Egypt

Egypt's awe-inspiring sights first drew the ancient Greeks and Romans and is again today one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world. Land of the Pharaohs and the mighty Nile, Egypt possesses a fascinating cryptic history and ancient monuments like nowhere else. Riding camel-back up to the pyramids of Giza, entering the weighty ambience of excavated rock tombs, and cruising down Egypt's lifeblood waterway to visit magnificent riverside temples will awaken your inner crusading explorer.

Where to Go in Egypt

The capital city of Cairo is a colossal metropolis decorated by more than a millennium of architecture including pyramids, mosques, churches, bazaars, modern slums, and a dense skyline of skycrapers and elite hotels. Come for the fantastic Egyptian Museum, the charming old-world neighborhoods of Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo, shopping at the Khan Al Khalili souq, and live dance shows in the evenings. You can take day trips to the pyramids both at Giza and Saqqara.

The north of Egypt along the Mediterranean is known as Lower Egypt – this is where the world’s longest river flows from south to north to flow out at the Nile Delta, a lush region largely untouched by tourism. This is also where you find the famous port city of Alexandria, known for its legendary library (today a contemporary building), Greco-Roman landmarks, and elegant cafes. To the east of the Delta is the Suez Canal, a largely forgotten region among tourists, which nonetheless offers the pleasant colonial town centers of Port Said and Ismailia.

The seasonal swell and retreat of the Nile provided a life-giving rhythm to ancient settlers along its banks and allowed civilizations to prosper up and down the contour of the fertile Nile Valley. In the south, in Upper Egypt, you’ll find all the wonders visitors dream of: Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, Aswan’s High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple of Edfu, the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel, Lake Nasser, and colorful Nubian heritage. Farther north are the sites that are often overlooked on river cruises: the stunning temples of Abydos and Dendara, and the tombs of Beni Hassan.

Entering Egypt’s vast Western Desert region is stepping into another world entirely. There are five oasis towns that offer some lush relief among the unforgiving sweep of glimmering sand. Come to marvel at the beauty of the desert landscape, experience Bedouin culture at a desert camp, relax in a shady oasis getaway, and explore by guided safari or camel-back sunset ride.

The Sinai Peninsula draws beach-goers, scuba divers and religious travelers. In monotheistic tradition, Mt Sinai is where God handed down the commandments to Moses. Along the coast are beach resorts, especially at glamorous Sharm El Sheikh. Divers come to this part of the Red Sea from all over the world, enticed by the spectacular coral reefs at Ras Mohammed National Park. Along the Red Sea Coast are more renowned beaches and diving spots, including Hurghada, Port Safaga and El-Quseir.

Typical First-Time Itinerary for Egypt

Our most-requested itinerary for clients who have one week to visit Egypt includes two touring days in and around Cairo, followed by a four-day Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan. But if you have more time to spend, we can help you fill it with unforgettable Egyptian experiences! Many people get overwhelmed by the amount of Nile cruises out there, but we have valuable experience to help select the right one for you based on your accommodation preferences, time limits and budget.