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It bears the name of the biggest Obelisk ever found situated in the northern area of the stone quarries of old Egypt in Aswan. Requested by Hatshepsut, she controlled together with Thutmose III who had rose to the throne as a kid one year prior.

Aswan was the wellspring of Egypt's finest rock, the hard stone old Egyptians used to make statues, and to decorate sanctuaries, pyramids and monoliths. In the Northern Quarries, around 1.5 km from town inverse the Fatimid Cemetery, is an immense disposed of monolith, which would have been the biggest of all, however was surrendered before it was totally removed.

Three sides of the pole, which is almost 42m long, were finished aside from the engravings. At 1168 tons, the finished pillar would have been the single heaviest bit of stone the Egyptians ever formed. A blemish showed up in the stone at a late stage all the while, in any case, so it lies where the baffled stonemasons surrendered it, still somewhat connected to the guardian rock.

After entering the quarry, steps lead down into the pit of the pillar, where there are old pictographs of dolphins and ostriches or flamingos, thought to have been painted by laborers at the quarry.

Archeologists trust that this extraordinary monolith was deserted when side-cracks showed up on it. The constructors started cutting this pillar from a solitary bit of bedrock. Had this unbelievable monolith been finished, it would have been one the heaviest if not the heaviest pillar ever cut in Ancient Egypt, weighing over a thousand tons and measuring around 42 m.

The unfinished Obelisk has given archeologists critical experiences into antiquated Egyptian stone-working systems. The pillar was an imperative image to the love of the sun in antiquated Egypt. A large portion of the Obelisk's raised in antiquated Egypt were because of religious and political reasons.

How to Get There?

Microbuses will drop you inside of a couple of minutes walk. Private taxis will charge about E£15.

The Temple of Kalabsha is found near Lake Nasser, close to the western end of Aswan High Dam. It was committed to the God Mandulis.

The Temple of Kalabsha (Temple of Mandulis) is an Ancient Egyptian sanctuary that was initially situated at Bab al-Kalabsha (Gate of Kalabsha), roughly 50 km south of Aswan. The sanctuary was arranged on the west bank of the Nile River, in Nubia, and was initially worked around 30 BC amid the early Roman time.

With the development of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the sanctuary, which was initially found 50 km south of Aswan, was undermined with submersion under the rising waters of the repository (Lake Nasser). In a German-financed operation, it was dismantled and reproduced at its present area.

Worked as a tribute to the Lower Nubian sun god, Mandulis, Temple of Kalabsha is one of Egypt's various old and memorable structures and a prime destination for explorers hoping to venture once again into the nation's unfathomable past. Worked amid the standard of Augustus around 30 BC, Kalabsh is known for its elaborate stone carvings and antiquated records engraved on the sanctuary dividers. The sanctuary was moved to its present area at New Kalabsha in 1970 and is in close closeness to the Kiosk of Qertassi and Beit al-Wali.

The name "Kalabsha" alludes to the first site of the sanctuary before it was moved. While the sanctuary was developed in Augustus' rule, it was never wrapped up. The sanctuary was a tribute to Mandulis (Merul), a Lower Nubian sun god. It was built over a before asylum of Amenhotep II.

The sanctuary is 76 m long and 22 m wide in measurement. While the structure dates to the Roman period, it highlights numerous fine reliefs, for example, a fine cutting of Horus rising up out of reeds on the inward drape mass of the sanctuary. From Kalabsha's asylum chambers, a staircase paves the way to the top of the sanctuary where one can see an amazing perspective of the sanctuary itself and the sacrosanct lake.

A few verifiable records were engraved on the sanctuary dividers of Kalabsha, for example, a long engraving cut by the Roman Governor Aurelius Besarion in AD 250, restricting pigs in the sanctuary and in addition an engraving of the Nubian ruler Silko, cut amid the fifth century and recording his triumph over the Blemmyes and a photo of him dressed as a Roman warrior on horseback. Silko was the Christian lord of the Nubian kingdom of Nobatia.

Marsa Alam’s International Airport was opened in 2001. Since then, it has became one of top destinations for diving and other water sports lovers, just like its neighbors on the Western shore; Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hashish, Safaga, Soma Bay and others.

In this guide, we’re mentioning our picks for must visit spots in Marsa Alam in addition to some recreational activities for an exceptional vacation.

The Natural Beach Pool of Marsa Nayzak

Formed after a meteor (“Nayzak” is the Arabic word for “meteor”) hit our planet Earth, this natural beach pool is a heavenly spot for swimming. Marsa Nayzak is nestled 14 km south Marsa Alam.

Ras Banas

Ras Banas is a small peninsula adjacent to the Egyptian-Sudanese borders that offers a great opportunity for an adventure in the heart of the sea. Diving and snorkeling lovers can have the experience of a lifetime to watch the colorful coral reefs and an endless variety of fish and sea creatures.

Sataya Reef (The Dolphin Reef)

A swim with the amazing playful creatures; dolphins is all you need to heal your depression and say goodbye to stress. Daily trips by boats to Sataya Reef can be arranged for an adequate price that includes transportation from and back to your accommodation, snorkeling equipment and the permission to access this region.

Gebel Elba National Park

Nature lovers have a delightful chance to explore the amazing scenery and wildlife at the Elba Protected Area. It’s perfectly located between the tropical and desert regions.

Gebel Elba is blessed with moderate climate that even though it’s located right in the middle of the desert, it has a high rainfall which caused the exceptional phenomena of “mist oases”.

Vegetation in Gebel Elba National Park is the richest in Egypt; mangroves, acacias and Balanites Aegyptiaca among others can be found there.

The Historic City of El Quseir

Spend a great day in the city of El Quseir, best known for its’ Ottoman fort and small bazaars. El Quseir is just a 20 minutes drive away from Marsa Alam. Once you get there, start exploring the Ottoman castle that was built by Sultan Selim back in 1517 to protect El Quseir since it used to be Egypt’s most important port.

Afterwards, you can start shopping at the city’s stunning local market. Papyrus, perfumes, silver crafts and shishas are very popular souvenirs that can be bought for cheaper prices.

Wadi Hammamat

Wadi Hammamat is a dry river valley that used to be a part of the trading route connecting Luxor to the Red Sea and Asia. Dive the wonderful desert; explore the long-abandoned goldmines and oases and watch the ancient rock inscriptions. Choose between Jeep and quad bikes for your safari. If you’re less adventurous, you might try horse or camel safari.

Port Ghalib Marina

Spend a night out at Port Ghalib Marina that hosts gourmet restaurants, buzzing nightlife spots and upscale shops overlooking the exquisite marina and the luxurious yachts.

Musical concerts are frequently held in Port Ghalib. Discos and dancing clubs with worldly renowned DJs can be found in Port Ghalib too. Chain restaurants like TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut and The Grand Café have their only branches in the surrounding region. More than 160 retail outlets can be found in Port Ghalib where you can shop till you drop, although we recommend El Quseir as a cheaper alternative. World class spas, diving centers and other water activities are available as well. A ride in a submarine is highly recommended to get the chance to watch plenty of fish species and other sea creatures.

Bonus Tip

Make sure to visit Marsa Alam during Easter (Sham El-Nesim) vacation; that's when 3alganoob (to the south) festival takes place. During 3alganoob festival, you can enjoy live performances by talented independent musicians and artists, dancing, sunbathing and stargazing. 3alganoob is a great opportunity to socialize and spend quality time with new interesting people. The festival offers accommodations in huts and chalets for extra fees and either ways it will be much cheaper than hotels.

Spread out along the banks of the Nile, Aswan is a casual and well disposed town that gives a peaceful break on the off chance that you've quite recently landed from Cairo. It's old Egypt's portal to Africa, this is a flawless base for investigating the sanctuaries and landmarks in the southern scopes of Upper Egypt and the region's particularly diverse Nubian society. The most ideal approach to find Aswan's charms is to jump on board a felucca (sailboat) and take a deep look into the town from the watery roadway that once made Aswan a vital exchanging post.

Here the most attractions in Aswan

Abu Simbel

Based on the west bank of the Nile River, between the first and second waterfalls of the Nile, the site of Abu Simbel is a standout amongst the most conspicuous antiquated locales in Egypt.

It contains two sanctuaries, cut into a mountainside, that were worked by pharaoh Ramesses II.

The entranceway to the sanctuary is exceptional, to the point that on two days of the year, October 22 and February 22, the light would sparkle into the internal haven and light up three statues situated on a seat, including one of the pharaoh. It's been theorized that these dates might praise his crowning ceremony and conception.

Philae Temple

The consecrated Temple of Isis  (known as Philae Temple) is one of Upper Egypt's most bewildering landmarks both for the lovely masterfulness of its reliefs and for the dazzling symmetry of its design, which made it a most loved subject of Victorian painters. Like Abu Simbel, the sanctuary was spared by the rising waters of Lake Nasser by UNESCO's salvage extend and moved the whole kit and caboodle from its unique home on Philae Island to adjacent Agilika Island where it sits today.

The Philae Temple, is an inside the old faction of Isis, which is the principle part of the Philae complex, however the island is additionally home to the Temple of Hathor and different structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Monastery of St. Simeon

The brilliantly photogenic Monastery of St. Simeon sits between the sand hills on the Nile's West Bank. Established in the 7th century lastly relinquished in the13th century because of water deficiencies, it's one of the biggest and best protected Coptic cloisters in Egypt.

Inside the yard, an aisled Basilica takes up the southern side of the religious community. At the east end of the wide nave, once secured by two arches, is the expansive apse, with three rectangular specialties under semi vaults. In the focal corner are the remaining parts of a fresco delineating Christ enthroned between heavenly attendants. Toward the north and west of the congregation are different auxiliary structures and little grottoes, while the eastern side is comprised of living quarters. Upstairs, are some all the more very much protected barrel-vaulted living quarters, including the minister cells, with block quaint little inns and Arabic engravings upon the dividers.

Tombs of the Nobles

This arrangement of rock tombs etched out of the West Bank's bluffs.

The main tombs you enter are Tombs 25 and 26 where sixth tradition governors Mekhu and Sabni were covered. Up the way to the privilege is Tomb 31, fitting in with Prince Sarenput II, a contemporary of King Amenemhet II. This is one of the biggest and best protected tombs in the necropolis. Past the tomb chamber is a little passageway with three specialties on either side. Look to one side of the main corner to see a figure of the dead man and his child with brilliantly safeguarded hues.

Kalabsha Temple

Kalabsha Temple is the best safeguarded of the three sanctuaries here furthermore the most youthful, dating from the season of Roman Emperor Augustus. The most forcing landmark in Nubia after the Temple of Abu Simbel, it was based on the site of a prior sanctuary established by Amenhotep II and re-established amid the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The improvement was never finished and the reliefs that do exist are roughly executed. Amid the Byzantine time the sanctuary was changed over into a congregation.

Just toward the northwest is the Temple of Beit el-Wali worked by Ramses II and comprising of a vestibule, transverse chamber, and asylum. There are enthusiastic chronicled reliefs all through the inside portraying a significant number of Ramses II's fights and triumphs including the lord's triumph over the Kushites and his wars with the Syrians and Libyans.

Simon Mountain

For archeological-beasts, Aswan's Western Quarry makes an intriguing excursion. It was from here that quite a bit of old Egypt's most unmistakable statuary started their life; etched out of the slope of Aswan stone. Archeologists imagine that Luxor's mammoth Colossi of Memnon originate from this quarry. Today, you can in any case see the tracks where gigantic pieces of stone were dragged to the waterway for their trip down the Nile to beauty the sanctuaries of the pharaohs. There are no streets here, so in case you're up for a camel enterprise, a visit here is likewise a lot of fun.

Souq Area

Slap in the focal point of Aswan's downtown area, al-Souq is a gift seeker's fantasy. The slows down overflow with flavors and fragrances aplenty, conventional galebeyas (long robes) and scarves in rainbow tones, basketry, and flatware. It's a fun spot to scan and - generally - free from the seller hustle that you get in different parts of Egypt. 

East Travelling

Dahab is situated in south Sinai, a couple hundred miles from Cairo and over the Gulf of Suez from Upper Egyptian urban communities of Luxor and Aswan. Dahab is a simple flight from these ranges, so it's an incredible spot to go for a day trip.

Unwinding, Peaceful Vibe

Tranquil, Unwinding Heaven! These are the words regularly used to depict Dahab. Referred to in past years as a nonconformist home base, Dahab has developed into a spot prevalent with explorers of different kinds. Little homes possessed by Egyptians, Bedouins and a little populace of Western expats line its byways, its primary road on the ocean loaded with shops and outside restaurants.

Local Beauty

Look over its waters and you'll see Saudi Arabia approaching, inconceivable and baffling. Dahab has carefree vicinity, its fundamental drag a winding block walkway along the ocean, lined with restaurants serving local dishes and Western dishes, visit shops where Egyptian-style arranging is important to secure a decent cost. More profound in Dahab; most local people and in addition the town's couple of vacationers go by foot. Every so often, a youthful Bedouin man will ride a camel past.

Beauty with Good Price

Egypt is the minimum costly nation in the Middle East and Dahab will offer you some assistance with stretching your cash similarly as it can go. Shopping in Dahab is likewise an extraordinary spot to discover a deal. It is truly difficult to spend a considerable measure of cash in Dahab.

Socially Enlightening

Dahab has two indigenous societies and in addition a group of expats included essentially Europeans who have been living in Dahab for years. This populace is vigorously exceeded, however, by Dahab's Egyptian and Bedouin vicinity. Egyptians – exuberant, energetic, exceptionally cordial and well disposed, and Bedouins – quiet, tranquil, considerate and noble, give the town of Dahab a very differing social feel.

"VERY" Comfortable

Dahab is a Middle Eastern irregularity. Dahab has been so affected by tourism over such a large number of decades that its neighborhood individuals are acclimated to seeing Westerners dress. You won't get gazes by wearing shorts and tank tops as you would in whatever is left of the Middle East, liquor is promptly accessible, sold at the vast majority of its ocean side café.

Festivals and Markets

Alternate points of view of nearby life anyplace can be found through business sectors, occasions and celebrations, and Dahab is great at uncovering itself through these. Dahab Bedouin Festival , which concentrates on worldwide group relations and Bedouin society, and The Dahab Festival, which expects to showcase for the world the one of a kind offerings of Dahab, carry voyagers into close contact with parts of its town life they may some way or another miss. The Thursday Market at Chillax Restaurant and the Friday Market at Sheik Salem House. Held principally by expats however with a touch of Egyptian and Bedouin investment blended in, here you'll discover home-cooked dinners, prepared merchandise, garments things and high quality gems

Desert Life

In spite of the fact that Dahab lies on the Red Sea, it is the Middle East and that implies deserts. A 360-degree view from Dahab uncovers the mountains of the Sinai and Bedouins riding upon camels. At the point when evening time arrives, the sky will be covered with stars that appear to be exceptionally made only for the desert.

Desert life isn't all peace and calm, and Dahab knows this. This spot is the epicentre for desert-driven enterprise for grown-ups and kids, no less than one of which you ought to encounter. On the off chance that you go to Dahab you should ride a camel, and go around Dahab. Jeep safaris will take you into the thick of the desert, all over sand rises and around the mountains, while horseback riding will convey you near desert nature. Mountain Sinai is found only an hour and half away.

Water Sports

Ocean life is as much a piece of Dahab as desert life, and there is significantly more on offer than lying on the shoreline. Windsurfing and kite surfing are prominent Dahab sports, and the tidal pond at the south end of its primary strip holds quiet waters perfect for surfing through calmly, with the effective appearance of the towering Sinai mountains as your view. For a more steady time on the ocean, try the day vessel trip, with breaks for snorkelling, and additionally a visit on a glass base watercraft where you can look at sea-going life very close.

Dahab has a portion of the best plunging and snorkelling spots on the planet. Ras Mohammed National Park is home to more than 1,000 types of fish. The well known Blue Hole is only a 15-minute drive north of Dahab and a standout amongst the most mainstream plunge spots on earth. Pretty much near north of the Blue Hole is Ras Abu Galum, a must try experience to reach – either a walk or riding a camel along its rough coastline, or a jeep trip through its rough mountains.