The Highlights of Egypt
Joe DunningCairo, Egypt is one of the most fascinating cities of the world and offers the oldest and most interesting sites you will find anywhere. You can visit six of ancient Pyramids, such as Cheops, Chephren and Mykerions. Here you can see the Sphinx guarded by the lion, which has the face of King Chephren. The Egyptian museum is known worldwide as possessing the most exhibits of antiquity found anywhere in the world.
Cairo is an amazing place
While in Cairo, you can visit the famous Tut-Ankh-Amon exhibit and many of the objects you may have seen during the worldwide tour of museums a number of years ago. The entire exhibit was not among the items on tour since many pieces are stationery such as the tomb. This collection is the largest collection of gold items found in any museum of the world. The exhibit includes the intricate jewelry worn by King Tut along with his Death Mask. You can only imagine the true beauty of this exhibit and once seeing it, you will always remember the little king. His tomb is over 3500 years old.
The Egyptian Museum holds the largest display of Egyptian art ever assembled. This is where you find a large gathering of ancient mummies as well as alabaster jars containing organs. The Khan El Khalili Bazaars are among the best in the world. To see the natives and tourists shopping the bazaars is a source of amusement. Watching the shoppers delighted over all the magnificent, intricately designed carpets, silk scarves and other items is in itself a rewarding experience if you enjoy people watching. There are also little food outlets or restaurants where you can enjoy lunch.
Be careful - it’s cursed!
Some tourists visit the highlights of Cairo in the morning, have lunch and then hop aboard a cruise ship headed to Answan and down the Nile to the city of Luxor. During the cruise, you will pass many of the main highlights of Egypt. Once in Luxor a balloon flight over the city is a fun way to get your first sighting of the Valley. On this trip, you can ride a donkey into the valley visit Hatshepsut Temple. In Abu Simbel, you can take a camel ride to St. Simeon’s Monastery then visit Philae Temple.
Taking a cruise down the Nile offers many of the highlights of Egypt along the way. You can see Kalabsha Temple built in honor of Horus the protector of souls traveling through underworld built by the Roman emperor Augustus. Visit the Beit el Wali temple built by Ramses II honoring the god Amun-Re. The Temple of Dakka is a replica of the original, built by Amenophis II honoring Thoth the god of wisdom and science.
Take a trip down the Nile….
Kasr Ibrim at Lake Nasser is the only remaining monument, which did not require rebuilding. It was a large fort on the highest bluff overlooking the Valley of Kings. It served as a vantage point to see intruders heading their way. At different times over the years, Kasr Ibrim served as a mosque and a church. There are many highlights in the cities along the Nile River including the Karnek Temple.
Tourists can experience a Laser light and sound show as a narrator tells the story of the temple. Shows throughout the day are in several different languages. You will love the tour of the Archaeological Museum, the Al Azhar mosque and the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island, while in Cairo. Among the highlights you can see along the path of the Nile River between Cairo and Abu Simbel are Luxor, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Aswan and Lake Nasser.
There’s a lot of water in the desert, isn’t there?
There are seven official Wonders of the World however, there are many natural wonders of the world not having the title yet are places not to miss as you travel the world. The Egyptian Oasis and Western Desert is among them. Desert safaris take you to the sand planes of Siwa and the Black and White Deserts of Bahariya. Safari tours are available for two days up to seven days although there are longer safaris available.
Among the popular safari tours are those offering tours of the desert oasis during the day then returning to a cozy room in a local hotel for the night. Those who like to sleep outdoors can spend nights camping at Bedouin. Of course, these people will have to give up a nightly shower.
Mind out for scoprions!
One of the short safaris only 160km takes you from Alamein to Marsa Matrouth. The Alexandra to Siwa is much longer at 580km and the Kharga to Luxor safari is 320km. A safari through the White desert to Cairo is 500km and from Cairo to Bahariya is 340km while from Cairo to Siwa is 800km and the longest Egyptian safari tour.
Egypt is so much fun to visit and part of the fun is transportation after arriving. You can travel by land, sea and air in aeroplanes or an air balloon. You can travel on ships, boats and small Egyptian sailboats called feluccas. Among the means of travel in Egypt are buses, cars vans, camels, donkeys or horse-drawn carriages. Using your own two feet is another means of transportation in Egypt.
Camels and Egypt - almost a Middle Eastern cliche
You can leave your footprints in the White World and see those of other visitors from the past. See the Twilight of Sand, the Snow in White Desert and the amazing White Sand White World. Visit the beautiful city of Corniche by the sea and the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the Menkaura, a depiction of the three matching schist triads representing Pharoah Menkaura who built the smallest pyramid. Visit the Organs Jars of Tanis and the Alabaster Jars of Organs.
Egypt is a fascinating place where the unexpected sights make you wonder in awe as do the Bahariyya grapes growing in the desert. The Sunrise over Mount Sinai, the Last Moon of Sinai and lustrous Nile Sunrise are among those you will always remember. There are few things in the world as beautiful as the sights seen while cruising down the Nile River.
