It’s been a lot of years since I was fortunate enough to visit the magnificent country of Egypt, but it’s a place that etched itself onto my heart and is a place I shall never forget. The impact Egypt has on everyone who visits is usually quite tremendous; maybe it’s the history, the ancient tales and glory of past Kings and Queens, the majestic, gigantic temples and landmarks or the legendary Nile River? Without a doubt and whatever the reason, it’s all of these and more that make Egypt so special and a place that everyone should try and visit in their lives.
From the minute you land in Cairo, you are in a world like no other. Cairo is exotic, exciting and a blend of old versus new. Many of the hotels overlook the spectacular pyramids of Giza, and I highly recommend that you stay in one of these options (even though most are four or five star, they are very economical) as you will be hard pushed to find a sight to wake up to that is quite so amazing. The Mercure Le Sphinx, Le Meriden Pyramids and Mena House are all fantastic options to look at staying.
The Nile River meanders through the centre of Cairo, with Giza on one side and the main city of Cairo on the other. No trip to Cairo is complete with a full day touring the Pyramids and the Sphinx. The Pyramids are actually made of huge bricks which each stand almost two metres high – it won’t be the first time that you marvel or wonder how on earth these magnificent structures were built. They truly are amazing and an incredible sight to behold. There is a Sound & Light Show on in the evening also, which is a great way to see as the sun goes down and quite a different vibe to what you will experience during the day.
Cairo is one place where you must visit Egyptian Museum to marvel at the incredible artefacts including King Tutankhamen’s treasure. Even if you are not usually a ‘museum person’, here you will be! The Bazaars are a ‘must’ see too, a hive of activity with lots to look at and buy!
Cruising the Nile River is an important part of your journey through Egypt and you can do this as a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise option aboard vessels of all types and standards. The river cruises are usually all-inclusive and will enable you to take in Aswan (home to the High Dam, Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk), Edfu (home of the Temple of Horus) and Luxor. If you prefer and feel more adventurous, you can do the Nile by felucca, which is an old-fashioned sail boat.
Luxor is truly amazing and here you will see the huge Karnak Temple (this is a really good spot to also do the evening Sound & Light Show option), the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Be prepared for scorching temperatures, but the air is dry and not so humid which is a blessing. If you’re wanting to do something quite different, then consider taking a hot-air balloon trip over Luxor as this would be fantastic and will give you a birds eye view of this amazing ancient city.
Abu Simbel is usually an add-on, as involves either an extra cruise leg or return flights from Aswan, which is my suggested method of transport. Don’t miss out on this optional extension as the Ramses Temple is more than worth the extra effort and one of the best highlights of the trip. From the minute you land on a desert sand runway, you know you are in for a treat, and this is one extension that is definitely not to be omitted if you can permit the time.
Egypt is one of those places that is so unique, steeped in ancient, diverse history and you step back in time not 100’s but literally 1000’s of years. Personally, I think it’s important to do Egypt with a tour guide, as an Egyptologist will bring the ruins and temples to life and you really need a guide to give you the full experience and understanding of what you are looking at. The sheer size, magnitude and magnificence of all you see will amaze you beyond belief.
My experience in Egypt is one that I know can never be replicated and years on, it is still one of the best trips that I have experienced and one that I shall never forget. If you get the opportunity to go, make sure that you do!
Thanks for finally writing about >Xtra-Ordinary Egypt –
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