+20 1018939299
info@glee-tours.com
One of the most fascinating cities and the start point of all our tours is Cairo. You can see a glimpse of the lesser-known and most intriguing suburbs of Cairo on the Backstreets of Cairo tour which is exclusive to On The Go at the start of most of our group tours in Egypt. Make sure to also grab a bargain at the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar and enjoy some tea at one of the nearby cafes – great for people watching. Another key highlight is the magnificent Islamic Citadel of Saladin and Sultan Hassan’s mosque which is beautifully illuminated at night. When the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens its doors later in 2022, you can add this to the long list of reasons to visit Cairo.
As the only survivors of the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the incredible Pyramids at Giza are the world’s oldest attraction. Known as Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the pyramids were already more than 2,000 years old when Herodotus the Greek historian visited them. A highly skilled corps of mathematicians, masons, surveyors and stonecutters did the job of building the Pyramids. It has long been believed that 100,000 slaves were forced to carry out the tasks of moving and laying the stones of the largest pyramid, Cheops. However, recent evidence, including the discovery of “workers villages” and tombs complete with supplies for the afterlife, suggests that actually the Pyramids were built by skilled paid workers. This demonstrates to us yet again how far ahead of their time the Ancient Egyptians were.
Discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter, the Tomb of Tutankhamun is possibly one of the most dazzling archaeological finds ever. Tutankhamun lived over 3,300 years ago during the New Kingdom period. For two centuries, Egypt had ruled as a world superpower, while its royal family lived an opulent lifestyle. King Tutankhamun’s solid gold funerary mask and his priceless cache of treasures entombed with him for his journey to the afterlife, are now on display at the world-famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo. With the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum slated to open sometime in 2022, this famous mask alongside Egypt’s greatest ever display of artefacts is sure to be attracting visitors to Cairo for years to come.
Located south of Giza on the edge of the Western Desert, the necropolis of Saqqara is Egypt’s largest archaeological site, occupying an area of 7 x 1.5 kilometres. Serving as the cemetery for Memphis – the ancient capital of Egypt for over 3,500 years, Saqqara was the final resting place for numerous pharaohs. These kings were buried within 11 major pyramids, the most famous of which is Zhoser’s Step Pyramid. This pyramid is largely considered to be one of Egypt’s earliest and dates back to 2630 BC. Originally measuring 62 metres-tall with polished white limestone cladding, the pyramid and its surrounding funerary complex are just one of many sights contained within Saqqara. Elsewhere, important administrators and generals lie buried in hundreds of smaller tombs known as mastabas, which are rectangular in shape with flat-topped roofs and outward sloping sides, while the underground Serapeum contains huge granite sarcophagi with many of the treasures found within now on display in museums around the world.
Although little remains of the ancient capital, Memphis is worthy of a visit for its pivotal role in Ancient Egypt’s history and for its claim to being the world’s earliest imperial city. Constructed from mud-brick, Memphis has largely been reclaimed by the Nile silt with just a handful of surviving monuments including the Colossus of Ramses II, which lies on its back in a concrete shelter, and an impressive alabaster sphinx. The small open-air museum of Memphis can be visited in a short amount of time and although not nearly as impressive as Egypt’s other ancient sites, the time and weather-ravaged site offers fragmented evidence of its glorious past with rustling palm groves and gardens that make for a pleasant visit.
The picturesque town of Aswan is set on the River Nile and serves as the starting point for both the felucca journey downstream to Kom Ombo and optional Abu Simbel excursions. The laid-back Nubian town of Aswan is also a highlight for visitors as it is overflowing with colourful markets, spicy aromas, Pharaonic and roman ruins and antiquity from the ancient land of Nubia. Elephantine and Kitchener Island are worth exploring and sampling the restaurants along the corniche is a good bet. Head out by boat to Agelika Island to explore the Temple of Philae belonging to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The largest monument of the island is the temple of Isis – occupying about one quarter of the island.
Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt with its gargantuan rock-cut façade, the great Sun Temple of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel was created in honour of the mighty King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple and hewn into the side of a mountain are four colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. In a fit of precision and architectural egotism, Ramses II had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of his ascension to the throne (21 February) and on his birthday (21 October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This incredible natural phenomenon provides for a most spectacular sight, which has come to be referred to as the Sun Festival of King Ramses II.
The Temple of Haroeris and Sobek near the town of Kom Ombo is a highlight on any river journey. and Haroeris or the ancient falcon-headed Horus, the solar war god. Each of the two gods has their own entrance, court, chambers, colonnade and sanctuary with fine reliefs with the left side of the temple dedicated to Haroeris and the right to Sobek. Despite the damage caused by the changing water levels of the Nile, earthquakes and the removal of stones for other monuments, the roofless and incomplete temple still gives a clear impression of its perfect symmetry. South of the main temple is the Roman Chapel of Hathor, dedicated to the wife of Horus
The Temple of Horus at Edfu has the distinction of being the largest and most completely preserved pharaonic, albeit Greek-built, temple in Egypt. It was one of the last monumental temples built on a large scale and though much newer than the temples of Karnak and Luxor, its excellent state of structural preservation fills in historical gaps as it is, in effect, a 2,000 year-old replica of an architectural style that was already age-old during Ptolemaic times. The entrance to the temple is guarded by two massive granite falcons and once inside the court there is a colonnade of 32 decorated columns and festival reliefs on the inner walls. Further on in the oldest section of the temple is the Hall of Offerings with the sacred barques – a sailing vessel with masts – of Horus and Hathor carved in wonderful detail.
The temples of Karnak and Luxor are some of the most striking relics of ancient history in the world. Karnak is known as one of the largest temple complexes in the world, and was added to over hundreds of years by one pharaoh followed by the next. The Karnak complex is made up of four distinct sections, of which only the Amun-Re precinct is open to the public. The Luxor temples, magnificent and overall form an exceptionally significant part of Egypt’s history as they were the site where many of the country’s kings were crowned. It goes without saying that no trip to Egypt is complete without exploring the ancient grounds on which these temples sit.
Located in 4,000 year-old Luxor, the Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to house the regal sarcophagi-enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting their passage into the after-life. Some of the best known tombs are those of Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamun. In all, more than 60 opulent and lavish tombs have been excavated. There are at least 75 tombs in Biban al-Harim, the Valley of the Queens, around 2 of which are open. Deir al- Bahri, otherwise known as the famous Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces. Partly rock-cut, partly freestanding, it is one of Egypt’s finest and most photographed monuments.
Within the grounds of the Theban Necropolis stands the exquisite Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, built in honour of the only female pharaoh to reign over Egypt. Set against the dusty Theban Hills in a large natural amphitheatre, the temple is instantly recognisable with its three elongated colonnaded terraces connected by long ramps. The temple would have once been reached via an avenue flanked by sphinxes with the Middle Terrace decorated with myrrh trees and water fountains, features that have now disappeared. Of the four stone-carved lions that would have stood at each corner of the ramp only one survives today. Following the ramps from the entrance to the Upper Terrace takes you pass numerous colonnades with reliefs that depict events from Hatshepsut’s life and a pair of chapels with friezes and pillared chambers. The highlight of the Upper Terrace is the row of eight giant statues of Osiris that appear to guard the Sanctuary of Amum with arms crossed and serene faces looking out across the ruins.
The Temple of Hathor in the ancient cult centre of Dendera is one of Egypt’s best preserved monuments. Featuring an astronomical ceiling depicting the heavenly bodies and a well-preserved stone roof, the temple provides invaluable clues to the solar rituals carried out in similar Ancient Egyptian cult sites. This particular site was the chief place of worship of Hathor, the goddess of joy, nurture and motherhood, who is commonly depicted as a cow. Behind the pylon-shaped temple facade stands sacrificial halls and sanctuaries with walls and ceilings covered in fine bas-reliefs and hieroglyphs. Built at the very end of the Pharaonic period, substantial additions were made to the temple by the Greeks and Romans, which illustrates how these civilizations incorporated the temple designs, rituals and deities of the Ancient Egyptians into their own creations.
Established as a necropolis as early as 4000 BC, the cult centre of Abydos was an important pilgrimage destination for Ancient Egyptians and one of the holiest cities during a history of constant use that spanned more than 4,500 years. Dedicated to Osiris, the god of the dead, and considered to be the gateway to the underworld, Ancient Egyptians endeavoured to visit Abydos during their lifetime or be buried in the grounds of the city if not. Today Abydos is an important archaeological site and home to some of the finest ancient artwork in Egypt, found in the Temple of Seti I. Built as a political statement to affiliate pharaoh Seti with the gods of death and resurrection, the temple features a number of sanctuaries, chapels and shrines with exquisite bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Seti’s life and that of his son and predecessor Ramses II as well as scenes of a religious nature.
Hurghada is Egypt’s premier beach resort, the perfect way to end a cultural adventure in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and beyond. Hotels and expanded infrastructure provide holidaymakers with excellent aquatic facilities for sailing, yachting, deep-sea fishing, SCUBA diving, and snorkeling. Hurghada’s central location provides a gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world. Hurghada is also known for its lively nightlife. For retail therapy, the town has plenty of shops selling knock-off bags and tees, snorkelling gear, and the like. Just outside Hurghada is an ancient Roman quarry called Mons Porphyritis and Port Safarga, a famously windy place and an excellent place for windsurfing.
Founded by the legendary Alexander the Great and is a fascinating city sitting on Egypt’s north coast, lapped at by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. The fact that Alexandria was once home to the Pharos, a lighthouse (despite it having collapsed) that was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is a huge draw for travellers. You might not be able to witness this epic structure nowadays but the city is still imbued with its significance and a trip to the Alexandria National Museum will certainly help you on your way to getting to grips with Alexandria’s cultural heritage and intriguing past. Travelling from Alexandria back to Cairo, you could also make a stop at the site of some of the most brutal battles of the Second World War, El Alamein. It has become a site of pilgrimage for people wishing to pay their respects to those lost during the fight. The rows of graves in the various war cemeteries are a permanent reminder of the tragic loss that each country involved sustained. Yet, El Alamein is not just a sombre relic of the past with it is the perfect place to appreciate life and its moments of pleasure.
The climate in Egypt varies between hot and dry in many areas and cooler in the north during winter. Therefore, the best times to visit are from December to February, February to April, and October to November for more comfortable weather. Be prepared for hot, dusty conditions, especially during the winds coming from the desert in April.
