Tourism In Egypt
Egypt Tourism
The great pyramids at Giza, the tomb of King Tutankhamun, the Valley of the
Kings, these are only three of the amazing sites that bring thousands of
visitors to Egypt every year. Egypt is a land famous for its distinct history
dating back to before 2900 BC, the remnants of which still exist today and
continue to draw both archaeologists and tourists alike. As home to a
civilization said to be the longest lasting in the world, Egypt holds treasures
of the past unlike any on earth, yet many archaeologists would agree that most
still remain to be uncovered in its vast deserts. While other countries have a
rich cultural heritage, Egypt is unique in that many of its artifacts and
buildings dating back thousands of years still exist today and can be enjoyed
and explored by all who come to this beautiful and mysterious country.
Below are just a few of the many fascinating sites awaiting you in Egypt.
The Pyramids at Giza
Probably the most famous place in Egypt, and a universal symbol for mystery, is
the site of the three great pyramids at Giza. With an estimated date of
construction between 2530 and 2460 BC, it is still being debated as to how these
structures were built without the use of modern day machinery. Today, visitors
can explore these giant wonders both inside and out. Tourists can enter into one
of the pyramids to see the rooms where the bodies of ancient pharaohs once lay
or tour the outsides on foot, horse or even by camel. The famous sphinx statue
is also close by and further excavations of what is thought to be the living
quarters of the original builders is currently underway.
The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings, located on the West bank of Luxor, is where many of the
tombs of the ancient kings of Egypt are located. Built right into the desert
rock and containing hundreds of treasures to guide the Pharoahs through their
afterlife, this is where most of the ancient Egyptian artifacts we have today
were originally discovered. Here, you can enter into the tomb of King
Tutankhamun and see where the hundreds of artifacts, now located in the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo, were originally found. The Valley of the Queens is also nearby
and contains the tomb of Queen Nefertari, which was recently renovated to almost
exactly the way it was when originally built thousands of years ago; a truly
spectacular sight.
Karnak Temple
This massive temple was said to have been built over a span of a thousand years
and under the watch of generations of Pharoahs. The “Hypostle Hall” is a vast
array of giant pillars spanning an area larger than the whole of the Notre Dame
Cathedral in Paris and each covered in ancient hyroglyphics. Don’t miss the
sound and light show at night that outlines the fascinating history of this
temple and highlights its most captivating features.
Abu Simbel
These two enthralling temples were ordered to be carved into the limestone
mountains by King Ramses II between 1290 and 1124 B.C. There are few sites as
amazing as the four colossal statues of Ramses II, each over 20 meters high,
that decorate the entrance of the great temple of Harakhte. The other temple at
Abu Simbel, the temple of Hathor, dedicated to the Godess of love in honor of
Ramses II’s favorite wife, Queen Nefertari, is also spectacular and has six
statues, each 10 meters high that line its entrance. Both temples were
threatened by the encroaching water created by the high dam and were amazingly
relocated in the 60’s by being cut into blocks and moved piece by piece to a new
safer location further up the hill. The whole process took just over 2 years.
For immediate questions, contact our recommended Egypt travel planner:
Information Request
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