8/3/2019 Egypt Map GB Eng 2011

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SUDAN

CYPRUS

LIBYA

Ras Banas

QarounLake

TimsahLake

BardawilLake

SAHL HASHEESH

MAKADI BAY

SOMA BAY

Gu

lf

ofAq

ab

a

Gu

lfo

fSuez

L a k eNa sse r

N i l eR i ve r

M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a

R

edS

ea

Bahar iyyaOasis

FayoumOasis

FarafraOasis

Dakhla

Oasis

KhargaOasis

Ain UmmD ab ad ib

GelfKeb

ir

Tropic of Cancer

S iwa Oasis

BorgEl Arab

Ras Mohammed

Nabq

Zaranik

Wadi El Gemal

Ras AbuGallum

St CatherineArea

QarounLake

WadiEl Rayan

Taba

WhiteDesert

Siwa

Saluga& Ghazale

WhiteDesert

TheGreatSandSea

Wadi el-

Natroun

Depr

essi

on

Qatt

ara

NewValle

y

S i n a i

West

ern

Dese

r t

De

sert

Ea

stern

DANDARA

KARNAK

TEMPLEOF KHNOUM

TEMPLEOF HORUS

TEMPLE OF SOBEK& HAREORIS

ABYDOS

VALLEY OF THE KINGS

PYRAMIDSOF GIZA

PYRAMIDSOF SAQQARA

ALEXANDERTHE GREAT TEMPLE

TONA EL GABAL RUINS

BANI HASANTOMBS

TEL EL AMARNA

TANIS

ST ANTHONYSMONASTERY

PORTOEL SUKHNA

ST PAULSMONASTERY

S U E Z

C A N A L

ABU SIMBEL

ST CATHERINESMONASTERY

MOUNT MOSES

SERABITEL KHADIM

MONS CLAUDIANUS

WADIHAMMAMAT

MONSPORPHYRITES

PHILAE

AMADA

EZBET DUSH

WADI EL-SUBUA

SAAD EL-ALI,THE HIGH DAM

KALABSHA

AL BAGAWATNECROPOLIS

OWAYNAT MOUNT1 934 M

AMON TEMPLE

SallumSidi Barani

Siwa

Areg

Qara Oasis

Bawiti

Zafarana

Ain

Sukhna

Ras SidrMemphis

Oyoun Musa

Marsa Alam

Port Ghalib

Baris

Dush

Qasr IbramTushka

Berenice

Shalatin

Halaib

Qasr Farafra

Abu minqar

El Qasr

Mut

Pharaohs Island

Rafah

Nuweiba

Dahab

AbuRudeis

RasGharib

Mallawi

Qus

Sidi Abdel Rahman

PortoMarina

Bulaq

Gabal El MawtaCleopatra

BathGabalEl Dakrur

Taba

TabaHeights

Qena

Kom Ombo

Al Kharga

El Arish

El Tur

Damanhur

Beni Suef

El Minya

Zagazig

El Mansura

El Fayoum

Tanta

Sohag

Esna

Asyut

Suez

MarsaMatruh

El Alamein

Rosetta Damietta

Port Said

Ismailia

Luxor

Edfu

Aswan

Sharm el-Sheikh

Hurghada

El Gouna

Safaga

El Quseir

Giza

Alexandria

Cairo

0 200 km

Pyramids

Monasteries

Monuments

Oases

Golf Courses

Diving Sites

Sound &

Light Shows

National Parks

Beaches

Main Roads

Main Airports

Tourist

Information

Offices

Ports

Marina

Museums

AFRICA

ASIA

EUROPE

EGYPT

Giza Pyramids

WesternDesertRed Sea

Printed inEgyptByUPPITTel:(202)23928815

NILE VALLEY

The classic tourSpend a fewdays in t hecap i ta l

Cairo,including visitsto Giza,Saqqaraand Fayoum,followed by a boattripalong theNile, sailingby thePharaonicsitesofUpper EgyptbetweenLuxor and

Aswan. Forthosewitha bitmoretimetospare,Abu Simbelis aneasy day-trip fromAswan,or can bereached

via a moreleisurely LakeNasser cruise.

Mediterranean Egypt A fascinating alternative for those

who are already familiar withCairoand the Nile Valley could includefollowing Cleopatras footsteps tothegreatportof Alexandria,alongwith tripsthrough theDelta and tothemonasteriesofWadi el-Natroun.This itinerary could thencontinue westalongtheMediterraneancoast,via theWorld War IImonumentsatElAlamein,ontoMarsa Matruh,and throughthe deserttothe legendary oasisofSiwa.

RED SEA & SINAI

Sun, beaches, diving andtrekkingVacationson theRedSeaor theGulf

of Aqaba guaranteepure relaxationand holiday fun, perfect temperate

weather,and afascinating underwaterworld of marine delights.Just inland,t he mount ain and deser t s cenery beckonsthe traveleron a daytrip,oralongeradventurousvis it,through thespectacularmountains of South Sinai,or t o t hemonas ter ies of S t. P aul , S t .

Anthony,orSt. Catherine.

DESERTS & OASES

The great oasis circuitIdyllicnature, spectacularlandscapes

and cultural highlightsoff the beatentourist trackcan be found on excitingtripsto theoasesof Bahariyya,Farafra,Dakhlaand Kharga.In betweenthese,oneexperiences thetimeless magic oftheSaharaDesert. CairoorLuxor serveasgoodbasefromwhichtobeginor endadesertoasisexploration,and avisittooneorbothof thesecouldroundoutaperfecttourthroughtheheartofEgypt.

How to spend a longweek-end in Egypt? A n enchant ing week end in Egypt

couldcompr i se o foneo r twodays inthecultural metropolisofCairo, includingGiza, Saqqara and Fayoum, followedb y a t ri p b y p la ne s ou th t o L u xo r o r

Aswan. Alternatively, a visitto Cairocould be arrangedin conjunctionwitha beachtr ip to A inS ukhna, Por tS a id,

Alexandria,or thevariousbeachresorts

ontheMediterraneanCoast,with adivingexpeditionto theRedSea,or witha tripthroughthe desert.

NILE VALLEY

Ancient Cradleof

CivilizationImagine you are relaxing on the deck of a boat meandering

down the Nile, sitting back in a comfortable wicker chair. It is late inthe afternoon, and the waiter has just served hibiscus tea. A gentlebreeze wafts across the river. The setting sun bathes sand dunes andcliffs in a soft light of the color of golden honey. Water buffalo, ibisand camels crowd the shore. Fishermen throw their nets, childrenpaddle, and a local farmer ploughs his field. Now and then you sailpast villages of loam houses, embedded in palm groves and fieldsof green sugar cane. Later, a Pharaonic temple entices you to shore.

Along this wondrous river, an advanced civilization blossomed 5000 years ago, one of the earliest flowerings of civilization. The tracesof this mighty civilization, buildings and statues of unparalleledmonumentality and splendor, border the river valley for more thana thousand kilometers, from the fertile Delta region and the gloriousharbor of Alexandria in the north, past the great, historic urbancenter of Cairo on the Giza plateau, to ancient capitals of Luxorand Aswan in the far south. I n front of such scenery, a Nile cruisebecomes a journey of personal discovery, through a land whose

grace and gloriously old fashioned contemplativeness nourishesones imagination and touches the heart.

Cairo: Pyramids, mosques and modern museumsAswaswritteninthetalesoftheArabianNights,Hewhohasnot seenCairo

hasnot seen theworld. IndeedEgyptsvivaciouscapital, whosenameinEnglishis derivedfromtheArabic Al-Qahira, theVictorious,islike noothercityonearth,and embodies150 generationsofhistory,and anunbrokenlineofcivilizationdatingbacktothePharaohs.Onits westernedge,theGreatPyramidsrisemajestically towardsheaven,witnessinga timewhen faithin immortalitytrulymoved mountains. Cairosheart,the mazeof lanesthrough theIslamicoldtown, betweenmightymosques andcaravanserais,the restingplace oftradersalongancienttrade routes,invitesus ona fascinatingtour throughtheMiddleAges,in thestepsof legendarysultanslike Salahel-Din.Nearerthe Nile,themetropolispulsatesto therhythmof moderndaylife. Modern-dayCairoisadynamic businesshub,witha livelyarts sceneanda worldrenownedoperahouse,exquisiteshopping, andcontemporarymuseums,and a trendyfoodandnightclubscene.Justtothesouthofthecitycenter,inOld Cairo,Egypts

Christiancommunity,theCopts,tendtotheirpreciousearlyChristianinheritance,includingthe worldsoldesttraces ofmonastic communities,and visitorscanfollowinthe footstepsof theholyfamily duringtheirtravelsthroughEgypt.

Alexandria & Mediterranean Coast: grandeur, greatheritage and sandy beaches

Egypts legendary portof Alexandria has beenat the crossroads ofcivilizationthroughouthuman history,and thestories ofits varied conquerorscontinue to coexist alongsideone another in a r ichculturalmlange.Founded by Alexander the Great, and famous in ancient timesfor itsscholars,lighthouseand library,Alexandria onceagain becamea focusofcosmopolitaninfluences inthe early20thcentury, lyingatthe intersectionof theMediterranean, Arabian and Afr ican worlds.The grandeurof thisculturalheydayisstillalivetoday,notonlyinthebooksofLawrenceDurrellorKonstantinosKavafis,but alsoon theCornichewith itsnumerousrestaurants,famousfortheirtasty,freshly caughtseafood;in themajesticnew Bibliotheca Alexandrina;and inthe cityscharming neighborhoods,withcafs,antiquemarkets,and ArtDecocinema-palaces.Alexandria continuestoshine asthePearloftheEasternMediterraneanthankstoits orientalflairand deephistorical,culturaland archaeologicalheritage.

From Mediterranean beaches to the historicmonuments of central Egypt

WestofAlexandria,towardsMarsaMatruh,magnificentsandybeachesstretchalongtheshoresofa coastlineknownforits turquoise-bluewater.Alongthisstretch,holiday homesandresortson thebeacharein greatdemandamonglocalsandEgyptiansalike,alongalandscapethatduringWorldWarII wasfiercelyfoughtoverbyMontgomeryfortheAllies,andRommelfor theAxis powers.Hauntingmemorialsto thisconflict aroundAlameinmakeacompellingvisitforthehistorybuff.TheNileDeltaregiontoAlexandriaseast,meanwhile,pampersthesenses withlushand verdantvegetation. Ancientruins,suchasthoseatTanisandAbu Menas,andsights,suchas thehistory-steepedRosetta,andthe Copticmonasteriesof Wadiel-Natroun,offerthe opportunityfortrueexploration,beyondthe well-troddentourist track.Southof Cairo,pearluponpearlofPharaonicarchitectureliethreadedalongtheleftbankoftheNile,includingMemphis,theNecropolis ofSaqqara, andthe pyramidsof Dahshur, El-LishtandMeidum.Furtherupriver,in CentralEgypt,not farfromEl-Minya,arethe rockgravesofBeniHassanandTellEl- Amarna,aswellas archeologicalremaindersof theresidentialcity of theheretic PharaohAkhenaton.BeyondAssiut,around Sohag,aremore monasterieswhoserootsdatebackto the5thcentury AD.Further,south,attheborderwithUpperEgypt,liethe twooutstandingtemplesof AbydosandDandara.

The sacred heart of ancient Egypt: Luxor and the West BankThestartand climaxofeveryjourneytoUpperNileis thesmalltownofLuxor.Thegrand templesand funeraryc itiesfound there,tributes tothe advanced

civilizationbased around theancient capitalof Thebes,have beenimpressingvisitorsformillennia.The magnificentcolumned hallsinthetempleofKarnak,whichformanycenturiesfunctioned asthecountryscentralsanctuaryof thegod Amun,leavevisitorsin awe.Overthe riverin thevariousvalleysof theNecropolisof Thebes,one isoverwhelmed bythe giganticsize and spiritualdevotionofthe mortuarytemplesofrulerssuchasRamsesIIor III,and QueenHatshepsut.Oneof thesevalleys,

thespectacular Valley of theKings,where thegloriousrulersof theNewKingdom werelaid to restmore than3000yearsago,was where, in1922,Howard Carterbrought tolight thelegendary treasuresof Tutankhamun,whosegloriousfunerary regalia continueto inspirea globalaudience.

Grande finale deep in the south: Aswan and Abu SimbelContinuingthejourneytothesouth,threegreattemplesawaityourvisit thetemple

ofEsna,devotedtotheram-headedgodKhnum,theHorussanctuaryin Edfu,andthePtolemaicdoubletempleofKomOmbo.Thenextport ofcallis Aswan,wherethereismuchmoretobeseeninthe wayofPharaonicsitesinparticulartheTemple

ofPhilae-alongsidemoremodernwonders,suchthe HighAswanDam,backingupbehinditthemassiveLakeNasser.InAswan,alastingimpressionisleftbytheenchantingriversceneryoftheFirstCataract,wheretherushingwatersoftheNileflowdramaticallythrougharockydescent.Lateron,afterasunsetsailonthetraditionalEgyptiansailboat,theFelucca,astrollthroughthebotanicalgardenonPlantsIsland(Kitcheners),orfiveoclockteaon theterraceof theOldCataractHotel,steepedin royalandcolonialhistory,itseasyto understandwhyAswancontinuestoattractEuropeansinsearchofarespitefromtheircoldwinters.ThegrandfinaleofajourneyintothedeepsouthofEgyptistheawesomeTempleofRamsesII inAbuSimbel.Itscolossalstatuesreignsupreme

aboveLakeNasser,havingbeensavedfromthe risingwaterbehindthenewdaminthe1960sthanksto amonumental engineeringachievement,andproclaimto the

worldtheeternalfameoftheircreatorandhisrealm.

RED SEA & SINAI

Aquatic ParadiseIfthedeepchillofaprolongedwinterhasleftyoudownanddiscontented,then

adoseofEgyptsRedSeaaquaticparadisecouldbejustwhatisneededtorevive

thespiritand pleasethe soul.Blessedwith blueskyall yearround,a pleasant

temperateclimate,convenientlyaccessibleonlya few hoursdirectfl ightfrom

Europe,finesandybeachesliningasumptuoustropicalseastretchingnearly

1500km downEgypts easterncoast,with coralreefsrenowned byexperienced

divers asamongstthe bestin theworld,EgyptsRed Seacoasthas treasures

aplentytodraw youin,andkeepyoucomingback.Backonland,theattractions

arejust ascompelling: holidayresorts withquality, affordableaccommodation,

theopportunityto investyourown pieceofparadisethrough anattractivemarket

inbeachsideholidayhomes,and afascinatingbouquetofshopping,sportand

leisureactivities.Andinland, directlyadjacentto thebeaches,spectacular desert

mountainsriseupdramatically,perfectforbothtrekkingandseekingonesinner

peaceof mind.Sound tempting?Comecatch theexcitement;a warm welcome

toEgyptsRiviera,theRedSeaand Sinaicoasts,awaitsyou!

Hurghada: The cradle of holiday tourism for swimmingand diving

Thisformer fishingvillage,about400km southof Suez, becamea boomingtourismdestinationon thewestcoastof theRedSea inthe space ofa singlegeneration. Today,itoffers idealconditionsfor allkinds ofwater sports,aswell asmilesandmiles ofpristinecoastlinewith qualityaccommodation,restaurantsandentertainmenttosuit alltastes.Eventhemost experiencedofinternationaltravelers

willbe delightedby Hurghadasbeachscene andlivelynightlife.A widevarietyofattractions,includingtheseaaquarium,panoramasubmarineride,andtwo superbgolfcourses meanthatHurghadatruly hassomethingfor everyone.Wellworth aday-triparetheoffshoreislandsandthe inlanddesertmountains.

El Gouna: perfect holiday atmosphere

with the turquoise-blue lagoonLying just 20km north ofHurghada,the modernholiday resort ofEl Gouna,

developed fromscratch as a holidayparadise,is theperfectdestination fortranquilfamilyvacationsorlong-termstays.The resortincludes14exclusive hotels,numerousprivate villasand apartments,restaurants,discos, shoppingmalls, astylishlydesigned18 holegolf course,and numerousdivingand leisurecenters.Theresort stretchesoveran extensivearchipelagoof artificialislands,and itis easytoget aroundbybus,bike orfoot.This smallbutcosmopolitancity,conjuredoutofthedesert sandin aharmoniousmixtureof architecturaltraditions,drawinguponsomeof thefinest regionaland internationalarchitects,has beeninternationallyacclaimedforitsenvironmentallyfriendlyoperations.

Marsa Alam & Port Ghalib: where the future has already begun130km southof ElQuseir,the latestof Egyptsworld-classholiday destinationsis

quicklymakingitsmark.MarsaAlambeganinthe 1990sasthefirstRedSea resortinthefarsouth.Blessedwitha richabundanceof unspoiledbeachesandenchantingsealife,thearea hastremendouspromise.Today,thismajesticsettinghasbeen

madeaccessibleto travelersthroughanextensiveresortcomplexwithitsownairportandseveralhighqualityhotels.60km furthernorth,thelatestflagshipprojectintheregion,Port Ghalib,is situatedatthejunctionofthecoast andanartificialarm

oflandextendingoutto sea.Withitsyachtingcluband harborboastingworld-classfacilities, thistop classholidayresort ispositioningitself asa centralhubfor watersportsinthispartof theRedSea.

Sharm el-Sheikh: pure pleasure and colourful activitiesunder water and on landAfewdecadesago,Sharmel-Sheikhwasjustanotherminorfishingvillage.Modern-

daySharm,closeto thesoutherntipof theSinaiPeninsula,hassecurelypositioneditselfasaninternationaldestinationofchoiceamongdiversandholidaymakersalike.Theoriginalepicenterof thispulsatingRivieraontheRedSea isNaamaBay,around

whichextensiveworld-classtourisminfrastructurehasbeen developedover aseriesofadjacentbays,nowincludingtheareabetweenSharmEl-MayauptoNabqBay.

Otherthantheflatsandybeachesandthemyriadofleisureoptionsoverthisholidayparadisealong morethan 25km incoastline,the biggest attractionof Sharmnodoubtisthespectacularunderwaterlife.Inparticular,thereefsatRasUmmSid and

thenearbyRasMohammedNationalParkareenchantinglyrichfeastsfor theeye.

Dahab & Inland: relaxation in paradise for backpackersaccessing adventure in the South Sinai MountainsAlongtheeastcoastoftheSinai,therugged,majesticmountainsrisespectacularly

awayfromthe coast.Likeprehistoricgiantdragons,thesummitspushforwardwiththeirhigh,serratedcombs,plungingcoastwardalmosttothe shoresofthe Gulfof

Aqaba.Dahab,the touristcenterof thearea,with itsBedouincampsand goldenbeaches,haskept theeasygoingcharmofa 1970shippyidyll,eventhoughitnowboastsnumerousluxuryhotels.The RasAbuGallumNationalParkdivingareahereisbreathtakinglymagnificent.Notfarinland,somespectacularSinaisitesarereadytobeexplored,includingtheColoredCanyon,atwistingcanyonfilledwithmulti-huedredstone,andMountSinai,whereMosesreceivedthe TenCommandments,atthefootofwhich liesthelegendarySt.CatherinesMonastery.

Nuweiba & Taba: two ports for relaxation and recreationin the north of the Gulf of AqabaAbout90 kmnorth ofDahab liesNuweiba,a comparativelycalm hideawayfor

naturelovers.LikeelsewhereinSinai,Nuweibahasmadeanameforitselfbasedonitsfinesandybeacheswithwonderfulmulti-coloredreefsinfrontof craggedcinnamon-coloredmountains. Taba Heights, a resort town adjacent to theinternationalborder,offersthesame attractionsset ina plannedresort communityboastinganinternationalqualitygolfcoursea numerousfine diningoptions.Both Nuweibaand

Tabaofferexcellenthotelresorts,andgreatsportingactivitiesaboveandbelowwaterforthoseseekingactiveholidaypursuits. Inaddition,awidevarietyof guidedcamelanddeserttoursareavailabletolurethe travelerintosamplinginlandattractions.

DESERTS & OASES

Untamed MysteryKharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariyya and Siwa: the oases of Western

Egypt appear to be islands not only in the seemingly endless expanse

of Saharan sand, but also in time. This is where fairy tales still come

true: seeing the sunrise from the back of a camel, or the spectacular

views from on top of a sand dune into the majestic expanse of desert.

Noon in the quiet shade of palm groves, or perhaps in the cool spring-

fed pool at one of the regions splendid eco-lodges, waiting until a ripe

date from an overhanging palm tree drops into ones open mouth; a

late afternoon walk through Pharaonic temples or between mud brick

houses in ageless villages; and nights spent at a campfire in front of

a Bedouins tent, enchanted by garlands of tales, with nothing above

but the twinkling stars of a clear desert sky.

Since the earliest days of humanity, the Nile River valley has drawn in and captivated travelers from around

the world. Modern-day Egypt, the inheritor of an unbroken civilization of more than 5000 years, located at

the crossroads of the Asian, African and Mediterranean worlds, is a fascinating mixture of modern diversity

and ancient splendor. Its cultural treasures are supplemented by over 2500 km of scenic coastline along

the Red and Mediterranean Seas, making Egypt an enchanting year-round destination, able to put a smile

on the face of even the most jaded of travelers.

Egypts advantages are as seductive as they are diverse: the pleasant mild temperatures of air and sea,

especially in winter; the hospitality and cheerfulness of its people; the year-round sunshine;

the magnificent beaches; the diving and snorkeling resorts and second-to-none reefs and aquatic life;

the biblical mountains; the romantic desert oases; and, in between, the fertile valley of the Nile,

the second-longest river in the world, packed with life and history. Egypts diverse and profound spiritual

heritage cannot fail to make an impression on her guests. Pharaonic, Coptic, and Muslim, including

churches, convents, mosques, temples and elaborate funerary complexes, Egypts spiritual treasures

exhibit an artistic and devotional energy that makes Egypt an unforgettable and profound experience.

Egypts multifaceted treasures, including theNile Valley with its Pharaonic treasures and itscultural metropolis of Cairo, the bathing anddiving paradise of the Red Sea, and the oasesand open expanse of the surrounding deserts,each guarantee the traveler an unforgettableexperience on their own.But the uniqueness of Egypt as a holiday paradise

lies in the travelers ability to combine from amongall of these, as their heart and calendar dictate.

To help the traveler plan a unique andunforgettable trip through Egypts myriadattractions, we have summarized the highlightsof Egypts three main tourist attractions-Sightseeing along the Nile, Recreation alongthe coast, and Adventure in the desert-separately in the map that follows, allowingyou to put together your own personalized trip,

to pick and choose among the smorgasbordof Egypts attractions to plan the perfect holidayfor you and your family.

Fayoum: Cairos front garden - a natural paradise witha storied past

Theoasis closestto theNile valley liesonly a onehour drivesouthofCairo.Dueto thefertility ofthe region, Fayoumhas alwaysserved asthebreadbasketforthecapital.Fayoummakesa worthwhileday trip,if only toseetheverdantvegetationand ruraltranquility.TheFellah,ruralpeasants,continueto workthe fields,and thewomenand childrenline up infrontof mud brick houses bordering palm-edged canals, appearing justasgracefuland timelessasdid theirancestorsdepicted onthewall-reliefsof

thesurroundinganc ient tombs.The 230km 2 QarounLake and theadjacent WadiEl-Rayan naturereserve are valuable protected areas,and themigratory birdstheseareas attractwill beof particular delighttobird lovers.In WadiAl-Hitan,one canmarvelat thegiganticskeletonsofprehistoric whales,washed up when theMediterranean Sea extended farsouthofits currentshoreline.Inaddition,thoseseekingculturaldiversionswillbe interested by the rangeof historicalsiteson offer, particularly thepyramidsof Hawara and El Lahun.

Bahariyya: palm groves, spa waters and goldenmummies

Known as theNorthe rn Oasis , th is approximate ly 4000 km2 desertdepression,setin blackvolcanicrock andreachable fromCairo withinsevenhoursdrive, hasbeen wellknownsinceancienttimesfor itsore mines,itsfertilegardens,its healingwaters,anditsspectacularvistasof jaggedblackvolcanicformations juttingfrom thedesertfloor below. Thesite becameworldfamouswhenan enormousnecropolisdatingback toGreco-Romantimeswasdiscoveredby chanceheretowardstheendofthe1990s.

Thetombscontainedthousandsand thousandsof preciouslydecoratedmummies,asensationalfind,whichgavetheareathenameofthe Valleyofthe GoldenMummies.

Farafra: an island of green on the edge of the WhiteDesert

Inthis,the smallestandmost isolatedoasis,thetraveler canvisit severalsulphursprings,andmarvel atQasr El-Farafra,the regionsonlysettlement,a fortressruin

surroundedbypalms.Thebiggestattraction,just30km north,istheWhite Desert,alandscapeofsurrealbeauty,inwhich windandweather,overtime,havecarvedandchiseleda giganticsculptureparkoutof thechalk-whitelimestonerock.

Dakhla: traditional loam architecture in front of aspectacular rock backdrop

The Dakhla oasis served as a granary to the Romans, and until today,resembles a fairy tale idyll over vast stretches of territory. Two of the mostbeautiful of all the 14 settlements are Balad, meaning village of loam,and El Qasr, meaning the citadel, consisting of narrow, shady lanes.The lush green of the many orchards, and clover, rice and peanut fields,is a charming contrast to the honey-colored dunes and rock quarriesglowing in pale-pink pastel in the surrounding desert. From the heydayof ancient times, several temple and tomb sites are still discernible.

Kharga: once a caravan station, today a prosperousprovincial center

The southernmost oasis of the Western Desert was once an importantstation on the Darb el Arbainthe Forty Days Roadconnecting cameland slave traders between the markets of northern and southern Africa.Today, it is the administrative capital of the New Valley province and,alongside extensive palm groves and fields, boasts several independentsettlements such as Qasr Kharga, Bulaq and Baris. Highlights among theancient sanctuaries include the early Christian necropolis Al-Bagawatand, from Persian times, the Hibis Temple.

Siwa: Egypts westernmost oasis lures travelers withbaths, lakes and legendary temples

Aspecialandenchantedplace,theoasisof Siwalies500kmwestoftheNile,300kmsouth ofMarsaMatruh,andseveral metersbeneathsealevel. 2700yearsago,whileRomawasstilla villageandHomerhadjustcompletedtheIliad,SiwaalreadyenjoyedgreatrenownwithintheentireMediterraneanworldas hometotheOracleof AmunRe.Worldfamewas gainedin 331ADwhenAlexandertheGreatchosetostayhereandconsulttheoracle.The feelingof somethinglegendaryand surrealcontinuesto adhereto thisoasisuntil today.Theplethoraofnaturalattractions,includingdateandolive groves,lakessurroundedbyreeds,table mountains andsanddunes,and gushingspringsbeckoningbathersto

swimheightenSiwascharm.Home todelightful,qualityaccommodationineco-lodges,Siwain additionboaststwo picturesquehilltopcastles,severalancientsitesanda verydistinctiveculture stronglyinfluencedbyBerber traditions.

PROGRAMSTHROUGH

Egypt

8/3/2019 Egypt Map GB Eng 2011

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