The land of the pharaohs is a lot more than just pyramids and tombs….
Egypt is on most people’s bucket list. The tangible history here is unlike anywhere else, and you can see vivid paintings, deep tombs and towering structures that are over four thousand years old.
However, Egypt isn’t only about history, dig a little deeper and you’ll find epic slot canyons, world-class snorkelling, vibrant culture and - once you get past the touts - some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
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Abu Simbel | Aswan | Dahab | Dahshur | Luxor | The Pyramids | White Desert
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Download Uber, as this will save you a lot of the stress of haggling for taxis in Cairo. Sadly, it doesn’t work anywhere else but Alexandria.
Currency: Egyptian pound, but some places accept US Dollars
Visa: Many countries can get a 30 day visa on arrival for USD $25 (Sharm El Sheikh is visa free), but you can buy a visa online ahead of time for up to 3 months.
Safety: Egypt has had its problems, primarily in the very north of the Sinai region. Check your government’s advice before travelling.
When to go: Egypt can get inhumanely hot in the summer (45-50C), so we recommend visiting between October and March so that you can get around relatively comfortably.
Peak Season: November - February
Off Season: June - September
Walk My World Cost Index: $$ - Egypt caters for all budgets and can be pretty cheap if you are willing to hunt out no frills accommodation and local restaurants.
The Best of Egypt
Planning your trip
If you’re happy to pack in the sights, you can see an incredible amount with just seven days in Egypt. From the unmissable historical sites such as the Pyramids, ancient tombs and temples, to the natural wonders, including world class snorkelling, slot canyons and climbing Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain), our itinerary will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
Here are all the scams and mistakes to avoid in Egypt, as well as key things you need to know before you visit.
What are the prices like? Is it safe? Are there scams? We cover all this and more to our detailed guide on using Uber in Egypt.
Aswan & Abu Simbel
Is it worth making the long journey out to the temples? Taking a day trip vs an overnight trip, and everything else you need to know about visiting Rameses II’s most famous construction.
You’ve probably seen the colourful Nubian village near Aswan all over Instagram. But is it just a tourist trap? We’re sharing what it’s really like to visit, including how to get there without a tour.
Cairo & Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are incredible feats of engineering which have stood the test of time - over 4500 years to be precise. Whilst there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the pyramids, what we do know is pretty mind-boggling. This guide covers our favourite facts about the Pyramids, so that you can learn more about one of the ancient Egyptians most amazing achievements.
We visited the Pyramids three times to bring you this guide on how to get around, what to see, how to escape the crowds and everything else you need to know to plan the perfect trip.
Is the Egypt’s White Desert worth the hype? We’re sharing exactly what to expect on a White Desert Tour and whether it’s worth the long drive and high cost.
We’re sharing what it’s really like inside the Pyramids, how hard it is, whether it’s claustrophobic and if it’s worth the money. We’re also going to let you in on some far more adventurous pyramids to go inside, located just outside Giza.
We spent several days photographing the Pyramids, so in this guide we’ll take you through all the best spots, from the classics you’ll see on every postcard, to those which are more unique.
What are the prices like? Is it safe? Are there scams? We cover all this and more to our detailed guide on using Uber in Egypt.
You’re about to fulfil a bucket list dream and visit the spectacular Pyramids of Giza, but you might get more than you bargained for. The Pyramids are Egypt’s wild west and you’ll need to navigate a gauntlet of scammers. We’re here to make sure you know what to expect, the scams to avoid, and how to plan your day to make sure your visit goes off without a hitch.
The Dahshur pyramids are the real deal and how you imagined visiting the pyramids would be. There are no crowds, no one hassling you to take a camel ride, or buy a souvenir, and you’re actually out in the desert. If you delve into their depths it makes for a real Indiana Jones experience. We’re sharing what to expect and how to visit without a tour.
What it’s really like onboard the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor, plus lots of tips for the ride. We’ll tell you what to expect, how to book your tickets and whether it’s worth doing.
Luxor
The Tomb of Seti I is the premier tomb in the Valley of the Kings and much like Nefertari's tomb in the Valley of the Queens, it comes with a hefty price tag. We’re sharing if it’s really worth the money and what to expect inside the tomb.
Such is the fame of Tutankhamun that his tomb comes with an additional entry fee. We’re sharing whether it’s worth the cost, what the much cheaper replica is like and a secret alternative which makes you feel like a real Indiana Jones.
Queen Nefertari's tomb. A tomb you can visit for a mere 10 minutes, that at the current exchange rate costs you USD $60, but was a staggering $87 (1400 EGP) at the time I first started researching our trip. Could it possibly be worth it?
We visited every tomb open to the public in the Valley of the Kings to bring you this guide. We covering everything you need to know to plan your visit, from which have the best paintings, to how difficult they are to access and whether the ones that cost extra are worth it.
Luxor is one of Egypt’s most evocative destinations. There’s so much to do, from descending deep underground to the country’s most spectacular tombs, to sunset sailing on the Nile, gliding gently over the West Bank in a hot air balloon, marvelling at exquisite temples and toasting your trip with drinks at the historic Winter Palace. We’re sharing all the best things to do in Luxor to help you plan the perfect trip.
If you’re planning to spent several days in Luxor visiting all the historical sites then you’re probably weighing up whether you should buy the Luxor Pass. Depending on the exchange rate this could be a costly mistake! We’ll telling you exactly what to look out for in this guide.
Often overshadowed by the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens contains one of the greatest tombs in all of Egypt and far fewer crowds. Similarly the Valley of the Nobles are unbelievably quiet and give you the chance to explore the incredible tombs in complete solitude - just how you imagine tomb exploring to be when you dream of visiting Egypt.
What it’s really like onboard the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor, plus lots of tips for the ride. We’ll tell you what to expect, how to book your tickets and whether it’s worth doing.
The Red Sea
Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh & the Sinai Desert
We’re sharing all the best things to do in Dahab, including plenty of hidden gems you won’t find anywhere else. With everything from world class diving and snorkelling, to epic slot canyons, ancient rock art, and a lake you can float in just like the Dead Sea, Dahab should definitely have a place on your Egypt itinerary.
With crystal clear water and sheltered from the waves, Dahab’s Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to go for a dip. We’re sharing what to combine it with to make an ideal day trip and everything you need to know to visit without a tour.
Spectacular, adventurous and off the beaten track, Arada Canyon is one of the best day trips in the Red Sea. You do need a guide, but it’s a private tour, so you don’t need to worry about crowds. We’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting, including how difficult it is, and what to combine it with to create the perfect full day adventure.
Everything you need to know about visiting Ras Abu Galum without a tour, including the gorgeous coastal walk, what it’s like to snorkel there, and how to get to the Blue Lagoon.
How to visit the real Coloured Canyon - one of Egypt’s most incredible natural wonders. Don’t get scammed and end up at Little Coloured Canyon wondering why it looks nothing like the photos!
Every tour to Mount Sinai is the same: start at 11pm, arrive at sunrise and finish by 9am - a pretty exhausting undertaking. We’re here to tell you that not only can you do this for sunset, but it’s by far the better way to experience this amazing trail. No crowds, better views and a far more enjoyable way of retracing the footsteps of Moses to the top of Mount Sinai.
Of all the canyons we visited in the Sinai, we had the least expectations for White Canyon. However this magnificent canyon truly blew us away, the walk is stunning from start to finish and even has a few adventurous sections. We’re sharing everything you need to know to visit, including trail difficulty and logistics.
The truth about Salama Canyon aka Small Coloured Canyon, or just plain Coloured Canyon if you’re talking to some of the more unscrupulous tour operators. We’re sharing what it’s like to visit, how it differs from the photos and whether or not it’s worth your time and money.
If you like to leave the tour groups behind then this is the guide for you. We’re sharing exactly how to visit the Dahab Blue Hole without a tour, including all costs, permits required and what to expect when you get there.
Whilst everyone knows about the pyramids and ancient sites, fewer people are aware of all the phenomenal natural wonders Egypt has to offer. From pure white deserts, to colourful mountains, deep slot canyons and some of the best snorkelling you’ll find anywhere on earth. We’ve put together a list of 30 of best things to do in Egypt that cover the bucket list items, as well as some lesser known adventures which are guaranteed to wow you.