creative architecture

And theres just as much variety in how you can explore it. Occasionally cruisers offer a felucca ride around Elephantine Island as an excursion; if not, it is worth organising your own. Downtown Cairos Contemporary Arts Festival is international, multi-disciplinary and great fun. It then spills from Tibet, before swelling through seven Chinese provinces. Few boats cruise between Cairo and Luxor, and those that do can only travel at high water in the hottest summer months. Ramses II built Abu Simbel a long way south of Aswan, along his furthest frontier and just beyond the Tropic of Cancer. And then there are the daily glimpses of men sitting on plastic chairs in the blazing sun, enjoying their morning tea and shisha pipes, bougainvillea flowers, sugarcane and wheat fields, family-run farms, mud huts, kids waving as the boats go by, an illuminated minaret in dusk light this is the Egypt thats not on the itinerary, but would be worth taking a cruise for alone. Orient (www.nile-dahabiya.com; 3 nights from 525) With four double cabins and one suite, the well turned-out Orient is smaller than many dahabiyyas but none the worse for that. The last remaining wonder of the ancient world; for nearly 4000 years, the extraordinary shape, impeccable geometry and sheer bulk of the Giza Pyramids have invited the obvious questions: How were we built, and why?. A Touching Dont touch someone from the opposite sex in public. The capital of Egypts glorious New Kingdom pharaohs, home to Tutankhamun, Ramses II and many other famous names, Luxor is blessed with some of the worlds most famous ancient monuments. As most dahabiyyas have flexible itineraries and personalised service, it is also the best way to feel truly independent while still travelling in comfort, although often at considerably more expense than on feluccas or cruisers. Here's a guide to the best. Here are five of the best places to visit on a Nile cruise. Some monuments were moved from their original sites before the building of the dam and are grouped together at four locations: Kalabsha, Wadi As Subua (accessible only by boat), Amada (accessible only by boat) and, of course, the Temples of Abu Simbel. Tours are shorter than some, taking four nights from Esna to Aswan and three nights from Aswan back to Esna. Is it the way the glorious past casts long shadows over the present? Heres your chance to see the actual chamber for yourself. The four colossal statues of the pharaoh, which front the temple, are like gigantic sentinels watching over the incoming traffic from the south, undoubtedly designed as a warning of the strength of the pharaoh. But even these boats usually have preferred mooring places. These three inspiring voyages, featured in Lonely Planets Great Journeys, allow travelers to connect the past and present on the worlds longest rivers. Do you want to feel the pulse of ancient civilizations? Built as massive tombs on the orders of the pharaohs, they were constructed by teams of workers tens-of-thousands strong. 2022 Lonely Planet. Read our Privacy Policy. From Nile cruises to overnight trains, here's our guide to the best ways to get around Egypt. Credit cards are increasingly widely accepted. By Lonely Planet, Jessica Lee and Anthony Sattin, Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is dedicated to fasting by day and feasting by night. The Romans added the hypostyle hall, the only part of the temple that is excavated and can be visited today, with well-preserved carvings from as late as the 3rd century AD. All cruisers stop to visit the Ptolemaic temples of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Indigenous tribes are very withdrawn, but the Caboclo (people of mixed Indigenousand European ancestry) who populate the riverbanks buck that trend to varying extents. In Cairo, the week before is an intense Sufi scene at Midan Al Hussein. The other major temple in Luxor is also primarily dedicated to Amun-Re, along with gods Mut and Khonsu (known as the Theban triad). All rights reserved. Night-time entertainment is more likely to be stargazing, listening to the sounds of the river, and occasionally riverbank fireside music from the crew or villagers. Bring your passport when purchasing a local SIM card (LE15). This handy guide will fill you in on all visa information you need to visit Egypt. A Heat can extend into October, when crowds are lighter. Built to honour the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. This handy month-by-month guide shows the best time to visit Egypt. Away from the main centres, choices are more limited. Aswan Get up before dawn to spot squacco herons, hoopoes and more with expert birders. Carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC, this imposing main temple of the Abu Simbel complex was as much dedicated to the deified Ramses II himself as to Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ptah. Take a taxi to Al Azhar Park to enjoy lunch and great views over the city and then spend the afternoon in Islamic Cairo. The good quality sandstone quarries here were systematically worked during the New Kingdom, when huge teams hacked out blocks that were floated down the Nile to Luxor to be used in buildings such as the temple complex of Karnak and the Ramesseum. Shows can be hit or miss, but many are very tourist-friendly as you dont have to speak Arabic to enjoy them. Whether you prefer magnificent nature or exciting cities,Brazilhas an experience for you. Preserved by desert sand, which filled the place after the pagan cult was banned, the temple is dedicated to Horus, the avenging son of Isis and Osiris. The 19th-century novelist Amelia Edwards likened travelling by sailing boat or steamer to the difference between horse-carriage and railway. From spotting the Big Five to climbing a huge stratovolcano, Tanzanias national parks are never short of drama. For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com. Whether youre watching the sun rise between the beautiful shapes of the White Desert or the shimmering horizon from the comfort of a hot spring in Siwa Oasis, Egypts landscapes are endlessly fascinating. In Cairo, head to the Egyptian Museum to immerse yourself in Egypts long history and then stroll through the faded elegance of Downtown. Theres nowhere in Egypt as peaceful as the oases. From the vivid artwork inside Valley of the Kings tombs to the perfectly carved hieroglyphics at Luxor Temple, all the key tour stops between Luxor and Aswan are within a short drive of the Niles banks. It is also rare for being owner-operated. One of the two dates each year (the other is in October) when the sun penetrates the inner sanctuary of the temple at Abu Simbel to illuminate the statues of the gods within. From coastal drives to winding mountain roads, getting behind the wheel in Brazil opens up a world of natural wonders. Next, hop north to the small and quaint Farafra Oasis. Lanterns for sale in Khan Al Khalili, Cairo | ORHAN CAM/SHUTTERSTOCK . Close to the Nile in luxury Enjoying a private cruise on a grand dahabiyya such as the Meroe. And what a place to start. The Western Desert offers a wonderful mix of lush oasis gardens, stunning desert landscapes and ancient monuments. From Aswan you can visit the temples at Abu Simbel, perched on the edge of Lake Nasser. Wonder at the construction of the Pyramids of Giza, wander through the columned halls of the great temple complexes of Luxor, and dive through an underwater world of coral cliffs and colourful fish in the Red Sea - all with your trusted travel companion. Visit Wadi Natrun, or walk on the walls of St Anthonys, and ponder the impressive faith that took men away from the ease of the towns and into the wilderness. Its run by Egyptians who also own one of our favourite restaurants in Luxor (Sofra); this and its sister ships Zekrayaat and Loulia are good midrange choices. | GORGE NAZMI BEBAWI / SHUTTERSTOCK . A Walk away if you cant agree, and the vendor will follow you if your price was right. The race takes place in late January or early February, followed by a half-marathon in Sharm El Sheikh in March. Kick your shoes off, sit down and stay a while. Some villages have moulids (religious festivals) around the same time. A cruise down the Yangzi, the worlds third-longest river, is one of the most memorable water-borne journeys on earth. Feluccas and dahabiyyas determine their own schedules and do not need special mooring spots, so can stop at small islands or antiquities sites often skipped by the big cruisers. 3 International Festival for Experimental Theatre. The 22nd of October is the second date in the year when the suns rays penetrate the temple at Abu Simbel. asked the man behind the Egyptian Museums bookshop counter. Schedules at www.ciff.org.eg. Whether youre watching the sun rise between the beautiful shapes of the White Desert or the shimmering horizon from the comfort of a hot spring in Siwa Oasis, Egypts landscapes are endlessly fascinating. Egypt is reopening its borders to international tourists on 1 July, but many parts of the country will remain off-limits. Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt) Destination information, hotel bookings and traveller forum. With warmer days come winds, especially the khamsin, a hot southerly current that causes periodic, intense sandstorms lasting a few hours and often grounding flights. Put these must-see destinations on your next travel wish list. You never know your donkey might stumble across yet another find, for that is the way many previous discoveries were made. Hard bargaining required for airport taxi; ideally LE35 to central Sigala district. Bein Al Qasreen A string of the finest buildings from the Mamluk era, now restored as an open-air museum. Fair Trade Egypt A good starting point for finding traditional Egyptian crafts. On your last day, cafe-hop in leafy Zamalek, visit some art galleries and end atop the Cairo Tower for a final view. Fresh hummus with chickpeas | DANIEL REINER/SHUTTERSTOCK . The Nile is Egypts lifeline, the artery that runs through the entire country, from south to north. The river is massive and unrelenting, as much a life form as the plants and animals that depend on it. An aerial shot of the Amazon river worldclassphoto/Shutterstock. | RHKAMEN / GETTY IMAGES . Egyptian Streets (www.egyptianstreets.com) Independent features. In one corner, there are the remains of frescoes, belonging to the Roman Imperial cult. Many of the Ancient Egyptian temples in the region have just the smallest flecks of paintwork left, so its almost a shock to see how bright the paintings are inside the tombs, where they have been hidden from the sun for so many years. Taking a cruise on the Nile is a time-honoured way to explore Egypt. You never know your donkey might stumble across yet another find, for that is the way many previous discoveries were made. However long you have, be sure to walk through the columned halls of the great temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak on the east bank of the Nile, or climb into the tombs of pharaohs, queens, courtiers and workmen in the Theban hills on the west bank. Marsa Alam Reefs off the coast here are home to mantas, spinner dolphins and even sharks. The desert road from Bahariya to Siwa Oasis is currently closed, so you will have a long detour via Cairo to get there. Those longer tours will includestopovers, detours and multiple countries like cruising from Manaus to Colombia,for example. This stretch of the river was removed from cruise itineraries after attacks on boats in the 1990s. - Fairfax Media (Australia), eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones). That empty beach with nothing but a candlelit cabin, and a teeming coral reef offshore: theyre waiting for you in Egypt. Sailing is by far the slowest and most relaxing way to go, especially on a dahabiyya (houseboat), but even from the deck of a multi-storey floating hotel youre likely to glimpse the magic. Is it the way the lush Nile Valley gives way, from one footstep to another, to the harshness of the desert? From climbing the pyramids and stargazing in the desert to diving in the Red Sea, Egypt has travel experiences to spare. Many visitors now skip Cairo and fly direct to Luxor, the worlds largest open-air museum. Single-entry, 30-day tourist visas cost US$25 and are available online (https://visa2egypt.gov.eg) for 41 nationalities. Unique in Egypt, it is dedicated to two gods; the local crocodile god Sobek, and Haroeris (from har-wer), meaning Horus the Elder. It is Egypt. When youve had your fill of ancient ruins, head from Luxor to Al Quseir for some days of snorkelling and relaxing on a Red Sea beach. Most people do the journey between Brazilian cities Belm and Manaus in four to six days, although you can certainly book three night Amazon cruises or extend the experienceeasily to six weeks. Given Egypts Pharaonic riches, you could find something with a story thousands of years old in any destination. Certainly. Night-time entertainment ranges from stargazing and the crew singing to partying, depending on you and your fellow passengers. The stretch between Luxor and Aswan is the most popular route and as a result busiest part of the river you might find yourself in a long line of boats. Along the way, pick up rusty antiques, lovely Egyptian cotton, King Tut kitschor even a donkey. - New York Times, 'Lonely Planet. From the fish markets of Lake Tanganyika to the beaches of Zanzibar with plenty of world-famous nature parks in between heres the best of Tanzania. The old saying that Egypt is the gift of the Nile still rings true: without the river there would be no fertile land, no food and a lot less electricity. All rights reserved. South of Aswan, the land is dominated by Lake Nasser, one of the worlds largest artificial lakes. Tourists think so too, and Aswan and Luxor are packed, as are the beaches. A High season on the Mediterranean when the weather is cooler than elsewhere; the coast is crowded. Only $11.99/month after trial. With your drink on a tiny tin-top table, a backgammon board in front of you and perhaps a bubbling shisha (water pipe) to one side, youll slip right into the local groove. If you want to spend longer in Luxor or are concerned about cost, start from Aswan and head north. Top five stops on a cruise down the Nile in Egypt. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The sands of Egypt are constantly revealing their treasures. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. She thought the former was slow and delightful, if expensive, while the latter was quick, cheap and without charm. At the height of its power, the temple owned 421,000 head of cattle, 65 cities, 83 ships and 276,400 hectares of agricultural land and had 81,000 people working for it. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Take the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan, and sail the temple-laden stretch from Aswan to Luxor a journey of around three to six days. Even Egypts arid deserts host a surprising array of plants and critters. Begin a trip to the amazing Western Desert with a bus from Cairo or Asyut to Al Kharga Oasis, and explore the Al Kharga Museum of Antiquities as well as the Graeco-Roman temples and tombs. Built to honour the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. The scale of the Egyptian Museum is so overwhelming that, if you have the time, we recommend at least two visits. Sometimes on deck at dawn, the breeze feels fresh and clean and everything is wet, from the dewy handrails to shining green foliage on the riverbanks. With its roof intact, it is also one of the most atmospheric of ancient buildings. You need only travel for a couple of hours into the desert, by 4WD, camel or foot, to be able to savour the simple beauty and sheer isolation of wildest Egypt. The Amazon is over 6200km long, containing a fifth of the worlds fresh water. Sure, shish tawooq, The Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving wonders of the ancient world, are undoubtedly Egypts most-visited attraction, and for good reason. The year 2020 was set to be a blockbuster one for tourism in Egypt. A Restaurants Range from smart and expensive hotel dining, where booking ahead is essential, to canteen-style budget restaurants typically serving Egyptian kebab and stew favourites. Meet the animals of the Amazon rainforest, Top five stops on a cruise down the Nile in Egypt, Unmissable experiences in the Brazilian Amazon. Egypt once ruled an empire from Al Qahira Cairo, the City Victorious. The Pyramids of Giza are at the top of most travel itineraries and for good reason. This stretch of the river used to be infested with vicious crocs, preventing locals from using the water to wash or cookthis temple was a way of placating them. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' Al Qasr This oasis town was built in the Ottoman era, starting in the 16th century check out the beautifully carved lintels over doorways. Dahabiyya operators will bus passengers to Esna from Luxor. Lake Nasser Take a tour with African Angler to snare some fish for dinner or just enjoy the view. Behold the ultimate wildlife spectacle: The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra through the Serengeti. The main area was thought of as the earthly home of Egyptian sun god Amun-Re, and the temple here is the largest religious building ever built. One of the highlights of the trip is meeting good-humoured Egyptians. Sharm El Sheikh Airport Taxi drivers will rarely drop below LE100 to Naama Bay. Dahabiyyas and feluccas take longer to cover the distance between the three temples, usually seeing only one a day. ATMs are widely available. Where to start Most cruises starting from Luxor are a day longer than those starting from Aswan, partly because they are going against the Niles strong current. From the sun-soaked Mediterranean coast to the rich marine life of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, here are the best beaches in Egypt. You can find Yangziriver cruises to suit almost any trip length, from four day runs fromChngqng toYichangto six day Yangzicruises that start inXian and include a visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors to a full 11 day adventuresthat include stops in Beijing and Shanghai. If you want to discover the best of Tanzania, hire a car and spend weeks on the road surrounded by nature and culture. This is not only where Alexander the Great came to consult the oracle of the gods, it is also the perfect place to hang out and relax after travelling along the Nile. Insect repellent is a good idea. Transport in Egypt is fairly efficient and very reasonably priced. While none of the sites is so large that this is unrealistic, exploring three great temples is a lot to jam into one day and the rushed visit means that you will be moored longer at Luxor or Aswan. If you know where to look, you'll find that there is much more to Egyptian cuisine than the triumvirate of kebab, falafel and shawarma. Visa extensions are possible once in-country. ), arranging a felucca trip can be daunting. It was to the barren mountains and jagged cliffs of the sprawling desert that the first early ascetics came. Book in advance. Browse the various transportation options to make your trip that much easier when you arrive. This is a major Egyptian vacation period. It's on mobile phones. Car Cars with driver are readily available and reasonably priced. Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination. Although peoples lives are increasingly physically detached from the water, the Nile still exerts a uniquely powerful role. Bring out your inner Jacques Cousteau by exploring the enigmatic wreck of WWII cargo ship the Thistlegorm, a fascinating museum spread across the sea bed. Worth the trouble? Its north of Luxor the opposite direction from the tour buses. Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and the Red Sea resort towns have a wide variety of eating options. Perched on the edge of the Great Sand Sea, and surrounded by some staggeringly beautiful desert, Siwa is renowned for its dates as well as for being the place of the oracle where Alexander the Great was declared son of the god Amon. European-style dishes can be hit and miss at budget establishments and most dont serve alcohol. Egypt is set to build the countrys first high-speed train line that will connect the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Egypt is a mostly conservative country, so observing the following will avoid any awkward moments: A Sacred ground Remove your shoes before entering a mosque. A Street food A huge part of the Egyptian food scene. For a panoramic view of the three pyramids with all of Cairo as a background, head for the cliff beyond the third pyramid.

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