Top Things To Do In Egypt

A visit to the Grand Museum in Cairo is one of the best things to do in Egypt, where a massive statue of Pharaoh Ramses II greets you at the grand hall. Besides its displays of Egyptian antiquities, exquisite everyday objects, tools and artifacts used by kings and commoners down the centuries, it sets you up for your vacation ahead. This is where you get an understanding of the key symbols, hieroglyphs and architectural features that you’ll encounter at the temples and tombs across the land. Don’t miss the view of the mighty Nile and the Great Pyramids of Giza from the museum’s vantage point. 

Our expert guides will also take you on a walking tour of Cairo, which is arguably one of the best things to do in Egypt. Old Cairo is a warren of narrow streets, back alleys and public courtyards that house anything from a mosque to a souk. The Khan El Khalili Bazaar is one of the top places to visit in Egypt. Built during the 13th and 14th centuries, the bustling bazaar brings you unmistakable sights, sounds and fragrances of a medieval souk that has been attracting shoppers for over seven centuries. 

Indulge in a bit of friendly bargaining with sweet-talking merchants over souvenir pyramids to get into the mood, while our guides share the history and cultural context behind the busy stalls. We can customize your tour with samplings of Cairo’s delicious street food like the popular fuul medames or fava beans slow cooked with olive oil, herbs and spices, chased by refreshing mint tea.

Cruising the Nile is undeniably one of the best things to do in Egypt. You can enjoy a boat ride along the river in Cairo, as well as book a leisurely multi-day cruise between Aswan and Luxor. We can arrange a sunset ride on a traditional sailboat from Garden City in Cairo, complete with sundowners and refreshments. To make the most of the historic monuments around Luxor and Aswan, river boats are your best bet. Travel along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a traditional cruise boat, watching out for riverside villages, rural farmlands and countryside landscapes along the banks. We can also customize an evening boat ride for you to enjoy ethereal views of the Philae Temple lit up by flood lights beside the Nile, one of Egypt’s most popular tourist attractions

The Great Pyramids of Giza, among the top places to visit in Egypt, are a dream destination for most travelers around the world. They are, however, not the oldest in Egypt. That distinction goes to the Step Pyramid of Zoser or Djoser, the world’s oldest known stone monument, which lies surrounded by the ancient funerary complex of Saqqara, south of Cairo. The three Great Pyramids in Giza are the tombs of the Pharaohs Khufu (or Cheops), Khafre (or Chephren) and Menkaure. The complex also includes the Great Sphinx. Legend has it that this oldest and largest monolith in the world, with a Pharaoh’s head and a lion’s body, was built by Pharaoh Khafre to guard over his tomb. A complex of smaller pyramids and stone tombs or mastabas surround these main monuments, believed to hold the remains of Queens, royal families and officials of the Pharaohs. 

Our expert guides can arrange for a morning excursion to Giza, with a delicious lunch at Mena House or 9 Pyramids Lounge, both with excellent views of the Great Pyramids.

There is nothing quite like the grand scale of the monuments and temples surrounding Luxor. And then imagine, if you can, the river Nile cutting across this stunning landscape. While the river’s east bank houses the famous Temple of Karnak and the Luxor Temple, the west bank is home to the necropolis of ancient Thebes with a staggering share of tombs and temples. 

The Temple of Karnak is one of the most famous places in Egypt. Make sure to enter the temple’s main hall when sunlight from the skylights dramatically light up the ancient inscriptions on the wall that have been miraculously preserved to this day. Or stay into the evening, for an impressive Sound and Light Show.

Our expert guides will take you through each architectural detail and the main hieroglyphic symbols, if you wish. The Luxor Temple, standing a couple of miles south of Karnak, is just as impressive and among Egypt’s top tourist attractions.

Visiting the west bank of Luxor is also among the best things to do in Egypt. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds the Valley of the Kings, where the Pharaohs of ancient Thebes lie buried. Not too far away lies the Valley of the Queens. Luxor’s west bank has functioned as the burial site of Pharaohs and their royal retinue for millennia. Among the many famous places in Egypt, this vast necropolis includes the tombs of the Pharaohs Ramses III, Seti I and Ay. 

Our guides will help you navigate the burial chambers, etched with paintings and spectacular hieroglyphs that tell of tales of pharaohs and hymns from the Book of the Dead.

Among the many treasures of the west bank, the most striking is perhaps the Temple of Hatshepsut, which overlooks the Nile. This mortuary temple’s terraces, columns and statues have recently been restored to their ancient glory. Don’t miss the depictions of rural life and religious rituals of ancient Egypt on the temple walls, which our guides will point out to you in detail. Also not to be missed when exploring the west bank are the Colossi of Memnon. These are two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that guard the ruins of his mortuary temple. 

We arrange hot air balloon rides over Luxor to help you take in the massive landscape spanning the east and west banks of the Nile. Aerial views of the city at sunrise are the stuff of magic. Watch Theban temples, royal tombs and local farmlands float by below, while the mighty Nile glimmers in the sunlight across the horizon.

Four giant statues carved out of the rock face greet you before the magnificent Sun Temple of Abu Simbel. Built by Pharaoh Ramses II, both the temple and the statues are believed to represent his military might that stretched from Africa to Lebanon across the Red Sea. The colossal giants are said to represent Ramses II, and the major gods of Egypt – Ra, Amun, and Ptah. Deified as the sun god himself, the temple of Abu Simbel was built for worshiping the Pharaoh.

There’s more to Egypt than its UNESCO World Heritage sites. From food walks in Cairo to hiking along the Red Sea Mountain Trail, we create immersive experiences for you.

Visit the fishing village of Hurghada by the Red Sea coast for a relaxed diving trip. The islands and reefs near Hurghada are home to an abundance of marine life. The nearby islands host spectacular coral formations, marine creatures and sunken wrecks. We arrange customized Red Sea snorkeling tours for experienced as well as first-time divers.

For a truly immerse experience, visit a traditional Nubian village known for their colorful homes and warm hospitality. Stroll down the village streets lined with brightly colored houses, shops and eateries. Interact with the local community and share a meal with a village family to get to know them better.

Explore the best Egypt has to offer with personalized visits to the country’s popular sites as well as little-known gems. Get in touch with us for an obligation-free, bespoke vacation itinerary.