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Bucket list destination:

Ancient Egypt

  • Egypt

Last updated: 22 September, 2024

With its unique tapestry of ancient history, culture, and natural wonders, Egypt is a country – and a bucket list destination – like no other. It’s a captivating land of mystical allure that unfolds like a living museum.

But if you’re interested in a trip that ticks off all the bucket list sights relating to the ancient Egyptians, you need to plan on (at least) three stops.

First Cairo, Egypt’s capital, home of the incredible Pyramids of Giza, and the astonishing new pyramids and tombs being constantly discovered in nearby Saqqara. The world-renowned Egyptian Museum here holds a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including those found in the tomb of the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Second, 700km to the south is Luxor, home of the extraordinary tomb-filled valleys, and the colossal temples at Karnak.

Third, further south still, exotic Aswan, your staging point for visiting one of the world’s greatest ancient sites at Abu Simbel, the Temple of Ramasses II.

Cruises down the legendary Nile river, in the footsteps of the great pharaohs, will take in all the major stops. Most visitors will fly from Cairo to Luxor, then cruise to Aswan, but you can cruise all the way from Cairo. You can also cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel across the beautiful and less-crowded Lake Nasser. Wherever you start from, it’s an unforgettable odyssey watching Egypt’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and timless landscapes slowly unfold.

 

Tours, tickets & transfers

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Giza

See Egypt with different eyes. Enjoy the main highlights of Luxor. Enjoy the main highlights of Aswan. Visit the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel. Valley of the Kings and so much more with an Egyptology guide. Take it easy with door-to-door transfers to and from Cairo international airport. Visit the most ancient temples in whole the world. Touch the great Egyptian culture in Luxor and Aswan. Experience the great Egyptian river Nile by sailing Nile cruise. Experience the hot air balloon the life trip in Luxor. Visit the great and famous 3 pyramids in Giza. Enjoy a worry-free excursion with all accommodation, transportation, and most meals taken care of. Stop at the Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo,Hatsheput, Karnak and Edfu temples; and learn about Egyptian history and culture. Feast on buffet lunches, dinners, and breakfasts on board a 5-star ship. Open your eyes you are in Egypt the land of the great civilization. Have a nice trip

Price $936

Min age 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [188 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Cairo

See all that Egypt has to offer on a week-long private excursion from Cairo. See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Take a Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Stop at the Abu Simbel, Kom ombo, Karnak and Edfu temples and learn about Egyptian history and culture. Enjoy a worry-free excursion with all accommodation, transportation, and most meals taken care of. The great pyramids,Valley of the kings and so much more with an Egyptology tour guide. Enjoy sun set and sun rise while cruise sail above the river Nile which has many secrets you can be one of a lot who desire to find out some of these secrets. Enjoy the highlights of Aswan and Luxor. Feast on buffet lunches, dinners, and breakfasts on board a 5-star ship. Take it easy with door-to-door transfers from and to Cairo airport. Visit the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel. Experience the life trip in Luxor hot air balloon. Our target to make sure that you have unforgettable memories during your stay in Egypt

Price $920

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [77 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Cairo

See all that Egypt has to offer on a week-long private excursion from Cairo See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx Take a Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Stop at the Abu Simbel, Kom ombo,Karnak and Edfu temples and learn about Egyptian history and culture Enjoy a worry-free excursion with all accommodation, transportation and most meals taken care of The great pyramids,Valley of the kings and so much more with an Egyptology tour guide Enjoy sun set and sun rise while cruise sail above the river Nile which has many secrets you can be one of a lot who desire to find out some of these secrets Enjoy the highlights of Aswan and Luxor Feast on buffet lunches,dinners and breakfasts on board a 5-star ship Take it easy with door-to-door transfers from and to Cairo airport Visit the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel Experience the life trip in Luxor hot air balloon Our target to make sure that you have unforgettable memories during your stay in Egypt. Have a nice trip

Price $1,040

Min age 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [29 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Cairo

We promise all our travelers with the best services and complete friendly manners with our commitment toward our guests with a lifetime trip. Our qualified team and tour operators, that provide you with great tips to understand the nature of our excursions. Our knowledgeable tour guides, that provide you with great knowledge about the ancient Egyptian history. Our good drivers, clean, air-conditioned cars.

Price $1,475

Min age 0

Rating 4.85 / 5 [21 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
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  • Cairo

Day 1: As Per Requested time Arrival to Cairo airport, our representative will meet you at the airport then you will be transferred by a private A/C car to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. Meals: N/A Day 2: Breakfast. then around 8:00 am pickup from your hotel by private A/C Vehicle to Start your full day visiting the Egyptian Museum of antiquities. On display is a rare collection of 5000 years of art the largest most precious collection of Egyptian art in the world. Over 250,000 genuine artifacts are presented, including an exhibit dedicated to the Tutankhamen collection of treasures, gold, and jewelry, as it was enclosed in his tomb for over 3,500 years before it was discovered in the 1920s when his tomb was excavated. Visit the Great Pyramids - Cheops, Chephren & Mykerions. Cheops is the most colossal ever built. Next is a close-up look at Sphinx - a huge funeral complex guarded by the legendary lion body with the face of king Chephren. Then visit The Citadel (it comprises a number of important monuments which are; The Mosque of Suleiman Pasha, The Alabaster Mosque, Joe's Walls, Mohamed Ali Pasha Palace) Then visit Khan El Khalili Bazaars.Shops in this district are legendary for fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques etc.At the end of the day around 17:00 pm we will transfer you back to your hotel. (Optional-not included)  Dinner Cruise including transportation, dinner, Belly Dancer, Tanura Show.Overnight in Cairo From 8 to 10 Pm Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel & Complimentary Lunch at Restaurant with Pyramids View Day 3: Breakfast. then around 4:00 am Transfer to the domestic airport to take your flight to Luxor. Arrival Luxor by 6:00 am Our representative will meet you then start your Full Day Tour to West Bank visiting  Valley of Kings-Deir El Bahari Temple-Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.Excursion to the Necropolis of Thebes, on the Eastern bank. Crossing the Nile, drive to the Valley of Kings; visit the tombs of various Dynasties, The Temple of Deir El Bahari. On the return journey stop at the Colossi of Memnon which are two gigantic sitting statues representing Amenophis III facing the Nile. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Then visiting East Bank visiting Karnak and Luxor Temple Excursion to the Luxor Temple to see its courtyard and the granite statues of Ramses the Great Proceed carriage or bus to Karnak, which is serious of temples, built in different reigns. Starting by the Avenue of Sphinxes visit the Unfinished Propylon, the Hypostyle Hall with it's 134 gigantic columns, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tutomosis III, the temple of Amon adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, the Granite Scarbeus of Amenophis III and the Sacred Lake. Then transfer to the Hotel in Luxor Check in and Overnight Stay in Luxor Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel Day 4: Breakfast at the hotel. Then Check out at 7:00 pickup from your Hotel in Luxor and transfer to Aswan from Luxor in the Way you will have 2 different Stop to Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple Arrival Aswan by 12:00 noon Continue you day tour Visiting Phiela Temple Then later transfer to Aswan airport to take your return flight to Cairo arrival to Cairo by 10 Pm take your Connection Flight that takes off at 2 am Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel Note : To confirm your booking will need copy photo from your passport please update it with booking process HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Best of Cairo • Visit Best of Luxor • Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples • Visit Best of Aswan • Private Guided Tour package • Hassle free • No Hidden Costs

Price $515

Min age 1

Rating 4.09 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

Egypt’s allure beckons year-round, but to truly embrace its wonders, timing is key.

For a perfect blend of pleasant weather and fewer crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). This allows you to bask in the golden sun while exploring ancient sites without the scorching heat or bustling crowds of summer.

Alternatively, if diving in the Red Sea is your goal, winter (December to February) offers ideal conditions.

Getting there and away

Egypt’s bustling capital Cairo is unsurprisingly the main international gateway to ancient Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan) for most visitors. The presence there of the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum make it an essential stop. Numerous airlines offer direct flights to Cairo from major cities worldwide.

Getting around

The main bucket list attractions are spread between the different cities, so if you want to tick off all the top sights, some travel is inevitable. Thankfully, navigating Egypt’s captivating landscapes and historic sites is a breeze, thanks to a well-connected transportation system.

Domestic flights are available to connect major cities, allowing for easy exploration of Luxor and Aswan. In cities like Cairo, taxis and ride-sharing services provide convenient options for getting around. See our individual destination guides for destination-specific transport advice.

To reach Luxor or Aswan, you’ll need to take a domestic flight or take a scenic train journey along the Nile. Nile cruises run from Luxor to Aswan, in both directions, and are the most popular way to travel between the two, or you can drive or take a train.

Health & Safety

While Egypt generally offers a safe travel environment, it’s advisable to be mindful of your surroundings and take precautions against pickpocketing and petty theft. Keep valuable belongings secure, and use hotel safes for passports and important documents.

Before you go, check your vaccination status for diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus. When there, be sure to drink bottled water, eat at reputable establishments, and steer clear of street food.

The Egyptian sun can be especially intense, so pack sunscreen, hats, and lightweight clothing. Additionally, safeguard against mosquito bites by using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants, especially in areas with a risk of malaria or dengue fever.

Remember, this is a Muslim country and women should dress conservatively. If you visit any mosques, please check any conditions of entry beforehand.