Temple of Karnak

The primary construct at Karnak is the Temple of Amun which houses a number of integrated temples and chapels. Its modern entrance consists of many structures and statues that lead up and through the first Pylon. In the approach to the temple at Karnak during ancient Thebes (modern Luxor), a canal was originally dug out to the Nile terminating at a quay located on the western extremity of an avenue bordered with two rows of ram-headed sphinxes.

Temple of Luxor

Close to the Nile and parallel with its riverbank lays the mighty Temple of Luxor. King Amenhotep III built this beautiful temple during his reign (1390-53 BC) and dedicated it to many including the king of the gods. Indeed, for thousands of years after, the temple was buried far beneath the houses and streets of Luxor. The mosque of Sufi Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built over it and was preserved when the temple was recovered. The Temple of Luxor now forms a fascinating (and central) part of the site.

Temple of Hatshepsut

The temple of Hatshepsut was built by the Great Steward of Amun, Sennemut. It has three terraces and is located at the foot of the great white cliffs at Karnak which are directly opposite the main entrance to the temple.

Hatshepsut was the fifth ruler of the 18th Dynasty and ruled with her husband's son, Thutmose II, born to a minor wife, due to the boy's age at the time of his father's death. They ruled jointly until 1473 when she declared herself pharaoh. She built her magnificent temple at Deir el Bahari in Thebes. Hatshepsut sent a fleet of trading ships to the Land of Punt. She traded fruit, meat, and colourful beads for gold. Hatshepsut disappeared in 1458 B.C. when Thutmose III, wishing to reclaim the throne, led a revolt. Thutmose had her shrines, statues, and relief mutilated.

Valley of the Kings

The valley is located just to the north of Hatshepsut's Deir El-Bahari temple. It was here that kings from 18th to 20th dynasties cut their tombs in the limestone cliffs. That was long time after their ancestors abandoned the pyramid-shape tomb. The new tomb was more safe and can deceive tomb robbers but alas! Almost all tombs were robbed and stripped from their treasures.

There are about 62 tombs scattered on the sides and branches of the valley, some of which are visited more frequent than the rest. The tombs are numbered according to the order they were discovered.

Valley of the Queens

Behind the Western cliffs, nestled in the foothills of the Libyan Mountains is the Valley of the Queens . The Valley of the Queens is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) southwest to the Valley of Kings. Most of the tombs date back to the 19th and 20th dynasties. The Valley houses more than 80 tombs including queens and royal children.

Temple of Philae

Philae Temple, a Ptolemaic Temple complex dedicated to Isis, was built on the island of Philae but when the old dam was built, many of the buildings were partially flooded. When the High Dam was proposed, the temple was at risk and was therefore moved to the higher neighboring island of Agilika. Agilika blasted and re-landscaped to duplicate Philae's topography and became modern Philae. Today, the island floats like a jewel in a pool of royal blue. Visit the temple of Philae at night for an evening Sound and Light show. Enjoy the spectacular lights which vividly reveal the form and majesty of this ancient site and walk through the dramatically lit temple as its history is narrated.

Unfinished Obelisk

Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area. The Unfinished Obelisk still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk, originally at Karnak, now in Rome, it would have measured 120-feet and weighed over 1150 tons when complete. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities. Nearby is the Fatimid Cemetery, hundreds of mud-brick tombs dating back to the 9th century AD.

High Dam

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, amid stretches 3.6 km across the tire river. Lake Nasser backs up for nearly 500 km and averages over 10 km wide and 180 meters deep. The High Dam was built to generate enough electricity for new industry as well as for wide electric power across rural areas of Egypt.

Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan. Kom Ombo is home to an incredible double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a dramatic sight as your cruise ship approaches on the Nile. As the sun sets on the Nile - the magic hour ensues where by the flood-lit temple fuses against the technicolor sky.

Temple of Horus

The mammoth Temple of Horus at Edfu is the best conserved ancient monument in the world. Dedicated to the hawk god Horus, it was built in the Greek period for pharaohs descended from Alexander the Great's general, Ptolemy.

In the darkened inner sanctum the polished stone shrine still survives, ornamented with carvings of the reeds that were said to have fringed the mound of creation. It was believed that the mound rose from primal waters at the beginning of time, and Horus the hawk was said to have landed on it.

Wander around the maze of chambers, and you'll witness the temple library with its list of ancient books. Or roam freely round the temple's magnificent halls - seen to good advantage in late afternoon light.

Abu Simbel(optional excursion)

On par with the Giza pyramids has to be the great temple of Abu Simbel and it presents one of the most familiar images of ancient Egypt to those who travel with Egyptian Wonders.

Abu Simbel lies south of Aswan on the western bank of the Nile, 180 miles south of the First Cataract in what was Nubia. Ramesses II, called "the Great," built seven rock-cut temples in Nubia. The rock-cut temple of Ramesses II on the west bank of the Nile at Abu Simbel is the greatest of these. This temple was not seen by Europeans until 1813.