Egypt’s Great Wonders

Egypt: A mystical country at the top of every explorers destination list. After all it houses the greatest monuments on earth. Its temples and pyramids are world famous and they have intrigued the human race for centuries.

Time stands still in this country. People dress traditionally and as you walk the streets you can hear the call to prayer being played over loud speakers throughout the city. Horse carts weave through busy traffic and fruit stands line the streets. The city is alive with energy and you can almost feel the ancient Pharaohs presence in every corner. Nowhere is this more prominent than a visit to the greatest temples on earth.

It is impossible to understand how the Pyramids of Giza have survived over 4000 years. The desert, looters and all of the elements that Mother Nature can throw at them will not destroy these ancient structures. To see these giants standing proud over the land, you wonder in awe how they could have possibly be built by human hands. Take a camel to see the grounds and imagine that you are an ancient Pharaoh coming across these great monuments for the first time. What would it have felt like then?

Valley of the Kings is another popular place to visit on the tourist route is The Valley of the Kings. Located just outside of Luxor. The Valley of the Kings is a giant valley in the desert containing 63 tombs and chambers of Kings and noblemen; the most famous being King Tut.

A good travel tip is to hide your camera when entering the grounds. Many people manage to bring their camera’s in and photos are allowed outside the temples. Do not however attempt to take a photo inside any of the temples. The flash can damage the ancient paints and you will have your camera taken away instantly. It is nice to have photo’s from outside though because the valley is massive and impressive.

King Tuts tomb may be the most famous but it is hardly the most impressive. There are only a limited number of tombs open and one time and some of the other tombs are far more interesting of a visit. Rameses IV and Merneptah are two that are interesting. Mernaptah is located in a deep chamber and the walk down and up is steep. Rameses is large and very well preserved. Bright paintings on the walls depict scenes from various scriptures.

They have made the afterlife pleasant for their rulers. Large airy chambers are inviting and the bright colours on the walls make you feel as if you are visiting a joyous place rather than a place of burial. Kings were buried with great treasures, but the chambers in the Valley of the Kings are empty. Bandits had robbed the tombs years ago and whatever had been saved by excavators are now safely stored at the Antiquities Museum in Cairo.

Temple of Hatshepsut This was a surprising Temple that is a very popular destination. Egypt was ahead of its time by thousands of years. They had female Kings and Hatshepsut was one of their most successful Pharaohs. Ruling for 21 years.

Built in harmony into the side of a cliff, Hatsheput’s Temple is considered to be the most dramatically situated temple on earth. Three tiers lead to the main grounds where statues and pillars create a labyrinth to explore.

Don’t let the massacre of 1997 scare you away from seeing this great temple. Armed guards patrol the grounds and after 12 years, calm has been restored in the land. By the looks of the amount of people visiting the ruins, it has not been hurt by tourism in recent years.

Luxor Temple While in Luxor, you cannot miss the Luxor Temple. Located right in town on the Nile River, it is an impressive monument. It is lit up at night for breathtaking photo opportunities. A little travel tip…the McDonald’s right across the street has an incredible view of the temple, but not only that, has free Wifi. So you can have lunch, update your blog and take in the sights all at once.

The last temple that you must see in Egypt is Abu Simbel. Located on Lake Nasser, it is bit harder to get to than the others, but well worth the visit. In the 1960’s it was relocated to a hight point on the lakes banks. With the construction of the Aswan Dam, it would have been buried underwater and lost forever. The relocation was a success however and it is alive and well ready to be viewed.

Ramses is an imposing sight. Standing 20-metres high, four statues of Rameses II sit side by side. They stand guard over Lake Nasser and it is truly and impressive sight. You can see these by taking a tour from Luxor which is recommended since it is a 280km trip or if you plan on going to the Sudan, there is a great view from the ferry heading to Wadi Halfa.

Egypt is a destination that everyone must make time to visit. It is one of the most ancient locations on earth. Filled with grand temples and monuments, blessed with the Nile River and alive with energy and excitement it has something for every explorer to see.