Egypt is home to the longest river in the world, the Nile, and ancient treasures such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of Kings. Anticipation is building for a magnificent new museum set to open in 2020 housing Egypt’s most famous antiquities. Egypt is a hot destination for 2020; a good time to cross this gem off your bucket list.
Must See
Cairo
Cairo is a bustling city of more than 24 million people. Explore Islamic Cairo, an old walled city in central Cairo, and Coptic Cairo, which includes the Hanging Church, named so for its suspended nave over the a passage. Haggle for scarves and jewelry in Cairo’s famous markets, and tuck into one of Egypt’s traditional dishes, koshary, a fulfilling mixture of pasta, rice, chickpeas, and brown lentils topped with cumin-spiced tomato sauce.
The Pyramids of Giza
The iconic pyramids have been luring travellers to Egypt for centuries – and for good reason: they are magnificent to see. The pyramids complex consists of the three major pyramids, Menkaure, Khafre and Khufu, and the great Sphinx. Visitors are allowed entry into the largest pyramid, Khufu.
Alexandria
Add a few days to an Egypt tour and head north to the port city, Alexandria, known for being one of the most culturally diverse cities in Egypt and the broader region. There are lots of sites to see, and there is also a very active arts and cultural scene with performances and events taking place nightly.
Must Do
Cruise the Nile
Try a five-star cruise and sail three nights on the Nile as the Pharaohs once did long ago. Heading to Luxor, you’ll see more of Egypt’s magnificent monuments including the Temple of Horus. In Luxor, you’ll visit the Valley of the Kings, where King Tutankhamun’s tomb is.
Stay in an Ecolodge
Try a Social Impact Traveller journey and experience a Nubian ecolodge set on Bigeh Island, which is considered as an archaeological site situated along the Nile River in historic Nubia in Aswan. Eco Nubia is a new Ecolodge aiming to promote the eco-friendly lodging with authentic Nubian food and beverages, and unique beach area directly on the Nile. Stay here to lessen your travel footprint, support local enterprise, and help keep Nubian traditions alive.
Hot Air Balloon
Sunrise is the best time to see Egypt’s most famous ancient sites by hot air balloon. For the 45-minute trip, you’ll see some of Luxor’s highlights, including Karnak Temple, built by ancient Egyptians some 2,000 years ago, and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. Dedicated to one of ancient Egypt’s first female pharaohs, this iconic temple is carved into a cliff.