Tips When Traveling to Egypt
There are many famous and fascinating sites in Egypt that you won't want to miss out on. Each year, hundreds of travelers visit this historical country, including archeologists, photographers, spiritualists, and everyday vacationers. Egyptian history is vast, spanning about 5,000 years and including ancient, medieval, and modern times. In addition to its oldest and most legendary museums, temples, towers, and tourist attractions, Egypt also offers Red Sea scuba diving and snorkeling, Cairo night life, restaurants, theater, Nile dinner cruises, and more.
As a tourist destination, Egypt trips invariably include visiting the famous Egyptian pyramids. While Egypt is home to over 100 pyramids, none offer the grandeur of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza – the last of the original Seven Wonders of the World still standing. Made over 4,000 years ago by the Pharaoh Khufu – in approximately 2560 BC – this classic monument is 136 meters high, with each pyramid side measuring 229 meters. Giza's second-largest pyramid is the Khafra Pyramid, while the third-largest Red Pyramid is located in Dahshur.
If you are exploring Egypt on your own and are not visiting the pyramids as part of a tour group, I suggest you follow these instructions:
A popular tourist attraction in Cairo, Egypt's capital city, is the Cairo Tower. Measuring 187 meters in height, you will get a breathtaking view of the city from the top of the tower. For a particularly stunning sight, nothing compares to visiting the Cairo Tower at night when the city lights illuminate the skyline. Modern Cairo is also host to the Egyptian Museum, where you will find mummies, sculptures, over 120,000 historic artifacts, and the famous Tutankhamen's Treasures.
The following are some more activities to include on your Egypt vacation itinerary, whether you are traveling solo or with an Egypt tour guide:
Next to Cairo, Luxor is considered Egypt's second-most popular city. Located on the NileRiver, many cruises depart and arrive here daily.
Luxor tours typically include the Luxor Museum, the Luxor Temple, and the Temple of Karnak, where visitors enjoy an interactive Sound and Light Show that describes life in Luxor, the capital of ancient Egypt. The best tours in Luxor also offer activities such as bike riding around Ancient Thebes, a hot air balloon ride, or driving through the streets of Luxor in a horse-drawn carriage.
A cruise along the famous Nile River is a traveler's "must-do," in which you sail around the waters of Cairo and take in some of the most treasured and well-known sights. You can also find day tours to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and additional Egypt destinations, or you can design your own personal Egypt tour.
If you're up for an adventure, consider a trip to the Saharan Desert. The Saharan Desert is home to five famous oases including the White Desert, known for its white, creamy color and huge chalk rock formations which are the result of desert sandstorms. The White Desert is frequented by children on school trips and by campers.
There are endless things to do and see in Egypt. Even if you have limited means, contact your travel agent for low-cost options that allow you to still experience and enjoy Egypt's rich heritage and culture.