Royalmanta, Egypt, Sightseeing

Royal Manta Travel

Sightseeing Incentive Programs CLASSIC Alexandria Aswan Cairo Luxor Nile Cruises Oasis RESORTS Dahab Ein Sokhna El Gouna Hurghada Marsa Alam Nuweiba Quseir Safaga Sharm El Sheikh Taba

GIZA There are no more famous ancient sites than the Great Pyramids at Plateau of Giza. They are the icon most associated with Egypt. The Great Pyramid, known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is one of the Seven Wonders of the world, still remaining to this day. The Pyramids clearly reflect the ancient Egyptian belief in life after death. This journey pharaoh supposed to make by a "Sun Boat", this was built from cedar-tree without a single nail. The Great Sphinx, lying just by the Great Pyramid, is one of the world's most well known and important ancient monuments. The Sphinx with the body of a lion and the head of a man stands as a guardian of the Giza Necropolis. The Sphinx faces the east to witness the return of life represented by rising sun. Every night near the Pyramids takes place the magnificent and impressive show – " Sound & Light ". South of Giza stands the Step Pyramid, the oldest of all the Pyramids. It is a great chance to visit the cradle of civilization of the Old Kingdom.
SIGHTSEEING

CAIRO . Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the hub of its political, economic, educational, cultural and historic life. It is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East and city of vivid contrasts.

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities This is one of the world's most renowned museums, which houses relics of the pharaonic period, some of them 5000 years old

Citadel of Saladin The massive fortress frowns down on the old city from the rocky ledge of Muqattam Hills. The fortress is still used as a military barracks

Mohamed Ali ( Alabaster ) Mosque The mosque was the official residence of the Sultan and is one of the great landmarks of the city. With its great central dome and 273 foot-high minarets, it can be admired from miles around.

Mosque of Sultan Hassan It is one of the finest monuments in Islamic Egypt. A unique example of Islamic architecture was built in 1356 A.D.

Luxor Lying 720 km south of Cairo, Luxor is the most important and dramatic site in all Egypt. The capital city of the new Kingdom ( 1550 BC - 1070 BC ) whose glory still glowed in the memories of classical writers a thousand years after its decline.

Luxor & Karnak Temple. Located on the East Bank of Luxor, the Temples of Karnak & Luxor Were established in honor of the god Amun-Ra. At the Temple of Karnak more than 13 centuries of successive pharaohs contributed to over 100 acres of majestic pylons, hypostyle halls and sacred temples. The scale of Karnak surpasses any other temple complex in the entire ancient world. The Temple of Luxor was also built over several centuries by Tut Ankh Amun, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. The Temple is a graceful piece of architecture preceded by an avenue of Sphinxes.

West Bank of Luxor. The river Nile is crossed to reach the west bank necropolis of ancient Thebes, the city of the dead, also known as " Valley of the Kings ". Here are 64 tombs of the pharaohs, the most notable is Tutankhamen. Other sights in the area include the legendary Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of Queens.

" Sound and light " show at Karnak Temple. An evening " Sound &Light " show at the spectacular Karnak Temple is the most impressive of its kinds. Visitors walk through the dramatically lit temple as the story of Karnak is narrated. The second part of the show is viewed from the seated grandstand behind the temple's sacred lake with magnificent views of the illuminated grand temple complex.

Luxor Museum. It is located on the east bank. This small modern museum has a fine collection of artifacts from the Thebes temples and Necropolis view pottery, jewelry, furniture, statues and stele from the ancient city.

Esna . Esna is located about 33 miles south of Luxor, on the west bank of the Nile. Esna was increasingly important during the 18th dynasty, but today Esna is a somewhat sleepy. It busy, merchant and farming town, where most of the entertainment is to be found in the Saturday animal market. There are some fine old houses with detailed brickwork and " Mashrabiya " screens. About 4 miles southwest of town is the Monastery of the Three Thousand Six Hundred Martyrs, whose 10th century church is said to be one of the most beautiful in Upper Egypt.

The Temple of Khnum The temple, which lies in a pit below the level of the houses, is dedicated to the god Khnum. He was the Ram god. Ptolemy VI originally began this building project, but the Temple of Khnum was a later addition built by the Roman emperor Claudius in the 1st century.

Edfu Edfu is north of Kom Ombo, on the west site of the Nile. It is the most well preserved temple in Egypt. Edfu still has most of the original pieces. There are many chambers with the paint that was put on 2000 years ago. In front of the rooms is a giant courtyard, surrounded by towering walls

The Temple of Horus Dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god, the temple was built during the six reigns of Ptolemies. This is not only the best preserved temple in Egypt, but the second largest after Karnak. There is an earlier and smaller pylon of Ramses II which sits at 90 degree angle to the current building.

Kom Ombo Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan, on the east bank. Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight, particularly as sunset nears and the colors change.

Aswan Aswan is well-known for its warm sunny weather, friendly people and feluccas on the river Nile. But explore further and you'll see rock cut tomb on the west site, a Botanical Garden, the Agha Khan Mausoleum mixing with more monuments of the ancient Philae Temple and the modern High Dam. In the evening you'll enjoy walking through the "Souk" from one spice shop to another, bargaining over souvenirs, you will be walking through nostalgia to an era that has long gone

The Temple of Philae Philae Temple, a Ptolemaic Temple complex dedicated to Isis, was built on the island of Philae, but construction of the High Dam brought up a great danger of over flooding the temple and it was therefore moved to the higher neighboring island. Visit the temple of Philae at night for evening show " Sound and Light " and enjoy the spectacular lights and majesty of this ancient site.

Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island These sites are normally visited together and by "felucca", a traditional sailing-boat on the Nile. Elephantine Island is Aswan's largest Island. Hidden behind the northern tip of Elephantine's is Kitchener's Island, given to Lord Kitchener as a reward for his campaigns in Sudan. A passionate botanist, he turned the Island into a garden wonderland, importing shrubs and trees from tropical Africa. The Egyptian government has continued to preserve it as a botanical garden. Dominating the desert hill across from the south end of Elephantine Island, the pink granite was built in the late 1950's to house the body of Agha Khan.

The Old and New Dams Built by the British between 1898 and 1902, the Old Dam was for many years the largest in the world. Its 180 sluice gates, which were opened during the inundation and then gradually closed as the river level dropped, preserved a semi-natural flood cycle. The High Dam built between 1960 and 1971 with the help of the Russians, rises 111 meters, is 980 meters thick at the bottom and 40 meters at the top. The High Dam was built to generate enough electricity

Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is located 174 miles south of Aswan. Ramses II constructed the two great temples – one for himself and one for his favorite wife Nefertari. The two temples at Abu Simbel are some of most magnificent monuments in the world, their removal and reconstruction was a historic event in itself. They were threatened by submersion due to the construction of the High Dam. The Egyptian Government by support of UNESCO with international team of 3000 specialists cut the temple into 2000 pieces and reconstructed nearby. This project is one of the most ambitious relocation projects in history. The temples face east to receive the rays of the rising sun. The four famous colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically over 20 meters high, staring out across the desert. Through the entrance to the temple is as impressive hypostyle hall, flanked with statues of Ramses II, which leads to the cow-headed goddess of love and built in honor of Queen Nefertari, is fronted by six massive standing, 10 meters high. Twice a year the sun shines on the face of the King: once on his birthday 22 October and once on his coronation day 22 February. It is still a mystery how the ancient Egyptians could have designed and built such miraculous structures. Each evening there are impressive " Sound & Light " show.

Bahariya Oasis Located 365 km south-west of Giza, the oasis is famous for their palm trees, olives, apricots, rice and corn. Intertwined trees provide an attractive contrast to massive sand dunes. The oases are famous for their 400 mineral and sulphur springs. Bahariya oasis archeological sites date back to Pharaonic periods, that includes Alexander the Great temple. The area is famous for its ancient churches, palaces, Roman tombs and unique pharaonic paintings. "The Valley of The Golden Mummies" has been recently discovered in a Roman necropolis. Visitors can arrange safari trip to the oases while enjoying Bedouin folklore in the evenings.

Farafra Oasis It is an isolated village, of which the oldest part lies on a hillside, next to peaceful palm groves. Not so far there are hot sulphur springs, where you can swim. At art center, which houses a museum and studio, exhibiting paintings and ceramics of a local artist, is situated in a garden full of sculptures made of materials available in the desert. Beautiful hand-knitted camel-hair sweaters, socks and scarves are also local products.

Al Dakhla Oasis Al Dakhla is dominated on its northern horizon by a wall of rose- colored rocks. This area is of outstanding natural beauty. There is a palm-fringed salt lake, where you can camp and picnic and the hot sulphur spring nearby. The most famous spring has a temperature 43 degree. You can stay in fully-equipped chalets.

Al Kharga Oasis It is the biggest new valley oasis. Outside the main centre is the temple of Hibis - one of the few Persian monuments in Egypt. The temple is well preserved with painted vultures and huge reliefs of various greeting Egyptian gods on the outer walls. Ten kilometers away, the Necropolis houses 263 tombs with Coptic murals, including the remains of one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The thermal springs are famous for water temperatures of up to 40 degrees and are reputed to be suitable for the treatment of rheumatism and allergies. Camping facilities are available.

White Desert A trip to the white desert something that no visitor to the new valley should miss. Travelers coming from Baharia will cross through the Black Desert, passing the tiny oasis. Nearby, there are some Roman Ruins, including Church of Coptic graffiti. Baharia and Farafra are separated by huge golden sand dunes which make a stunning panorama during the journey. Once you entered the white desert you meet a unique landscape of surreal wind-eroded rock formation which are particularly fascinating at sunrise or sunset. Camel and jeep trips, including a meal and fresh bread, made in the sand, Bedouin style, can be arranged from Farafra.

Western Desert Oasis Scattered mineral springs that attracted some of the desert Nomads & Bedouins around traveling on camel back with their sheep and Goats, producing all their necessities of their available environment

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