Egypt’s Hidden Gems

Posted on Jan 6, 2012 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Egypt by Quiet Wanderings 1 Comment

 

Egypt is a wonderful country. It’s awash with ancient history, is home to some of the best holiday resorts anywhere in the world and has huge desert and underwater areas perfect for exploration.

 

But everyone does the same. Visitors flock to the pyramids, the Sphinx, cruise along the Nile or do a little diving beneath the surface of the Red Sea. This all sounds perfect and has the makings of a great holiday.

But why not head to somewhere different and discover Egypt’s hidden gems?

 

Temple of Khafre

 

The Temple of Khafre is in plain sight of the Sphinx at Giza, but it’s an important historical site often overlooked by the thousands of visitors. The pyramid of the 4^th dynasty Pharaoh Khafre is the second largest of the pyramids at Giza and so is always a favourite with the tourists, but his temple is often ignored.

 

It was in this temple that the great Pharaoh was mummified before being placed into his pyramid. It is thus one of the most important structures from Ancient Egypt, so get away from the crowds and check it out.

 

 

Medinet Habu

 

Everyone visits Luxor, but not everyone ventures away from the big famous sites. Those that do and explore Medinet Habu will not be disappointed.

 

Widely known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, the stunning art here has been exceptionally well preserved, revealing the ancient Egyptian artistic technique and also telling a historically significant story. This is truly a gem of Egypt.

 

Marsa Alam

 

Marsa Alam is one of the little known Red Sea resorts, but there is much to be found in the surrounding areas. A short trip from the resort, you’ll be able to visit the Emerald Mine in the Wadi el Gemal National Park.

 

The mines here were the only source of emeralds during the Roman Empire, and the site is also linked to Queen Cleopatra. There is also evidence of Stone Age man to be found in the areas around Marsa Alam, with the intricate carvings in the rock depicting prehistoric hunting scenes.

 

 

Cairo

 

Cairo itself is not a hidden gem. That would be impossible being the capital, but there are many hidden gems to be found in the city. Take for example the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. This is the oldest functioning mosque in Cairo and is home to original Koranic inscriptions containing around 1/15^th of the Koran.

 

It’s truly a great place to visit to understand both the history of the country and the religion that still exists there today.

 

 

 

It all sounds so magical and like a far away land doesn’t it? Half of that is true… it is magical, but it isn’t that far away anymore. With the numerous resorts and package options for Egypt it’s becoming a cheaper holiday destination giving huge scope to book Egypt holiday deals.

 

So don’t delay, get yourself there and make sure these hidden gems are a part of your itinerary.

 

 

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