Destination Management Company
EGYPTIAN CITIES & SIGHTSEEING
ASWAN
On the banks of the River Nile, Aswan lures travelers with its centuries-old charm.
Egypt’s southernmost city Aswan awaits at the First Cataract of the River Nile, offering a tranquil getaway with its picturesque Nubian villages and peaceful skies. A commercial center for centuries, the city has a lot to offer in terms of diverse culture. Aswan’s soothing modern-day look covers a history of strategic importance and fierce territorial battles between the Nubian people and ancient Egyptians. The traces of Nubian culture still dominate the colorful streets and busy markets, making Aswan a unique sight among other Egyptian cities.
The southern frontier is also home to the most glorious monuments of Pharaonic history. The famous Abu Simbel temples and the island temple of Philae are only two of Aswan’s classical Egyptian sites. There is more to discover on the islands and the banks of the Nile.
When sunset paints the land in flaming colors, the city hosts ethereal views of lit feluccas and cruisers as they glide on holy waters. With its authentic serenity and profound history, Aswan is truly a wonder of the legendary Nile.
CAIRO
An intangible tradition, layers of ancient history, and the world’s oldest civilizations—all in Cairo.
​
Home to the most mystical sites of the ancient world, the Egyptian capital Cairo is a city of culture and knowledge. Cairo’s known history dates back to the 1st century BC, but the majestic metropolis preserves its enigmatic charm to this day.
A dozen miles off of the legendary Pyramids of Giza lie mazy streets, dazzling bazaars of local antiquity, and the landmarks of Cairo’s religious heritage. As you walk among the picturesque citadels, churches, and mosques, you will find yourself enchanted by the countless layers of ancient civilizations resting beneath the modern city. If imagination is not enough, there is always more to appreciate in Cairo’s versatile history in the museums. There, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman artifacts await the admiration of visitors.
After sunset, dive into the busy markets and buzzing streets of downtown Cairo for a night of raw culture. As described by the locals, ‘the heart of the city’ is a unique spectacle under golden lights. At its center, two grand squares are the stage for countless architectural delights. Where the modern-day skyscrapers rise above the humble alleyways of Coptic and Islamic districts, Cairo continues to be the crossroads of the old and new.
EDFU
In Edfu’s enduring monuments, Pharaonic history springs to life.
Edfu is a small Egyptian city located on the west bank of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. It is home to the best-preserved ancient monument in Egypt, the Temple of Horus. The Ptolemaic temple is an impressive sandstone building with an intact roof and seamless hallways opening to the holiest sanctuaries in the country. Although it was constructed much later than the New Kingdom temples of Aswan and Luxor, it is an impeccable example of Pharaonic architecture. The reliefs and inscriptions decorating the temple’s interior depict intriguing stories and ancient religious practices.
At the heart of the temple is the sanctuary of Horus, the falcon god of Ancient Egypt. The site once hosted important rituals and offerings in the name of gods, whose supreme might echo through colossal halls leading up to the shrine.
Day trips in Edfu offer further insight into the Ptolemic era in the sites surrounding the majestic Temple of Horus. Within walking distance lie the ruins of the ancient village that once stretched over the temple and concealed it from sight. Edfu’s diverse culture lives on in the colorful markets and pottery shops at the center. Here, you will experience Egyptian town life at its best.
GIZA
In Egypt’s archeological treasure trove, Giza, a thrilling discovery is just a step away.
On the west bank of the Nile, the Pyramids of Giza adorn Egypt’s golden sand deserts with their imposing silhouette. Among them stands the Great Pyramid as the sole remainder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and strikes visitors with its colossal beauty at first glance. But it is just the beginning of the countless mystical wonders that you will witness on the Giza Plateau.
The elaborate pyramid complex hosts several cemeteries, temples, and monuments that were constructed some 4,500 years ago in Ancient Egypt. From their construction to preservation, the pyramids served as a cornerstone of ancient Egypt’s communal organization. Even today, they bear witness to the history of the Pharaonic civilization with the embroidered interiors of the tomb chambers. More reliefs are uncovered each day as excavations continue, shedding light on the oldest stories of life and death told by Egyptian royalties.
Step outside of the charm of tombs and temples, you find yourself greeted by the iconic Sphinx standing serenely near the Great Pyramid like a guardian. The 20-meter limestone statue further intensifies the arcane appearance of Giza. While the pyramids are a paragon of engineering virtue, the Sphinx appeals to the eye as a mythological artwork.
KOM OMBO
Kom Ombo will leave you breathless with pockets of mystery-laden architecture hidden in every corner.
Another valuable site en route to Aswan on the Nile cruise, Kom Ombo welcomes visitors with a vision of sublime beauty—the Great Temple. It is part of the Ptolemaic heritage and one of a kind with its dual design. While the west side of the temple is dedicated to the god Haroeris, the eastern entrance leads to the sanctuary of the crocodile god Sobek. In the shrine, you will see a small pool that was once the habitat of the sacred crocodile. With its hidden passageways and divided style, the Temple of Kom Ombo is a place of curiosity and wonder.
Right outside the complex, the Crocodile Museum hosts mummified crocodiles. A collection of reliefs elucidates Egyptian life under Roman rule during the Ptolemaic era. The Roman birth houses and temple ruins surrounding the temple are also worth visiting. As you approach the golden hills of Kom Ombo from the Nile, you will immediately see that there is more to this humble town than meets the eye.
LUXOR
Among the wonders of the Nile, Luxor is the gatekeeper to the mysteries of Ancient Egypt.
Luxor rises on the land that was once the holy city of Thebes, the heart and soul of Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom period. Today, it boasts the accolade of being the largest open-air museum in the world, with an impressive collection of temple complexes, monuments, necropolises, and obelisks. Also an inspiring manifestation of Egyptian cosmology, Luxor hosts significant landmarks in alignment with the cycles of the sun.
On the west bank of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens lie with splendor. The Valley of the Kings is the resting place of the most iconic figure of Egyptian history, the boy king Tutankhamun, among 62 other tombs. And right across the radiant waters of the Nile are the temples of Karnak and Luxor. The sun rises above them each day, adding to their ageless glory.
Luxor is the heartland of Ancient Egypt’s royal grandeur and a city of mystical wonder. Countless cryptic tombs offer insight into the oldest human civilizations. More sites wait to be unearthed beneath the city’s rock valleys and the endless desert.
PHILAE TEMPLE
Philae Temple remains one of the major attractions in Egyptian history with its centuries-old fame.
Philae Temple is a transcendent beauty of the Nile, welcoming visitors to the serene Agilkia Island to the south of Aswan. Once, it was the center of the cult of Isis, Ancient Egypt’s iconic mother goddess. The temple continued to be the worship site of the religion even after Christianity arrived. Much of this spiritual vision constitutes the primary theme for the intriguing hieroglyphic reliefs and pagan imagery. As you take a pupil-dilating tour in the temples, they will abound with their enigmatic charm.
The Nubian temple carries traces from the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine architectures, offering a delightful stroll among its columned hallways and yards. When it became apparent that the site would be flooded after the construction of Aswan High Dam, UNESCO moved the temple complex to its current location along with many other monuments. This united endeavor saved the sacred monument from being lost under the waters of the dam permanently.
Surrounding the main building are several smaller temples, a kiosk, and remnants from the Byzantine era. Among them, Coptic churches and ruins of monasteries strike visitors at once. The entire island transforms into an Egyptian dreamland at night when the reflection of these lit monuments falls on the river. With its elegant style and graceful silhouette on the Nile, the Philae Temple complex is one of the most picturesque sights in Egypt.
UNFINISHED OBELISK
Carving grandiose monuments straight in the granite bedrock was among the many construction techniques of Ancient Egypt. Some 3,500 years ago, when cracks formed in its nearly impeccable fashion, one of these monolithic structures did not live to see light. Centuries later, it emerged to reclaim its promised eminence and became the iconic ‘Unfinished Obelisk’ of Aswan.
If completed, the monument would be the largest and heaviest obelisk in Egypt, weighing over 1,000 tons. It is one of several unfinished structures discovered in the quarries of Aswan, open to visitors as an open-air museum. Beyond its striking appearance, the obelisk provided valuable archeological insight. Also, it revealed the intricacies of Egyptian stoneworking.
Descend the stairs that lead to the obelisk’s pit, and you will see the traces of Egyptian mastery. Skillful hands once wandered on the resilient granite, shaping it into a one-piece monument. A sense of human presence emanates more intensely through the animal pictographs on the surrounding walls. These artistic images are the products of the pastime of workers. They liven up the site by putting a smile on every visitor’s face.