Egypt is a country rich in ancient history and packed with things to do that will suit almost every interest. A holiday to Egypt provides so many options we’ve run through the top ten reasons to visit this fascinating country.

1. The Pyramids

   An absolute must see – the Pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx are part of the ancient Giza pyramid complex – a site which has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status and is a true marvel of the ancient world.

   The Pyramids at Giza were built during Egypt’s Old and Middle Kingdom Periods, and the Great Pyramid is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

   The Giza pyramid complex is made up of:

   The Pyramid of Khufu: The Great Pyramid

   The oldest of the three pyramids, thought to be built during the 3rd Millennium BC as a tomb for the Pharaoh Khufu, the Great Pyramid is a truly majestic site, dominating the horizon over Giza.

   Pyramid of Khafre

   Khafre’s Pyramid, the second largest in the Giza pyramid complex, was the tomb of the pharaoh Khafre – thought by some to be the brother of Khufu.

   Pyramid of Menkaure

   The smallest of the pyramids, the Pyramid of Menkaure was the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Mankaure.

   The Great Sphinx>

   The half-human, half-lion Sphinx is the magnificent guardian of the Pyramids of Giza and is the largest monolith statue in the world, built by the ancient Egyptians in the 3rd Millenium BC. It is thought by some to be built in the likeness of the Pharaoh Khafra.

   The Giza pyramid complex is an absolute must see. If you are staying in Cairo you can also take a day trip to another set of lesser known pyramids at Saqqara, which are actually even older than those at Giza.

2. Mt Sinai

The Sinai Peninsula isn’t just home to many first-rate beach resorts, but also has a rugged and mountainous interior. Trips from the coast can take you to Mount Sinai, the Biblical site where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

Many people trek up the mountain to see the magnificent sunrise, and at its base you can visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery, an ancient Christian site that houses the Burning Bush as described in the Bible.

3. Nile Cruise

   Cruise down the Nile, the longest river in the world, to glide past reeds and palm-trees and stop off at places like the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Philae and Abu Simbel – the magnificent two rock temples on the western bank of Lake Nassar in southern Egypt.

   Most Nile Cruises will take you to Luxor, which is home to the Karnak temple complex and the Valley of the Kings, where for some 500 years tombs for pharaohs and other nobles were constructed, and what is now a site of incredible archaeological importance.

4. Desert Trekking

   Trekking, camel tours or 4WD adventures into the desert is another great reason to visit Egypt. Trek through the other-worldly mineral sculptures of the White Desert in the west of the country, or experience the Bahariya Oasis which is home to the ruins of the ancient Greek conqueror Alexander the Great.

   Tours in Egypt provide the perfect means to discover the country’s natural beauty, and come face to face with its rich history. Discover traditional Bedouin culture at desert camps and dine under a canopy of stars. The rugged interior of the Sinai Peninsula is easily reached from all the coastal resorts.

5. Diving

   The clear blue waters of the Red Sea are the perfect spot for scuba diving, with beautiful coral reefs lining the Sinai coastline. Located on the shallow shelves off the coast of Egypt, and considered to be between five and seven thousand years old, the region is considered to be one of the best in the world for divers.

   The depths and efficient water circulation of the Red Sea are the main reasons for the fantastic reef systems lining the coast, which is teeming with over 1,000 species of fish, around 10% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
   The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, a British Merchant Navy ship which sunk in the Red Sea and discovered by Jacques Cousteau in the 1950s, has been ranked third best diving location by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine.

   The depth of the wreck, at around 30m, makes for perfect diving conditions, and divers today can see the supplies that perished along with the vessel, including armoured Rolls Royce, Bedford trucks, Norton motorcycles, Bren guns and ammunition.

6. Temples

   Egypt is scattered with ancient temples, with each city in Egypt having its own temple for the god of that city. With so many temples to choose from, you could get lost in the choice alone, and for this reason we have put together a few spectacular options for you:

   Abu Simbel

   Abu Simbel in southern Egypt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Nubian Monuments, featuring two enormous rock temples; the Temple of Ramases II and the Temple of Nefertari dedicated to Hathor.
   The site, a truly magnificent sight to behold, was in danger of submersion in Lake Nassar when the High Dam was constructed, and so both were dismantled and raised higher up the cliff and covered with an artificial mountain.

   Karnak

   Karnak is a vast open air museum near Luxor, full of ancient temples, statues and hieroglyph covered masonry. The ancient name for the site is Ipet-isut, meaning The Most Selected of Places, and whilst quite badly ruined, Karnak remains one of the most awe inspiring sights in Egypt.

   Made up of three temples, with construction dating back to the 16th century BC and lasting over thirteen hundred years, the jaw-dropping architecture of Karnak is not to be missed.

   Valley of the Kings

   The Valley of Kings was where tombs for pharaohs and nobility of the New Kingdom were built from the 16th to 11th century BC. Located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, the wadi (valley or dry riverbed) is made up of two valleys, the East and West Valleys.
   Sights include the burial chamber of Tutankhamun, and the sarcophagus chamber of Ramesses IV.

7. Cairo

   Cairo is a vast and fast-paced city of some 17 million people, located on the banks of the Nile. With the pyramids on its outskirts in Giza and a fascinating Islamic core, it makes for an unforgettable destination. The extension to Cairo’s metro system has made transport around the city considerably easier in recent years.

   You can explore the monuments of Islamic Cairo, like the Citadel and ancient city gates, and head for Khan-al-Khalili, famous for its markets and traditional bazaars or souks. Here you can haggle for souvenirs, carpets, spices and a thousand and one items, and enjoy a cup of refreshing mint tea in a traditional tea shop once you’ve struck a deal.

   A trip up the 187-metre Cairo Tower on Gezira Island in the Nile affords fantastic views across the city.

8. Year round sunshine

   Egypt is a destination which is hot all year round and subject to very little rainfall, with the exception of the Sinai Mountains, which can receive snowfall and frost. The coastal resorts, however, are great winter sun locations with a much shorter transfer time than many other summer destinations.

   Temperatures along the Red Sea Coast average from 13-21 degrees Celsius in the winter and from 27-32 degrees in the summer, avoiding the oppressive heat of the interior, although temperatures can sometimes hit the mid-40s.

   The Red Sea Coast and Sinai Peninsula have many popular and well-developed resorts, with great beaches, luxury hotels and fantastic diving opportunities.
   Sharm-el-Sheikh is one of the best-known, and is a world class scuba diving spot on the southern tip of the Sinai.
   Hurghada is a large modern resort on the Red Sea, which features many excellent hotels and plenty of activities and watersports on offer.

9. Egyptian Museum

   The Egyptian Museum or Museum of Egyptian Antiquities was first built in Boulak in 1891, and has since been moved to Cairo.

   Home to the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, it includes the treasures of Tutankamun and mummies from Pharaonic times. The Egyptian Museum is the best place in the world to view the antiquities of ancient Egypt.

10. Luxury Accommodation

    Egypt features a superb range of accommodation options for all tastes, such as the five star Ritz Carlton hotel in the resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh, set on the azure waters of the Red Sea, perfect for divers and sun worshippers alike.

    The Hurghada Intercontinental hotel is another fantastic resort, situated in Hurghada Bay. It features a great range or watersports, plus floodlit tennis courts and a daily kids’ club as well as a range of dining options to meet all needs.

With so much to see and do, a holiday to Egypt makes for a truly unforgettable experience, and is a place that really shouldn’t be missed. If you would like to book or enquire about a holiday to Egypt, call Africa Sky on 0870 9040 925, and let us help plan your dream Egyptian holiday.

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