Egypt Holidays Tour Aswan

13/11/2022

ELEPHANTINE ISLAND

Elephantine is the largest island in the Aswan archipelago with many traces of its ancient history. It’s located 150 meters opposite the corniche. The island may have received its name because it was a trading place for Ivory.

In ancient Egypt, the island contained a fort that stood just before the first cataract of the Nile at Egypt’s southern border with Nubia. It was an excellent defensive site for a city and its location made it a natural cargo transfer point for river trade.

According to Egyptian mythology, here was the dwelling place of Khnum, god of the Aswan nome, who guarded and controlled the waters of the Nile from caves beneath the island.

In ancient times, the island was also an important stone quarry providing granite materials that would be transported widely within Egypt for monuments and buildings.

Ongoing excavations by the German Archaeological Institute at the city have uncovered many findings that are now on display in the museum located on the island, including a mummified ram of Khnum. Artifacts dating back to predynastic times have been found on Elephantine.

The oldest ruins still standing on the island are a granite step pyramid from the third dynasty and a small shrine, built for the local sixth-dynasty monarch, Hekayib.

A rare calendar, known as the Elephantine Calendar, dating to the reign of Thutmose III, was found in fragments. Also on the island is one of the oldest nilometers in Egypt, last reconstructed in Roman times and still in use as late as the nineteenth century.

In addition to the archaeological site, the island today is a part of the modern Egyptian city of Aswan and it houses the Aswan Museum at the southern extreme of the island, a sizable population of Nubians in three villages in the middle, and a large, dominating luxury hotel at the downstream, northern end.

HOW TO REACH THE ISLAND
By public ferry (opposite Egypt Air offices - every 15 min).

13/11/2022

Abu Simbel Temple
The two temples at Abu Simbel were built by Ramses II, in the 13th century BC.
The big temple, which is known as the Great Temple of Ramses II, was dedicated to the Sun God Re-Herakhte. It is among the most magnificent monuments in the world. Ramses II built the temple with four colossal statues of himself at the entrance to demonstrate his power and his divine nature.

The most remarkable phenomenon of the temple is that it’s precisely oriented so that twice every year, on Ramses II’s birthday and the anniversary of his coronation (22 October and 22 February of each year), the first rays of the morning sun shine down the entire length of the temple to illuminate three of the four seated Gods in the innermost chamber, the holy sanctuary. The three Gods are Ramses II himself, Amon Ra (the Sun God), and Re-Harakhte (God of the rising sun). The fourth God, Ptah, God of the under-world and darkness, remains in total darkness.

Nearby lies the small temple of Nefertari, the first wife of Ramses II. Her temple was dedicated to the Goddess Hathor, the wife of the Sun God.

Both temples were carved out of the solid rock at a site on the west bank of the Nile Valley in the ancient land of Nubia. The site area is known today as Abu Simbel.

The temples were rediscovered by J. L. Burckhardt in 1813 and they were first explored by the Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni.

With the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temples were threatened with submersion under the rising waters of the reservoir (Lake Nasser). As a result, a project sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Egyptian government disassembled both temples and reconstructed them on top of the cliff, 60 meters above the original site.
If you wish to see the sound and light you need to spend the night in a hotel in Abu Simbel.

HOW TO REACH ABU SIMBEL

The site can be reached by:
Car/bus (No more convoys)
Abu Simbel is located 280 km south of Aswan and it takes approximately 3 hours to reach the site.
You can leave to Abu Simbel in a car/bus (private or shared). You need to provide the name of your hotel and a copy of your passport to your travel agent to obtain the tour permission from the Egyptian Travel Agents Association - ETAA. The road from Aswan to Abu Simbel opens at 5am and closes at 5pm from Abu Simbel.

You can leave for Abu Simbel before 5am from Aswan but you need to obtain special permission. Ask your travel agent.
Plane
There are many daily flights to Abu Simbel from Cairo and Aswan. Check www.egyptair.com.
Cruise ship
There are two options: either to start from Aswan High Dam and end at Abu Simbel or vice versa. A cruise journey takes 3 or 4 days, depending on the cruise itinerary

12/11/2022

Welcome To Aswan
PLACES TO VISIT
Aswan has a mixed and diverse population with a distinct Nubian culture. It has therefore an African atmosphere which is different from the rest of Egypt. The pace of life is slow and relaxing. To get a real taste of the ancient and rich Nubian culture, visit the Nubian Museum and a number of picturesque Nubian villages in and around Aswan.

Aswan offers an abundance of important monuments and interesting places to visit such as Philae and Kalabsha temples, the scented Old Bazaar, and the Unfinished Obelisk.

If you are seeking exotic adventures, you can sail in a felucca and visit tropical-like islands such as Kitchener's Island (Botanical Garden), and Elephantine Island, the largest island in the archipelago with many traces of its ancient history.

Visits to the Monastery of St. Simeon, the Mausoleum of Aga Khan, and the Tombs of the Nobles, all sites located on the west bank and reached by boats, are also highly recommended.

A day trip to the Temples of Abu Simbel, is a MUST. The site is located 280 km south of Aswan on the shores of Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The Temples can be reached either by car/bus (in a convoy) or by airplane via Luxor or Aswan.

If you have more time to spare there are cruise ships on the Lake that will take you to Abu Simbel in 3 or 4 days.

After a long day of exciting activities, drinking a cold beer in a floating restaurant on the corniche and listening to Nubian music is a rewarding treat.

From Aswan to Luxor, you can also experience a one-in-a-lifetime Nile cruise either on board of a cruise ship, or a Dahabiya.

Another way to sail along the Nile is by felucca, a traditional sailing boat. Sandra Scott, a traveller to Egypt, once wrote about her felucca experience: “Falling asleep beneath a blanket of stars listening to the distant sound of Nubian drums, awakening to the timeless call of the muezzin summoning the faithful to prayer, sailing under deep blue skies past villages frozen in time, and visiting the magnificent temples of ancient Egypt are just some of the experiences that make sailing down the Nile in a felucca a one-in-a-lifetime adventure."
Abu Simbel
Elephantine Island
Kalabsha Temple
Kitchener's Island
Mausoleum of Aga Khan
Monastery of st. Simeon
Nubia Museum
Nubian Villages
Old Bazaar
Philae Temple
Tombs of the Nobels
Unfinished Obelisk

01/11/2022

SUPER DELUXE FELUCCA CRUISES
Sailing along the Nile with tradition and style on board, an exclusive felucca in the Nile, a toilet with shower, Hard sunroof that can be used as a sundeck. relaxing and watching birds are one of the privileges of sailing on our felucca sailboat. Comfortable long mattresses, pillows, and extra sheets, Enough space for storing luggage.
Living a unique and exotic adventure in the Nile Valley.

17/04/2022

25/02/2022

Egypt Holidays Tour, offering one of the most beautiful tours in the world. We offer the best experience for the Nile Cruises in Egypt at Affordable prices :
Aswan / Luxor 3 nights. Luxor / Aswan 4 nights. Long Cruise Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan 9,12 and 14 nights. Nasser Cruises Aswan / Abu Simble 4 nights.
Nasser Cruises Abu Simble / Aswan 3nights Contact WhatsApp:+201011169085 email: [email protected]

30/01/2022

Egypt Holidays Tour, offering one of the most beautiful tours in the world. We offer the best experience for the Nile Cruises in Egypt at formidable prices :
Aswan / Luxor 3 nights. Luxor / Aswan 4 nights. Long Cruise Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan 9,12 and 14 nights. Nasser Cruises Aswan / Abu Simble 4 nights.
Nasser Cruises Abu Simble / Aswan 3nights Contact WhatsApp :+201011169085 email: [email protected]

30/09/2021

Foremost of Noble Women
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Throughout history, women always prove that they are intelligent, smart, powerful and courageous. Today we will talk about the most powerful queen of ancient Egypt, the queen " Hatshepsut" , her name means the foremost of Noble Women.
Hatshepsut was the elder daughter of the king Thutmose I , she had one sister and two brothers who unfortunately died at early age. In order to keep the royal blood pure, Hatshepsut was married to her half brother Thutmose II.
Soon after her marriage her father died and then her husband became the king of Egypt. However, he was a sick man and he only ruled for a few years. After his death Hatshepsut was appointed to be a regent and a co- ruler with her nephew the young boy Thutmose III. Hatshepsut ruled for about 24 years between 1473 and 1458 B.C. her reign characterized by power and prosperity.
She established trade relationships with foreign countries and launched a successful sea voyage to the land of Punt on the Northeast Coast of Africa.
Due to her unprecedented works, Egypt turned into prosperous and rich nation. During her reign there was equity and justice among people who were loyal to her. She undertook stunning building projects including her memorial temple at Deir Elbahari in Luxor which considered one of the amazing architectural structures of ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut named herself as a pharaoh and wore the headdress with a cobra, she wore a fake beard like the men pharaohs.
Hatshepsut died in 1458 BC. After her death Thutmose III ruled Egypt, and because he was not fond of her, he destroyed all traces of Hatshepsut rule. He caused huge damage to her temple in Deir Elbahari in Luxor.
In addition, her statues were torn down and her monuments were defaced.

30/09/2021

Tour Activities
Day Visit to Abu Simbel site
Tour duration
8-9 hours
Tour Itinerary
• 04:30 pickup (hotel, cruise ship, felucca or train station)
• Transfer to Abu Simbel in a convoy
• 08:00 visit to site
• 10:00 transfer back to Aswan in a convoy
• 13:00 drop off (hotel, cruise ship, felucca or train station)
NB:The road to Abu Simbel is open from 5 A.M to 5 P.M, therefore it is better to finish the visit and depart before 2 P.M.

27/09/2021

The one for whom the sun shines.
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Those tender words were dedicated to the beautiful queen Nefertari from her husband king Ramses II the great.
Nefertari means " beautiful companion" and it was said according to some resources that she was the daughter of the king Seti the first. She was beautiful,well educated and capable of reading and writing hieroglyphs in addition to her negotiation skills.
It was known that king Ramses II had 200 wives but Nefertari was the closest to his heart and he showed great love and appreciation to her. He called her " great King's wife" , " lady of all lands" and " sweet of love".
She accompanied Ramses on his military campaigns. According to Dr.Zahi Hawas, Nefertari was known for her fashionable dresses, elegant accessories and make up.
King Ramses constructed the small temple of Abu simbel and dedicated it to Nefertari.
The Temple of Abu Simbel is one of the outstanding structures in ancient Egypt. In the next post we will see some of the magnificent photos of the temple and we will know some useful facts about it. Stay tuned ☺️.

27/09/2021

Philae Temple
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• The Philae temple, located on the island “Agilkia” between the old Aswan dam and the High Dam, was dedicated to the worship of the goddess ISIS, the goddess of Motherhood, healing, and birth.
• It was built between 380 BC and362 BC by king Ptolemy II and enlarged by various kings from the Ptolemaic era.
• After the construction of the old dam in 1906, the temple was partly submerged under the rising waters. With the help of UNESCO, the temple was moved to its present location on an island south of Aswan, below the high dam. It was a massive project that took over 9 years to move the temple completely.
• At night there is a sound and light show and it is recommended to visit the temple at night to enjoy the outstanding show with colorful lights and audio commentary that narrates the history of the temple and the myth of Osiris and Isis.
• The temple is open from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m.

Tour Activities
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Visits to Philae Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Kalabsha Temple (optional).

Tour duration
6 hours

Tour Itinerary
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• 09:00 pickup (hotel, cruise ship, felucca or train station)
• Visit to Philae Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk
• 15:00 transfer back and drop-off (hotel, cruise ship, felucca or train station)

23/09/2021

“Where there is great love, there are always miracles”,
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Do you believe in this quote? Do you know that there is an evidence of this quote from the ancient Egyptian history? Let’s read the following story of a great love between the God Osiris and the Goddess Isis.
Once upon a time in ancient Egypt there was a powerful and wise king called Osiris who was loved and respected by the Egyptian people. Osiris was married to the beautiful queen Isis and they were living in happiness and peace. But there was a hidden enemy who didn’t want the loving couple to live peacefully.
This enemy was Seth, Osiris brother, who was jealous and his heart was full of hatred as he didn’t want his brother to have such power in ruling Egypt. Therefore he planned to kill him and take over his throne. Seth invited Osiris to a party in order to execute his evil plan. The night before, Seth took the body’s measurements of Osiris while he was sleeping and went to a carpenter and asked him to make a decorated wooden chest.
Then during the party Seth asked his friends to climb into the chest, and that the one who would fit perfectly into it would keep it. Of course no one had the same size of the chest except Osiris. Once he was laid down, Seth and his friends locked the chest and threw it into the Nile.
When Isis heard the news of her husband’s death, she ran to the river and kept searching for the wooden chest for days until she managed finally to find it. After that she took the dead body out and hid it in the river grass as she wanted to perform special rituals that could allow Osiris to pass into the afterlife. Unfortunately Seth found the body and cut it into 14 pieces and distributed the pieces all over Egypt.
When Isis discovered that she quickly transformed into a huge bird and flew high over Egypt to collect the pieces of Osiris body. Then with the power of magic she brought Osiris back to life. This story may be a myth , but it entails the morals of love, sacrifice and determination.
The story of ISIS and Osiris is shown in the temple of Philae, which was built during the reign of Ptolemy and was dedicated to ISIS and Osiris. In the next post we will know more about the temple, its location, prices of entrance and how to get there

24/08/2021