Edfu, Egypt

Edfu is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu, located about 5 km (3 miles) north of Edfu where there are remains of ancient pyramids.

The town is known for the major Ptolemaic temple, built between 237 BCE to 57 BCE, into the reign of Cleopatra VII. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved. The remains of the ancient settlement of Edfu are situated about 50 m to the west of the Ptolemaic temple - to the left of the older temple Pylon. This settlement is known as Wetjeset-hor.

The remains of one of seven small provincial step pyramids built along the Nile Valley, is situated about 5km north of Edfu near the west bank village of Naga el-Goneima. The structure was built from rough reddish sandstone and rises to a present height of 5.5 m. The pyramid has been loosely attributed to King Huni of the Third Dynasty. The purpose of these pyramids is unknown.

Things to see and do

* Temple of Horus
* Tell Edfu - Wetjeset-hor
* Edfu pyramid ruins
* The Temple of Khnum at Esna

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Egyptian pound (LE) (EGP)
Language - Arabic
Population - 60,000
Electricity - 2 pin round pins European style
Time - GMT plus two hours
International Country Telephone Code - +20

Port Location - Cruise boats dock in Aswan on east bank of the Nile, or Esna 53km south of Edfu.

Transport Links - An average of six return flights a day are maintained by Egyptair between Aswan and the Egyptian capital Cairo. One morning flight also exists between Luxor and Aswan.

Egypt's train service which runs along the Nile, extends down to Aswan and is a regular and a good travel alternative.

Dozens of cruise ships depart from Luxor to Aswan everyday. These can be booked through agents or at the actual ships themselves.