Where to go in Egypt
Egypt is an unforgettable destination for any traveller. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and fascinating history.
Explore Cairo, a gateway to the ancient world and home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Aswan, located in Upper Egypt, offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful Philae Temple and Nubian culture. Luxor, the world’s most incredible open-air museum, provides an array of sites to visit, from the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple. Alexandria, a Mediterranean city, perfectly blends history and culture. Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada are beautiful beach destinations famed for incredible diving and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.
No visit to Egypt is complete without a Nile Cruise, a journey along the country’s Nile River, witnessing remarkable landscapes and temples along the riverbanks.
These destinations form a mosaic of Egypt’s profound heritage and natural beauty.
Exploring Temples
Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple is the second most visited site in Egypt and is considered the largest religious building ever constructed. It was a cult temple in honour of the Egyptian gods of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Karnak Temple is, in fact, a collection of temple buildings. Today, the remains of this vast complex include decayed temples, towers, chapels, and other buildings. Prepare to be astounded by the awe-inspiring Hypostyle Hall with its 134 gigantic columns tower 24 meters high and decorated with intricate hieroglyphics.
Luxor Temple
Primarily built by the New Kingdom pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II, this is the oldest temple in Egypt and is often referred to as “the world’s largest open-air museum.” Luxor Temple looks and feels like a smaller version of Karnak Temple, although this temple served a different purpose than many found in and around Luxor. This temple is not dedicated to one particular god or pharaoh. Instead, it may have been where many of the kings of ancient Egypt were crowned. The Luxor and Karnak temples are linked by a 3km avenue lined with sphinxes.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple
Within the grounds of the Theban Necropolis stands the exquisite Temple of Hatshepsut, built in honour of the only female pharaoh to reign over Egypt as a man for over 20 years. She is considered one of the most powerful female rulers in the world. Her temple lies at the foot of dramatic rugged limestone cliffs that rise nearly 300m above the desert plain at Deir al-Bahri. The temple is instantly recognisable with its three elongated collonaded terraces connected by long ramps.
Edfu Temple
The Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved Egyptian temple and is the second-largest temple in Egypt. It was one of the last monumental temples built on a large scale, and though much newer than the temples of Karnak and Luxor, its excellent state of structural preservation fills in historical gaps. One of the more famous landmarks in Egypt is a complex of courts and chambers decorated with engraved walls and statues.
Kom Ombo
The Temple of Haroeris and Sobek near the town of Kom Ombo is a highlight on any river journey. The unusual double temple is dedicated to two distinct divinities from Egyptian mythology: the crocodile-headed Sobek, the god of fertility and creator of the world, and Haroeris or the ancient falcon-headed Horus, the solar war god. Each of the two gods has its entrance, court, chambers, colonnade, and sanctuary with fine reliefs, with the left side of the temple dedicated to Haroeris and the right to Sobek. A path from the temple leads to the new Crocodile Museum, which exhibits a collection of mummified crocodiles.
Philae Temple
The Temple of Isis, or the Philae Temple as it is commonly known, has long captivated travelers. Originally stood on the sacred island of Philae, the temple spent half the year submerged in water. The construction of the Aswan Dam threatened to submerge the temple and permanently cause irrevocable damage. So, the monument was moved to nearby Aglika Island, along with the small, ruined Temple of Hathor and the attractive Kiosk of Trajan, which features well-preserved floral columns. The architecture of the Isis temple perfectly blends Ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles with sculpted pillars, tall towers, and colonnades and shows how the later rulers utilized what had gone before.
Abu Simbel
Dating back to the 13th century BC, Abu Simbel is one of the unique tourist attractions in Egypt. Originally carved out of the mountainside, towering figures of Rameses II guard the entrances, accompanied by smaller statues of his immediate family and built by Ramses II in the 13th century BC overlooking Lake Nasser to impress his power and the Egyptian religion on his southern neighbours. The Temple of Abu Simbel features four gigantic statues of Ramses gazing out over his lands. In addition, there is a smaller temple of Ramses II’s queen – Nefertari – and it is one of the few places in Egypt where the male and female statues are the same size. Inside, scripts on the walls tell tales of Ramses II’s military victories and personal life. Interestingly, it took around 20 years to complete these gigantic statues! Rising waters threatened to swallow the temples when they built the High Dam and moved the entire temple – stone by stone – into its current position.
Exploring Pyramids & Ancient Cities
Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza, standing on the Giza Plateau, is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Having awed travellers down through the ages, these tombs of the Pharaohs Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure), guarded by the enigmatic Sphinx, are usually top of most visitor’s lists of tourist attractions to see in Egypt. The pyramids are around 4,500 years old in Egypt’s Old Kingdom era.
Necropolis of Saqqara
Located south of Giza on the edge of the Western Desert, the necropolis of Saqqara is Egypt’s largest archaeological site (occupying an area of 7 x 1.5 kilometres). Serving as the cemetery for Memphis – the ancient capital of Egypt for over 3,500 years, Saqqara was the final resting place for numerous pharaohs. These kings were buried within 11 major pyramids, the most famous of which is Zhoser’s Step Pyramid. This pyramid is largely considered to be the oldest stone building complex in the world, dating back to 2630 BC.
Pyramids of Dahshur
Further south of Saqqara lies the royal necropolis of Dahshur, which contains some of Egypt’s most impressive pyramids yet sees surprisingly fewer visitors. Dating back to the 4th and 12th dynasties, 11 pyramids once stood in Dahshur. Still, only two have withstood the test of time – the Red Pyramid, one of the very first pyramids ever built in Egypt, and the Bent Pyramid, which has remained remarkably intact. The Dashur pyramid should be on your list of adventures when going on your Egypt pyramid tour itinerary. To enter the pyramids, you will descend tight, steep tunnels and then explore the ancient chambers inside of the pyramids.
Memphis
Although little remains of the ancient capital, Memphis is worthy of a visit for its pivotal role in Ancient Egypt’s history and for its claim to being the world’s earliest imperial city. Constructed from mud-brick, Memphis has largely been reclaimed by the Nile silt with just a handful of surviving monuments, including the Colossus of Ramses II, which lies on its back in a concrete shelter, and an impressive alabaster sphinx.
Valley of the Kings & Queens
Valley of the Kings
Ancient Egypt’s most famous royal tombs are spread across the arid Theban Hills on the Nile’s west bank near Luxor. Unlike the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom, who were buried in the north around Giza and the Nile Delta, the ruling dynasties of the New Kingdom preferred to be buried close to the ancient capital of Thebes (present-day Luxor). The Valley was the burial place for Egypt’s most important Pharaohs for over 500 years. Sightseeing in Egypt would be incomplete without a Valley of the Kings tour on your list. The burial location of various high-ranking nobles and pharaohs of the Ne Kingdom, the Valley of the Kings, contains 62 known tombs, but only a few are open to the public. Each tomb is decorated with impressive paintings and hieroglyphs. These ancient tombs are like a window into a lost world. Not far from the Valley of the Kings lies the Valley of the Queens, where the wives of pharaohs, including Queen Nefertari, were buried in 80 tombs with delicate murals to rival those found in the kings’ tombs.
Valley of the Queens
The Valley of the Queens was the burial site of the wives of the pharaohs. The tombs you will see here are smaller and lack some of the grandeur of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. One significant exception is the tomb of Queen Nefertari – one of the most spectacular tombs you can visit in Egypt. The level of detail is impressive, and the colours are more vibrant than what we saw in many tombs, temples, and pyramids in Egypt. It will give you an idea of what the tombs looked like 3,000 years ago.
Nile Experiences
Nile Cruises
There is no better way to discover the treasures of Upper Egypt than with a Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The Nile Cruises includes tours of several historical sites and points of interest along the route, such as:
Explore Luxor, referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum and home to more than half of Egyptian antiquities. It is a must-see destination for any visitor to Egypt.
The Karnak Temple is a sight to behold. Situated in Luxor, the Karnak Temple is considered the largest temple ever constructed and comprises a collection of temple buildings.
The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is best known as the resting place of Tutankhamun, and at present, it contains 62 known tombs of high-ranking nobles and pharaohs.
Visit the Philae Temple in Aswan, the last ancient temple constructed in ancient Egyptian style.
Hot-Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor
Experience the magic of a hot-air balloon ride over Luxor and take in a breathtaking aerial view of the ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings during sunrise. It’s one of the most memorable ways to experience the beauty of Egypt’s historical landscape.
Felucca Sailing
Enjoy a traditional sailing experience on a Felucca boat, drifting peacefully along the Nile River. This is a perfect way to unwind while soaking up views of the riverbanks, local life, and golden desert sunsets.
Desert & Oasis Adventures
The Western Desert
Egypt’s Western Desert offers one of the most adventurous and off-the-beaten-track experiences in the country. Visit oases like Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Kharga, each with its own history and cultural richness. Expect golden dunes, palm groves, and ancient ruins among the desert sands.
Visit the White Desert
The White Desert is famous for its unique wind-carved rock formations and stunning lunar landscape. Located near Farafra, it’s a photographer’s paradise and one of Egypt’s most surreal natural wonders. Many travellers explore the area via overnight camping trips under the stars for a once-in-a-lifetime desert experience.
Cultural & Religious Heritage
Cairo Capital City
Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is best known for preserving the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and here are a few reasons why you should spend time in Cairo before while on your Egypt adventure tour before you journey to the rest of Egypt:
One of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza hold the keys to our understanding of Ancient Egyptian civilisation. Guarded by the Great Sphinx, the pyramids are the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre and Mycerinus.
Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and uncover an ancient civilisation with over 5,000 years of history. The newly built museum allows you to enjoy never-before-seen artefacts and the complete Tutankhamun collection for the first time!
Coptic Cairo
Marvel at the historical churches in Old Cairo, known as Coptic Cairo, the heartland of Egypt’s Christian community. Churches you can visit include the Hanging Church, the Greek Orthodox Monastery and the Church of St George.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and uncover an ancient civilisation with over 5,000 years of history. The newly built museum allows you to enjoy never-before-seen artefacts and the complete Tutankhamun collection for the first time!
Take a Food Tour of Cairo – Bellies En-Route
Sample some of Egypt’s most delicious and authentic dishes through a guided food tour in the capital. Bellies En-Route is one of Cairo’s most popular culinary experiences, giving visitors the chance to taste local favourites and experience the city through its flavours.
Red Sea Coastal Experiences
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is famous as a dive destination with sites like the Ras Mohammad National Park and the Strait of Tiran. Snorkellers can easily reach the house reefs from many of the hotels.
Hurghada
Extend your stay and visit Hurghada, a Red Sea resort town where you can relax and unwind for a few days and participate in activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, horse riding and deep sea fishing.
Mount Sinai & St Catherine’s
Hike to the Summit of Mount Sinai
Climbing Mount Sinai is a spiritual and breathtaking experience. Begin the hike in the early morning to reach the summit by sunrise and witness a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain range.
St Catherine’s Monastery
The famous Catherine’s Monastery, hidden in the mountains, is a must-see in Sinai! It is one of the world’s oldest working Christian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
EGYPT TOURS
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