Egypt
Egypt is an extraordinary country, with 75 million people it is the most populous country of the Middle East, with an energy and charm all of its own.
The legacy of the master architects who created the incredible Pyramids, Sphinx, Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, is never far away as farmers along the Nile tend their soil alongside the ruins of one of the greatest cultures the world has seen.
With its written history spanning some five millennia, it is difficult to grasp the breadth and richness of Egypt's past. It encompasses the very origins of civilisation, the Ancient Egyptians, the rise of the Greeks and Romans, the establishment of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions, the colonial era when first France and then Britain ruled the country and finally the return to independence.
In today's Egypt, you can find monuments that bear witness to all these historical epochs, not only the glories of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, but also Biblical sites and many marvels of Islamic Architecture, alongside bustling bazaars selling, among other items, spices, perfumes, jewellery and souvenirs.
How to book a trip
What to do in Egypt
Tour Alexandria with a guide
Alexandria
Explore the vast burial site of the Catacombs of Kom Shuqqafa (2nd Century AD), a series of tombs dug deep into the rock. Nearby visit the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom al Dikka which houses a small theatre, assembly hall, residential area and bathing complex. Situated in the heart of modern Alexandria is the Graeco-Roman Museum, with items found in Alexandria and artefacts from ancient Egyptian, Classical and Christian cultures. Walking along the waterfront you can discover the exceptional 13th Century Fort Quite Bay on the tip of the Eastern Harbour, which was built by recycling stones of the Pharaoh's Lighthouse.
Take a Balloon Flight In Luxor
Luxor
From Luxor West Bank take an amazing flight in a hot air balloon flight over the City of the Dead and the Valley of the Kings. You will be collected from you hotel or Nile cruise boat at the crack of dawn and taken to the starting point where the ballon will be inflated and your flight begins. The balloon is flown by a qualified pilot, who is experienced in flying this route and you spend around 45 minutes in the the air. This really is a fantastic trip, it is amazing to look down on the honeycomb of entrances and tunnels in this area that was the final resting place for some of history's most powerful kings. On landing you will be met and served coffe and drinks by the balloon. An unforgettable experience.
Visit the local camel market
Cairo
This morning drive out to the biggest camel market in Egypt, just outside the village of Birqash, which is about 35km northwest of the city centre. Each Monday and Friday morning, camel traders come from all over Egypt and as far afield as the Sudan, to sell their beasts in a hubbub of sights, sounds and smells. With your guide have a look around and see the traders in action.
Explore Old Islamic Cairo
Cairo
Visit the main Citadel (Al-Qalaa), a crusader-style fortress dating from the time of Saladin and home to Egypt's rulers for almost 700 years. One of the main highlights in the southern enclosure of the Citadel is the 19th century Mosque of Mohammed Ali, built in a wholly Turkish style between 1830 and 1848. Also visit the Coptic area of Cairo to see the Hanging Church, the most beautiful church in Egypt, with its ornately decorated interior consisting of three barrel-vaulted, wooden roofed aisles, ivory inlaid screens and a finely carved pulpit. From here, head to the medieval bazaar of Khan al-Khalili, the most intriguing part of the Old Quarter, to challenge your bargaining skills.
Explore Saqqara Step Pyramids
Cairo
Today visit the oldest pyramids in the world at Saqqara. The complex of Djoser is one of the oldest known structures to have been constructed completely with natural stone. It was built at the beginning of the third dynasty, around 2625 BC, and was intended as a funerary complex for pharoah Djoser.
Sail down the Nile by Felucca
Aswan
This afternoon you will be taken to the jetty and board a felucca in which you will sail down the Nile. This is a great way to see the area and the life on the river. Your guide will take you to the botanical gardens on Lord Kitchners Island. It was in 1899 that Lord Kitchner made the island a place for rest and the headquarters of his campaign. Since then the island has been known for its wildlife and vegetation. Today it has been turned into a haven for tropical and subtropical plants.
See Egypt biggest temple
Abu Simbel
After your short flight from Aswan explore magnificent Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel was built by Ramses II to demonstrate his power and divine nature and lost to the outside world until their rediscovery in 1813. The entrance to the main temple is marked by four colossal 20 meter high statues of Ramses II that are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art, and the interior is intricately decorated with hieroglyphics depicting the great victories of ancient Egypt's greatest king. The second temple was dedicated to Nefertiti (Ramses' favorite wife) and is fronted by two statues of the queen and four statues of Ramses himself.
Discover Karnack Temple
Luxor
The largest temple complex in Luxor; the magnificent Temple of Karnak dedicated to the Sun God, Amun-Ra. The Hypostyle Hall is found after passing through the Second Pylon; the hall is considered to be one of the world's greatest architectural masterpieces. Construction began during Ramesses I's reign. He was the founder of the Nineteenth Dynasty and was king for only one year. The work continued under Seti I (1306 - 1290 BC). Seti I also built the Temple of Abydos and many other temples. The hall was completed by Seti's son, Ramesses II. .
Delve into the Valley of Kings
Luxor
Early this morning depart with your local guide and driver to the City of the Dead on the west bank of the Nile with your first stop at the Valley of the Kings, an isolated gorge in Western Thebes that lay below a natural pyramid-shaped mountain peak. The people of ancient Egypt struggled to protect the bodies of their kings and any possessions and riches that were entombed with them. King Tutankhamun's mummy still rests in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which is open to visitors.
Explore Egyptian temples
Minya
View the remains of the anceint city of Akhenaten at Tel -el Amarna, built by the rebel pharoah Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti. The site is located 58 km south of Minya between the River Nile and the high plateau of the Eastern Desert. Visit desolate site with your guide where the sense of history and romance still remain. This evening in Minya you may take a stroll along the tree-lined Corniche beside the Nile.
Climb Mount Sinai
Sinai and St. Catherine
Early in the morning there is an optional ascent of Mount Sinai, the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. This two and a half hour climb to the summit in the early hours of the morning will reward you with a spectacular sunrise and amazing views. Later visit the famous St Catherine's Monastery, one of the world greatest centres of religious pilgrimage for over fifteen centuries. Set at the foot of Mount Sinai, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565 around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush.
Discover Siwa Oasis
Siwa Oasis
Visit the mud-brick town of Shali towering above the oasis and the Mountain of the Dead, a strange outcrop to the north of the city that was used to bury the local kings from the 26th Dynasty. Also visit Cleopatra's Bath and the Temple of the Oracle of Amun; dating back to 550BC, this acropolis temple was consulted by Alexander the Great after he had liberated Egypt from Persian rule. Later in the day experience a 4WD jeep safari into the Great Sea Sand, passing through the small villages surrounded by palm trees deep in the sandy desert.
How to book a trip
Where to stay in Egypt
Renaissance Alexandria Hotel
Alexandria
The five star Renaissance Alexandria Hotel is located in the city centre in easy reach of the main sights and has great...
Four Seasons Cairo, Nile Plaza
Cairo
The five star Four Seasons raises impressively on the legendary Corniche along the bank of the Nile river. With...
Movenpick Elephantine Island Resort
Aswan
A secluded oasis surrounded by exquisite gardens and accessible only by private boat, the five star Elephantine Island...
Sofitel New Winter & Pavillion Palace
Luxor
Ideally located on the banks of the Nile, the Sofitel New Winter & Pavillion Palace is fully equipped with modern...
Qasr El Bawity
Bahariya Oasis
The Qasr El Bawity ecolodge is set in the middle of a lush palm grove in the heart of El Bawity,in Bahareya Oasis. ...
Le Meridien Pyramids
Cairo
The majestic resort Le Meridien Pyramids is beautifully set within walking distance of the Giza Pyramids, one of the...
Mena House Oberoi
Cairo
The Mena House Oberoi five star hotel is set in 40 acres of jasmine-scented gardens with the Pyramids towering above....
Anakato Hotel
Aswan
Situated on the west bank of the Nile, and guarded by a tree shrouded in legend, the traditional Anakato hotel is a...
Movenpick Pyramids
Cairo
The five star Movenpick Pyramids Hotel is an ideal place to stay, especially for families, and is situated in the...
How to book a trip
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Egypt Travel Guide
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is a site definitely not to be missed. This breathtaking monument is accessible by road or a short flight and is best visited early in the morning. It was built by Ramesses II in ancient Nubia, where he wished to demonstrate his power and divine nature. Four colossal 20 meters high statues of the monarch sit in pairs flanking the entrance.
Alexandria
The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km from Cairo. Alexander was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, and became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt and a rival to Rome before falling into decline in the 4th century AD. In the 19th century, the Pasha Mohammed Ali revived Alexandria’s fortunes by developing the city into a major port linking it to the River Nile. From this new prosperity Alexandria became the focus of Egypt’s commercial and maritime expansion and attracted thousands of Europeans who settled here made it a prosperous city.
Aswan
Aswan is Egypt's southernmost city, the gateway to Africa and Abu Simbel, Egypt's most impressive temple. Due to its location near the border with Sudan and an ancient trade route between Egypt and Africa, the city is home to a large African Nubian community. The Nubians have their own values and traditions, and live in the city as well as in villages located on Aswan's islands. Aswan is located on the first cataract of the Nile - the furthest south it is easy to navigate the river by boat. It has served as a 'frontier' town for thousands of years and there is plenty to see and do in the near vicinity.
Cairo
One of the largest cities in Africa for centuries, Cairo is amongst the world's most densely populated cities. Nobody really knows how many people live in Cairo, but estimates put it between 12 and 16 million. Cairo has been the heart of Egypt for more than 1000 years and it offers a unique chance to see the medieval and the modern world come together in a mixture of mud-brick houses, towering modern office buildings, minarets and palm trees. Today this bustling city keeps on moving 24 hours a day and is full of life, atmosphere and Egyptian hospitality will ensure that your will enjoy your stay. Cairo encompasses monuments of many former cities, with five thousands years of culture, from the pyramids of the pharaohs, early Christian churches to the mosques of the Ottoman sultans.
Bahariya Oasis
Bahariya Oasis is today famed for its dates and olives, although in Pharaonic times it was an agricultural centre for making wine, which was exported throughout the Nile Valley. The lowest point in Egypt, Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by black hills, hence its local nickname of 'black desert'. It has been created over many centuries by wind eroding the dark, rocky outcrops, which has been mixed with the desert sand. The largest village in the Oasis is Bawiti, surrounded by hot and cold springs, overlooking lush palm groves.
Dakhla Oasis
Dakhla is the farthest oasis out of Cairo and is considered one of Egypt's most beautiful. This is the most highly populated region in the Wadi el-Gedid (or New Valley), the name by which, since 1958, the oases of Kharga, Dakhla and Farafra are known. Sitting in a depression surrounded by pink cliffs, there are about 30,000 acres of cultivated land in the oasis. Most of its residents are farmers who constantly fight the battle of the dunes that threaten their fields and orchards filled mostly with mulberry trees, date palms, figs and other citrus fruits. Despite of its economic development and growth, Dakhla has retained most of its culture and charm.
Farafra Oasis
The oasis of Farafra is a triangular-shaped fertile depression to the northwest of Dakhla and roughly midway between Dakhla and Bahariya, with the impenetrable Great Sand Sea bordering the region to the west. This oasis currently has the lowest number of inhabitants in the New Valley and although it is not noted for its ancient monuments, it serves as the perfect gateway to the White Desert.
Hurghada
Originally a small fishing port, Hurghada has undergone a complete transformation. You can spend your time relaxing on the beaches and soaking up the sun, or enjoy one of the many water sports on offer, such as windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkelling and diving. One of the best places to view the fantastic Red Sea marine life is along the coral reefs near Giftun Island out in the Red Sea. Hurghada is a half day's drive from Luxor, and is a an ideal place to spend a couple of days relaxing on the beach, after a busy time seeing the historical sites of Egypt.
Luxor
Luxor has the richest concentration of archaeological wonders in the western world. Luxor grew out of the ruins of Thebes, once the capital of ancient Egypt's New Kingdom 1550 - 1069BC. Walk through history; past statues with the heads of gods and animals, beneath pillars carved with lotus buds and papyrus. Ride in a horse-drawn caleche, sail in a felucca, take a sunset cruise or see the city from a hot-air balloon. On the East Bank of the Nile lies modern day Luxor, a vibrant city, full of life, traditions and friendly people. On the other side of the mighty River Nile, the West Bank is known as the city of the dead and it is home to many splendid sites such as the Valley of the Kings.
El Kharga Oasis
El Kharga, known to the ancient Egyptians as the 'Southern Oasis' is the largest of the oases of the Western Desert. It consist of a depression of about 160 km long and a with of 20 to 80 km and today it is often referred to as the 'Great oasis'. In ancient times a lake occupied a large part of the valley and the thick deposit of sandy clay then deposited, forming the bulk of the cultivated land. The oasis used to be the last stop on the Forty Days Road, the infamous slave-trade route between North Africa and the tropical south. Kharga is also the name of the bustling main city of the oasis whose inhabitants now number sixty thousand, including one thousand Nubians who were settle here after the creation of Lake Nasser.
Siwa Oasis
Siwa is a wonderful oasis lying at the edge of the Great Sand Sea, which is part of the vast Sahara,close to the Libyan border . Siwa Oasis was the most inaccessible of all Egypt's oasis and due to new road links it has only recently it has opened up to tourism. The local people are known as Siwans, and to this day have their own culture and customs and speak a Berber language, called Siwi, rather than Arabic. Many women still wear traditional costumes and silver jewellery like those displayed in the traditional Siwan House Museum in the town centre. The area is also famous for its springs, of which there are approximately 1,000. The water is sweet, and is said to have medical properties.
Sharm El Sheikh
The resorts of the Red Sea are predominantly modern with fine facilities and easy access to magical, multi-coloured coral and exotic fish that live beneath the waves. The Red Sea coral and marine life is what attracts most holidaymakers to Sharm El Sheikhk, and further down the coast are some of the most spectacular coral reefs to be found anywhere in the world. Often over many hundreds of meters wide, the reef is made up of many delicately hued corals among which live a myriad of brilliantly coloured fish. Consisting of three beautiful bays Sharm el Sheikh is a diving and watersports paradise. Naama Bay is the main centre of attractions and is a cosmopolitan, stylish resort consisting of numerous bars and terraced cafes. Sharm itself is similarly well heeled and, when it comes to keeping divers amused and amazed, the Ras Mohammed National Park, home of Shark Reef is hard to beat.
Sinai and St. Catherine
There are several important monasteries and churches in this area one of the most important being St Catherine's Monastery. Other highlights include ruins of Byzantine monastic settlements, the highest mountains in Egypt, amazing rock formations and fantastic desert landscape.
El Gouna
The resorts of the Red Sea are predominantly modern with fine facilities and easy access to magical, multi-coloured coral and exotic fish that live beneath the waves. El Gouna is one of the quieter resorts on the Red Sea coast and has been architecturally designed in typical Nubian style. Its many cobbled streets, inlets and lagoons give it a sleepy, romantic feel. The peaceful lagoons supply perfect surroundings for indulging in the plentiful watersports and there are also excellent diving and snorkelling sites. Often over many hundreds of meters wide, the reef is made up of many delicately hued corals among which live a myriad of brilliantly coloured fish.
The Nile Valley
The Nile and its valley is the lifeblood of Egypt and from ancient times down to this day, Egypt has depended on its rich resources. This lush and fertile area is home to 90% of Egypt's population, living in cities, towns and villages all within proximity of the River Nile. It produces a large variety of crops from rice to maize, cotton, sugar cane, bean crops and fruits. You can see the traditional farming methods used to grow cotton, and Egyptian cotton is the best in the world. Many of the ancient monuments along the Nile have been rediscovered after having been buried for centuries under sand and debris. As a result they have been preserved in amazing condition.
How to book a trip
Egypt Travel Information
Visa Information:
UK passport holders require a visa for Egypt. This can be obtained on arrival for the equivalent of £15.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
If you would prefer to obtain your visa before arrival - this can be arranged through:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are obtaining your visa before arrival you should apply no sooner than 8 weeks before departure. Should you wish to do this please let us know and we will supply you with all the relevant information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Egypt though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is not generally prevalent in Egypt; however, we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
