There are thousands of things to love about Egypt, but here are our top 5, taken from our guided trip in March 2024.
The Karnak Temple stands as a testament to the grandeur and architectural prowess of ancient Egypt. Located on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor, this vast complex is a captivating blend of temples, chapels, pylons, and obelisks that span over 2,000 years of history. Dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Ra, Karnak was not just a place of worship but also a centre of religious and political power. We spent an afternoon here on our guided tour and it is mesmerising!
After a few busy days, we took it down a notch with a four night luxury cruise on the Nile. We were lucky to be aboard the MS Miriam, where luxury meets adventure on this legendary waterway. As you glide serenely from Luxor to Aswan, you are able to soak in the breath-taking landscapes and iconic sights that have enchanted travellers for millennia. Whether you're savouring gourmet cuisine on the sun deck, indulging in spa treatments with Nile views, or unwinding in elegantly appointed cabins, every moment aboard MS Miriam is a journey of discovery and relaxation.
The pyramids speak for themselves and have been a mystery to all for millennia. Built over 4,500 years ago as tombs for pharaohs, these monumental structures – including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure – defy comprehension with their sheer scale and precision engineering. You can stand for hours gazing at these structures.
Nestled on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, the Valley of the Kings emerges from the desert sands as a sacred necropolis steeped in myth and mystery. For over 500 years, from the 16th to the 11th century BCE, this royal burial ground served as the final resting place for Egypt's pharaohs and nobility. Carved into the rugged cliffs, the elaborately decorated tombs bear witness to the wealth and power of ancient Egypt, adorned with intricate hieroglyphs, vivid paintings, and scenes depicting the journey to the afterlife. Among its most famous inhabitants are the tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I, each revealing glimpses into the rituals and beliefs of a civilization obsessed with immortality. This place truly takes your breath away.
Located on the banks of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt, these magnificent temples were commissioned by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago to immortalize his legacy and intimidate foreign invaders. The Great Temple of Abu Simbel, with its colossal statues of Ramses II seated at the entrance, commands reverence and awe, while the smaller Temple of Hathor pays homage to the queen Nefertari. What truly astounds visitors is not just the scale of the temples, but also the remarkable feat of relocating them in the 1960s to save them from the rising waters of the Nile!
