Tourist Attractions & Monuments Egypt

The site consists of a small museum and the archaeological site of Egyptian ruins.

Museum. Interesting collection of pharaonic statuettes, pottery and jewellery.

Archaeological site. Excavations have uncovered objects dating back to Thutmosis III (18th Dynasty). It is here that the temple of Khnum was erected but destroyed in the 19th century by Mohammed Ali.

Nilometer. Several times restored, this scale of measurement dates from the cartouches of Amenophis III

Halfway between Cairo and Luxor, Asyut was the starting point for the caravans that went to the oases. Formerly called Lycopolis, the Greeks commemorated the cult of Oupouaout, who was seen as the protector of the city. This deity is represented in the form of a canid. The burial caves, which can be seen on the site, are dug into the mountain walls and are thought to contain the tombs of the pharaohs of Dynasties IX, X and XII, such as Chety I and II. The tomb of Meir contains the tomb of the Princes of Qusseia.

Built between 1964 and 1970, this impressive dam has pharaonic dimensions: 3,600 m long, 111 m high, 980 m wide at the base, reduced to 40 m at the top. It was President Nasser's project, carried out with the help of Soviet Russia. Today, it produces between 5 and 7% of the country's energy with 12 generators. It was built to manage the Nile's high water levels, prevent flooding and create a water reserve. It has been blamed for reducing the Nile's silt content. Its construction caused major displacement of the population and archaeological sites.

Early in the morning, the square turns into a gigantic cattle fair where, in a feverish atmosphere, the merchants count their tickets and engage in a noisy bidding war. A sale of leather whips, skillfully woven, is organized. The camel market itself is held twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays, and the rest of the week the place is transformed into a market of cows, sheep, goats... Introduced by the Greeks, camels are not among the animals originally used by the Egyptians.

To the west of the enclosure, some three hundred meters north of that of his father Seti ^I, Ramses II had a small temple built, comprising a courtyard, 2 hypostyle halls and side chapels. On the pylon, the king had his victory at the Battle of Qadesh depicted. Despite the loss of the upper parts of the walls, the lower parts show remarkable decoration. Its architecture is classical and its layout follows that of Theban funerary temples. In 2023, 2,000 mummified rams' heads from the Ptolemaic era were discovered.

At the foot of the West Mountain, near Quseya. This is one of the most sacred places for the Copts of Egypt. Surrounded by an imposing medieval wall, it was built around a grotto where the Holy Family is said to have found shelter when they fled to Egypt, before returning to Palestine. The oldest church in the monastery dates back to 38 AD, and is believed to be the oldest in the Christian world. An important stopover for pilgrims following in the footsteps of the Holy Family in Egypt.

The Osirion Cenotaph is a curious edifice, built in line with the central chapel of Amun Ra in the temple of Sety ^I, and buried underground. It was accessed via a hundred-meter-long corridor, opposite to the current view of the site. Today, the temple is reached via a long, gently sloping corridor, the walls of which are covered with texts from the "Book of Gates" and the "Book of Caverns". A cenotaph was not intended to contain a body, but a symbolic tomb for souls, so this was Osiris' spiritual tomb. It was conceived as an island, the plan of which is repeated in The Secret of the Great Pyramid when Blake and Mortimer reach the secret chamber.

The vestibule gave access to a water-filled moat, surrounded by 17 niches. On the symbolic island, covered by a ceiling supported by ten massive pillars, the architect excavated the fictitious location of Osiris' sarcophagus, as well as the fictitious location of the canopic vases containing the God's viscera. Crossing the water-filled moat again, we reach the cenotaph of Sety ^I. The themes depicted on the walls are a mark of respect for Horus, the reconstitution of the divine body, and the transmission of royal power from Osiris to Horus, and thus to Pharaoh. You can go down there if you wish, water levels permitting. The last room, known as the "sarcophagus", features an astronomical ceiling with a representation of the goddess Nut.

Doctor Ahmed's garden is an institution in Sainte-Catherine, where the work and cultivation of the doctor, a specialist in medicinal herbs, are recognized. He has set up a school on his estate, where he teaches local Bedouin children to perpetuate the knowledge he has accumulated. Visits to the garden and accommodation can be arranged through most Sainte-Catherine operators. You can also call him to order products (everyone knows him locally).

the "Fjord" is the nickname of this cove in the Gulf of Aqaba with its sublime colors. Located 15 km south of Taba, the Fjord is a diving site sheltered by a protected bay. The coral reefs are dazzling. Experienced divers can venture into the Fjord hole, a coral bed at a depth of 16 meters, with a hole that goes down to 24 meters. Less experienced divers will observe the wide variety of fish and corals in the shallow banana shaped reef. For the others, enjoy the calm of the bay and the turquoise waters.

A collection of 300 rock tombs from the ^1st and ^2nd centuries AD. The themes are typical of Egyptian tombs: offerings, encounters between the deceased and deities. But the style is freer, and the human figures are more Roman. Little visited, protected from the sun, the frescoes still possess their pictorial freshness. The most spectacular tombs are those of Petosiris, a royal official, and Petoubastis, another oasis official; the second tomb, less decorated, has an elaborate and remarkable zodiac.

Amun-Her-Khepeshef was one of the five sons of King Ramses III. He was supposed to succeed his father, but died at the age of 15. Access to the vestibule and burial chamber is via a descending ramp. This depicts the prince preceded by his father, whom he presents to the deities. Extracts from the Book of the Dead are read. The sarcophagus, located in the back annex, originally rested in the burial chamber. The paintings are still very fresh.

This small late Ptolemaic temple, dedicated to Hathor and Maät, gave its name to the valley when Coptic monks established a small monastery there. It has little prestige, yet it is worth a visit. The quality of its reliefs and the interest of the themes covered make it an important place. Several scenes are put into perspective, such as the representation of King Ptolemy IX offering milk to a child on Hathor's lap. We see Maat breathing life into her.

Inerkhaou was Pharaoh's foreman, Lord of the Two Lands. He served Ramses III and IV. Entrance is via a vestibule followed by a staircase that leads to the burial chamber. Passages from the Book of the Dead are illustrated on the walls of both rooms, the vestibule being less well preserved than the chamber. A fine representation of the Ished tree, in blue, and of the god Apophis are particularly noteworthy. After the tomb of Sennedjem, this is one of the best-preserved tombs. The singular paintings do not fit into the artistic canon of the period.

Sennedjem was a special craftsman: he was an artist who had the opportunity to work under the glorious reigns of Seti ^I and his son Ramses II. You enter through the side wall into a single, vaulted chamber. The richness of the decoration is unusual for a craftsman, and is reminiscent of a royal tomb, but its recipient was also its author... Scenes from the Book of the Dead are depicted, as well as Sennedjem and his wife Inyferti. This is the only tomb in the Valley to have been found complete, and its furnishings are on display in Cairo.

Khaemwasat is one of the sons of Ramses III. He died in the 28th year of his royal father's reign. One enters a vestibule dominated by an astronomical ceiling. On the left wall of the vestibule, Ramses III, followed by his sons, faces Thoth and Anubis. Two annexes face the vestibule: the deceased is presented to different deities. The funerary chamber succeeds the vestibule; its walls are decorated according to the Book of the Dead. The sarcophagus is no longer there: found in pieces, it can be seen in part in the Egyptian Museum in Turin.

Ramses IV reigned for six years, during which time he built this beautiful tomb with its remarkable granite sarcophagus. Note the superb scenes painted with the goddess Nut on the astronomical ceiling, symbolizing rebirth with perfectly preserved colors. Nut swallows the solar disk and it emerges through her feet, symbolizing the daily renewal of sunrise and sunset. Coptic graffiti, created by monks at the very beginning of the Christian era when they were inventing monasticism, are also noteworthy.

Local agency Dahabiya Nile Sailing specializes in organizing dahabieh cruises on the Nile. Samir's programs are designed to let you discover the treasures of Egypt as travelers of the past did, on a magnificent sailing boat with a select group. The agency belongs to the Real Egypt group, which specializes in tailor-made tours of Egypt and offers guaranteed departure dates all year round. Our team of qualified French-speaking guides and advisors will help you organize the trip of your dreams.