-Khalili, who was one of the powerful Mamluke Princes in the 14th century. It is famous for its unusual, typically oriental souvenirs, and handmade crafts. The Medieval atmospheres of this traditional market, together with the labyrinth layout of the streets, gives visitors o lot of pleasure and a glimpse into what medieval markets once were like.
Cafes, restaurants, shops, and large number of vendors and buyers constitute a dynamic panorama of the place. Drinking Hibiscus, Karakare, Helba, or any of the various typical Egyptian beverages, is a pleasant experience for visitors and guests to get a real taste experience. For smokers, there is the Shisha, or water pipe, to be tried.

Every visitor can take the opportunity to safely enjoy the walk through the narrow streets of Khan El-Khalili.
The Pyramids At Giza And The Sphinx
No Monuments In Egypt Are Visited As Much As pyramids and sphinx in giza This Is Truly The Stuff That The Glossiest Egyptian Tourist
Brochures Are Made Of! The Three Pyramids Are Devoted To The Father-Son-Grandson Trio Of Cheops, Cephren And Mycerinus. The

First Two Are The Most Impressive. Egyptologists And Archeologists Differ Over The Exact Significance Of The Sphinx (Known In Arabic As ‘Abu Al-Hol’ Or The ‘Father Of Terror’) In Egyptian Culture, But There Is No Doubting The Sheer Grandeur Of The Figure. It Is Considered The Most Ancient Capital Of Egypt Established By King Mina

Among Its Monuments :
• The Colossal Tatue Of Ramses Ii Exhibited In The Museum.
• The Alabaster Statue Of The Sphinx For King Tuthmosis III.
• The Serapeum

Sakkara pyramids
Saqqara is the ancient site of Memphis City, hence it abounds in monuments, antiquities and tombs.
It is the most ancient burial ground in ancient Egypt. It lies on a desert plateau, southwest of Cairo. Above rises the step-pyramid and mortuary compound, built by the engineer Imhotep for King Zoser, the first of the III Dynasty pharaohs circa 2780 BC.

MEMPHIS
It is the oldest capital of Egypt, was built by King Menes, and lies 24 km southwest of Cairo, in
Al-Badrasheen. You can see in Memphis, the colossal statue of Ramsis II that is exhibited in the Egyptian museum now.

The Citadel
One of Cairo's major attractions, the massive Citadel complex dominates the city skyline. Built on a limestone spur by Salah al-Din (Saladin) in the 12th century, most of its features are associated with Mohammed Ali, the early 19th century leader who freed Egypt of the Mameluke yoke.The Citadel offers fantastic panoramic views of Islamic Cairo in a castlesetting
rich in history Perhaps its most famous tale is of Mohammed Ali inviting 470 Mameluke leaders to a feast in the Citadel palace, only to have them trapped in a narrow passageway upon leaving and slaughtered by his men. Legend says only one Mameluke escaped by leaping the walls on his horse. Within the Citadel complex are the following attractions: Al-Gawhara (Jewel) Palace, Mohammed Ali
Mosque, Police Museum, Sultan Al-Nasir Mosque, Military Museum, Carriage Museum, Archaeological Museum, Suleyman .

Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque
Designed By The Greek Architect Yussuf Bushnaq, The Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque In The Citadel Was Begun In 1830 (Finished In 1857) In The Ottoman Style By Mohammad Ali Pasha, Ruler Of Egypt, And Founder Of The Country's Last Dynasty Of Khedives And Kings. The Mosque Is The Tomb Of Mohammad Ali And Is Also Known As The Alabaster Mosque Because Of The Extensive Use Of This Fine Material From Beni Suef. Its Two Slender 270 Foot Minarets Are Unusual For Cairo. From The Arcaded Courtyard, Visitors Have A Magnificent View Across The City To The Pyramids In Giza. Just Off The Courtyard Is The Vast Prayer Hall With An Ottoman Style Dome Which Is 170 Feet Above. The Parapet To The Southwest Offers A Good View Of The Sultan Hassan And Ibn Tulun Mosques And Of Cairo Itself. Perhaps Because Of Its Location, It Is One Of The Most Frequented Mosques By Tourists

Coptic Church
The Hanging Church is considered the oldest church in the area of Al-Fustat (Old Cairo).
It is known as Al-Muallaka (the hanging) because it was built on the ruins of two old towers that remained from an old fortress called the Fortress of Babylon. It was dedicated to The Virgin Mary and St. Dimiana.

It dates back to the end of the 3rd Century A.D and the beginning of the 4th Century A.D, but it has been reconstructed and renovated several times since. Some historians believe that it was built earlier, and it might have been a Roman Temple that was later converted to a Roman Church, and at a later date still, it became a Coptic Church. This was proved by the discovery, in 1984, of the scenes, on the western side of the right aisle of the church, which contained pagan Roman Gods, but layers of plaster had covered them.
This church has played an important role in the history of the Coptic Church because it became the seat of the Patriarchs after transferring it from Alexandria to Al-Fustat. The 66th patriarch Anba Christodolos (1039-1079 A.D) was the first Pope to chant the Holy Liturgy in the church. This was maintained in El-Mullaka Church until the 14th Century, when it was transferred to Abu Sefein church.

There are 110 icons here, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th Century, but most of them date to the 18th Century. Nakhla Al- Baraty Bey gave some of them as gifts, in 1898 A.D, when he was the overseer of the church.
The French monk Vansleb, who was sent to Egypt in 1671 by King Louis XIV in order to study the state of the churches and the monasteries of Egypt, mentioned that he had seen on one of the walls of the Hanging Church, inscriptions written by the hand of the great Muslim commander Amr Ibn El-As, asking the Muslim people to treat this church with respect.

SYNAGOUG
The Synagogue of Ben Ezra was originally named El-Shamieen Church, and is situated behind the “hanging church”. The Synagogue once had an old copy of the Old Testament, and it was said that Ezra the Prophet (Al-Azir) had written it.
It is believed that the site of the Synagogue was where the box of Baby Moses was found. ”. In the Encyclopaedia Britannica, a Synagogue is described as “A prayer place for the Jews”. In old Greek it means: “The usual place where the Jews assemble to receive religious teachings and to worship” Some of these Temples were built close to a source of water, as much as for protection from any attack, not just for ablution!

The Ben Ezra Synagogue was originally a Christian church that the Copts had to sell, to the Jews, in 882A.D in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time, and therefore Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, bought the church for the sum of 20,000 dinars.

The Pharaonic Village
The Pharaonic Village was founded by Dr. Hassan Ragab Ph.D., who was the person who rediscovered the ancient Egyptian art of paper – making (Papyrus)
The Pharaonic Village is Egypt's historic park. It's a unique place where Egypt's entire history is explained in 2 to 3 hours including our ancient history as well as our modern history. Visiting The Pharaonic Village is recommended to be at the beginning of the trip to Egypt. It is located on an island in the Nile, just 3 miles south of the center of Cairo. In this village you are transported by floating amphitheaters, and a hundred actors and actresses demonstrate scenes from ancient Egypt (Papyrus making, sculpting, home building….etc.).

In addition, the village has a complete replica of king Tutankhamun's tomb with all its treasures as well as 12 new museums, 4 related to ancient Egypt (mummification and medicine, pyramids building, arts and beliefs, ancient Egyptian boats) and 5 museums related to other periods in Egyptian history (Cleopatra's museum, Coptic history, Islamic civilization, Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, Egypt's modern history museum). There are also 3 museums related to our late three presidents, Mohamed Naguib, Nasser and Sadat).

Manial Palace
The Manial Palace is said to have been built for Prince Mohammad Ali between 1899 and 1929. The palace was given to the Egyptian nation in 1955. Prince Muhammad Ali is the first cousin of King Faruq and the younger brother of Khedive Abbas II Hilmi. The complex consists of six structures. Among these structures is a museum in which Faruq's hunting trophies are found, the prince's residence and furnishings and a museum in which some of the family's memorabilia are found. There are also gardens that have beautiful plants and flowers that are worth seeing. The palace also includes a collection of manuscripts, carpets, textiles, brass work and crystal. Items that can be seen here are a table made of elephant ears and a 1000-piece silver service. On part of the original grounds a hotel has been built called the Meridian Hotel.

Cairo Tower
The Cairo Tower: Burj al-qāhira, is a free-standing concrete television tower in Cairo, Egypt. It stands in the Zamalek district on Gezira Island in the River Nile, close to the city centre. At 187 m (614 ft), it is 43 metres (141 ft) higher than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands some 15 km (9.3 mi) to the southwest. It is one of Cairo's most famous and well-known landmarks.
The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a sceptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant. The tower is crowned by a circular observation deck and a rotating restaurant with a view over Cairo. One rotation takes approximately 70 minutes.

The North Coast Has The Novelty Of Pleasant Climate Even In The Summer (It Being The Egyptian Mediterranean), And Has Two Main Tourist Centers
Marsa Matrouh & Alexandria

Alexandria
It's The Second Largest City In Egypt, It Has An Atmosphere That Is More Mediterranean Than Middle Eastern; Its Ambience And Cultural Heritage Distance It From The Rest Of The Country Although It Is Actually Only 225 Km. From Cairo. Alexandria Lies Northwest Of The Nile Delta And Adjoins Lake Mariut
It Is Linked To Cairo By The Delta Road (231 Km.) And The Desert Road (225 Km.). It Is One Of The Most Notable Summer Resorts

In The Middle East, Known For Its Temperate Winters And Beaches, With Soft Sands And Magnificent Scenery That Stretch For 40 Km. Along The Mediterranean Sea. Founded By Alexander The Great In 331 Bc, Alexandria Became The Capital Of The Graeco-Roman Egypt, Its Status As A Beacon Of Culture Symbolized By Pharos And The Setting For The Stormy Relationship Between Cleopatra And Mark Antony. The City, Immortalizing Alexander's Name, Flourished, Beyond All Expectations, Into A Prominent Cultural, Intellectual And Economic Metropolis, The Remains Of Which Are Still Evident To This Day. There Is So Much To See In This City. Listed Below Is A Brief Overview Of Some Of The Sites That You Can Visit.

Catacombs
Catacombs of Alexandria is Really one of the master sites here in Alexandria . Kom es-Shouqafa lies in the district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria The area was called Kom El Shouqafa or a pile of shards, Catacombs in Alexandria is called the catacomb as well because of its design, which was very similar to the Roman Christian Catacombs. Most likely it was a private tomb and later converted to a public cemetery. It consists of 3 levels cut into the rock, a staircase, a rotunda, the triclinium or banquette hall, a vestibule, an antechamber and the burial chamber with three recesses In, where in each recess there is a sarcophagus. The Catacomb also contains a large number of Luculi or grooves cut in the rock.
The Graeco-Roman Museum

The library
Most famous library of classical antiquity. It was part of the Alexandrian Museum, a research institute at Alexandria, Egypt. The museum and library were founded and maintained by a succession of Ptolemies from the early 3rd century BC. The library aspired to the ideal of an international library — incorporating all Greek literature and also translations into Greek — but it is uncertain how close this ideal came to being realized. A bibliography of the library compiled by Callimachus, lost in the Byzantine period, was long a standard reference work. The museum and library were destroyed in civil war in the late 3rd century AD; a subsidiary library was destroyed by Christians in AD 391.
Houses Many Collections Of Rare Roman Relics And Coins- About 40 Thousand Pieces, From The 3rd Century B.C. To The 7th Century A.D. The Most Important Being The " Tanafra " Statues.
Pompeii's Pillar )

This Is A Granite Pillar, Over 25 Meters High, And Built Amidst The Ruins Of The Serapium In 297 A.D., In Honor Of Emperor Diocletian.
The Catacombs Of Kom Al-Shqafa: This Is The Largest Roman Cemetery. It Is Of Three Levels And Cut In The Rock To A Depth Of 100 Feet. Dating To The Beginning Of The 2nd Century A.D., It Is A Blend Of Pharaonic And Roman Art.
The Tombs Of Al-Anfushi
These Limestone Tombs, Dating From About 250b.C. Are Decorated With Pictures Of Egyptian Gods And Daily Life.
Other Tourist Attractions are:
The Fort Of Qait Bay
The Fort Of Qaitbay Lies On The Northern Tip Of The Eastern Harbour On The Same Site Where The Pharaohs Of Alexandria Once Stood The 15th Century Fort Built In The Mediaeval Style . Comprise Three Floor 5 . Currently In Houses The Marine Museum Preserving Alexandria’s Marine Heritage.
Al-Montazah Palace
It was built east of Alexandria on a high hill and overlooking the most beautiful beach of Alexandria , amid about 370 feddans of gardens and woods. The Palace comprises of a group of building of which the most important are being Al-Haramelk of which the first storey has been transformed into an international casino. the second and third storeys into a museum for the belongings of the former royal family.

Roman Theatre
It is a small Roman amphitheater, recently discovered in the area of Kom El-Dekka, near the Graeco-Roman Museum. The theater is considered the only relic of its kind in Egypt for it has 12 rows if semi-circular marble seats, and the theater is in good condition.

Pompey's Pillar
The so-called “Pompey Pillar” is the biggest memorial column in Egypt. It is a huge column of red granite, its total height is about 28 m with a diameter at the base of 2.7 m, and towards the capital at the top it tapers to 2.3 m.
On the upper part at the western side is an inscription in Greek, which reads:
“To the most just Emperor, tutelary of Alexandria Diocletian, the invincible, Postumus, the Prefect of Egypt (has erected this monument)”.

The Roman ruler of Egypt, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, erected this memorial column between 284-305A.D in honour of the Roman Emperor, as a sign of gratitude. A serious revolt in the city took place and Diocletian came himself, ordering the city to be besieged. After 8 months of resistance, the city finally surrendered. As a result of the siege, there was famine in the city; therefore the Emperor ordered that a portion of the corn, which was sent to Rome annually, be given to the people of Alexandria. He exempted them from paying taxes during these hard times. For that they erected, in his honour, this memorial column. In the middle ages the Crusaders believed, mistakenly, that the ashes, or the remains, of the great Roman general Pompey were in a pot at the top of the column. Thus today it is called“Pompey’s Pillar”.
The Mosque Of Mursi Abbas
Located At El Anfoushi Area . The Mosque Is One Of Alexandria ‘S Islmic Landmars With Its Very High Minaret And Four Domes.

Marsa Matrouh
Is Being Enthusiastically Developed By The Egyptian Government As A Major Tourist Center,But Despite Some Good Beaches (Shatt Al-Gharam, Agiba And Ubaiyyad),It Has Little To Offer * The Upper Nile Area (Which Is Actually In The South Of The Country) Boasts Three Very Interesting Towns, Albeit For Different Reasons.

Luxor
Is A Regular Tourist Hotspot For The Reason Most Travelers Visit Egypt—The Sheer Grandeur Of Its Well-Preserved Monuments Dating From The Old, Middle And New Kingdoms Of Ancient Egypt. The Best Part Is That You Don’t Need To Be An Egyptologist Or Even A History Buff To Appreciate The Beauty Of Luxor’s Monuments.

Hatshebsut Temple - Dier El Bahari
Hatshepsut is the only woman ruling Egypt as a pharaoh, but this only happened through clever use of coalitions and marriage. She was the daughter of Tuthmosis 2, married to Tuthmosis 3 and after his death she claimed effective power by marrying infant Tuthmosis 4. Her temple here at the foot of the Theban hills is among the most effectively designed structures of all of Egypt. While employing most of the grand effects of common temples, this temple makes use of open space and contrasts with nature. Most of the area is based upon the experience of the arrival. Wide columned halls are put on top of each others, with two ramps bringing you up to the 2nd floor, which is deliberately dwarfed by the huge hills in the back. But the temple almost continues into the hills, and the hills are not just any hills. It is the other side of the Valley of Kings, the place where kings built tombs in the form of shafts connecting to the underworld.

The Colossi of Memnon
On your way to visit the west bank of Luxor, the first monument that you will encounter, before you get to valley, 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.

Valley of kings
The Valley of the Kings was the royal cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, and is located on the west bank at Luxor. The only entrance to this place was a long narrow winding path. This was a secret place, where sentries were placed at the entrance of the Valley, as well as along the top of the hills, in the hopes of discouraging tomb robbers, who had in the past plundered all royal tombs, including the treasures of the Pyramids! Some thefts were probably carefully planned, but others were spur of the moment, as when an earlier tomb was accidentally discovered while cutting a new one and workmen took advantage of the opportunity. This may have happened when KV 46 was found during the cutting of KV 4 or KV 3 nearby. The tombs in the Valley range from a simple pit (e.g. KV 54), to a tomb with over 121 chambers and corridors (KV 5)

Luxor temple
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. Amenhotep III built Luxor Temple. The architect and overseer of the works of construction was the genius Amenhotep, son of Habu. The Temple run close and parallel to the river Nile from north to south. It was constructed on the site of a small Temple of Amon, built by kings of the 12th dynasty. At the time of Amenhotep III the Temple was only 190m in length and 55m in width. Basically, Luxor Temple was consecrated to Amon Ra in his fertility aspect.

Karnak temple
The Great Temple Of Amun At Karnak Was Once The Religious Centre Of Thebes And Upper Egypt. Karnak Was Linked To Luxor By A Sphinx-Lined Avenue, And The Whole Complex Of Temples Was In Turn Linked To The Nile Via A Canal Through Which Moved The Sacred Boats Of The God Amun. Passing Through A Smaller Avenue Of Ram-Headed Sphinxes, Erected By Ramesses II, We Come To The Massive Pylon Entrance Of The 30th Dynasty. Inside The Great Courtyard, Which Dates From The 22nd Dynasty, Are Three Chapels Dedicated To The Gods Amun, Khous And Mut By Seth II. The Impressive Hypostyle Hall Has 134 Soaring Columns; Each Column Is Carved With Scenes Of Gods And Pharaohs; The Inscriptions On The Walls Tell Their Stories Of War And Peace.

Dendera
Visitors to Luxor, who have the time, should try and visit the famous Temple of Hathor at Dendera. In a taxi, the trip takes about 1 hour from Luxor. The buses, which are always accompanied by a Police convoy, that leaves at 0800 daily
The Temple is located about 4KM from the River Nile, on its west bank, roughly opposite the city of Qena, the capital of the province and governorate of Qena (population - 2,000,000), which is inhabited by both Coptic and Muslims. This town is very famous for the manufacture of water pots, called “gula” jars in Arabic.

The Valley of the Kings
Situated In A Secluded Area Of The West Bank, The Valley Of The Kings Contains 62 Excavated Tombs, Mostly Royal But Some Belonging To Members Of The Nobility. There Are Differences In Style, Colour And Content In Each Of The Tombs; The Earliest Have Staircases, Corridors And Right-Angled Bends While The Later Ones Are More Simplified,
Being Little More Than Huge Sloping Corridors. The Walls And Ceilings Were Painted With Scenes And Inscriptions Designed To Assist The King In His Journey Through The Underworld.
A Visit To The Valley Of The Kings Usually Takes In Two Or Three Of The Tombs,Dependent On The Number Of Visitors In The Valley And Which Tombs Are Open. Other Main Tombs Include Those Of Amenophis II (One Of The Best Preserved), Ramesses IX (Never Completed), Ramesses VI And Seti I (Largest And Most Elaborate).

The Valley of the Queens
Also Situated On The West Bank, The Valley Of The Queens Is Smaller Than The Valley Of The Kings But Is Ringed By Impressive Cliffs. The Tombs Belong To Lesser Important Personages (Queens And Princes) But Have Many Interesting Facets. The Main Tombs Are Those Of Queen Titi (An Otherwise Unknown Royal Lady), Prince Khaemwaset (Ramesses III's Eldest Son) And Prince Amenhirkhepeshef (Notable For Its Vivid Colouring). The Finest Tomb, Is Tomb Of Queen Nefertari. Recent Excavations Have Unearthed Previously Unknown Tombs, Although Most Are Damaged Or Undecorated.
The Mortuary Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut
The Temple Of Hatshepsut At Deir El-Bahari, Unlike Any Other Temple In Egypt, Is Composed Of Three Widely-Spaced Terraces With Ramps Leading From One To The Next. It Is Said That The Queen Intended It As A Pleasure.

Aswan
While Aswan Was Always Of Strategic Importance To Egypt, The Town Only Became A City In The 1960s When Great Forces Of Workers Constructing The High Dam Were Housed There.

The High Dam Itself Is Over Two Miles Long And 360ft High And Affords Views Over Lake Nasser. The Lake Is, At Its Fullest, 310 Miles Long, 6 Miles Wide And On Average 600ft Deep. As Well As Being A Beautiful Resort, Aswan Has A Huge Array Of Temples, Monuments And Sights.
The Ptolemaic Temple Of Philae Was, Like Abu Simbel, Transported From Its Flooded Site To A New Position Above The Water And Completely Rebuilt Stone By Stone.

The Beautiful Kiosk Of Trajan Stands Close By On The Same Island. Kitchener Island And Its Botanical Gardens Are Reached By Felucca Before Continuing To Elephantine Island (Although Not Desembarking) Which Has An Ancient Nilometer Built Into Its Eastern Side And Numerous Rock Reliefs, Inscriptions And Traces Of Pharaonic Temples.
The Granite Mausoleum Of The Late Aga Khan Commands A Splendid View Of Aswan And The Nile Valley Beyond Which The Desert Stretches As Far As The Eye Can See. In The Ancient Granite Quarry Of The Pharaohs, An Unfinished Obelisk Lies Cracked And Damaged, But Clearly Demonstrates The Method Used To Cut These Vast Pieces Of Stone.
high dam

The Aswan High Dam was a great project! In fact it was one of the most important achievements of the last century in Egypt, for many years symbolising the New Era of the Revolution of 1952. It provides Egypt with water and electricity, and secures the country from the risk of the destructive inundation of the River Nile.

As a result of its construction, a great lake was formed, Lake Nasser, which is about 10 km wide in some places, and 500km long. Extending between Egypt and The Sudan – the world’s largest man-made lake! This lake also has an immense fish population, which is commercially exploited. Because raising the water caused the damage, and loss, of so many of the Nubian monuments, great efforts were made by the Egyptian Government, aided by UNESCO and other countries, to save the most important monuments of Nubia.

Unfinished obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk lies, in its original location, in a granite quarry in Aswan. It is 42m in length and was most probably abandoned when some cracks appeared in the rock, during its construction. Had this obelisk been completed, it would have been the heaviest obelisk ever cut in Ancient Egypt, weighing nearly 1100 tons! It is believed that it was constructed and abandoned during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (18th Dynasty).
During the earliest ages, the Ancient Egyptians knew the so-called “ Pn-pn”, which was a pyramidal stone with a pointed top and according to their beliefs the “Pn-pn” symbolized the primeval hill from which the world first appeared. Then, in the course of time, this Pn-pn evolved to be an obelisk usually made of granite with a pyramidal shape on top.
During the 5th Dynasty, the obelisk began to play an important role inside the temples of Ra; the obelisk being a sacred symbol of the cult of the sun. They were erected on a great base in an open court, and then as the suns rays fell on its pyramidal top, the bright light filled the Temple, giving the people a symbol of the power of the sun.
One of the most important obelisks, which still stand in pride in the district of El Mataraya, was erected in front of the entrance of the vanished temple of Re at Heliopolis. King Senwosret I, to commemorate the ceremony of the “Heb-sed”, dedicated it to the temple

Nubian Museum
The Nubian Museum opened its doors in November 1997. It was designed by the late Egyptian architect Mahmoud al-Hakim, and Mexican architect Pedro Vasquez Ramirez designed the museum's interior display. The Museum won the Agha-Khan Award of Architecture 2001.
The total area of the complex is 50,000 square meters: 7,000 allocated for the building, and 43,000 for the grounds. The architecture of the Museum and the enclosure walls are intended to evoke traditional Nubian village architecture, as it was along the Nubian Nile before the region was flooded by Lake Nasser.

NubianVillage
The three Nubian Villages that are set in a beautiful landscape of the palm trees are located in the bottom of the Elephantine Islands. Have a great time as you undergo the experience of how they earn tie livelihood that they happily show to you. In the Pharaonic times these villages of great significance as they wee source of gold Nubians are the ancient tribes who inhabited this part of Aswan. These people who are of a simple taste and innocent nature stand in stark contrast to the Arab countrymen. It is almost like ancient and traditional wonders in the modern world Philae.

Botanical Garden
Among the famous visits in Aswan is to see the botanical gardens of Aswan, you can sail in a local felucca boat or take a motor boat to the eastern bank of the Nile to reach this island. where this botanical island is located opposite the city of Aswan and the elephantine island.
There is huge variety of plantation and trees at the island some of which is naturally found on the island before it was converted into botanical island and others have been brought in. There are number of very rare palm trees in the island such as the Royal palm tree, the Sabal Palm tree and the phonic Pam tree.

Aga Khan
Visit Elephantine island sail across the Nile fringed with black lava-rock, one of these rocks has the unmistakable shape of an elephant; continue to the Nilometer and museum, containing a great number of antiquities-most were found in the vicinity of Nubia.
Walk around beautiful gardens of Botanic Island with tropical trees and flowers, used as an experimental place for acclimatizing foreign species of plants. Also visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Agha Khan.

Philae Temple
South Of The City Of Aswan Lies The Beautiful Temple Complex Of Philae (Pronounced "Feel-I"). Its Main Temple Was Dedicated To The Goddess Isis And Its Construction Was Undertaken During The Third Century B.C. Philae Was The Last Bastion Of Ancient Egyptian Religion And Hieroglyphic Usage. It Is Also A Superb Example Of Threatened Cultural Heritage Being Saved In The Face Of Modern Civilization's March To Change The Environment.The Island Of Philae And Its Temples Came Under Threat At The Turn Of The Century When The British Erected The Aswan Dam At The First Cataract.

Philae Began To Spend Some Of Its Time Beneath The Backed-Up Flood Waters Of The Nile. The Dam Was Progressively Raised In The Following Decades, But The Final Nail In The Coffin For The Island Of Philae Came With The Construction Of The Aswan High Dam In The 1960s. The Temples Were Destined To Disappear
Forever Beneath The River's Waters. Fortunately, Philae Was Saved From Drowning. In 1977 , A Coffer Dam Was Constructed Around The Temples And The Water Was Pumped Out. Then The Temples Were Carefully Dismantled With Every Block Assigned A Number

And Its Position Noted. A Nearby Higher Island Called Agilkai Was Modified To Resemble Philae And The Temples Were Resembled. In 1980, Philae Was Once Again Opened To The Public.
Today, Philae Is One Of The Highlights Of Any Visit To Aswan. To Reach It, One Can Take An Organised Excursion Booked Through A Travel Agent Or Hotel. Alternatively, Take A Taxi To The Boat Landing At Shellal On The East Side Of The Old Aswan Dam. From There, A Short Boat Trip Can Be Arranged To The Island.

Kom Ombo
The Temple of Kom Ombo stands on the east bank of the Nile, right next to the river, about 4Km from the town. It was dedicated to two Gods, Horus and Sobek
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.

Edfu Temple
Edfu is located 60Km to the north of Aswan. It was the 2nd Nome of Upper Egypt and the centre of the cult of a triad of Gods, which consisted of Horus of Behdet, Hathor, and their son, Hor-Sama-Tawy. In the old Greek documents, Edfu was known as “Apollopolis Magna” because the Greeks identified Horus with their God Apollo.

Edfu was a flourishing city in Ancient Times. Today, the most important monument in the city of Edfu is the Temple of Horus, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and preserved Temples in Egypt. The origins of the Temple probably date back to the Second Intermediate Period, but the actual Temple only dates back to Ptolemaic times. The work of construction began during the reign of Ptolemy III (about 237 BC) and was finished during the reign of Ptolemy IV. Some other additions were made by other Ptolemaic Kings, and Roman Emperor Augustus. The construction of this Temple and its additions, inscriptions, and relief’s took about 180 years

Lake Nasser
Abu Simble Temple
The Temples of Abu Simbel are amongst the most interesting Pharaonic Temples. Located close to the southern border with the Sudan, it is 280 km south of Aswan and consists of two, rock-cut Temples, which both date back to the reign of King Ramses II (1290-1223 BC). Unfortunately these unique Temples suffered from the raising water of Lake Nasser while the High Dam was being built. Other countries, with the help of UNESCO, assisted Egypt to help save them.
The two Temples were cut in to many pieces, and then they were reconstructed again on a site 65m higher than the original location, and 200m back inland, to escape the rising water level. This great rescue operation began in June 1964 and finished in September 1968.

Wadi El Soubo
it is located 150 km south of Aswan, it has a temple built by the famous king Ramsis II and it is considered the seconded biggest temple of the Nubian temples after the great temple of Abu- Simbel, The temple is known with Es-Seboua meaning in Arabic "lions, as it has an avenue of sphinxes at its entrance. The temple was dedicated to the worship of god Ra- Hor-Akhty, Amon, and Ramsis II as a defied person. The temple is built out of stones except the sanctuary, and the inner vestibules which hare fully craved into the bed rock.

The temple consists of an entrance with a pylon then an open court yard then a hypostyle hall and then inner sanctuary.
The walls of the temple are decorated with many religion scenes and important relief,
During the Christian area many parts have been converted in to a church.
This temple like most of the other Nubian monuments have been rescued and relocated 4 km north from its original location to escape the rising water of Lake Nasser.

Temple Of Kalabsha
which is located 65 KM south of Aswan dam. ,the city was known in ancient times with temples, and later in Greek was calledThe temple is back to the roman times and was dedicated to the Nubian god Mandoulis, and dates back to the time of roman emperor Augustus, later other emperor have contributed for the construction, such as kaligula and Trjan
It originally was built on much early site that dates back to the 18th dynasty and most probably goes back to king Thothmosis and Amenhotep II.
This temple is considered among the most complete temples in all of of Nubia

Temple of Dekka
The temple was built by the Nubian Agh Amon who ruled at the time of king Ptolemy II, and later additions were added during the Greco-Roman times.
The temple is originally goes back to the 18th dynasty, during the time of Thutmosis III, Hatshepsut and Seti I and Merneptah.
Like most of the other Nubian monuments it was converted into a church during the Christian era.
The temple is decorated with many religion scenes and important relief.

Temple of Amada
The temple is located 20 KM to the south of Wadi es-Sebua, the area had also the temple of El-Derr and the tomb of Aniba. Amada is located at 115 KM to the south of Aswan.
The temple was built at the time of the new kingdom by kind Thtmaosis III and Amenhotep II,
It was dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and RA Hor –Ahkty. Additions were made later on by king Thutmoes IV and it was renovated at the time of king Seti I
In this temple king Thuhmosis II venerated the middle kingdom king Senusert III of the 12th dynasty, honoring the victorious campaigns that king Senusert have made in the land of Nubia

Kasr Ibrim
The only monument on Lake Nasser that still exists in its original location. Before the creation of the lake this fort stood atop a high bluff overlooking the valley, a strategic site since ancient times. The fort may date to the Middle Kingdom and it has been rebuilt and used in a variety of ways over time, including as a church and mosque

Oasis
The Oasis, A Depression In The Desert Comprising Springs, Wells And Trees, Reflects The Beauty, Charm And Diversity Of Nature; Its Surrounding Desert...Green Valleys...Water Wells...High Plateaus...Therapeutic Sulphur-Rich Springs.
In Egypt There Are Plenty Of Oases In The Western Desert. The Most Significant Are Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhia, Paris, Farafrah, Bahereya, Siwa And The Qattara Depression. The Fayyum Oasis Lies In Depression, Right In The Western Desert,About 103 Km.South-West Of Cairo.

It Is Surrounded By High Plateaus, And Separated From The Nile Valley By A High Ridge To The East At Al-Lahun.The Oasis Is Famed For Its All-Year-Round Pleasant Climate And Beautiful Scenery. There Is Evidence Of Pre-Historic Settlements As Well As Pharaonic, Greek Roman, Coptic, & Islamic Monuments. Fayyum Boosts A Combination Of Rural, Coastal, Desert, And Urban Environments, And Thus Holds Out Great Attractions To Tourists. The Hawara Pyramid (Shown To The Right) Dating From (1991-1778 Bc) Can Be Found Here. The Oases Provides A Vast Amount Of Tourist Attractions, Below Is A Brief Overview Of Some Of The Sites That You Can Visit!
The Oasis, A Depression In The Desert Comprising Springs, Wells And Trees, Reflects The Beauty, Charm And Diversity Of Nature; Its Surrounding Desert...Green Valleys...Water Wells...High Plateaus...Therapeutic Sulphur-Rich Springs.

Dakhla Oasis
Dakhla (Capital Mut) Is The Second Provincial Capital Of The Governorate And Lies 200km. North-West Of Kharga. Midway Is The Zayyan Resthouse. Dakhla Contains Several Wells, The Most Important Of Which Are: The Mut Wells In Which The Temperature Reaches 43 C. One Well Is 1224 Meters Deep. It Has A Round Swimming Pool And Tourist Resthouses With Complete Facilities.The Pharonic Wells Of Ayn Al-Qasr In Which Water Temperature Reaches 45 C.

Kharga Oasis
Capital Of The New Valley Governorate, It Lies 232 Km. South Of Assyut. It Is Characterized By Its Numerous Monuments, Springs And Tourist Sites Such As The Ponds Of Fish In Bulaq Village.

Paris Oasis (Temple Of Dush)
Located 90 Km. South Of Kharga, It Houses The Roman Temple Of Dush Dedicated To The God Serapis. There Is Also A Mud-Brick Turkish Fortress, An Ancient Church And Some Pottery Dating To The Coptic Period

Farafrah Oasis
About 320 Km. Northwest Of Dakhla And 170 Km. North Of Bahereya Oasis, It Is Suitable For Car Tours And Safaris By Means Of The Circular Road Connecting It With Dakhla And Bahereya. There Are Remains Of Roman Buildings, Including Qasr Al-Farafrah, Built Of Mud-Brick, And Qasr Abu Minqar.

Siwa Oasis
About 306 Km. South West Of Marsa Matruh And 627 Km From Cairo, This Oasis Is Renowned For Its Beautiful Scenery, Thick Groves Of Palm And Olive Trees, Water Springs, And The Surrounding Mountains. It Has A Steady Climate, Chilly In The Winter, Hot In The Summer And Moderate In Spring And Autumn
Sinai
Land Of Discovery. The Route To The Promised Land; Where Isis Sought Osiris And The Pharoahs Found Gold. Where Moses Witnessed The Burning Bush And Bedouins Camped By Crusader Forts. A Meeting Point For Three Great Religions, At The Crossroads Of Africa And Asia. After 80,000 Years At The Heart Of History, Experience The Continuing Contrasts. Sinai: Where Rock Meets Coral Reef And The Desert Stops At The Sea. Where The Grandeur Of Granite Meets The Golden Beaches Of The " Red Sea Riviera ". Tropical Fish And Rare Birds; Spectacular Sunsets And Clear Starry Nights.

Sinai Is Rich In Scenery. To The North, Palm-Shaded Sandy Beaches Stretch Along The Mediterranean Shore. Along The Gulfs Of Aqaba And Suez, Soft Golden Sands Surround Bays Of Clear Blue Water. There Are Tourist Villages, Fishing And Snorkeling Centers, Where The Waters Are Rich With Rare Marine Life And Exquisite Coral Reefs. Sweet
Water Springs Are Scattered Throughout Sinai. In The South, The Towering Mountains With Their Beautiful Reddish Colored Rocks Are Surrounded By Huge Valleys Leading To The Holy Mountain.Sinai Also Has Various MedicinalPlants
And Different Kinds Of Indigenous And Migrating Birds. Has An Airport That Can Handle Small And Medium Size Aircrafts

Monastery Of St. Catherine
This Was Built In The 6th Century And Dedicated To The Daughter Of A Ruler Of Alexandria, Who Converted To Christianity And Was Subjected To Great Torture. The Huge Walls Of The Monastery Surround A Number Of Small Churches. On The East Wall Is An Ancient Basket And A Pulley Which Was Used Instead Of Opening The Door.
Ras Mohammed: (Shown To The Right) Situated At The Peak Of The Sinai Peninsula, 53 Km. From Sharm Al Shiekh And Its Narrowest Part Between The Gulfs Of Suez And Aqaba. It Is Renowned For Having The Most Exquisite Coral Reefs In The World And For Being A Refuge To Rare Marine Life. It Has Recently Declared A Nature Preserve And Most Fit For Diving.

Sharm Al-Shiekh
Overlooks The Gulf Of Aqaba, And Is About 53 Km. From Ras Mohammed And 336 Km. From Suez. It Is Both A Summer And Winter Resort Due To Its Moderate Climate All Year Round And Depends On Fishing And Tourism. It Is The Mecca Of All Those Who Seek Tranquility And Love The Sun. There Are Several Well Equipped Diving Centers.

Dahab
About 81 Km. North Of Sharm Al-Shiekh, It Is One Of The Most Beautiful Beaches In South Sinai Because Of Its Gleaming Sand, Clear Waters And Colorful Marine Life. It Has A Tourist Village, Diving Centers, Camping Sites And Boats And Waterskiing Facilities.

Hurghada
Founded In The Early 20th Century , Hurghanda Has Gone On To Become The
Foremost Tourist Resorts Of The Red Sea Coast And An International Centre For Aquatic Sports. If It Takes Place In The Water You Can Do It Here: Windsurfing, Sailing, Deep-Sea Fishing, And Snorkeling. The Unique Underwater Gardens Are Some Of The Finest In The World.

Safaga
Is A Working Port With Several Tourist Villages Specializing In Diving Holidays, A Handful Of Hotels And Some Excellent Fish Restaurants? Daytrips To Tobia Islands Or Mons Claudianus In The Red Sea Can Be Arranged With Local Guides.