Egypt: The Land of the Pharaohs

My husband and I have visited Egypt twice. Our first trip was in 2005 for our honeymoon, where we spent three days in Cairo. During this time, we took a memorable day trip to Alexandria. We then enjoyed seven days in Hurghada, which included an excursion to Luxor.

In 2007, we traveled to Egypt again, this time for leisure in Sharm El Sheikh.

I’m uncertain about the current safety of visiting this ancient country. When my daughter asked me when she could visit Egypt, I explained that I wasn’t sure when, or even if, we would have the opportunity to revisit The Land of the Pharaohs.

However, let’s go back to June 2005 and our first trip to Egypt.

Cairo, Hurghada, Alexandria, and Luxor offered beautiful experiences that captured the spirit of ancient times.

Cairo

Egypt is an amazing country with a population of around 108 million people, and interestingly, about 98% of them live in the Nile Delta. Egypt's capital city, Cairo, is often called the cradle of civilization. With around 20 million residents, it is the largest city in the Middle East and the second largest in Africa!

One of Egypt's most fascinating features is the Nile River. Stretching an impressive 6,650 kilometers, it is the longest river in Africa and has been vital to the growth of Egyptian civilization. The Nile made Egyptian civilization possible because it made the desert fertile, allowing ancient Egyptians to grow their food and build incredible pyramids and temples—in other words, to live.

Nile

Pyramids of Giza

Great Sphinx of Giza and Pyramid of Khafre

When we finally arrived at the famous Pyramids of Giza, seeing them up close was truly remarkable. Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only one still surviving today. This fact was our main motivation for visiting the land of the Pharaohs—it was a dream come true for us.

The pyramids are located on the western edge of the Nile Valley, approximately 15 kilometers from Cairo. They are believed to have been constructed between 2620 and 2500 BC. In 1979, the Pyramids of Giza and other ancient monuments in the Memphis area were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Pyramids of Giza Panorama

Giza

Giza Necropolis

Mystery and lots of theories

Orion Correlation Theory

The Orion Correlation Theory is often described as a form of pseudoarchaeology. However, Belgian author and lecturer Robert Bauval, best known for promoting this theory, argues that the layout of the three main pyramids at Giza was designed to correspond with the positions of the three stars in Orion's Belt. Additionally, the Nile River is thought to mirror the Milky Way galaxy. According to myth, when Osiris, the spiritual founder and first Pharaoh of Egypt, died, he ascended to the sky and became part of the Orion constellation. The pyramids were constructed in alignment with Orion to aid in the after-death journey of Egyptian pharaohs.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, or The Pyramid of Khufu, along with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephren), Menkaure (Micerinus), and the Great Sphinx, is located on the Giza Plateau, about 15 kilometers from Cairo. While these are the three main pyramids, there are several smaller ones surrounding them that were likely built for queens.

Pyramid of Menkaure

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or Cheops, was constructed by the pharaoh Khufu during the 4th Dynasty. There are numerous theories regarding its construction methods and the time it took to complete. When originally built, the Great Pyramid stood at 145.75 meters (481 feet) tall, but over the years, it has lost 10 meters (30 feet) from its top. Each side of the pyramid is aligned with the cardinal points of the compass—north, south, east, and west—and it features a sloping angle of 51 degrees and 51 minutes. The construction utilized over two million blocks of stone, with each block weighing more than two tons.

I would hesitate to recommend climbing inside the pyramid. While it is physically demanding, the real challenge for me was the lack of airflow. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Once inside, you must ascend a narrow tunnel at a steep 75-degree angle to reach the King’s Chamber, which is mostly empty except for a granite sarcophagus.

Cameras were not permitted inside the pyramid in 2005, and visitors had to leave their cameras with a security guard at the entrance. I'm not sure if taking photos inside is allowed today.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, or The Pyramid of Khufu

Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the greatest mysteries of Ancient Egypt. It remains unclear exactly when it was built, by whom, and for what purpose. Most historians and archaeologists believe that it was likely constructed around 2500 BCE as part of Khafre's funerary complex, probably serving as a guardian of his tomb.

Another mystery associated with the Great Sphinx is the disappearance of its nose. Numerous theories exist regarding who was responsible for its destruction. One of the most common theories suggests that Napoleon's soldiers shot it down during his campaign in Egypt. However, drawings created before Napoleon's birth indicate that the Great Sphinx had already lost its nose long before that time.

Great Sphinx of Giza

The City of Alexandria

After a three-hour drive from Cairo, we visited Alexandria, a magnificent city founded by Alexander the Great. Today, Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea washes its shores.

Lighthouse of Alexandria

During our visit to Alexandria, we explored the Qaitbay Castle, which is located where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Construction began around 290 BC under Ptolemy I, who proclaimed himself king after the death of Alexander the Great. The lighthouse was completed after Ptolemy I's death during the reign of his son, Ptolemy Philadelphus.

During the day, the lighthouse captured and reflected sunlight using the mirror. There is even a legend that the light reflected by the mirror could burn enemy ships. At night, a large fire was lit at the top of the lighthouse to guide ships safely to shore. 😊

Lighthouse of Alexandria / The place where it once stood

The lighthouse stood over 117 meters high and had around 300 rooms at its base. For many centuries, it was one of the tallest man-made structures in the world. However, several earthquakes between 956 and 1323 AD severely damaged the lighthouse. In 1482, Sultan Qaitbay visited the ruins of the Alexandria Lighthouse and transformed them into a fortress known today as Qaitbay Castle.

Library of Alexandria 

Unfortunately, the original Library of Alexandria no longer exists. A new version was built less than 200 meters from the site of the old library and was inaugurated in 2002. This new library is a stunning example of modern architecture. It has the capacity to hold up to eight million books, and its reading room is the largest in the world.

On the library's outer wall, there are carved inscriptions in various languages. The inscriptions are written in most of the world's known writing systems.

Al-Montazah District in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Montazah Palace and Royal Gardens, also known as Al-Montazah Park, span approximately 3,000 meters and extend to the nearby beautiful beach.

Nearby beach

Hurghada 7-day break and trip to Luxor

After visiting Cairo and Alexandria, we traveled to the Hurghada for leisure. The Red Sea offers fantastic opportunities for snorkeling and feeding fish.

Hurghada- Beach in front of our hotel

Trip to Luxor

After a 4-hour journey from Hurghada, we arrived in Luxor.

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, built in 2000 BC.

The temple features an avenue of sphinxes, a large hall with 134 columns, obelisks, and numerous statues of pharaohs.

The Obelisk of Thutmose I at Karnak

Avenue of Sphinxes in front of Karnak temple

Avenue of Sphinxes in front of Karnak temple

Avenue of Sphinxes in front of Karnak temple

Avenue of Sphinxes in front of Karnak temple - detail

Luxor, Karnak Temple

The Missing Obelisk of Luxor

At the entrance of the Karnak Temple, you can clearly see one obelisk and the foundation of another. In the mid-1800s, the French received the missing obelisk as a gift. It is now located at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Luxor, Karnak Temple

Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut

After that, we visited the temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. The temple was constructed between Hatshepsut's seventh and twentieth regnal years. While at the temple, we learned fascinating facts about the first woman - the pharaoh.

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut

“My heart flutters when I think about what people will say: those who will look at my monuments in the years to come and talk about everything I accomplished,” Hatshepsut inscribed on one of her obelisks.

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut detail

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut detail

The woman pharaoh Hatshepsut ruled Egypt from 1479 to 1458 BC. She is remembered not only for her reign during the golden age of Egypt's 18th dynasty but also for her bold decision to portray herself as a man. Hatshepsut was one of the most prominent builders, constructing and restoring temples and sanctuaries from Sinai to Nubia.

The Colossi of Memnon

The excursion ended with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon—two monumental statues representing Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE) of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. These statues are located west of the modern city of Luxor, facing east toward the Nile River.

The Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon

Sharm El Sheikh

A few words about Sharm El Sheikh: it’s a popular resort among divers because its warm, transparent sea is decorated with corals, providing a unique experience. It is located in the very south of the Sinai Peninsula. Excellent hotels, numerous bars, and shops offer many choices for a fulfilling vacation. We visited Tiran Island for diving. It's true this underwater kingdom.

Underwater kingdom

Traveling to the ancient land of the Pharaohs was a dream come true for me. Seeing parts of the magnificent buildings of the Egyptian civilization will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.