Aswan, Egypt
Island in the Nile, Egypt
Elephantine is the largest island in the Nile at Aswan, about 1.5 km long. Ancient Egyptians called it Abu, elephant, because it was the port where African ivory arrived and the base for trade and expeditions heading south. Its ruins are part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979. At the southern tip is the small Aswan Museum with finds from the island's digs, and from it you enter the archaeological area: the ruins of the temple of Khnum, the ram-headed god of the cataract, the rebuilt temple of Satet, and the famous Nilometer, a stone stairway down to the river used to measure the flood and set the year's taxes. In the middle of the island are two Nubian villages, Siou and Koti, home to around six thousand people, with painted houses and sandy lanes among the palms. Wandering them slowly, with tea at a Nubian guesthouse, is one of the nicest things to do in Aswan.
The public ferry from the corniche near the old Aswan Museum landing costs very little and beats private boats on price. Allow two to three hours for the museum, ruins and villages. In the villages dress modestly, ask before photographing people, and politely decline unsolicited guides. Morning or late afternoon is best for walking.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
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AttractionAswan, Egypt
