Mysteries of the Desert

The distance between Luxor and Cairo spans approximately 650 kilometres (404 miles). Travel today offers a range of conveniences. Opting for a plane reduces the journey to merely an hour, while taking the train extends the travel time to around eleven hours. Alternatively, the more leisurely route along the Nile River via cruise ships captivates travellers, this journey spanning approximately eleven to twelve days, offering an immersive exploration of Egypt's rich historical sites.

But... In the 13th century, with no flights, trains, or luxurious cruises available, ships were indeed a valuable mode of transportation, but they posed significant dangers due to pirate activities. As a result, many merchants and common travellers choose to embark on the challenging desert journey, which took fourteen days...

In the 13th century, amid the dominion of the Mamluk Dynasty, a caravan consisting of ninety individuals, including merchants and common travellers, initiated their long challenging journey from Luxor to Cairo across the desert. Traditionally, this passage demanded a grueling fourteen-days trek. However, this caravan made an unconventional decision, opting for a shortcut route that promised to reduce their journey to only nine days, a considerable reduction from the standard duration. Yet, this shortcut path has been banned for two hundred and sixty years, dating back to the rule of the Fatimid Dynasty in 10th century Egypt.

What occurred along that route to prompt the Fatimid Dynasty to enforce the ban on the once convenient path for merchants and commoners remains a mystery. Following their decree, neither the Ayyubid Dynasty nor the Mamluk Dynasty dared to reopen this forbidden route. Despite countless narratives transmitted across generations in Egypt and its neighbouring cities, the precise occurrences that prompted the ban on this during that era remain elusive and shrouded in mystery. So, why did this particular caravan defy this long standing taboo and opt for this forbidden path? Was their decision an act of ignorance regarding the route's prohibition, or did they intentionally select it despite its forbidden status? Intriguingly, many members of the caravan had personal ties to this route, actively choosing to undertake this journey. However, the motivations behind their deliberate choice amidst the route's prohibited nature remain an intricate and compelling enigma interwoven with their individual life stories. During their journey, numerous secrets of the caravan members' lives will be unveiled. What were their stories? And why are their life stories connected to this journey? Why did all ninety caravan members agree to journey on this prohibited route? What will happen to the caravan during their journey? If the route has been banned for two hundred and sixty years, there must have been a strong reason. So, what was the reason? What is the history of this route? What happened in the 10th century so that the Fatimid Dynasty banned this route? Will the caravan safely cross the desert?

Caution: If you are an atheist, please don't purchase this book as it is not intended for you.