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  • Things to Do in Alexandria

    History of Alexandria Governorate

    Alexandria Governorate is the bride of the Mediterranean and the second capital of Egypt. It was the ancient capital founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and was named after him, and the city of Alexandria was the capital of the Egyptian country throughout the Ptolemies, Romans and Byzantines until the Arab conquest in 640 AD.

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    Muhammad Ali Pasha wanted to establish and document his era with a ruling house that would be a turning point between a bygone era and a new era that he planned to be long. So he chose a site on the banks of the Nile in the Shubra area, with an area of 70 acres, extending from the banks of the Nile to Birkat al-Hajj, after he had seized several villages and fiefdoms to build his palace.

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    Abdeen Palace Museum - Cairo

    Abdeen Palace is considered one of the rare historical masterpieces in terms of form and content, as it reflects the luxury and high taste in which the palace was built. It is one of the most important palaces built by the Muhammad Ali Pasha family for Egypt.

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    The Cemetery of Shatby

    Al-Shatby Cemetery is the oldest existing cemetery in Alexandria dating back to the hellenistic age, and it also remains the oldest archaeological site within the city up to date. Alexandria is now regarded as a modern city because earthquakes in the past buried the ancient city's features and caused another city to be built on top of it until it reached its current size.

  • Emperor Diocletianus _ Roman

    Roman Emperor Diocletian | Biography

    Emperor Diocletian, or Diocletianus, is one of the most famous Roman emperors in the history of the Roman Empire, and he ruled the Roman Empire from November 20, 284 AD until May 1, 305 AD. This emperor was known by many names, including “Diocles” - the name “Diocletianus” was chosen after he ascended the throne and took for himself a crown (a wide band studded with pearls), robes of silk and gold, and shoes studded with precious stones.

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    Biography of Roman Emperor Trajan

    The greatest of the Roman emperors was Emperor Trajan, the second of the Five Good Emperors, who ruled from 96 to 117 AD. One of the Roman Emperors, Marcus Pius Nerva Traianus (53–117 AD), ruled over the enormous Roman Empire between 98 and 117 AD. At the height of the Roman Empire, he is credited for its expansion.

Aswan Excursions and Day Tours

The High Dam

  • 05 16, 2023

The High Dam

The Aswan High Dam was initiated under the leadership of General Muhammad Naguib, who headed the Egyptian Revolutionary Council. The decision to build the dam on the Nile River was made after the 1952 revolution by the Free Officers. The project was conceived by the Greek-Egyptian engineer Adrian Daninos. Construction of the Aswan High Dam received a significant push in 1956, even though the groundwork for the project had begun in 1952 during Gamal Abdel Nasser's administration.

The construction of the Aswan High Dam, one of the largest embankment dams in the world, began in 1960 and was completed in 1971. It created the massive Lake Nasser, which holds over 157 cubic kilometers of water and was named after former Egyptian President Nasser. Since its filling in 1979, the dam has become a popular tourist attraction for visitors on Aswan day tours. The project was initially planned by German companies and executed by Russian companies.

The Aswan High Dam produces an average amount of electricity sufficient to satisfy over fifty percent of the nation's requirements, while also facilitating the distribution of electricity at minimal costs, even in the most isolated areas. Currently, it stands as the most powerful hydroelectric facility in Africa; however, this status may change in the coming years due to the ongoing construction of the "Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam" on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. The significance of the Aswan High Dam for tourism in Egypt is equally noteworthy as its economic impact.

After visiting the High Dam, what attractions can one explore in Aswan? The construction of the High Dam led to the creation of Lake Nasser, an expansive artificial lake measuring 500 kilometers in length and 16 kilometers in width, encompassing a total area of 6,000 square kilometers. This makes it the largest artificial lake ever constructed by humans. The inundation of land resulted in the relocation of over 90,000 Nubian residents and the submersion of 24 significant monuments. Among these, the Abu Simbel temples, built by the renowned King Ramses II of the 19th dynasty for himself and his wife, Queen Nefertari, stand out, along with the Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Isis and has been relocated to the Island of Agilika.

In addition to the dam itself, the Kalabsha Temple serves as another significant tourist destination, situated on the western shore of Lake Nasser. This temple was relocated to its current position prior to the inundation of the lake basin. Originating from the Ptolemaic period, it was dedicated to the veneration of Mandulis, a deity from ancient Nubia. The High Dam is under stringent security measures, as its failure would result in catastrophic flooding, potentially sweeping much of Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. 

The High Dam acts as a beacon, illuminating the various landmarks of Egypt that can be explored during Aswan day tours. A highly skilled guide from Cairo Top Tours will be present to assist you throughout your journey. The Aswan High Dam, with its capacity to regulate river flow, retain water, and produce hydroelectric energy, has significantly enhanced Egypt's development and has created new avenues for industrial and agricultural advancement.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Egypt is a great place to visit! The people there are nice and will help you if you need anything. The cities are usually safe, but it is important to plan ahead and be careful. Crime is not very common, especially in places where tourists go. Therefore, you don't have to worry about being safe when you visit Egypt.

Plan carefully if you intend to visit the Aswan Dam on Fridays when it closes early at 2pm due to religious observances. The Aswan Dam is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. 
 

The Nile Cruise takes 4 days to travel from Aswan to Luxor and 5 days to travel from Luxor to Aswan.
 

A visit to the High Dam is considered a unique and fun experience, as from the top of the dam, impressive for its size, you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding desert. The Aswan High Dam transformed Egypt's Nile Valley and created the enormous Lake Nasser while it was being built to control the annual flooding of the Nile River.

Aswan offers a variety of activities to explore, including visiting the Nubian Village, taking a camel ride, visiting a Nubian House, relaxing by the Nile River, shopping at the Souk, enjoying sound and light shows at historical sites like Philae Temple and Abu Simbel, tasting Nubian cuisine, participating in a felucca cooking class, and visiting the Aswan Botanical Garden. These activities allow visitors to immerse themselves in Nubian culture, interact with locals, and learn about their traditions, crafts, and way of life. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views and the opportunity to shop at the Souk, where bargaining is common.

You can explore the Nile River trail in Aswan in several ways, including:

Nile boat trips: One of the main ways to explore the Nile is by boat. You can rent a small private boat or join river tours offered by local tour companies. During these trips, you'll enjoy stunning views of the Nile River and its enchanting landmarks.

Visit temples and archaeological sites: The Aswan region has many archaeological sites located on the banks of the Nile, such as the Philae Temple and the Ram Temple in Kom Ombo, which are major tourist destinations in the city. Visit these sites to explore Pharaonic ruins and learn about the history of ancient Egypt.

Active tourism: You can explore the trail of the Nile River in Aswan by practicing water sports activities such as sailing or jet skiing. These activities allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nile River and experience adventure at the same time.

Walking on the banks of the Nile: Exploring the trail of the Nile can also be done by walking on the banks of the river. You can wander the magnificent pathways bordered by the Nile on both sides and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

The Aswan High Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River in southern Egypt, built during the reign of Gamal Abdel Nasser and built by the Soviets. Owned and operated by the General Authority for High Dam and Aswan Reservoir, the dam has helped control the flow of water and mitigate the effects of Nile flooding. It is used to generate electricity in Egypt.

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