Egypt In Depth- What to See & Do

Dear Traveler,

If you follow the current travel trends, you might know that Egypt is on the rise- ranked among the leading must-visit destinations for 2019-2020. And they are many reasons why- as one of the cradles of the Ancient World, Egypt is a living open-air museum with so many archaeological sites, that on a classical 7-day itinerary you can only get a glimpse of its magnificent cultural heritage. The delicious Mediterranean cuisine, the exotic bazaars, and the lesser-known for the American traveler Red Sea coast with world-class resorts in Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada are even more reasons to put Egypt on your travel list.
Here are a few tips on what to see and do in Egypt and how you can get there:

                                                                     The Sphinx with the Great Pyramid 
If you don't want to get scammed multiple times, the best way to visit Egypt is either by an organized, tailor-made private journey or already pre-packaged group tour. Having a local guide, preferably Egyptologist and a driver is highly recommended. For a full immersion, consider a 10-12 day itinerary.

Travel Tip:
If you are traveling in a group before you reserve ask what is the maximum number of travelers allowed. Small groups (under 15 travelers) benefit from more time sightseeing, personalized attention, and connecting with like-minded travelers, rather than the traditional 40-50 people in motor coach tour.

Every itinerary begins and ends in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Three days in this metropolitan city is a perfect start to your journey. A classical itinerary will include a visit to the Pyramids, Memphis (the ancient religious capital of Egypt), the Step Pyramid & a visit to the Cairo Museum. If an option, consider a visit of Snefru (the father of Cheops) Red Pyramid- the first true pyramid that inspired Cheops to master the construction of his own pyramid. Getting inside the Great Pyramid & the Solar Boat Museum will be a bonus.

                                                            The site of Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt
Travel Tip:
 The traffic in Cairo is quite challenging. If you have a choice, I recommend selecting a hotel in Giza vs downtown Cairo. The pyramids are located in the Giza plateau and a majority of accommodations are just outside of the pyramid complex and offer "Pyramid views". Just imagine after a long day sitting on your hotel balcony with a glass of wine and watching the sunset over the Pyramids (check Mena house hotel by Marriott). In addition, the brand new, state of art Cairo museum, scheduled to open sometime in 2021is located in near proximity to the Pyramids.

Travel Tip: 
Since all Egypt Itineraries start and end in Cairo, I recommend spending the last day visiting Coptic Cairo (the Christian Neighborhood of Cairo) and Khan Al Khalili bazaar- one of the oldest functioning bazaars in the world. A shopper's paradise, this exotic place becomes alive after sunset, when the temperatures cool down, and it is a favorite hang-out spot for locals and travelers alike.

Khan Al Khalili bazaar

The "Hanging Church", Coptic Cairo

"Egypt is the gift of the Nile," remarked the "father of history" Herodotus 2,000 years ago and I cannot agree more. Your journey to Egypt won't be complete unless you embark on a river cruise. The majority of river cruises begin in Luxor or Aswan. The best-preserved Egyptian Temples (Philae Temple in Aswan, The Horus temple in Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple & the Temple of Goddess Hathor in Dendera) date back to the Ptolemaic Period (3-1 Century BCE) and are located mostly along the banks of the river. There is a wide choice of local and international riverboats that run 3,4 days and longer itineraries, offering an all-inclusive experience accommodating any type of budget. Sailing on the Nile feels peaceful, relaxing and you can almost transfer yourself 4,000 years ago when the banks of the river were brimming with all kinds of local activities- fishing, harvesting, and children playing.

                                                                                Philae Temple near Aswan

                                                                                Kom Ombo Temple on the way to Luxor
Millennial years ago the religious and administrative capital of Egypt was Memphis, located just outside of Cairo, and ancient Thebes was only chosen by the Pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty (1500 BCE) to be their eternal home. Today, Luxor (the Greek name of Thebes) is a busy tourist town, a gateway to the Valley of the Kings. If you are embarking on a river cruise, visit Luxor & Karnak Temples, both dedicated to the God Amun is included in the cruise itinerary, as well as a visit of Valley of the Kings where a general entrance ticket will include an entrance to a few of Ramses II sons. The sight of Queen Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple is truly a marvel.


Travel Tip: 
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, visit the best-preserved tomb in Valley of the Kings belonging to the Pharaoh Seti I or the tomb of Queen Nefertari in Valley of the Queens (father and wife of Ramses II). If you like to venture further, the lesser-visited tombs in Valley of the Nobles will leave you in awe with their colors so bright 3500 years, later on, that one might think they were painted yesterday.

Travel Tip: 
If you opt in to spend a night in Aswan, consider staying at the Old Cataract Hotel, a heritage property, where, at the beginning of the 20th Century Agatha Christie wrote "Murder on the Orient Express". Aswan is also a getaway to visit Abu Simbel Mortuary Temple of Pharaoh Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari.

Back in Cairo, you can extend your journey with a day trip to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea and explore archaeological remains dating to the Ptolemaic & Roman Rules or decide on a quick Red Sea tropical escape. Sharm El-Shaikh Resort complex on the Red Sea will allure you with its crystal water, world-class diving, and high-end accommodations.

Are you inspired to go? Let us take you to the "Land of the Pharaohs"


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