travel to
Egypt
Whether you walk among the beautiful rock formations of the White Desert, admire the sunrise from Mount Sinai, or soak in a hot spring in remote Siwa, the magnificent desert is all around you in Egypt. But it is the Nile that is the lifeblood of this dry country, the river that gave us one of the world's oldest civilizations. Witness the pyramids, citadel, mosques and museums in Cairo, the towering Pharaonic temples and Valley of the Kings near Luxor and the masterpiece of a temple Ramses II built in Abu Simbel. Join a Nile cruise and visit edifices where time has stood still for centuries. No matter how you travel, Egypt will leave an impression on you.
best time to travel
The best time to travel to Egypt is during spring (March through May) and fall (September- November) when days are warm and nights are pleasant. If you travel in winter (December - February), be prepared for some rain in the north and cold nights in the desert. Summers (June - August) are hot.
places to go
key experiences
Cairo
Wandering through the covered bazaar in Cairo you may be forgiven for thinking you have stepped back in time. Visit the pyramids at Giza and the Egyptian Museum, explore Coptic Cairo and get lost in the medieval Islamic city and you only begin to grasp Cairo's place in the history of the Middle East.
Luxor
Ancient Thebes was once famous for its wealth and power and it is near Luxor you can get a sense of that. There are the enormous temple complex or Karnak and the famous Valley of the Kings, along with a host of other temples and tombs.
Aswan
The laid-back town of Aswan is a great place to stay for a few days as you explore Lake Nasser, its dams, the nearby ancient quarry, take a boat ride on the Nile or visit the town's museums.
Abu Simbel
The colossal temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel were rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and rebuilt higher up in the side of a cliff. A spectacular must-see for anyone visiting Egypt.
Nile Valley between Aswan and Luxor
Taking a cruise down the Nile between Aswan and Luxor is a time-honoured way to see this part of Egypt. En-route you will make stops at various temples, including those of Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula is a rugged but beautiful desert, a land of rocks, canyons and wadis. At the centre of it all stands Mount Sinai, with at its foot St. Catherine's Monastery, for centuries a place of pilgrimage. Along the east coast of the peninsula lie the delightful backpacker hangout of Dahab and the upmarket resort of Sharm el Sheik.
Mount Sinai
Said to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, Mount Sinai these days is a destination for those who wish to see a spectacular sunrise lighting up the rugged desert below.
St. Catherine's Monastery
Nestled at the foot of Mount Sinai, beautiful St. Catherine's Monastery houses Moses' burning bush as well as many other sacred relics.
Hurghada & Red Sea
A popular destination for holiday seekers, the town is a good base from where to snorkel and dive the beautiful reefs of the Red Sea.
Dahab & Sharm el Sheik
Dahab is laid-back and friendly and a great place to hang out. Further south, Sharm is beautifully set at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula has great international restaurants and a good bar scene. Both towns have access to some of the world's best underwater scenery.
Alexandria
Founded by Alexander the Great and once home to the famous library and lighthouse, today's Alexandria is a cosmopolitan seaside city and Egypt's cultural capital. The city is famous for its vintage coffee houses, fabulous sea food and the ruins of Cleopatra's Palace
Siwa Oasis
Deep in the interior of the desert near the Libyan Desert, Siwa oasis is a village steeped in traditions, far away from every day Egyptian life. It makes for a very rewarding detour for those who have time.
White Desert
A surreal landscape of white pinnacles and wind-blown sculptures, the White Desert is best visited at dawn or dusk or during a full moon. Many tours will stay overnight, camping out in the desert
Shop the bazaar
There is nothing quite like meandering at your leisure through the warren of covered passageways that make up Cairo's bazaar. Get lost in the crowds and stop to examine the wares. Enjoy a cup of tea while bargaining over your next purchase.
Tutankhamen's treasure
Visit Tutankhamen's treasure in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and imagine what it was like to live as a Pharaoh.
Under water in the Red Sea
Some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world can be found in the Red Sea. Get lost in a dreamlike underwater landscape of beautiful corals and its colourful inhabitants.
Relax on the beach
Whether you lay back on a sofa in Dahab, live it up in the resort town of Sharm el Sheik, or join the sun seekers in Hurghada, a few days on the beach make for a relaxed end to a trip to Egypt.
Coffee with Cleopatra
Well, not quite. But Alexandria, the city Cleopatra once lived in, is now famous for its vintage coffee houses, fabulous sea food and the ruins of Cleopatra's Palace.
Get lost in Siwa
The remote village of Siwa is steeped in traditions. Explore its streets lined with mud-brick homes, its clifftop citadel, or take a bike out into the surrounding oasis and see the sun set on the great sand dunes. For those who have time, this is one oasis not to miss.
Call to Prayer
A muezzin calling the faithful to prayer from the top of a minaret has a timeless, evocative quality to it that will stir your senses.
Sunrise at Mt. Sinai
Said to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, Mount Sinai these days is a destination for those who wish to see a spectacular sunrise lighting up the rugged desert below.
Enter a tomb
There is nothing quite like entering an ancient Pharaonic tomb in the Valley of the Kings and marvel over the beautiful paintings adorning its walls.
Climb into a pyramid
Arguably the world’s most famous monuments are stunning in their own right. But who dares to climb inside the Great Pyramid, after hearing all the stories about ancient pharaonic curses?
Street food
Buy it fresh from a cart, or sit down in a diner - taamiya, kushari, fuul and shawarma are tasty and a cheap way to get a quick meal.
Desert safari
Take a camel or jeep into the desert, exploring the otherworldly landscapes as you go along and perhaps staying overnight. If you do, don't forget to look up at the stars - can you count them?
Nile Cruise
Whether you sail on a traditional felucca or do it in style on a cruise boat, taking a cruise down the Nile between Aswan and Luxor is a must-have experience. Visit ancient temples and small villages, watch farmers at work and children at play, as you glide, drink or book in hand, down the waters of this mighty river.
Balloon ride
One of the best places for a balloon ride must be the landscape dotted with temples and tombs around Luxor.