aswan

Bask in the golden sun rays and breath-taking landscapes of Egypt’s most tranquil city, which surprisingly

is quite the opposite of the chaotic hustle and bustle of the capital.

Way back Aswan was the portal to Africa, quite the laidback city yet steeped heavily in Nubian tradition

and culture and anything on the subject matter of Pharaohs.

Aswan’s focal feature is that the Nile River gently stretches through it unpolluted even up to this day.

The city is peppered with unassuming villages influenced by the Nubian culture against a

the backdrop of lush isles and giant granite nuggets. Not surprising but these large boulders of granite rocks

were primarily tapped as the source of Ancient Egypt’s raw material for sculptures and giant stone

monuments are more popularly known as obelisks where a lot of them can be found in Luxor, which is just

over 130 km north of the famous great river.

To fully experience the beauty of Aswan one is advised to explore by foot or with use of bicycle;

however, nothing beats experiencing the charm of the city by boarding on a felucca. Most visitors are

enchanted by the mesmerizing sunsets, of course, the ancient temples, and last but not the least, the

elegant Old Cataract hotel.

Traipsing around the numerous Nubian villages, one is sure to not miss the colorful souq’s, a local craft

unique to the city dwellers. Try staying in one of the Nubian guesthouses and one’s palate will be

attacked by delightful sensations when served with their signature home-cooked meals and relax with

the soothing cups of tea.

For the total Aswan experience, check out these attractions:

• Aswan Dam

• Elephantine Island, ruins of the Temple of Khnum

• Fatima Cemetery

• Kalabsha Temple

• Kitchener Island (botanical gardens)

• Monastery of San Simeon

• Museum of Nubian Civilisation

• Old Cataract Hotel

• Souk of Aswan and bazaars along the Corniche

• Temple of Philae

• The Nubian Village

• Tombs of the nobles and local dignitaries of the Pharaonic period (west bank)

• Unfinished Obelisk