September 2023
It’s a long journey to Egypt and since I couldn’t leave a day earlier, it was even longer. LAX to London Heathrow and rest for a little while, then on to Cairo.
A few hours later, a flight from Cairo to Aswan, then from Aswan to Abu Simbel. So excited to see the temples of Abu Simbel!
The Temples at Abu Simbel were built by Rameses II in 1200 BC, 3200 years ago. The two massive temples are carved into natural rock formations. The main temple has four monolithic 66-foot statues of Ramses II at the entrance and it is carved 185 feet deep into the sandstone. The temples are dedicated to sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte.
We boarded our Nile River Cruise in Aswan and will cruise to Luxor. It meanders through panoramic desert landscapes, farmlands, colorful villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I’ll experience the ancient glory of Egypt’s greatest temples, palaces and tombs for the next few days.
The ship is beautiful and spacious and the 6 course meals at lunch and dinner are delicious.
Today was a busy day in Aswan where we visited the Temple of Kom Ombo and the mummified crocodiles.
The Temple of Edfu, the most preserved temple in Egypt. Having the hieroglyphics along the walls, explained by our Egyptologist guide, was fascinating.
Today was so nice, relaxed on the sundeck at the pool and watched the beautiful landscapes go by. This evening was a special themed dinner on the sundeck as well, Arabian Nights. The food and entertainment was amazing!
Gently floating over the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of some of the greatest Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The sun is rising as we slowly go over ancient temples and forgotten ruins. This was so worth the 3:30am wake-up.
After taking a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings, we went there to explore the tombs. The Valley of the Kings has immense historical importance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley is renowned for its tombs, which were built for the Pharaohs, was used as a royal burial site for over 500 years and is home to some of the world’s most remarkable and well-preserved ancient monuments. The area was chosen because of its remote location and proximity to Thebes, modern-day Luxor, the capital city of ancient Egypt. It was also chosen because it was believed that the gods would protect those buried here from grave robbers.
We were very lucky to have the Chief Director and archaeologist of the Valley of the Kings, Dr. Ali, spend time with us and tell us all about the area, the history and the current projects. He answered our questions, was such a source of knowledge and exciting to talk to!
These are the types of exclusive experiences that we can arrange for you when you want to visit Egypt, you will truly be a VIP.
The dazzling Temple of Hatshepsu…one of the world’s most influential early female leaders. She was one of only a few female pharaohs in thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history, only sons were allowed to succeed their fathers. Hatshepsut altered her image to be more masculine. She was one of the most prolific builders in Egyptian history and the temple is a perfect example.
The temple complex of Karnak is the largest religious building ever built, and was constructed over a span of 2,000 years (between 1570–1090 BC), so it’s around 4,000 years old in total! It is a complex of sanctuaries, pylons and obelisks. it’s large enough to contain about 10 cathedrals. It is also famous for its hypostyle hall – a spectacular forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns. There are two interesting avenues that used to connect the temples, one has ram-headed sphinxes and the other is 3km long and has human headed sphinxes connecting all the way to Luxor Temple.
One of the things I found most fascinating was that it is also considered the earliest Christian church in the world. During the 4th century AD, Christians we’re persecuted for their faith so they had to hide it but there are signs all over the temple. Look at the last few pictures, you’ll see the disciples on the pillars and a cross that was made from a statue of three people standing side by side. The two on either side of the middle person had only their chest area left, the rest was cut out and it made a cross.
My home for the next few days, the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
Located in the heart of Cairo on the banks of the River Nile. It’s is a peaceful retreat in the middle of a city that moves at a frenetic pace. The accommodations are so quiet and comfortable, I don’t even want to venture out…but I have to see the pyramids!!
Khan el-Khalili souk is a very rich and vibrant market that has been trading since the 14th century! I loved immersing myself in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoyed a delicious lunch of Egyptian specialities while in the souk!
Today was for the museums… the biggest and most well-known museum in Egypt, the Egyptian Museum, holds the world’s largest collection of pharaonic antiquities. But mostly known as the place where you can see the infamous King Tutankhamun collection, complete with his sarcophagus and gold burial mask. But no photos allowed 😣
Next was the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Here one of the highlights is the gallery of the Royal Mummies, this is a quiet, tomb-like space where I saw 20 royal mummies that are thousands of years old, including some of the most famous pharaohs of all time like Ramses II. I couldn’t help staring at them and all the details for so long. Again no photos but the ones at the end are not my photos, just from the museum so you can get an idea of what we saw.
Our guide was exceptional in his knowledge of everything in the museums, plus he was able to get us a private sit down with the curator of the museum. It was amazing hearing him talk about it and be able to ask questions.
Good evening Cairo…the evening started with cocktails at The Bar 🍸
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, constructed at Saqqara about 4,700 years ago, was the first pyramid the Egyptians ever built and the oldest complete stone building complex known in history. Saqqara served as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis in the Sahara Desert.
The last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the great pyramids of Giza.
They are the most famous structures in history and I can’t believe I am here standing in front of them!
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, a check off the bucket list ✔️
Another unreal moment for me in Egypt, standing in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza! The Sphinx is about 4,500 years old, one of the world’s largest monuments and one of the most recognizable relics of the ancient Egyptians. The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, the face is thought to represent the Pharoah Khafre from the 4th dynasty.
Lunch today at Cairo’s most historic hotel, Mena House. It was originally a hunting lodge built for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, it eventually became a hotel in 1887. This legendary hotel has played host to kings, queens and heads of state and lies in the shadow of the great pyramids of Giza.
Goodbye Egypt! We had a great farewell dinner at the home of our hosts in Cairo. It was a beautiful evening and we were treated to a special guest, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziry. Listening to his stories was fascinating, from the past, the present and future plans. We were able to ask all the questions we’ve ever had about ancient Egypt and the pyramids! It was a whirlwind week and the best time! Thank you Farid, George, Walid and the whole team for sharing your country and ensuring that we experience Egypt the right way, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Please reach out when you are ready to go to Egypt. It is a complicated trip and you really need the help of a good travel advisor to make sure it is perfect and enjoyable.