ABU SIMBEL AND NILE RIVER CRUISE
GENERAL INFORMATION- Egypt’s 3rd largest city, and the largest in Upper Egypt, is situated at the foot of the Nile Valley to the North end of Lake Nasser. It is a major mining area for aluminium and iron as well as also being one of the favourite places for tourists to visit due to it being a major stop for cruise boats for the River Nile as well as Lake Nasser. Aswan’s name is derived from the ancient Egyptian word “Swan”, which means “the market”. This is because it was located on the main trade route between Egypt and the southern lands with gold, slaves and ivory passing into Egypt. It was also the major source of granite, sandstone and quartzite used in the construction of the various monuments throughout Egypt. Aswan is situated 890Km (553 miles) to the south of Cairo and 220Km (137 miles) to the south of Luxor. It is the third most popular place to visit in Egypt, behind Cairo and Luxor, and is accessible in a number of ways. Because of the location of Aswan, just north of the Tropic Of Cancer, the city enjoys a very hot climate throughout the year and it is advised to cover your head when walking about and drink water constantly. Aswan International Airport is located 25Km (16 miles) southwest of the city and can be reached from most countries around the world, though, like Luxor. Egypt Air runs daily flights from Cairo to Aswan, as well as Aswan to Cairo, which take, on average, about 60 minutes.
3 NIGHTS NILE CRUISE FROM ASWAN TO LUXOR-
Route-Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor
ITENARY-
Day-01-You will be picked up from airport, train station or your own booked hotel at Aswan. Then transfer to your cruise ship. After check in process meet with your guide for your half day tour.
Half Day Tour-Visit High Dam-Visit Temple of Philae –After Lunch at late afternoon visit Kom Ombo Temple. Sail to Edfu.
Day-02-In morning visit Edfu Temple-Pass Esna Lock-overnight stay at Luxor Port.
Day-03- a full day sightseeing tour- Valley of the Kings-visit temple of Queen Hatshepsut-the Colossi of Memnon-after lunch-Luxor Temple-Karnak Temple-Overnight stay in Curise.
Day-04-After check out at Luxor port you will be transferred to the airport.
Route-Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Esna-Luxor
ITENARY-
Day-01-You will be picked up from airport, train station or your own booked hotel at Aswan. Then transfer to your cruise ship. After check in process meet with your guide for your half day tour.
Half Day Tour-Visit High Dam-Visit Temple of Philae –After Lunch at late afternoon visit Kom Ombo Temple. Sail to Edfu.
Day-02-In morning visit Edfu Temple-Pass Esna Lock-overnight stay at Luxor Port.
Day-03- a full day sightseeing tour- Valley of the Kings-visit temple of Queen Hatshepsut-the Colossi of Memnon-after lunch-Luxor Temple-Karnak Temple-Overnight stay in Curise.
Day-04-After check out at Luxor port you will be transferred to the airport.
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS-
001-ASWAN DAM-The Aswan Dam is located in Egypt and it crosses the River Nile, the longest river in the world. It is located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. It took 10 years to build the dam and work was completed in 1970. The dam is also called Saad el Aali in Arabic. The Aswan Dam contributes to more than half of the total power supply in Egypt. The Aswan Dam is approximately 3830meters (12,570feet) long, 111meters (364 feet) high with a base width of around 3215 feet. Before the Aswan Dam was constructed, many Ancient Egyptian monuments (such as the statue of Ramses the Great in Abu Simbel) had to be moved in order to stop them being flooded. Lake Nasser, a massive reservoir, was created by the Aswan Dam. It is 550kms long and 35kms widest with the surface area of 5250km2.The Dam has been installed with 12 generators of 175 megawatt with the capacity of 2100MW. A four-lane highway runs across the top of the dam, and is17 kms south of the city of Aswan.
002-TEMPLE OF PHILAE- Philae in Greek or Pilak in ancient Egyptian, meaning ‘the end,’ defined the southernmost limit of Egypt, the Pharaohs of Egypt kept there a strong garrison, and it was also a barracks for Macedonian and Roman soldiers in their turn. The first temple structure, which was built by native pharaohs of the thirtieth dynasty, was the one for Hathor. It was begun by Ptolemy II and completed by the Roman Emperors. Philae Island was a rocky island in the middle of the River Nile, south of Aswan. It was also known by the Greek "Elephantine", most probably because it was an important centre of trade, especially for ivory. The Ancient Egyptians built a beautiful and magnificent Temple on this island for the Goddess Isis, but the Temple became submerged after the first Aswan dam was built in 1906, and it was not until the seventies that many nations attempted to save the Temple. All these countries, together with UNESCO, selected a suitable place, but they had to wait until the completion of the High Dam, in 1971, which would stabilize the level of the water around their chosen island. The new island was called Egilica (also called Agilika), and it was completely reshaped to imitate Philae Island as closely as possible. The Temple was dismantled and transferred, stone by stone, from the submerged Philea Island to the redesigned Egilica Island. Each and every stone had to be numbered, and then replaced, in the same position, in the new location. It was a massive, and very complicated, project taking over 9 years to be accomplished. The Temple of Philae was reopened in 1980.
The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes. The Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus were also worshiped. The construction began during the reign of King Ptolemy II, and then other Ptolemaic Kings (Ptolemy's IV, V, VI, VII and XI) contributed by adding more parts to the main Temple.
i-First Pylon-The Temple of Isis consists of The 1st Pylon, is 150ft wide and 60 ft. tall, which is a great traditional pylon with two towers with central doorway, and an open forecourt, which leads to the 2nd pylon. On the front of the east tower is a huge figure of Ptolemy XII grasping a band of enemies by the hair and raising his club to smite them, with Isis, the falcon headed Horus of Edfu and Hathor on the left.
ii-Outer Courtyard-The First Pylon leads to an inner courtyard in which the Mammissi (Birth House) of Isis is located (on the west) which has scenes depicting the birth of the God Horus by his mother Isis. On the eastern side of the courtyard there is a colonnade with access to a few small storerooms and in the north the Second Pylon provides access to the main structure of the Temple of Isis.
iii-Second Pylon-The 2nd Pylon 105 foot wide and 40 foot high. A series of small steps lead to the gateway between the two towers.
iv-Inner Courtyard-Leads to a Hypostyle Hall with 10 columns remains, and then 3 vestibules leading to a sanctuary. The pillars are beautifully painted and decorated to resemble a variety of plants and flowers. The oldest remains, of the Temple of Philae, date back to the reign of King Taharqa (25th Dynasty), who built the first chapel for the Goddess Isis. The striking Hypostyle Hall/Inner Courtyard consists of ten huge pillars. On the ceiling (representing the sky), are images of the Day Boat and the Night Boat, and of the vultures of Upper and Lower Egypt. About 55 yards (50m) east of the Temple of Isis is the little Temple of Hathor, built by Philometor and Euergetes II in honour of Hathor-Aphrodite. The best-preserved part of the structure is the main temple chamber, on the front of which are two plant columns linked to the walls by screens.
In addition to the main Temple of Isis there are other monuments here, such as The Kiosk of Trajan, the Chapel of Osiris, The Temple of Horus, The Temple of Hathor, The Gateway of Tiberius, the Gateway of Diocletian, and the Temple of Augustus.
The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes. The Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus were also worshiped. The construction began during the reign of King Ptolemy II, and then other Ptolemaic Kings (Ptolemy's IV, V, VI, VII and XI) contributed by adding more parts to the main Temple.
i-First Pylon-The Temple of Isis consists of The 1st Pylon, is 150ft wide and 60 ft. tall, which is a great traditional pylon with two towers with central doorway, and an open forecourt, which leads to the 2nd pylon. On the front of the east tower is a huge figure of Ptolemy XII grasping a band of enemies by the hair and raising his club to smite them, with Isis, the falcon headed Horus of Edfu and Hathor on the left.
ii-Outer Courtyard-The First Pylon leads to an inner courtyard in which the Mammissi (Birth House) of Isis is located (on the west) which has scenes depicting the birth of the God Horus by his mother Isis. On the eastern side of the courtyard there is a colonnade with access to a few small storerooms and in the north the Second Pylon provides access to the main structure of the Temple of Isis.
iii-Second Pylon-The 2nd Pylon 105 foot wide and 40 foot high. A series of small steps lead to the gateway between the two towers.
iv-Inner Courtyard-Leads to a Hypostyle Hall with 10 columns remains, and then 3 vestibules leading to a sanctuary. The pillars are beautifully painted and decorated to resemble a variety of plants and flowers. The oldest remains, of the Temple of Philae, date back to the reign of King Taharqa (25th Dynasty), who built the first chapel for the Goddess Isis. The striking Hypostyle Hall/Inner Courtyard consists of ten huge pillars. On the ceiling (representing the sky), are images of the Day Boat and the Night Boat, and of the vultures of Upper and Lower Egypt. About 55 yards (50m) east of the Temple of Isis is the little Temple of Hathor, built by Philometor and Euergetes II in honour of Hathor-Aphrodite. The best-preserved part of the structure is the main temple chamber, on the front of which are two plant columns linked to the walls by screens.
In addition to the main Temple of Isis there are other monuments here, such as The Kiosk of Trajan, the Chapel of Osiris, The Temple of Horus, The Temple of Hathor, The Gateway of Tiberius, the Gateway of Diocletian, and the Temple of Augustus.
003-KOM OMBO TEMPLE- The Graeco Roman Temple at Kom Ombo. The temple at Kom Ombo is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Aswan and built during the Ptolemaic dynasty, by Ptolemy VI Philometor 180-145 BC and added to by other Ptolemys, most notably Ptolemy XIII (51-47 BC), who built the inner and outer hypostyle halls. There was an earlier structure from the 18th dynasty but little remains. The temple is unique because it is in fact a double temple, its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The left side of the building (to the north-west) was dedicated to Horus the Elder who was associated with Lower Egypt (which was in the north) while the right side of the building (further south-east and so associated with Upper Egypt) was dedicated to Sobek (who was sometimes associated with the god Set, a patron of Upper Egypt).
A few of the three-hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum.
A few of the three-hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum.
004-EDFU TEMPLE-Edfu is located to the north of Aswan and on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu. The provincial town of Edfu is about halfway between Luxor (115km away) and Aswan (105km) and 65km north of Kom Ombo.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu was built during the Ptolemiac era on top of an earlier temple to Horus. The falcon-headed Horus was originally the sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon. This was begun by Ptolemy III in 237 BC and completed by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator. The Hypostyle Hall was added by Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC) and the pylon was erected by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC). The final touches to the temple were added under Ptolemy XII in 57 BC. The Temple of Edfu was abandoned after the Roman Empire became Christian and paganism was outlawed in 391 AD. It lay buried up to its lintels in sand, with homes built over the top, until it was excavated by Auguste Mariette in the 1860s. The sand protected the monument over the years, leaving it very well preserved today.
Edfu Temple consists of traditional elements of Egyptian Temples of the New Kingdom, together with a few Greek elements, such as the Mamisi, which is situated to the west of the main entrance of the Temple (Mamisi means "house of the divine birth").The Temple has a Pylon that is considered the highest among surviving Temples in Egypt today. It is 37m high and is decorated with battle scenes, representing King Ptolemy VIII striking his enemies before the God Horus. Next there is an open courtyard that contains columns with floral capitals on three sides. This open court was open to the public and was known as the court of the offerings.
The Hypostyle Hall is rectangular and 12 columns support its roof. On both sides of the entrance to this hall stands a statue of Horus of Behdet, in the shape of a falcon. This hall is also known as the outer Hypostyle Hall. An entrance beyond the 1st Hypostyle Hall accesses the Inner Hypostyle Hall. 12 columns to the right support its roof, and on the left there are 2 rooms; one was used as a library that once contained a large number of manuscripts.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu was built during the Ptolemiac era on top of an earlier temple to Horus. The falcon-headed Horus was originally the sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon. This was begun by Ptolemy III in 237 BC and completed by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator. The Hypostyle Hall was added by Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC) and the pylon was erected by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC). The final touches to the temple were added under Ptolemy XII in 57 BC. The Temple of Edfu was abandoned after the Roman Empire became Christian and paganism was outlawed in 391 AD. It lay buried up to its lintels in sand, with homes built over the top, until it was excavated by Auguste Mariette in the 1860s. The sand protected the monument over the years, leaving it very well preserved today.
Edfu Temple consists of traditional elements of Egyptian Temples of the New Kingdom, together with a few Greek elements, such as the Mamisi, which is situated to the west of the main entrance of the Temple (Mamisi means "house of the divine birth").The Temple has a Pylon that is considered the highest among surviving Temples in Egypt today. It is 37m high and is decorated with battle scenes, representing King Ptolemy VIII striking his enemies before the God Horus. Next there is an open courtyard that contains columns with floral capitals on three sides. This open court was open to the public and was known as the court of the offerings.
The Hypostyle Hall is rectangular and 12 columns support its roof. On both sides of the entrance to this hall stands a statue of Horus of Behdet, in the shape of a falcon. This hall is also known as the outer Hypostyle Hall. An entrance beyond the 1st Hypostyle Hall accesses the Inner Hypostyle Hall. 12 columns to the right support its roof, and on the left there are 2 rooms; one was used as a library that once contained a large number of manuscripts.
005-ESNA LOCK-It is located on the west bank of the River Nile, some 55 km south of Luxor.
006-ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE-The Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples at Abu Simbel, about 300 km southwest of Aswan by road. Ramses II chose the site because it was already sacred to Hathor, goddess of motherhood, joy and love. This act strengthened his divinity in the eyes of the ancient Egyptians. It encouraged them to believe that he, too, was a god. The complex was relocated in its entirety in 1968, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir. The two temples which comprise the site (The Great Temple and The Small Temple) were created during the reign of Ramesses II (1279 - 1213 BC) between 1244-1224 BC, to celebrate Ramesses'II victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC. The temples are dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakty, Ptah, and the deified Ramesses II (The Great Temple) and the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, Ramesses' favourite wife (The Small Temple).
The Great Temple stands 98 feet (30 metres) high and 115 feet (35 metres) long with four seated colossi flanking the entrance, two to each side, depicting Ramesses II on his throne; each one 65 feet (20 metres) tall. Beneath these giant figures are smaller statues (still larger than life-sized) depicting Ramesses' conquered enemies, the Nubians, Libyans, and Hittites. Further statues represent his family members and various protecting gods and symbols of power. Passing between the colossi, through the central entrance, the interior of the temple is decorated with engravings showing Ramesses and Nefertari paying homage to the gods.
The Great Temple was constructed keeping in mind the position of the sun on February 22 and October 22. On these days, sunlight penetrates 55 meters (180 feet) into the inner sanctuary to illuminate the statues along the back wall. Only Ptah, the god of the Underworld, remains in darkness all year round. These two days were his birthday and his coronation day.
The Great Temple stands 98 feet (30 metres) high and 115 feet (35 metres) long with four seated colossi flanking the entrance, two to each side, depicting Ramesses II on his throne; each one 65 feet (20 metres) tall. Beneath these giant figures are smaller statues (still larger than life-sized) depicting Ramesses' conquered enemies, the Nubians, Libyans, and Hittites. Further statues represent his family members and various protecting gods and symbols of power. Passing between the colossi, through the central entrance, the interior of the temple is decorated with engravings showing Ramesses and Nefertari paying homage to the gods.
The Great Temple was constructed keeping in mind the position of the sun on February 22 and October 22. On these days, sunlight penetrates 55 meters (180 feet) into the inner sanctuary to illuminate the statues along the back wall. Only Ptah, the god of the Underworld, remains in darkness all year round. These two days were his birthday and his coronation day.
Small Temple-The Small Temple stands nearby at a height of 40 feet (12 metres) and 92 feet (28 metres) long. This temple is also adorned by colossi across the front facade, three on either side of the doorway, depicting RamessesII and his queen Nefertari (four statues of the king and two of the queen) at a height of 32 feet (10 metres). The Small Temple, built for Queen Nefertari, marks the second time a ruler dedicated a temple to his wife (the first was built by Akhenaten for Nefertiti). It was also the first time that the statue of the wife, Nefertari in this case, was carved the same size as the image of the Pharaoh himself, which is significant in revealing how Ramses II felt about his beloved queen. Usually, the wives statues never measured higher than the Pharaoh’s knees, but Nefertari’s statues was a full 10 meters (32 feet) high.
Object of Building Temple-
i-Commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. To represent the battle, the base of the temple was carved with figures of bound captives.
ii-Intimidate Egypt's neighbors, the Nubians. It was Ramses' way of trying to make an impression upon Egypt's neighbors, as well as to force Egypt's religion upon these neighbors.
iii-Honor Nefertari- The Small Temple is a monument to his most beloved queen (out of his many wives), Nefertari. It is also dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor.
iv-Honor Himself- The Great Temple Ramses had built to honor himself, dedicating it to the god Re-Horakhty.
Temple Site- The location of the site was sacred to Hathor long before the temples were built there. In both temples, Ramesses is recognized as a god among other gods. In ancient times the place it was located in was considered part of Nubia, a territory that was at times independent of ancient Egypt.
The road-journey to Abu Simbel is one of the memorable experiences of life. Passing through the Great Sahara Desert, watching one of the most beautiful sunrise in the desert, walking along the shore of Lake Naseer, Moving around the impressive temples of Abu Simbel.
TOUR-From Aswan tour by air takes 4-5 hours (The flight from Aswan to the small town of Abu Simbel takes only around 30 minutes) and by road it takes about 8 hours.
By Road-Abu Simbel is located about 290 kms southwest from Aswan and just 40 kms north of Sudan-Egypt Border in the middle of desert. There are two convoy leaving timings for Abu Simbel trip from Aswan. One is in early morning at 4:00 AM, which return back by 1:00 PM. Another is at 11:00 AM, which return back by 7:30 PM. Both convoy allow two hours to explore these two temples of Abu Simbel, which is enough time in my opinion. Photography is allowed outside the temple, but not inside the temple.
PRESENTED BY - V P GUPTA
Object of Building Temple-
i-Commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. To represent the battle, the base of the temple was carved with figures of bound captives.
ii-Intimidate Egypt's neighbors, the Nubians. It was Ramses' way of trying to make an impression upon Egypt's neighbors, as well as to force Egypt's religion upon these neighbors.
iii-Honor Nefertari- The Small Temple is a monument to his most beloved queen (out of his many wives), Nefertari. It is also dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor.
iv-Honor Himself- The Great Temple Ramses had built to honor himself, dedicating it to the god Re-Horakhty.
Temple Site- The location of the site was sacred to Hathor long before the temples were built there. In both temples, Ramesses is recognized as a god among other gods. In ancient times the place it was located in was considered part of Nubia, a territory that was at times independent of ancient Egypt.
The road-journey to Abu Simbel is one of the memorable experiences of life. Passing through the Great Sahara Desert, watching one of the most beautiful sunrise in the desert, walking along the shore of Lake Naseer, Moving around the impressive temples of Abu Simbel.
TOUR-From Aswan tour by air takes 4-5 hours (The flight from Aswan to the small town of Abu Simbel takes only around 30 minutes) and by road it takes about 8 hours.
By Road-Abu Simbel is located about 290 kms southwest from Aswan and just 40 kms north of Sudan-Egypt Border in the middle of desert. There are two convoy leaving timings for Abu Simbel trip from Aswan. One is in early morning at 4:00 AM, which return back by 1:00 PM. Another is at 11:00 AM, which return back by 7:30 PM. Both convoy allow two hours to explore these two temples of Abu Simbel, which is enough time in my opinion. Photography is allowed outside the temple, but not inside the temple.
PRESENTED BY - V P GUPTA