Highlights: Cruise up the River Nile on a traditional boat and watch pyramids & old monuments appear, then disappear, on its banks as you sail by. The Temple of Philae, located on a small island accessible only by boat, and the city of Luxor are also unmissable.

Lowlights: Traffic is chaotic in Cairo and can cause long delays, so factor this into your travels. Keep up to date with any regional travel warnings as parts of Egypt can be unstable.

Wardrobe: Egypt is a conservative country, so keep this in mind when packing and travelling. It can get surprisingly get cold in winter, even at the pyramids - a warm jacket won’t go astray.

Wares: Alabaster is an ancient stone, and handmade alabaster wares, versus machine made, are worth the purchase with their delicate designs that are enhanced when held to the light.

Cairo

From the moment you step out onto the cracked pavement of the city of old Cairo, a myriad of dusty, smoky scents hits you – the result of a city that receives very little rain every year. One quarter of Egyptians live in Cairo, and its noticeable - the constant sound of cars honking while weaving through traffic chaos, a sea of apartments and satellites, and crowds on street corners and city squares. But the great city of Cairo has some of the world’s most treasured wonders, including the River Nile that flows strongly through the city, giving life to giant palms on its banks as it goes. In the heart of Cairo, there’s Tahrir Square, a hive of activity. Children play soccer in its centre, seemingly oblivious to its revolutionary significance. A short distance away is the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities– heaven for Ancient Egypt history buffs. It’s easy to get lost in Tutankhamun’s treasures and the relics of one of the world’s greatest empires, in fact, the museum itself can’t house the amount of art and history that Egypt has to offer, with even the museum basement at capacity! Wander out of the museum and you’ll still find yourself walking through significant parts of history, like the first mosque in Africa, built in the year 642, a 12th century aqueduct, and the oldest train station in the Middle East – Ramses Station– a hub of activity during both day and night.

old Cairo

Slightly further afield, there’s Old Cairo with its cobblestoned streets and centuries old mysterious churches, ruins and fortresses. The Roman Babylon Fortress encompasses a number of churches, the most well-known being the Hanging Church, built on top of Roman ruins. Upon entering from the street, you’ll find yourself in a small courtyard with a garden, detailed and colourful mosaics of biblical events and a stairway leading up to the church’s entrance, the interior of which is stunning. As you leave Old Cairo, it’s worth dropping into the Papyrus Institute to learn about one of the plants that became integral to Egyptian life and the record of it, as well as to admire the artistic variety of papyrus prints.

Gizah District

Of all the known pyramids in Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza stand strong against the test of time – a hauntingly beautiful silhouette against the sunset over Cairo. The pyramids were built to the west because of the Egyptian belief that life ends with the sun and they are truly a wonder – visit during an Egyptian sand storm and they will be surrounded by an eerie but glorious glow. The Great Pyramid remains a mystery - no one knows how many people it took to construct it, no one really knows it’s purpose, but the mathematical calculations and its dimensions are fascinatingly precise. Close to the pyramids is the Khufu Ship, remarkably found in intact, disassembled and then reconstructed. Have a wander into one of the pyramids to see the detailed architecture up close and experience the strange silence... note that cameras are not usually allowed and any photos may cost you. The Great Sphinx also lies near the pyramids, a majestic and mythical creature that is literally a part of the bedrock and rises from it. You will find other smaller pyramids and tombs also scattered across the Giza area. Further out from the Giza plateau, you’ll find Saqqarah, an ancient city and now home to burial grounds and pyramids including the Step Pyramid. 

Aswan 

To the South of Egypt, there’s Aswan, home to the High Dam, built by King Nassar. It is the largest man-made lake about 500 km long, and was created to stop the constant flooding of the Nile. However, the dam is not without controversy, with some of the Nubian people of Egypt stating that the creation of the dam now causes the river to flood their land, with devasting impact. The Granite Quarries of Aswan hold the famous Unfinished Obelisk, which was abandoned by the Ancient Egyptian workers when a large crack appeared in it. However, what was a disappointment to the workers is a discovery for us as it captures a unique insight into how the workers used to build and construct these ancient monuments. A highlight of Aswan is the Philae Temple Complex, located on a small island in Lake Nassar. Take a small boat to the island and stand in awe of this ancient temple, that was actually relocated to this location. The Temple of Isis is also on this tiny island, and both are in remarkably good condition. Look out of the Christian crosses stamped over some of the hieroglyphics in an attempt to stop the perceived pagan worship at these temples.

Before leaving Aswan, don’t miss visiting the Old Cataract Hotel, made famous in Agatha Christie’s story – Death on the Nile. Have a drink at the bar, overlooking the Nile, palms and feluccas, and enjoy the heritage décor of the hotel. Given Aswan is located along the River Nile, there are many opportunities to take advantage of the water – try a traditional felucca boat ride or stay on a boat and cruise downstream, visiting landmarks such as Kom Ombo or Edfu, home to the Temple of Horus. Take a horse drawn carriage or caleche to reach the temple from the boat dock.

luxor

Perhaps one of the most enchanting destinations in Egypt is Luxor – home to 30% of the world’s monuments! This town relies on its agriculture and tourism, and it’s easy to see why. Visitors are spoilt for choice, starting with the Valley of the Kings, on the West Bank. You could spend hours here, exploring all the tombs of the Pharaoh’s, remarkably intact and shrouded in mystery as to how they were built and how they have stood the test of time. The hieroglyphics tell stories from centuries ago, and most of these are painted using natural resources, which have lasted to this day. Here you’ll find Tutankhamen’s Tomb– also known as Tomb KV62 – and over 60 other tombs carved into the rock and caves in the valley.

A short drive away is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut is one of ancient Egypt’s few Queens, and one of the most successful. The Temple is full of hieroglyphics and stories of her rule and reign, including some rumours of a potential affair with one of her advisors. The temple itself has a long ramp leading up to it’s entrance, and a number of terraces with large pillars, and different chambers. On the West Bank, you’ll find many small colourful stores selling alabaster– an ancient rock that is carved into beautiful vases, candle holders and many other wares. On the East Bank of Luxor is the Karnak Temple, a colossal site in Luxor taking up over 100 hectares. The Great Hypostyle Hallis mesmerising, with large pillars and ancient inscriptions. Luxor Temple is also a short distance away. Luxor itself is an enchanting town with a small park in front of the temple where families come to gather at sunset and children play, the marketplace that comes alive at night with shop owners and bargain hunters, and the monuments from the ancient world that light up just after sunset, casting shadows and reinforcing the mystery of this ancient land…