Luxor Eng Interior

8/3/2019 Luxor Eng Interior

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Mankind came into bein


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Cont


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Statue of Ramses II at Karnak Temple

The ancient Greeks called it Thebes, city of a hits present name derives from al-Uqsur, the Arapalaces. But to its ancient inhabitants, Luxor wThe City, greatest of all capitals.

Home to one of the earliest flowerings of humaheight, Luxors population reached one millioknowledge and technical abilities of its peoplof the ancient world for more than half a millglories at long last began to give way to Memaround 1085 BC, Luxor had held sway overover 2000 years. When the Greek historian H450BC, he told tales of a fabled Thebes whosealready belonged in the past.


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LUxOR TO


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LUxOR TODAY

Lors ancient histor is so remarkabl dominant that man gidebooks

orget to mention the towns modern-da beat, with gardens, greener

and gracel colonial-era bildings. Straddling the Nile 670km soth o

Cairo, Lor has some 450,000 inhabitants, mostl involved in arming,

torism or antiqities-related work. The relative absence o indstr

means the desert air is pre and dr, ideal weather or preserving the

treasres o this massive open-air msem.

The lifeblood of the ancient Egyptian civilization, the mighty Nile River

cuts Luxor in half, and much of your time in Luxor will be spent not far

from its banks. The urbanized East Bank is home to most of Luxors tourist

infrastructure and temples, including the Karnak and Luxor Temples,

many hotels, ranging from spartan chic to rened elegance, and transport

infrastructure including the train station and airport. The city center area on

the East Bank is fairly compact, and much can be explored on oot. A range

of transport options, from erries, elccas and boat tais, to bikes, tais

and horse carriages, make accessing the more distant sights simple.

Across the river on the West Bank sometimes referreNecropolis, and long used as a burial ground for anis situated the Valleys of the Kings, Queens and Nobthan the East Bank, the West Banks idyllic countrysglimpse of how Luxor appeared in days gone by. Wlocated across the river, the West Bank offers some delparticularly for those looking for more of a rural or option. A regular passenger err connects the two banboats that can be hired. A road bridge links Luxors E9km south of town.

Moving around the West Bank takes a bit more planni

choose to move around by bus or taxi, though most o

be visited with the assistance of a sturdy biccle.

Tip

Throughout its long history, Luxor Temple served as

of a form of the god Amen closely associated with idrejuvenation.


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Luxor temple


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EASTMONUM


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Located in the middle o modern-

da Lor, with its main ais rnning

parallel to the Nile, Lor Temple is

the towns centerpiece.

Largely built by Amenophis III

(1417-1379BC) and Ramses II (1304-

1237BC), and dedicated to the

Theban Triad (Amun-Min, Mut andKhonsu), this temple has a richly

layered history, much of which can

still be discovered in its inscriptions

and carvings. Aleander the Great

converted one of the antechambers

into a sanctar or the sacred boat

o Amn, a replica of the gods solar

boat that during religious celebrations

was paraded through town. Under

Roman Emperor Diocletian (284

- 305 AD), the temple became a

military camp.

Some rare paintings from this

period, located on the south end

of the main axis, were recentlyrestored. Diocletian was known for

persecuting Christians, but a couple

of centuries after his death portions

of the temple were converted once

more, this time into chrches.

Later still, the Mosqe o Abl

Haggag (named after the 12th century

Baghdad-born mystic who lived and

died here) was built alongside a temple

wall. Luxor Temple was largely covered

in sand until the late 19th century, and

as a result is wonderfully preserved.

Like other local monuments, it owes its

survival partly to a favorable climate,

but above all to the mastery of its

builders. The Egyptians called their

temples the houses of eternity and

they have, so far, outlasted time

LUxOR TEMPLE

Al-Nasseriy

095/235 72

6am-10pm

6am-9pm w

Time Out

Stop by the caftemple walls ben

overlooking the Sphinx. The smais well-stockedpublications in well as other suneed a break frTemple is locatWinter Palace, towns souk.


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Avenue of Sph


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14

Tip

sound and missed, thistion, offered languages, he

karnaks longhistory. but tamazing exparound the tof the moonwith your hoin your prtickets may bvance or on-s

095/237

www.sounda

Tip

the karnak and so grandtians must hamen one hun jean-francoisfrenchman wEgyptian hiero

Karnak Temple is the towns centerpiece


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In 1798, Napoleon paid Egypt a visit, hoping to add it to Frances empire.Troops were dispatched to secure Upper Egypt, and on January 27th,1799, during the long march south along the Nile, the soldiers caughtsight of Karnak rising defiantly from the sands. Without an order beinggiven, wrote one lieutenant, the men formed their ranks and presentedarms, to the accompaniment of the drums and the bands. Karnaks awe-inspiring power is timeless, a tribute to those who built and understoodit as the home of the gods.

Located to the north of the city center, Karnak is perhaps the largestreligious complex ever constructed. Its original name was Ipet Isut,meaning the most select of places. Over the course of two millennia, itwas enlarged by consecutive Pharaohs until it comprised an area of 247acres. Centered on the Temple o Amn (begun during the 11th Dynasty,2134-1991 BC), it served as a spiritual center but also as an economichub, containing administrative offices, treasuries, palaces, bakeries,breweries, granaries and schools.

Karnaks grandest feature is the Great Hpostle Hinclude the Chapel of Senusert, which dates back to ththe obelisks of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, and thegarden of Thutmose III, decorated with reliefs of thanimals the Pharaoh brought home from his militathe massive compound contains countless treasures a walk around Karnaks perimeter, where fewer traveThe ground is strewn with inscribed blocks and frwhere pieces of an age-old puzzle still await reassemawait discovery.

KARNAK TEMPLES

Al-Nasseriyya St.

095/238 0270

6am-5.30pm Oct-Apr, to 6am May-Sep


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LUxOR MUSEUM

Why visit a museum in Luxor, you may ask, when the entire town canbe thought of as an open-air museum with antiquities and treasureslying almost everywhere you look? The answer is that every item in thissmall, permanent exhibit is a priceless masterpiece, lit and displaed toperection. Here youll find key discoveries from decades of excavations,the space and quiet to enjoy them, and the descriptions to understandthem. Located on the corniche abot hal wa between the Karnak and

Lor Temples, the museum can be an ideal break on a journey betweenthe two.

One of the recurrent themes in temple art is the Pharaoh in his chariot,with arms extended, his bow and arrow drawn. In the Luxor Museumyoull see the bows and arrows and a perfectly intact chariot, its leather-bound wheels and wooden yoke looking as ready as ever for a pair offeisty steeds. On a softly illuminated platform in a darkened room lies

the mummy of an unknown Pharaoh, whose strange Canada in the luggage of a 19th century tourist as a sreunited with his ancestral home.

Al-Nasseriyya St.

095/238 0269

Oct.-Apr.,9am-1pm/4pm-9pm, May-

Sept. 9am-1pm/5.00pm-10pm.


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MUMMIFICATIONMUSEUM

Across rom the Lor Msem,take the stairs rom the cornichedown towards the Nile, and spenda lively half-hour contemplatingthe immortal dead. Aside fromhumans, some animals sacredto the gods enjoyed the status

of mummification, includingcrocodiles, fully-grown and infant,rams and baboons. The art andscience o mmmiication wasan Egptian specialt, and thistastefully organized little museumshows how, and with whatingredients, it was done.

.Al-Nasseriyya St.095/237 0062except Fridays, 9am-2pm and 5pm-10pm.

Mummifcation


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WESTMONUM


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This pair of time-worn monoliths on the main roadfrom the river, standing guard over the thresholdof the Theban Necropolis, are all that remains of atemple built by Amenophis III around 2400 yearsago. At 18m high and weighing 1000 tons, theyhave remained strong and steady despite years of achange in their surrounding landscape. Surroundedby fields, the Nile waters rose each year, until upriverdams ended the annual floods in 1964 to reach the

Colossis feet.

Legend has it that they could once sing; a whistlingsound documented by the ancient Greeks wasprobably produced as the statues stones, warmed bythe suns early morning rays, gradually expanded andrubbed against one another along an existing crack.Outraged that they wouldnt sing for him, RomanEmperor Septimus Severus (193-211 AD) repaired

the crack and left them silent. A stele at the EgyptianMuseum in Cairo poetically describes the templeas being built from white sandstone, with goldthroughout, a floor covered with silver, and doorscovered with electrum. It takes a visit to the Colossito truly understand the experience of this description..

THE COLOSSI OF MEMNON

Tip

To locate the Colossi, ask for the antiquities inspectorate

ticket office. They are only a few feet behind it.


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The Colossi of M


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THE THEBAN NECROPOLIS

The Theban Necropolis is the sprawling, secluded cemetery located inthe hills and wadis (valleys) of the Niles West Bank. The ancients calledit the place of truth and the Western Lands, where lifes journey ended

and another, everlasting one, began. When French author Andr Malrauxremarked that Egpt invented eternit, he spoke a poetic truth, sinceEgyptian civilization was based on a compelling belief in the afterlife.For the Ancient Egyptians, the suns daily transit from east to west, itsnight-time disappearance and its return at dawn, was a symbol of bothinevitable death and eternal renewal.

At first, eternity was reserved for pharaohs; only those who couldafford proper mummification and well-equipped tombs could achieveimmortality. Over the course of several dynasties, however, funerary ritesbecame available to a wider public, starting with high-ranking officials,but also eventually extending to funerary workers.The royals are buried in a rocky labyrinth, whose inaccessibilit helpedprotect their remains. The vivid drawings and inscriptions of tombinteriors were not mere decorations, but prayers and incantationsaddressed to the gods, along with celebrations of the deceaseds family-life and achievements. Against the odds, and benefited by Luxorswarm, dry climate, many are still intact. But the imprint of millions of


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annual visitors has taken its toll. Some tombs areunder restoration, others allow only limited access.Check with your guide or ticket vendors for the latestinformation about which are open for viewing.

The Valle o the Kings, offering a plethora of splendidtombs, warrants return visits. Nearby lies the Valleo the Qeens, once known as Ta- Set-Neferu, theplace of the beautiful ones. The tombs of the royalladies and their children are less in grandeur than thekings, but equal in the artistry and mastery of theirinscriptions. While the burial grounds of highrankingofficials, the Valle o the Nobles, was moreaccessible, and therefore more subject to raiding afew important examples remain.

This astounding necropolis suffered from tragicdevastation as a fashion for everything Egyptianswept Europe in the early 19th century, and theresulting craze for artifacts was fed by unscrupuloustomb raiders long before the principles of modern-day archaeology were developed. Visitors throughthe ages have left disfiguring graiti scratched intowalls and statues, destroying artwork that thousands

of years had spared. The phenopeople have always left their markand temples bear examples of anand Latin graffiti, as well as the flocentury travelers. Todays visitorsto enjoy these priceless treasures irespect and reverence that the mo


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Set in a curving bank of steepcliffs with a commanding viewof the river valley, the Temple oHatshepst was built in perfectharmony with its majesticsurroundings. Seen from adistance, its three-level faadelooks almost futuristic testimonyto the timelessness of great

art. Designed by Hatshepsutssteward and architect Senenmut,it took eight years andtremendous manpower to builda fitting tribute to the womanwho ruled Egypt as pharaohfor nearly half a century (1503-1452BC). Hatshepsut called it

the splendor ofsome still consimost striking arcon earth.

MOR TUARY TEMPLE OFHATSHEPSUT (DEIR EL-B

6 am-4.30 pm

5 pm May-Se

The faces of the s

the colonnades

ochre, a remi

monuments we

colored and mus

an even more d

than they do toda

Hatshepsut Tapna


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Hatshepsut Te


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Deir el-Medina


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TOWN OF THE UNNAMWORKE RS (DEI R EL -M

While the tombs of the ThebanNecropolis seem almostmiraculous in their construction,they were created by humanhands, sweat and blood. Deirel-Medina is the town and brial

place o the mostl nnamedworkers whose craftsmanshipensured the lasting glory of theirpharaohs. Recent excavationsshow the footprints of theirhumble dwellings, and whiletheir tombs are small, they weredecorated with the same artistryand skill as the burial chambers

of their empincludes a smb Amenophiyears later by

6am-4.30 p

5pm May-S


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THE RAMESEUM ,

MORTUA RY TEMPLE OF

RAMSES II

Temple of Ramses II

For the pharaohs, temple buildingwas a way of thanking the gods formilitary triumphs, demonstratingtheir greatness to their people, andensuring their memory would behonored in posterity. Ramses II(19th Dynasty, 1304-1237BC) wasa prolific builder, and the greattemple at Ab Simbel was amongst

his most exceptional works. Whilethe Ramesseum lies half in ruins, itis nevertheless one of the loveliestsites in Egypt. The temple precinctis scattered with shards of ancientpottery and fallen blocks, the mostsensational of which is a largesculpture of Ramses IIs musculartorso. His monolith, carved into

a single piece of Aswan granite,once stood almost 17 meters high,dominating the local countryside.Even now the Ramesseum, with itswind-gnarled trees full of chirpingbirds, has an ambiance full of theromance of a great, but fallen,power.

6am-4.30pm Oct-Apr, to

5pm May-Sep


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MEDINAT HABU, THE

MORTUA RY TEMPLE OF

RAMSES II

Grandiose and gracefullyproportioned, set apart fromthe majority of the other WestBank buildings, Medinat Hab issecond in size only to the GreatTemple at Karnak. Ramses IIIadmired and imitated his ancestor

Ramses IIs style of building, andlike him was an aggressivelysuccessful military leader. Statuesof the lionheaded Sekhmet, fiercegoddess of revenge. The firstpylon and inner court graphicallydepict the pharaohs victoriesover the Libyans and Phoenicians.The complex was added by later

rulers, and the decoration ofthe second court - dedicated toreligious matters and later madeinto a church - creates a verydifferent mood. Remnants of itsoriginal mud-brick enclosure wallare interspersed with the ruins of

Jeme, the Coptic town inhabitedfor centuries and abandonedaround 800AD.

Medinat Habu Mortof Ramses III, hierog


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THIN gS TO DO IN LU xOR

SHOPINGLuxors souks (markets) offer all sorts of souvenirs, clothing and

jewelry, some of it kitsch, some fine and uniquely crafted. As you visitthe necropolis, now as in centuries past, sovenir sellers will displaystatuettes of the animal-headed gods made ofalabaster and stone. TheValleys of the Kings and Queens are dotted with alabaster workshops,where this translucent local stone is handcrafted into vases, bowls andstatues. The mud-brick buildings are covered with brightly colored

paintings showing scenes of ancient and modern Egyptian life.

The main sok, with its recently widened central artery (entrance nearthe east side of the Luxor Temple) is fragrant with spices, perfumes andincense, and open from around 10am until midnight. Near its northernend, on the way to the Luxor Museum, the local market begins. Especiallyon Tuesday mornings, townspeople flock there to buy groceries and freshproduce.

The Nile corniche also offers colorful shops and miand take the stairs located at various intervals along lower, river-side level, near where Luxors cruise shipfind more shops, restaurants and cafs in a pleasaenvironment

TEA TIME

For a taste of Victorian luxury, visit the Sofitel Winter(4-6pm daily), served in a grand salon overlooking oand loveliest gardens. Built in 1886, the Winter PalaLuxor as a glamorous winter spot for Europes well-toback-drop for many a diamond-drenched party. A vlovel river side ambience are located along the loalong the East Bank corniche.


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Collection of souvenirs

BOOKSTORES

Gaddis Bookstore, located beside the Winter Palaend o the Lor Temple, is a century-old family bas one of the first Egyptian-owned photographic stcollection of prints from the Gaddis archives are on s1920 -1930s, in addition to an eclectic selection ofand clothing.

9am-10pm, Closed June and July.

095/238 7042

For a variety of Egypt-related books and daily newspapers, Abbodi Bookstore, between the southern end of Luxor Tethe Winter Palace.

9am-10pm095/237 2390


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THE LuxOR MARATHON

In 1977, Egyptologist Ahmed Moussa discovered an ancientinscription describing a 100km footrace for the pharaohssoldiers. With this historic sporting event in mind, the first annual

Luxor Marathon was first held in 1993 and is now a prominentinternational event, attracting some 2000 participants each year.The Luxor Marathon is held in the cool and dry month of Februaryon the scenic West Bank.More info: www.egptianmarathon.com.

MOuLID Of ABuL HAGAG

Islam doesnt have saints per se, but every village has a holy

person, or wali, in its history whose life is honored with annualcelebrations. The moulids have a carnival-like atmosphere,and the Moulid of Abul Haggag, centered on the Abul Haggagmosque in Luxor Temple, is held three weeks prior to the Muslimmonth of Ramadan (during the summer months for the next fewyears). During the featured procession, local Sufi brotherhoodsdisplay their banners, and in the case of Abul Haggag, a woodenboat is carried aloft, echoing a pharaonic tradition.

TipCoptic EcrsionsSt. Mark brought Christianityto Egypt in the frst century AD.Some of the earliest churches andmonasteries were founded within

the walls of temples. LuxorsCoptic community and traditionsremain vibrant. Some masses arestill celebrated in their originallanguage, which is closely linkedto that of the pharaohs. Historictexts say that the Holy Familytraveled through Egypt, seekingrefuge from the death-threats ofJerusalems King Herod. The stopsalong their way became the sites of

religious communities, includingDeir El Muharraq. Between August7-21, thousands of pilgrims attendthe Feast of the Consecration ofthe Church of the Virgin. On the11th of November, the Churchof St. George holds its annualcelebration. Egypts churches (andmany of its monasteries) welcomevisitors all year-round.


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Tip

Up, Up andexperience youa hot air ballooof your great

Luxor sky, whicyour awe with the citys history

If you dont mdawn (and donseveral local 45-minute hofeaturing a pview of the WeAsk your hote

Luxor travel age

Hot air balloon over Luxors West Bank


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Felucca on the Nile


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LuxOR LIBRARyAND CuLTuRAL CENTERInaugurated in 2007, the library offers a selectionof Egyptology related books, a well-equippedmaproom, and multi-media presentations describinglocal history. A childrens play, study area and internetfacilities make the library a welcome addition to thecommunity and a place for amateur Egyptologists ofevery nationality to deepen their knowledge. KarnakTemple St. (Shara Maabad al- Karnak).

NuBIAN VILAGE

Live the Nubian lifestyle in the Nubian Village. Withtheir unique customs and lifestyle, a fascinatingexperience awaits you 7km soth o Lor cit center.Watch Nubian women making handicrafts, and after

a stop for a quick bite, you can viGet a henna design, or dress up iNubian village will present you fun.

fELuCCA RIDES

For a leisurely journey, choose a feavailable near the ferry landing anthe corniche. Book it for an hour oand meander along the Niles lubanks powered only by wind avary depending on the number of

10.30am-9pm except Mondays

095/237 3086, 095/237 3142.

095/928 0688


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PRACTICAL INFO IN LUxGETING THERE AND AWAy

EgptAir has daily flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. LuxorsInternational Airport is located about 20 minutes from city center.

095/237 2306.Trains leave Luxor to Cairo and Aswan several times daily, some withovernight compartments offered by Abela Egypt Sleeping Train (www.sleepingtrains.com).Lor Train Station:

095/237 0259.

The bs station is located approximately 1km from the airport. Ticketsfor the bus can be purchased at office, near the train station. Busesheading to Cairo leave early in the morning. Be sure to book ahead oftime. There are six daily buses that go to Hurghada and a daily bus toSharm el Sheikh.Bs Station:

095/232 2218

Limousine services are available in Luxor. Several coto rent a car, with a driver, for one or more days, if yotailor-made plans.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Horse Drawn CarriagesWalking along the Nile corniche, men in horse-dout, caleche! caleche! hoping to offer you a ride. A

Arabic name, hantour, these old-fashioned carriagesand convenient means of transport. Be sure and agspecify the currency, beforehand with the driver.

River-Going Transport

One of Luxors special pleasures is getting out on tWith the local bridge located 12km south of town, the large and affordable (1LE) public ferry running


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landing in front of the Luxor Temple, to the West Bank, operating from6am-11pm. If youre in a hurry and willing to pay a little more (5-10LE),youll find colorfully decorated motor boats docked adjacent to the ferrylanding that can be hired for the crossing.

Tais are plentiful in Luxor. Its always better to settle with your driver ona price before setting off..

VISA ExTENSIONS

Visit the passport office (Saturday-Thursday 9am-1pm) on the south endof the corniche, across from the Steigenberger Hotel.Passport Oice

095/238 0885

Tip

For the more energetic, the West Bank is perfect for cycling, and bicycles

are available for rental near the ferry landing, from hotels, and other

locations along the main roads. Horse-drawn ca


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COMuNICATIONS

TelephonesEgypts three major mobile phonecarriers (Vodaphone, MobiNil,Etisalat) are represented in Luxor,

selling SIM and charge cards shouldyou desire local usage. EgyptTelecom, on the south end of theNile Corniche (Khaled Ibn el WalidSt., next to the Steigenberger Hotel)is one of several places where youcan make an international call, apartfrom hotels. International callingcards are also widely available. Notethat Egypts country code is +2, andLuxors area code is 095.

Postal ServicesThe main Luxor post oice islocated across from the entry to thetourist souk, behind Luxor temple.Its closed on Fridays.

095/237 5158www.egyptpost.org

Tip

WI-MAxTechnology-savvy tourists willbe glad to know that the city ofLuxor has now established Wi-Fi

hotspots in key areas around thecity to allow easy access to theInternet.

The wireless coverage spans a7km distance along the Nile,where theres a high concentrationof hotels, Nile cruise ships andcafs, in addition to Al-Karnaktemple and the Luxor Museum.

To take advantage of the wirelessInternet service, you can buyscratch cards that are sold totourists in places close to Wi-Ficovered areas, starting from 5euros ($7.2) for a one-hour card,to 15 euros ($21.7) for the wholeday.


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Luxor temple an


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BANKS AND ATM SERVICES

Many Luxor Banks host ATM machines (including several on the corniche)and offer foreign currency exchange services, in addition to Thomas Cook(beside the Winter Palace), and the adjacent American Epress.

usel Nmbers

Tourist Police 126 or 095 237

6620

Police 122

Fire 180

Ambulance 123

Telephone directory 140

American Epress

Corniche el Nile

095/237 8333

Banqe Misr

Karnak Temple St.,

19888

HSBC Bank

Khaled Ibn El Walid St.,Corniche El Nile

095/235 7853

CIB Bank

Khaled Ebn El Walid St.,

Plaza Center

19666 Old Winter Pala


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fOD ANDENTERTAINMENT

Luxor has a wide range of cafs, restaurants, and self-catering establishments, ranging from top-end dining

to fast-food to small local eateries serving Egyptiandishes. While most of the restaurants in Luxor servelocal cuisine, there are also a host of internationaloptions available.

After a day spent enjoying the local sights, a widerange of cultural events awaits you in the evening. Notto be missed is the distinctive Saidi music, making useof the mizmar, or twin pipe clarinet. Belly dance andthe famous Egyptian Galabiya shows are some of the

night-life activities available in hotels across Luxor.

HEALTH

There are several well-equipped hospitals in Luxorready to help in a medical emergency. Pharmacies,many of which have English speaking staff, are easyto find around town. All hotels have a doctor on call,and all cruise ships include a staff member certifiedin First Aid.

Lor International HospitalLuxor City Centre, Hospital St.,095/238 7194/3/2

Tourists who cant enjoy their travels without theiraccompanying pets can enjoy peace of mind whilein Luxor, thanks to animal care centers that haverecently been established.

Brooke Hospital or AnimalsEl-Khotabaa Village095/238 1305,095/928 1100,095/236 5051

Egyptian Tour

Tourist Inform

Luors ETA off

and friendly a

languages. He

principale :

Beside Lu

095/237 3

Luor station:

Inside railw

Luor, in ti

095/237 02

Luor museum:

In front of 095/928 0

Luor Internat

Inside the In

Airport

095/237 23

www.egypt.tra


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The pharaohs sometimes visitedtheir Nile-side temples by royalbarge, and boat traffic along theriver remains the most dramaticway to reach the monuments.Since 1869, when Thomas Cookand Son launched their UpperEgypt excursions, steamships werepopular with those who wished totravel in style, and see the sites at acomfortable pace. While some oftodays crise ships are nearly aswell-appointed as the royal barge,there are packages to suit everybudget, offering itineraries ofvarying lengths. Several jewellikemonuments are located on thebanks of the river between Luxor

and Aswan, including the Templeof Khnum at Esna, the Temple offalcon-headed Horus at Ed, andthe temple of the crocodile godSobek at Kom Ombo. All may bevisited by car from Luxor, as wellas by cruise ship to Aswan, southof Luxor, whose attractions alsomerit an extended stay.

NILE CRUISES

TipFrom Aswan you may embark

on a 3-4 night Lake Nasser

cruise to Abu Simbel, visiting

the monuments of Nubia along

the way.


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A Cruise on th


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YOUR JOURNEY INEGYPT CONTINUES

DANDARA AND AByDOS TEMPLES

Dandara, accessible via a 65km drive north from Luxor, offers a glimpse

of the Egyptian countryside with its palm groves, sugarcane fields and

traditional rural lifestyle. Located on a site settled since the Old Kingdom

(2613-2181BC), this imposing temple complex was dedicated to Hathor,

The Great Mother, goddess of music, beauty and love. Many visitors

continue by road from Dandara to Abydos, 100km north of Luxor, a sacredancient pilgrimage site, and center of the cult of Osiris, god of death and

resurrection. The Temple of Seti I (19th dynasty) is built in white limestone

and its seven sanctuaries - dedicated to Horus Isis, Osiris, Amun-Ra,

Ra-Harakhte, Ptah and Seti himself - are decorated with extremely

fine bas-reliefs. The daily convoy by road for Dandara and Abydos

assembles at 6pm. The temples are also accessible via a cruise ship

from Luxor

Theview

from

oneofLu

xors

Nilerest

aurants

Luxor is easy to get to froAlexandria, Aswan, Cairel-Sheikh and Siwa. To ma longer, more unforgettjourney, why not add twof these fabulous destinatogether?

ARuOND

LuxOR


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THE RED SEA

In just over four hours by car from

Luxor, you arrive at Safaga on the

coral-studded Red Sea coast. You

may well want to stay longer to enjoyEgypts breathtaking trilogy of desert,

mountains and turquoise sea. In less

than 5 hours of driving, or an hour

by air, on a beautifully paved road

that pierces through valleys and

mountains, you can head from Luxor

to one of the most charming Red Sea

cities, Hurghada.

Intrepid travelers may want to head40km south of Marsa Alam to Wadi

el Gemal (valley of the camels)

National Park, one of Egypts many

protected areas, for untouched and

unforgettable desert landscapes.

Further north, the popular resort and

yearround residential community

of El-Gouna is built on manmade

islands surrounded by crystalline

lagoons. Its lively town center

features hotels, restaurants and

shopping venues, in addition to the

resorts excellent golf course, private

airstrip and marina..

CoralsDiverat

theRedSea

Tip

Located 285km

Hurghada boas

and various

50km south of

of Quseir wit

Ottoman fortre

trade links with

TIPMangrove trees

rugged, pristine

Alam, 200 km s

a fishing villag

must-see spot

its sunken ship

aquatic life.

ARuOND

LuxOR


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Elephantine

Island

ASWAN

Aswan is the gate to Nubia, a realm

of marvelous calm and the favorite

destination of the Aga Khan andFrancois Mitterrand to name

but two famous people

who succumbed

to its wonderfully

relaxing charms.

There are ancient

temples, the incredible

high dam, Elephantine

island and ancient monasteries

all there to help you create theholiday story of lifetime.

You can get to Aswan by boat

from Luxor, flying direct from

Alexandria, or by vehicle from

Luxor or Cairo.


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24 HOuRS INALExANDRIAStart with breakfast outside the Hotel

Cecil, overlooking the magnificent

double harbour of Alexandria. Ride

a double decker bus to the JewelryMuseum and make sure you see the

ex-kings diamond studded gardening

tools. Keep going to take in the excellent

Mahmoud Said modern art museum

followed by the Library of Alexandria.

Whizz along the Corniche for a top fish

lunch at Abu Qir, and have coffee on the

way back at stunning Salamak Hotel in

Montazeh Bay. You should now squeeze

in a visit to the Catacombs and PompeysPillar, before doing some shopping at the

antique buying area of Attareen. Take in

traditional music at the Opera house,

and dinner at a great Greek restaurant

downtown.

Montaza

h

Park

EGyPTIN


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SHARM EL-SHEIKHSharm el-Sheikh is the latest addition to the journey destinations ofEgypt. Known originally as one of the worlds number one divingspots, it has great wreck and coral diving and is situated on the tipof the Sinai Peninsula. Nearby lies the immense charm of desertand mountain scenery and the ancient attraction of St. Catherinesmonastery and Mt. Sinai.To get to Sharm el-Sheikh from Alexandria is easy either by a shortflight or by bus or long distance taxi via Cairo.

SIWAIf you have time, Siwa makes for a great journey of the Western Desert. Only three or four hours road from Marsa Matrouh, Siwa is an oasis town slarge saline lakes of majestic beauty. Siwa is home

Oracle temple where Alexander the Great went afteEgypt. Other attractions of Siwa include hot springs, the mud walled town of Shali and a magnificent ecoPrince Charles and many other luminaries have stay

OldCityFortr

ess

ofShaly

SharksBay


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CAIROCairo usually features in any Egyptian experience. It is has, after all, the only remathe ancient world the Pyramids, as well as the great Egyptian museum, the marvelsand the Citadel, the Nile, as well as numerous restaurants and nightspots. Cairo can Alexandria by the Alex desert road or by train. There is a rapid first class service thatthree hours and provides for a meal along the route if required

seepage42

C

Pyramidsof

Giza


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50

PRACTICAL INfO

Location : 31 05 to 22 N 25 02 to 34 56 E

Poplation:

More than 83 million

Large cities:

Cairo (18 million), Alexandria (4 million), Aswan and Suez

EGyPT TODA y

Since the end of the nineteenth century, Egypt has been evolving at avery high speed. Its political, economic and cultural life has undergone

striking changes. From the inscription of the first hieroglyph to the

construction of the new hi-tech Smart Village, Egypt has always been

a pioneer on the frontier for emerging information technologies in the

Arab world.

Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world, its people are

conscious of their ancient origin and proud of their heritage. This

makes the Egyptian provider of services for the touris

and able to anticipate what any tourist is likely to

Egyptian people have suffered under several wav

have never been broken. Their talent is in flexibili

novel solutions to problems. With this is mind and a

of your own, you will have a marvelous time on ho

ENTRy AND DEPART uRE

Visitors will need a single-visit visa to enter Egypt. T90 days. If the planned trip involves travel in and ousame period, then the best option is a multiple-via visa is straightforward. It can be arranged in advof the Egyptian consulates dotted around the worl

entry at airports. All visitors will need to have a pahave at least six months remaining of its validity froEgypt applies strict customs rules about bringing iteand cigarettes into the country, so to avoid any misprobably advisable to buy at an airport shop. Undeshould you attempt to leave the country with antiq


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HEALTH

There are no vaccinations needed to visit Egypt. Sunburn anddehydration can be avoided by using plenty of sun cream, wearinglight cotton clothing and a hat, and drinking lots of water. The health

care facilities in Egypt are generally good and it is advisable to havehealth insurance.

COMuNICATIONS

Egypt has embraced internet services and now it is easy to go onlineat hotels, offices and internet cafes. Egypt has widespread wi fi serviceavailable. The telephone system is efficient and visitors should haveno problem in finding public phones that take cards. You can buy

visitor mobile cards that enable you to use your mobile. You can buystamps and post your letters at post offices or from your hotel. Postoffices are closed on Fridays

ELECTRICITy

Egypts electricity works on 220v with sockets beEuropean mainland variety. Its a good idea to pplanning to use personal items like mobile phone

INfORMATION AND BOOKIN

Flying to Egypt, is relatively straightforward. The ma(www.egyptair.com), runs regular and efficient Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan from airports aroundprovides inexpensive domestic flights. Some visitoby road or by sea. Cruise ships often make Egypt a

itineraries. Booking holidays or short trips to Egypt is efrom the Egyptian Tourist Authoritys website (www.direct with local agents, or by visiting your nearescheck (www.eha.com) to choose your hotel.


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LANGuAGEThe official language of Egypt is Arabic and other languages are widely spoken

too, especially in tourist areas..

MONEy, ATMSAND CREDITCARDS

The currency of Egypt is the Egyptianpound, which is divided into 100

piasters. Cash is generally easily

obtained from ATMs, which can be

found in larger towns and cities.

Most of the major hotels and stores

accept credit cards, such as Visa and

Mastercard, along with travellers

cheques and certain foreign

currencies like Euro, Sterling and

Dollars. If venturing off the beatentrack you will find that generally only

the Egyptian pound in cash will be

accepted.

PuBLICHOLIDA

Holidays inc

Christmas on Ja

on May 1, Rev23, Armed Forc

6. The Islamic

of the Prophet

major religious

precedes the B

every year.

BuSINESGovernment, a

and banks a

from 9am to 2p

for Fridays, Sa

holidays.

Talk like an Egptian

A little bit of Eyptian Arabic will oa lon way as you meet locals durin

your trip. Here are some Arabic

words to help you et started.

Aywa ..................... yes

La .......................... no

shukran ................. thank you

Min fadlak ............. please

afwan ............................. youre

welcomesalaam aleikum ..... hello

ahlan wasahlan ..... welcome

maalesh ................. no problem

Every area of Eypt is different but

there are similarities. For eample, it

is customary to pay after receivin

a service not before- be it a drink,

a meal or a tai ride. Also you will

find a level of trust absent in more

developed countries. If you o into

a shop and buy a paper and find

you havent enouh money the shop

keeper will trust you to return withthe riht amount later- and let you

take the paper with you!.


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Most shops are open from 10am

to 10pm every day except Sunday.

Please note that all these times may

vary in shopping centres and during

Ramadan. Most historic sites and

museums are open from 9am to 5pm

daily, and often until 6pm in the

summer.

TIME

Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT,

except at the start of May and the

end of September when it is threehours ahead.

TRANSPORT

As Egypt is such a vast country, the

best way for holidaying visitors who

may have a limited amount of time

to explore is to travel from one city

to another by air. There are also long

distance buses and trains available.

Travel within cities is probably best

done by taxi or a minibus, although

car hire is an option. Hiring a car with

a guide by the day is a good idea if

you have a tight schedule and want to

see all the sights. If planning to go into

the desert it is a must to take a guide

to avoid becoming disorientated.

Cairo also has an underground metro

system, which is a good way to travel

around the city.

CLIMATE

During the summer, from March to

November, the climate is hot and dry

in most of the country. December

to February can be quite cold in the

north. The sky is usually blue and

cloudless. The temperature varies

considerably in Egypt. It rains more

often in Alexandria than in Aswan

and Cairo.

POPuLATION

With more than 83 million

inhabitants, Egypt represents one

quarter of the population of the Arab

world.

SAfETy

Compared to New York and London,

walking the streets of even the poorest

neighborhoods of Alexandria, Luxor

or Cairo you will not encounter

any threat of physical violence or

criminal intent.

of, burglary rare

CLOTHI

Women need to

careful when w

as in any co

modest clothin

sense when aw

developed resor


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IMPORTANT NuMBERSEmergenc Nmbers in Egpt are ver hand and can be contacted antime.Contr code +2Egpt State Ino. Service

22617345/22617344

www.sis.gov.eg

Amblance123

fire Brigade180

Police122

www.moiegpt.gov.eg

Torist Police126

Traic Police128

Cairo Airport Shttle Bsservice 19970

fling hospital service02/377 66393

Railwa Inormation:Cairo 02/257 53555,Alex 03/392 0010

Cairo Old Airport Inormation

02/265 5000

Cairo New Airport02/265 2029www.cairo-airport.com

Lor Airport095/237 4655

EgptAir1717www.egptair.com

Telephone Director140/141www.telecomegpt.com.eg

Trnk Calls10

Speaking Clock150www.lorcit.net

GALANTRy Of THE EGyPTIANEgyptian people are by nature very friendly and helpfumap on a street corner expect to gather a few helpers.directions people will be very happy to give you themgenerous with time, and are not bothered if you interrurequests.


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Distances (Miles)

Abu Simbel Alexandria AswanBahariyya

Oasis Cairo Dahab El Gouna El Qusei rFayoum

Oasis Giza Hurghada LuxorMarsa

Alam Nuweiba e

Alexandria 911

Aswan 162 749

Bahariyya Oasis 793 364 712

Kahire 772 139 610 226

Dahab 959 500 752 586 379

El Gouna 478 677 317 507 281 272

El Quseir 449 421 285 604 316 529 92

Fayoum Oasis 827 199 513 281 64 380 285 376

Giza 767 134 610 221 5 324 256 419 60

Hurghada 473 425 312 512 313 442 587 294 291

Luxor 275 636 113 599 448 638 204 149 404 497 203

Marsa Alam 349 595 188 798 391 612 174 82 603 460 169 199

Nuweiba 1089 456 749 537 416 43 434 526 380 322 439 635 609

Sharm El-Sheikh 864 408 702 490 480 53 384 477 329 275 390 588 559 112

Siwa Oasis 971 367 949 240 466 826 748 988 521 461 752 839 1038 778 7

Svey 677 222 515 309 83 211 198 290 143 88 203 402 373 237 1

Taba 867 412 706 499 273 87 388 480 311 278 393 592 563 43 1

Please note that this chart displays rough distances

Temperatres (f)

City Jan Feb March April May June July August Sept Oct

Luxor Mini 50 52 54 59 68 70 72 77 68 64

Max 73 81 84 91 93 99 100 104 95 86

Luxor Eng Interior

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