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Egypt is
considered the land of ‘sights’ in the popular imagination,
and not without good reason—from the pyramids at Giza,
the awe-inspiring Sphinx and the monuments liberally littering
ancient Thebes, to the underwater explosion of colour
in the coral reefs off the Red sea coast.
Egypt’s destinations can be divided into six super-sites—the
north coast and the delta area, the upper Nile area, the
lower Nile area, the desert and oases, the Sinai and Red
Sea area, and Cairo and the surrounding areas.
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| CAIRO
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Cairo
was once the Byzantine city of Babylon—the same as in
the song "by the rivers of Babylon…" In 969
AD, the Fatimid rulers captured the reigns of power,
to be succeeded by the Mameluks, a slave dynasty. They
left behind a warren of districts like Al-Muski, Darb
al-Ahmar and Gamaliya. The old-world charm here is palpable,
and well worth soaking in. |
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The
Egyptian Museum
The section called Old Cairo is where Babylon once stood—its
main attractions are the Coptic Hanging Church and the
monastery/church of St Sergius, supposedly built on the
place where the biblical Holy Family rested while escaping
from King Herod. Memphis borders Cairo and is renowned
for the Temple of Ptah, which has within its precincts
the Alabaster Sphinx and the gargantuan statue of Rameses
II.
Today, Cairo is a lively and tourist-friendly city, with
an active cultural scene and a bustling nightlife. The
Egyptian Museum is a must-visit, with endless rows of
sarcophagi, mummies and other tomb treasures. The Museum
is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Friday, when
it is closed for a few hours. Students get a 50% discount
on entry fee, which is US$6 and an additional US$18 if
you want to see the Royal Mummy Room.
The Khan al-Khalili
is a vast maze of shops in Cairo that offer fantastic
opportunities for souvenir hunting. Bargain like crazy!
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No
monuments is Egypt are visited as much as
the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx—this
is truly the stuff that the glossiest Egyptian tourist
brochures are made of! The three pyramids are devoted
to the father-son-grandson trio of Cheops, Cephren and
Mycerinus. The first two are the most impressive.
Egyptologists and archeologists differ over the exact
significance of the Sphinx (known in Arabic as ‘Abu
al-Hol’ or the ‘father of terror’) in Egyptian culture,
but there is no doubting the sheer grandeur of the figure.
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IT IS CONSIDERED THE MOST ANCIENT CAPITAL OF EGYPT
ESTABLISHED BY KING MINA .
AMONG ITS MONUMENTS :
• THE COLOSSAL TATUE OF RAMSES II EXHIBITED IN THE MUSEUM.
• THE ALABASTER STATUE OF THE SPHINX FOR KING TUTHMOSIS
III.
• THE SERAPEUM :
TEMPLE OF MUMMIFICATION OF APIS , THE SACRED BULL .
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ANOTHER IMPORTANT PLACE TO VISIT IN SAQQARA IS THE PYRAMID
OF UNAS, THE SERAPEUM OF BURIAL PLACE THE SACRED BULLS
AND MASTABAS WHICH ARE KNOWN AS THE TOMBS OF NOBLES, THE
MOST FAMOUS OF WHICH IS THE TOMB OF PTAH HOTEP, THE TOMB
OF KAGEMNI AND THE TOMB OF MERERUKA.
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THE CITADEL
One of Cairo's major attractions, the massive Citadel
complex dominates the city skyline. Built on a limestone
spur by Salah al-Din (Saladin) in the 12th century,
most of its features are associated with Mohammed Ali,
the early 19th century leader who freed Egypt of the
Mameluke yoke. The Citadel offers fantastic panoramic
views of Islamic Cairo in a castle setting rich in history.
Perhaps its most famous tale is of Mohammed Ali inviting
470 Mameluke leaders to a feast in the Citadel palace,
only to have them trapped in a narrow passageway upon
leaving and slaughtered by his men. Legend says only
one Mameluke escaped by leaping the walls on his horse.
Within the Citadel complex are the following attractions:
Al-Gawhara (Jewel) Palace, Mohammed Ali
Mosque, Police Museum, Sultan Al-Nasir Mosque, Military
Museum, Carriage Museum, Archaeological Museum, Suleyman
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MOHAMED ALI ALABASTER MOSQUE
DESIGNED BY THE GREEK ARCHITECT YUSSUF BUSHNAQ, THE
MOHAMMAD ALI (ALABASTER) MOSQUE IN THE CITADEL WAS BEGUN
IN 1830 (FINISHED IN 1857) IN THE OTTOMAN STYLE BY MOHAMMAD
ALI PASHA, RULER OF EGYPT, AND FOUNDER OF THE COUNTRY'S
LAST DYNASTY OF KHEDIVES AND KINGS. THE MOSQUE IS THE
TOMB OF MOHAMMAD ALI AND IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE ALABASTER
MOSQUE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE USE OF THIS FINE MATERIAL
FROM BENI SUEF. ITS TWO SLENDER 270 FOOT MINARETS ARE
UNUSUAL FOR CAIRO. FROM THE ARCADED COURTYARD, VISITORS
HAVE A MAGNIFICENT VIEW ACROSS THE CITY TO THE PYRAMIDS
IN GIZA. JUST OFF THE COURTYARD IS THE VAST PRAYER HALL
WITH AN OTTOMAN STYLE DOME WHICH IS 170 FEET ABOVE.
THE PARAPET TO THE SOUTHWEST OFFERS A GOOD VIEW OF THE
SULTAN HASSAN AND IBN TULUN MOSQUES AND OF CAIRO ITSELF.
PERHAPS BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST
FREQUENTED MOSQUES BY TOURISTS.
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THE NORTH COAST HAS THE NOVELTY OF PLEASANT CLIMATE
EVEN IN THE SUMMER (IT BEING THE EGYPTIAN MEDITERRANEAN),
AND HAS TWO MAIN TOURIST CENTRES—ALEXANDRIA AND MARSA
MATROUH
ALEXANDRIA
ALEXANDRIA IS THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN EGYPT, IT HAS
AN ATMOSPHERE THAT IS MORE MEDITERRANEAN THAN MIDDLE
EASTERN; ITS AMBIENCE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTANCE
IT FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY ALTHOUGH IT IS ACTUALLY
ONLY 225 KM. FROM CAIRO. ALEXANDRIA LIES NORTHWEST OF
THE NILE DELTA AND ADJOINS LAKE MARIUT. IT IS LINKED
TO CAIRO BY THE DELTA ROAD (231 KM.) AND THE DESERT
ROAD (225 KM.). IT IS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE SUMMER
RESORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, KNOWN FOR ITS TEMPERATE
WINTERS AND BEACHES, WITH SOFT SANDS AND MAGNIFICENT
SCENERY THAT STRETCH FOR 40 KM. ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN
SEA. FOUNDED BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT IN 331 BC, ALEXANDRIA
BECAME THE CAPITAL OF THE GRAECO-ROMAN EGYPT, ITS STATUS
AS A BEACON OF CULTURE SYMBOLIZED BY PHAROS AND THE
SETTING FOR THE STORMY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLEOPATRA
AND MARK ANTONY. THE CITY, IMMORTALIZING ALEXANDER'S
NAME, FLOURISHED, BEYOND ALL EXPECTATIONS, INTO A PROMINENT
CULTURAL, INTELLECTUAL AND ECONOMIC METROPOLIS, THE
REMAINS OF WHICH ARE STILL EVIDENT TO THIS DAY. THERE
IS SO MUCH TO SEE IN THIS CITY. LISTED BELOW IS A BRIEF
OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE SITES THAT YOU CAN VISIT.
• THE GRAECO-ROMAN MUSEUM: HOUSES MANY COLLECTIONS OF
RARE ROMAN RELICS AND COINS- ABOUT 40 THOUSAND PIECES,
FROM THE 3RD CENTURY B.C. TO THE 7TH CENTURY A.D. THE
MOST IMPORTANT BEING THE " TANAFRA " STATUES.
POMPEII'S PILLAR )THIS IS A GRANITE PILLAR, OVER 25
METERS HIGH, AND BUILT AMIDST THE RUINS OF THE SERAPIUM
IN 297 A.D., IN HONOR OF EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN.
THE CATACOMBS OF KOM AL-SHQAFA: THIS IS THE LARGEST
ROMAN CEMETERY. IT IS OF THREE LEVELS AND CUT IN THE
ROCK TO A DEPTH OF 100 FEET. DATING TO THE BEGINNING
OF THE 2ND CENTURY A.D., IT IS A BLEND OF PHARAONIC
AND ROMAN ART.
• THE TOMBS OF AL-ANFUSHI: THESE LIMESTONE TOMBS, DATING
FROM ABOUT 250B.C. ARE DECORATED WITH PICTURES OF EGYPTIAN
GODS AND DAILY LIFE.
OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
ARE:
• THE FORT OF QAIT BAY
THE FORT OF QAITBAY LIES ON THE NORTHERN TIP OF THE
EASTERN HARBOUR ON THE SAME SITE WHERE THE PHARAOHS
OF ALEXANDRIA ONCE STOOD THE 15TH CENTURY FORT BUILT
IN THE MEDIAEVAL STYLE . COMPRISE THREE FLOOR 5 . CURRENTLY
IN HOUSES THE MARINE MUSEUM PRESERVING ALEXANDRIA’S
MARINE HERITAGE.
• THE MOSQUE OF MURSI ABBAS
LOCATED AT EL ANFOUSHI AREA . THE MOSQUE IS ONE OF ALEXANDRIA
‘S ISLMIC LANDMARS WITH ITS VERY HIGH MINARET AND FOUR
DOMES.
• AL-MONTAZAH PALACE
ACRES OF FORMAL GARDENS AND A BEAUTIFUL BEACH MAKE MONTAZAH
(SHOWN TO THE RIGHT ) THE FOREMOST CITY PLEASURE GROUNDS.
MONTAZAH PALACE, A GRAND STRUCTURE BUILT IN A MIXTURE
OF TURKISH AND FLORENTINE STYLES, IS NOW A GREAT STATEHOUSE
MARSA MATROUH IS BEING
ENTHUSIASTICALLY DEVELOPED BY THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT
AS A MAJOR TOURIST CENTER, BUT DESPITE SOME GOOD BEACHES
(SHATT AL-GHARAM, AGIBA AND UBAIYYAD), IT HAS LITTLE
TO OFFER.
THE UPPER NILE AREA (WHICH IS ACTUALLY IN THE SOUTH
OF THE COUNTRY) BOASTS THREE VERY INTERESTING TOWNS,
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THE CITY
OF LUXOR
IS A REGULAR TOURIST HOTSPOT FOR THE REASON
MOST TRAVELERS VISIT EGYPT—THE SHEER GRANDEUR OF ITS
WELL-PRESERVED MONUMENTS DATING FROM THE OLD, MIDDLE
AND NEW KINGDOMS OF ANCIENT EGYPT. THE BEST PART IS
THAT YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AN EGYPTOLOGIST OR EVEN A
HISTORY BUFF TO APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF LUXOR’S MONUMENTS.
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The
Temple of Karnak
The great Temple of Amun at Karnak was
once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt.
Karnak was linked to Luxor by a sphinx-lined avenue,
and the whole complex of temples was in turn linked
to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred
boats of the god Amun. Passing through a smaller avenue
of ram-headed sphinxes, erected by Ramesses II, we come
to the massive pylon entrance of the 30th dynasty. Inside
the great Courtyard, which dates from the 22nd dynasty,
are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous
and Mut by Seth II. The impressive Hypostyle Hall has
134 soaring columns; each column is carved with scenes
of gods and pharaohs; the inscriptions on the walls
tell their stories of war and peace.
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Valley of the Kings : Situated in
a secluded area of the west bank, the Valley of the
Kings contains 62 excavated tombs, mostly royal but
some belonging to members of the nobility. There are
differences in style, colour and content in each of
the tombs; the earliest have staircases, corridors and
right-angled bends while the later ones are more simplified,
being little more than huge sloping corridors. The walls
and ceilings were painted with scenes and inscriptions
designed to assist the King in his journey through the
underworld. A visit to the Valley of the Kings usually
takes in two or three of the tombs, dependent on the
number of visitors in the Valley and which tombs are
open. Other main tombs include those of Amenophis II
(one of the best preserved), Ramesses IX (never completed),
Ramesses VI and Seti I (largest and most elaborate).
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The
Valley of the Queens :
Also situated on the west bank, the Valley of the Queens
is smaller than the Valley of the Kings but is ringed
by impressive cliffs. The tombs belong to lesser important
personages (Queens and Princes) but have many interesting
facets. The main tombs are those of Queen Titi (an otherwise
unknown royal lady), Prince Khaemwaset (Ramesses III's
eldest son) and Prince Amenhirkhepeshef (notable for
its vivid colouring). The finest tomb, is tomb of Queen
Nefertari. Recent excavations have unearthed previously
unknown tombs, although most are damaged or undecorated.
The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, unlike any
other temple in Egypt, is composed of three widely-spaced
terraces with ramps leading from one to the next. It
is said that the Queen intended it as a pleasure
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ASWAN
WHILE ASWAN WAS ALWAYS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
TO EGYPT, THE TOWN ONLY BECAME A CITY IN THE 1960S WHEN
GREAT FORCES OF WORKERS CONSTRUCTING THE HIGH DAM WERE
HOUSED THERE.
THE HIGH DAM ITSELF IS OVER TWO MILES LONG AND 360FT HIGH
AND AFFORDS VIEWS OVER LAKE NASSER. THE LAKE IS, AT ITS
FULLEST, 310 MILES LONG, 6 MILES WIDE AND ON AVERAGE 600FT
DEEP. AS WELL AS BEING A BEAUTIFUL RESORT, ASWAN HAS A
HUGE ARRAY OF TEMPLES, MONUMENTS AND SIGHTS.
THE PTOLEMAIC TEMPLE OF PHILAE WAS, LIKE ABU SIMBEL, TRANSPORTED
FROM ITS FLOODED SITE TO A NEW POSITION ABOVE THE WATER
AND COMPLETELY REBUILT STONE BY STONE. THE BEAUTIFUL KIOSK
OF TRAJAN STANDS CLOSE BY ON THE SAME ISLAND. KITCHENER
ISLAND AND ITS BOTANICAL GARDENS ARE REACHED BY FELUCCA
BEFORE CONTINUING TO ELEPHANTINE ISLAND (ALTHOUGH NOT
DESEMBARKING) WHICH HAS AN ANCIENT NILOMETER BUILT INTO
ITS EASTERN SIDE AND NUMEROUS ROCK RELIEFS, INSCRIPTIONS
AND TRACES OF PHARAONIC TEMPLES.
THE GRANITE MAUSOLEUM OF THE LATE AGA KHAN COMMANDS A
SPLENDID VIEW OF ASWAN AND THE NILE VALLEY BEYOND WHICH
THE DESERT STRETCHES AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE. IN THE
ANCIENT GRANITE QUARRY OF THE PHARAOHS, AN UNFINISHED
OBELISK LIES CRACKED AND DAMAGED, BUT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES
THE METHOD
USED TO CUT THESE VAST PIECES OF STONE.
PHILAE
SOUTH OF THE CITY OF ASWAN LIES THE BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE COMPLEX
OF PHILAE (PRONOUNCED "FEEL-I"). ITS MAIN TEMPLE
WAS DEDICATED TO THE GODDESS ISIS AND ITS CONSTRUCTION
WAS UNDERTAKEN DURING THE THIRD CENTURY B.C. PHILAE WAS
THE LAST BASTION OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RELIGION AND HIEROGLYPHIC
USAGE. IT IS ALSO A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THREATENED CULTURAL
HERITAGE BEING SAVED IN THE FACE OF MODERN CIVILIZATION'S
MARCH TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE ISLAND OF PHILAE AND ITS TEMPLES CAME UNDER THREAT
AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHEN THE BRITISH ERECTED THE
ASWAN DAM AT THE FIRST CATARACT. PHILAE BEGAN TO SPEND
SOME OF ITS TIME BENEATH THE BACKED-UP FLOOD WATERS OF
THE NILE. THE DAM WAS PROGRESSIVELY RAISED IN THE FOLLOWING
DECADES, BUT THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR THE ISLAND
OF PHILAE CAME WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASWAN HIGH
DAM IN THE 1960S. THE TEMPLES WERE DESTINED TO DISAPPEAR
FOREVER BENEATH THE RIVER'S WATERS.
FORTUNATELY, PHILAE WAS SAVED FROM DROWNING. IN 1977,
A COFFER DAM WAS CONSTRUCTED AROUND THE TEMPLES AND THE
WATER WAS PUMPED OUT. THEN THE TEMPLES WERE CAREFULLY
DISMANTLED WITH EVERY BLOCK ASSIGNED A NUMBER AND ITS
POSITION NOTED. A NEARBY HIGHER ISLAND CALLED AGILKAI
WAS MODIFIED TO RESEMBLE PHILAE AND THE TEMPLES WERE RESEMBLED.
IN 1980, PHILAE WAS ONCE AGAIN OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.
TODAY, PHILAE IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ANY VISIT TO
ASWAN. TO REACH IT, ONE CAN TAKE AN ORGANISED EXCURSION
BOOKED THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT OR HOTEL. ALTERNATIVELY,
TAKE A TAXI TO THE BOAT LANDING AT SHELLAL ON THE EAST
SIDE OF THE OLD ASWAN DAM. FROM THERE, A SHORT BOAT TRIP
CAN BE ARRANGED TO THE ISLAND.
OASIS
THE OASIS, A DEPRESSION IN THE DESERT COMPRISING SPRINGS,
WELLS AND TREES, REFLECTS THE BEAUTY, CHARM AND DIVERSITY
OF NATURE; ITS SURROUNDING DESERT...GREEN VALLEYS...WATER
WELLS...HIGH PLATEAUS...THERAPEUTIC SULPHUR-RICH SPRINGS.
IN EGYPT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OASES IN THE WESTERN DESERT.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ARE FAYYUM, KHARGA, DAKHIA, PARIS,
FARAFRAH, BAHEREYA, SIWA AND THE QATTARA DEPRESSION. THE
FAYYUM OASIS LIES IN DEPRESSION, RIGHT IN THE WESTERN
DESERT, ABOUT 103 KM. SOUTH-WEST OF CAIRO. IT IS SURROUNDED
BY HIGH PLATEAUS, AND SEPARATED FROM THE NILE VALLEY BY
A HIGH RIDGE TO THE EAST AT AL-LAHUN. THE OASIS IS FAMED
FOR ITS ALL-YEAR-ROUND PLEASANT CLIMATE AND BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF PRE-HISTORIC SETTLEMENTS
AS WELL AS PHARAONIC, GREEK ROMAN, COPTIC, & ISLAMIC
MONUMENTS. FAYYUM BOOSTS A COMBINATION OF RURAL, COASTAL,
DESERT, AND URBAN ENVIRONMENTS, AND THUS HOLDS OUT GREAT
ATTRACTIONS TO TOURISTS. THE HAWARA PYRAMID (SHOWN TO
THE RIGHT) DATING FROM (1991-1778 BC) CAN BE FOUND HERE.
THE OASES PROVIDES A VAST AMOUNT OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS,
BELOW IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE SITES THAT YOU
CAN VISIT!
THE
OASIS:
AL-WADI AL-GADEED OASES :(THE NEW VALLEY OASES)
THE NEW VALLEY OASES OCCUPIES SOME 67% OF THE WESTERN
DESERT AND 45.8% OF THE TOTAL AREA OF EGYPT. IT LIES
602 KM. FROM CAIRO AND 232 KM. FROM ASSYUT. IT’S BORDERED
BY THE GOVERNORATE OF MATRUH IN THE NORTH, SUDAN IN
THE SOUTH, LIBYA IN THE WEST, AND THE GOVERNORATES OF
MIDDLE EGYPT IN THE EAST. IT INCLUDES THE KHARGA, DAKHLA,
FARAFRAH AND PARIS OASES WITH MORE THAN 99 MONUMENTS
DATING TO DIFFERENT AGES.
THE AREA ENJOYS A MIXTURE OF THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT,
GREEN PLAINS, WELLS, AND SULPHUR-RICH SPRINGS, BOTH
COLD AND HOT. IN ONE SPRING, THE WATER TEMPERATURE REACHES
43 C AND IS SUITABLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC
AND DIGESTIVE AILMENTS, COLDS AND ALLERGIES.THE OASES
ARE FAMED FOR THEIR DRY CLIMATE MOST OF THE YEAR, AND
HUMIDITY NEVER EXCEEDS 9.5%. WARM, SUNNY WINTERS ALLOW
THEM TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SPA.
DAKHLA OASIS:
DAKHLA (CAPITAL MUT) IS THE SECOND PROVINCIAL
CAPITAL OF THE GOVERNORATE AND LIES 200KM. NORTH-WEST
OF KHARGA. MIDWAY IS THE ZAYYAN RESTHOUSE. DAKHLA CONTAINS
SEVERAL WELLS, THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH ARE: THE
MUT WELLS IN WHICH THE TEMPERATURE REACHES 43 C. ONE
WELL IS 1224 METERS DEEP. IT HAS A ROUND SWIMMING POOL
AND TOURIST RESTHOUSES WITH COMPLETE FACILITIES.THE
PHARONIC WELLS OF AYN AL-QASR IN WHICH WATER TEMPERATURE
REACHES 45 C.
KHARGA OASIS:
CAPITAL OF THE NEW VALLEY GOVERNORATE,
IT LIES 232 KM. SOUTH OF ASSYUT. IT IS CHARACTERIZED
BY ITS NUMEROUS MONUMENTS, SPRINGS AND TOURIST SITES
SUCH AS THE PONDS OF FISH IN BULAQ VILLAGE.
PARIS OASIS: (TEMPLE
OF DUSH)
LOCATED 90 KM. SOUTH OF KHARGA, IT HOUSES
THE ROMAN TEMPLE OF DUSH DEDICATED TO THE GOD SERAPIS.
THERE IS ALSO A MUD-BRICK TURKISH FORTRESS, AN ANCIENT
CHURCH AND SOME POTTERY DATING TO THE COPTIC PERIOD.
FARAFRAH OASIS:
ABOUT 320 KM. NORTHWEST OF DAKHLA AND
170 KM. NORTH OF BAHEREYA OASIS, IT IS SUITABLE FOR
CAR TOURS AND SAFARIS BY MEANS OF THE CIRCULAR ROAD
CONNECTING IT WITH DAKHLA AND BAHEREYA. THERE ARE REMAINS
OF ROMAN BUILDINGS, INCLUDING QASR AL-FARAFRAH, BUILT
OF MUD-BRICK, AND QASR ABU MINQAR.
SIWA OASIS:
ABOUT 306 KM. SOUTH WEST OF MARSA MATRUH AND 627 KM
FROM CAIRO, THIS OASIS IS RENOWNED FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY, THICK GROVES OF PALM AND OLIVE TREES, WATER
SPRINGS, AND THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS. IT HAS A STEADY
CLIMATE, CHILLY IN THE WINTER, HOT IN THE SUMMER AND
MODERATE IN SPRING AND AUTUMN.
SINAI I
LAND OF DISCOVERY. THE ROUTE TO THE PROMISED LAND; WHERE
ISIS SOUGHT OSIRIS AND THE PHAROAHS FOUND GOLD. WHERE
MOSES WITNESSED THE BURNING BUSH AND BEDOUINS CAMPED
BY CRUSADER FORTS. A MEETING POINT FOR THREE GREAT RELIGIONS,
AT THE CROSSROADS OF AFRICA AND ASIA. AFTER 80,000 YEARS
AT THE HEART OF HISTORY, EXPERIENCE THE CONTINUING CONTRASTS.
SINAI: WHERE ROCK MEETS CORAL REEF AND THE DESERT STOPS
AT THE SEA. WHERE THE GRANDEUR OF GRANITE MEETS THE
GOLDEN BEACHES OF THE " RED SEA RIVIERA ".
TROPICAL FISH AND RARE BIRDS; SPECTACULAR SUNSETS AND
CLEAR STARRY NIGHTS.
SINAI IS RICH IN SCENERY. TO THE NORTH, PALM-SHADED
SANDY BEACHES STRETCH ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORE.
ALONG THE GULFS OF AQABA AND SUEZ, SOFT GOLDEN SANDS
SURROUND BAYS OF CLEAR BLUE WATER. THERE ARE TOURIST
VILLAGES, FISHING AND SNORKELING CENTERS, WHERE THE
WATERS ARE RICH WITH RARE MARINE LIFE AND EXQUISITE
CORAL REEFS. SWEET WATER SPRINGS ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT
SINAI. IN THE SOUTH, THE TOWERING MOUNTAINS WITH THEIR
BEAUTIFUL REDDISH COLORED ROCKS ARE SURROUNDED BY HUGE
VALLEYS LEADING TO THE HOLY MOUNTAIN.
SINAI ALSO HAS VARIOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS AND DIFFERENT
KINDS OF INDIGENOUS AND MIGRATING BIRDS.
HAS AN AIRPORT THAT CAN HANDLE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE
AIRCRAFTS.
ST. CATHERINE:
LIES ABOUT 150 KM. SOUTH-EAST OF ABU RODEIS ON A HIGH
PLATEAU 2500 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL. IT IS CONSIDERED
THE CENTER OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN SINAI. NEARBY LIES
THE MONASTERY OF ST. CATHERINE DATING BACK TO THE 6TH
CENTURY. THIS TOWN IS FAMOUS FOR ITS ORCHIDS AND PLENTIFUL
WATER. THE VILLAGE COMPROMISES 100 BUNGALOWS AND AN
ELEGANT RESTAURANT.
MONASTERY OF ST. CATHERINE: THIS WAS
BUILT IN THE 6TH CENTURY AND DEDICATED TO THE DAUGHTER
OF A RULER OF ALEXANDRIA, WHO CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY
AND WAS SUBJECTED TO GREAT TORTURE. THE HUGE WALLS OF
THE MONASTERY SURROUND A NUMBER OF SMALL
CHURCHES. ON THE EAST WALL IS AN ANCIENT BASKET AND
A PULLEY WHICH WAS USED INSTEAD OF OPENING THE DOOR.
RAS MOHAMMED: (SHOWN TO THE RIGHT) SITUATED
AT THE PEAK OF THE SINAI PENINSULA, 53 KM. FROM SHARM
AL SHIEKH AND ITS NARROWEST PART BETWEEN THE GULFS OF
SUEZ AND AQABA. IT IS RENOWNED FOR HAVING THE MOST EXQUISITE
CORAL REEFS IN THE WORLD AND FOR BEING A REFUGE TO RARE
MARINE LIFE. IT HAS RECENTLY DECLARED A NATURE PRESERVE
AND MOST FIT FOR DIVING.
SHARM AL-SHIEKH: OVERLOOKS THE GULF
OF AQABA, AND IS ABOUT 53 KM. FROM RAS MOHAMMED AND
336 KM. FROM SUEZ. IT IS BOTH A SUMMER AND WINTER RESORT
DUE TO ITS MODERATE CLIMATE ALL YEAR ROUND AND DEPENDS
ON FISHING AND TOURISM. IT IS THE MECCA OF ALL THOSE
WHO SEEK TRANQUILITY AND LOVE THE SUN. THERE ARE SEVERAL
WELL EQUIPPED DIVING CENTERS.
DAHAB:
ABOUT 81 KM. NORTH OF SHARM AL-SHIEKH, IT IS ONE OF
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN SOUTH SINAI BECAUSE OF
ITS GLEAMING SAND, CLEAR WATERS AND COLORFUL MARINE
LIFE. IT HAS A TOURIST VILLAGE, DIVING CENTERS, CAMPING
SITES AND BOATS AND WATERSKIING FACILITIES.
HURGHADA:
FOUNDED IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY , HURGHANDA HAS GONE
ON TO BECOME THE FOREMOST TOURIST RESORTS OF THE RED
SEA COAST AND AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR AQUATIC SPORTS.
IF IT TAKES PLACE IN THE WATER YOU CAN DO IT HERE: WINDSURFING,
SAILING, DEEP-SEA FISHING, AND SNORKELING. THE UNIQUE
UNDERWATER GARDENS ARE SOME OF THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
SAFAGA:
IS A WORKING PORT WITH SEVERAL TOURIST VILLAGES SPECIALIZING
IN DIVING HOLIDAYS, A HANDFUL OF HOTELS AND SOME EXCELLENT
FISH RESTAURANTS. DAYTRIPS TO TOBIA ISLANDS OR MONS
CLAUDIANUS IN THE RED SEA CAN BE ARRANGED WITH LOCAL
GUIDES.
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