The Cube

We splurged and got a private car with driver (EGP 4,750 for the car with driver) to get from Aswan to the accommodation in Luxor via Temple of Kom Ombo, Temple of Horus at Edfu and Temple of Khnum at Esna. Interestingly, we noticed that none of the shuttles we took include lunch break. So this round we prepared lunch to eat in the car. 

Entrance fee: EGP 450 per person

Kom Ombo is situated 40 km north of Aswan, on a sandy bank where crocodiles once sunned themselves. The ancient city, Ombos has a strategic position in a sweeping bend in the Nile and an important stop on the caravan routes from Nubia to Egypt. It became even more important during Ptolemaic times and with the erection of the Temple of Kom Ombo in the 2nd century BC.

The temple is unique because it is dedicated to two different gods - the falcon headed god Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and the crocodile god Sobek. So the temple has two identical entrances, two linked hypostyle halls and twin sanctuaries. 

The columns in the outer hypostyle hall has fine carvings. On the outer walls of the outer temple gallery is a carving of medical nistruments used in ancient times. In the grounds is a shrine dedicated to Hathor, a birthing house and a pool where sacred crocodiles were once kept. 

A new addition to the complex is a Crocodile Museum which includes display of mummified crocodiles. 

Entrance fee: EGP 550 per person

We stupidly missed the gate to the temple and hiked up to the town area, asked around and then walked back down. 

The Greeks called this Apollonopolis as the sun-god Horus-Apollo was worshipped here as this was spot believed to be where Horus won a major battle with the evil Seth to avenge his father Osiris. There are palm and flower capitals columns and walls decorated with scenes of various festivals - the mock battle commemorating the vitory of Horus over Seth and the joyful annual wedding visit of Hathor. This is a big temple with staircases sometimes leading to nowhere. There was also a room thought to be a laboratory or perfume room, with recipesfor perfumes and ointments carved into the walls. 

Entrance fee: EGP 200 per person

Khnum is an ancient Egyptian creator god, often depicted as a ram-headed man, who was believed to mold humans from Nile clay on a potter’s wheel. Esna, lies 50 km south of Luxor and this small rural town is built over the ruins of Temple of Khnum. A tourist souq leads from the Nile to the entrance of the temple. We were dropped off at end further from the Nile and picked up from the other side. 

Only the Hypostyle Hall has been excavated and its foundation level is 8 metres below that of the street. This 24 columns with richly decorated floral capitals was added by the Romans.