Photo: Contiki
I remember being in the 4th grade when I first learned about the pyramids of Egypt. It was my favorite part of the history lesson. As the years passed, my dream of visiting the land of the pharaohs grew stronger, and I manifested it, although it took two decades for me to finally travel there. I remember the first night in Cairo; I had butterflies in my stomach, knowing that the next day I would be seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. As the cab drove down the narrow alleys of Giza, I could sense my dreams turning into reality, giving me goosebumps.
Indeed, the Pyramids of Giza were breathtaking and left me in awe. But as I explored more of Egypt, I also fell in love with its temples and ruins. A 16-day trip around the country unveiled a world I never knew existed. The Step Pyramid of Saqqara, surrounded by the necropolis, made me wonder what life must have been like, 3,500 years ago. As we left Cairo for Aswan and Luxor, listening to the songs of Umm Kulthum, I felt closer to Egypt’s history, which no book had ever told me about, allowing me to explore Egypt beyond the pyramids.
The Larger-Than-Life Temples of Abu Simbel
Hidden near Egypt’s southern border, the temples of Abu Simbel are a stunning mix of ancient brilliance and modern engineering. Carved into solid rock around 1264 BC by Ramses II to showcase his power, these massive structures were relocated in the 1960s to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
As we explored the site, we learned about its most fascinating feature – the way sunlight illuminates the inner sanctum on specific days, a testament to the incredible precision of ancient architects. But what truly sets Abu Simbel apart is its remote location, far from the chaos and cacophony of urban life. Although I had seen photos of Abu Simbel before visiting, standing in front of its towering statues left me in awe, wondering how such a masterpiece was created so long ago. Discovering this breathtaking site in person felt like stepping into history itself.
Image source:Martijn Vonk / unsplash
The Secrets of the Valley of the Kings, Luxor
“While the tomb robbers took everything from the pyramids, leaving them empty, they could barely find the treasures hidden with the mummies at the Valley of the Kings,” our guide told us as we walked toward the tomb of Tutankhamun. The Valley of the Kings, located on the West Bank of Luxor, was the burial place of most rulers of the New Kingdom, including Ramses II, Thutmose III, and Seti I.
As I explored, I couldn’t help but marvel at the skill and artistry that went into creating these tombs. Each one is like a maze, with winding corridors and chambers covered in detailed hieroglyphs. These inscriptions tell the stories of the individuals buried there – their lives, achievements, and journeys to the afterlife. It’s incredible to witness the engineering marvel and creativity that made this possible thousands of years ago.
The Intricate Artwork of Medinet Habu
One of Egypt’s hidden gems, this temple turned out to be incredibly fascinating, with its rich artwork vividly narrating stories of the past. Medinet Habu is a significant archaeological site known for its well-preserved mortuary temple of Ramesses III, a key example of New Kingdom architecture and art.
The temple’s reliefs are famous for depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples during Ramesses III’s reign, including the Battle of the Delta. Also known as ‘Djanet,’ it was believed to be where Amun (the Sun God) first appeared.
Image source:Siddhesh Mangela / unsplash
The Quaint Temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu
While most people opt for the Nile Cruise to sail from Aswan to Luxor, we chose a road trip through rugged terrain, stopping to admire the beauty of Kom Ombo and Edfu. Located 48 km from Aswan, the Temple of Kom Ombo is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus.
From Kom Ombo, it was another 63 km to the small town of Edfu, on the banks of the Nile, where we visited the Temple of Edfu. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, it is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt, with majestic statues, hieroglyphs, and grand architecture.
The Charm of the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan
I read about this place in the famous Agatha Christie novel Death on the Nile, and since then, it has been on my bucket list. The day we reached Aswan, I knew I had to visit this historic hotel, which had been built nearly a century ago. The author lived there for a year while writing her novel.
With a perfect blend of French elegance and Egyptian influences, this hotel retains the charm and regal vibes that once attracted the rich and famous to unwind by the Nile. From Sir Winston Churchill to Princess Diana, the corridors of the Old Cataract have welcomed many distinguished guests and offered one of the best views in the country. Needless to say, it didn’t fail to charm us either!
The Turquoise Waters of Sahl Hasheesh
A trip to Egypt would be incomplete without spending a few days by the Red Sea. While most flocked to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, we escaped to Sahl Hasheesh, where turquoise waters kissed golden beaches and scarlet sunsets soothed our souls.
I realised Egypt isn’t just about history; nature also has much to offer. From the vast stretches of sugarcane fields in Luxor that we saw from the hot air balloon to the endless miles we drove through deserts en route to Abu Simbel, to finally arriving at Sahl Hasheesh and watching the waves crash by the shore, I could relate to Aldous Huxley’s famous quote: “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”
