Travelling in the real Egypt

There’s more to visiting Egypt than just seeing the Pyramids of Giza and heading home. By travelling off the beaten track and avoiding the tourist traps, you could enjoy a much richer experience of Egyptian culture, past and present. .

Egypt has long been a popular holiday destination due to its incredibly rich cultural heritage, home to many ancient wonders that are more than 4,000 years old. However, while many of these sites have been remarkably well-preserved and feature in all the popular tours of the country, there are many more wonders to be seen when stopping off at lesser known destinations on your Egyptian tour.

Seeing the ‘real Egypt’ doesn’t mean missing out cities like Cairo, Giza, Luxor and Aswan however, nor sights such as the magnificent temples at Abu Simbel, but you shouldn’t make the mistake that many tourists do and simply stick to the cities. Indeed, taking time to head out into the desert on a short tour can be a remarkable experience, giving you a unique chance to sample Bedouin culture, hospitality and cuisine and to ride on camel-back.

Similarly, many tourists take time out to visit the fascinating Valley of the Kings, where tombs were constructed for pharaohs and various powerful figures in Egyptian culture between the 16th and 11th century BC. The Valley is perhaps most famous as the home of King Tutankhamun, and his mummy is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole world, definitely a must see on any Egypt tours,

That doesn’t mean you have to head too far off the tourist route to enjoy an authentic Egyptian experience though – many great, lesser-visited cities can be found in-between, such as Edfu. When taking a cruise down the Nile you could have the chance to stop off at some of these locations and see ancient temples and tombs without the bustle and noise of the crowds.

Egyptian culture isn’t all about pyramids, pharaohs and mummies, of course, and those interested in seeing the more modern side of Egypt can find plenty to see and do in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, home to majestic mosques and bustling market souks that can be the perfect introduction to the Islamic world, and a safer destination for tourists than many other destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Travelling To Abydos In Egypt

Abydos is one of the oldest cities in Egypt and is located about Eleven kilometers west of the Nile. Its a city that is considered as one of the most archaeological sites in The red sea. Abydos was considered the sacred city for this was the site for a lot of ancient temples. Today, the city has become notable because of the memorial forehead of Seti 1 that has an inscription make up the nineteenth dynasty that is known to the modern world as the Abydos King Checklist.

Getting in – The majority of the travelers use teach to get Abydos from Luxor as well as alighting at the station associated with al-Bayana. For the first class the actual fare is approximately LE 52. The visitor police usually companion the travelers
To the site of the Ramesside temples or wats and this depends on police levels of business and local conditions. Its just a couple of hours to get to the site.

Through road – There are Taxis available as well as which are escorted by a law enforcement convoy to get Abydos which takes only a day to get presently there with a stopover at Dendera. The actual fare ranges from The 200- 300 to hire taxi of 2-3 passengers. Luxor has buses and minibuses which also available a local guide of variable high quality and travels using the escorted convoy and can make a sensible deal for a select few especially in off season. Going by bus or even train to excursions of Abydos is convenient as well as adventurous as you visit El- Balyana which is 10 kilometers from Abydos.

Most of the travelers who visit Abydos stick to the grand Temple of Seti 1because of police restrictions as well as time. The temple has an L shaped layout which is uncommon and multiple associated with sanctuaries which incorporates the elements present with Egyptian temples. To enter to the temple the entrance is on the northern side where mostly destroyed Pylon and forecourt are but still contain some partial reliefs. On the second court from the forecourt broken statues are displayed, and a faade overlooking second court which has pillars covered with reliefs of Ramses11 greetings Osiris, Isis and Horus.

Outer Hypostyle Corridor – This consists of sunk -reliefs which were completed by Ramses 11after the death of Seti. The actual relief doesnt have a good impression which suggests Ramses redeployed the best craftsmen of Seti to work on his own temple, the Ramesseum. There’s a goddess selket on the entrance walls which presents Horusand around the right a falcon — headed box associated with papyrus to Isis, Horus and Osiris.

Internal Hypostyle Hall – its made from sandstone both east and west sides and limestone on both north and south which were the last part to be completed before Setis dying and some of the areas are incomplete but the reliefs that have been completed are excellent. On the right walls, Osiris and Horus prou holy water from vases which are garlanded over Seti and making offering before shrine of Osiris. There are seven sanctuaries which are behind the inner Hypostyle corridor and contain the best reliefs in the temple.

Travelling to Abydos is fun leaving you with an encounter and memories which will never be forgotten.

Save Money At Egypt Hotels With An Off Peak Holiday

For holidaymakers who are seeking an enticing mix of culture, ancient history, awe-inspiring monuments and breathtaking landscapes all drenched in a warm desert sun, then Egypt is an obvious choice. Those concerned about getting value for money – and getting the chance to see these incredible sights away from the crowds – should consider a trip out of season. Peak season usually runs from mid-October through to mid-May, making the summer and autumn natural targets for out of season holidaying. There are plenty of Egypt hotels offering a range of discounts and special offers for guests who book during this time, meaning that your trip to the Land of the Pharaohs could turn out to be even better value than you’d hoped for.

Weather
The weather in Egypt is typically very warm in the summer months, especially in central places such as in Luxor and further south. The climate is also quite dry so you can usually plan on enjoying plenty of sunshine whenever you decide to visit. Sun protection, including a sturdy sun hat, is important when travelling to Egypt during any time of the year, but especially crucial during the summer months. Coastal resorts, such as Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, will offer warm temperatures during the day, which are ideal for swimming in the sea, and then cooler nights – perfect for a stroll into town for a drink or two. Most resorts in the area have air conditioning, a necessity during the hot summer months. The night-time temperatures along the coast cool off rapidly, providing the perfect opportunity to visit night clubs, discos and restaurants.

Reduced Crowds
The summer months offer the chance to see the quieter side of mysterious Egypt as the families and crowds melt away. You can enjoy visiting the monuments, temples and pyramids in relative peace. Public transportation, such as buses or trains, tends to be less crowded, which allows you to travel more comfortably than during the peak season.

Off Peak Value
The hotels in Egypt are, of course, subject to the usual laws of supply and demand, so in the quieter summer months when they may have rooms going spare you’ll often find you can bag a great deal. They might offer special incentives, such as free nights or free meals. Or you can often negotiate good deals on guided tours, Nile cruises and other excursions since tour operators want to fill up the bus or train and are willing to offer great deals to tourists travelling in the summer. Make sure you compare rates to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. If booking a tour on-site, you can often bargain with the tour operator to obtain lower fares.