Egypt

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Egypt

From the fertile Nile Delta to the arid wastelands and scorched, sandy deserts beyond, Egypt is a country of extreme contrasts that has fascinated travellers for millennia.

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A tapestry of religions and cultures have left their imprint over centuries and it is the rich patchwork of cultures that is so important to Egyptian identity. Mosques, minarets and pyramids reach for the sky at mind-boggling heights; remote desert monasteries pierce the dusty landscape and, in Cairo, the world’s finest Islamic medieval architecture is perfectly balanced with slick, contemporary design.

Highlights that should not be missed include the Great Sphinx at Giza, the ruins of Memphis, Thebes and Karnak, and, towards Luxor, the Valley of the Kings. Cairo’s Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is a good place to start with one of our expert guides to put the country’s history and culture in context.

The River Nile forms the vital backbone of Egypt and was once the most important trade route between the Mediterranean and Sudan. Join one of the country’s luxury river boats and sail in tranquility down this mighty river from Aswan to Luxor. From the comfort of a stylish vessel, the adventure is not lost with visits to some of the finest temples, tombs and pyramids along the way.

 

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Quick Facts

Capital
Cairo

Population
83.9 million

Area
1 million sq km (386,874 sq miles)

Main language 
Arabic

Main religions 
Islam, Christianity

Currency 
Egyptian Pound

Egypt is best visited during its ‘winter’ season between October and March. The weather tends to be sunny and warm with the occasional risk of a shower. It can be cooler at night during this time so do bring a jacket for the evenings.

Cairo can be chilly between December and February, and very hot between June and September, but the heat in Egypt is made bearable by the northerly breeze that leads to a drop in temperature at night. Peak temperatures in Upper Egypt occur between May and October, and are accompanied by extremely low humidity.

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Highlights

Cairo

Egypt’s buzzing, metropolitan city is bursting with extraordinary architecture from beautifully preserved medieval Islamic masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary design. The Ibn Tulun Mosque is worth visiting as it is a stunning example of Islamic architecture, and one of the oldest.

Not to be missed is the Egyptian Museum, which puts into context the rich patchwork of cultures that have come together to make Egypt the extraordinary country that it is today. The Museum of Islamic Art is also well worth seeing and contains one of the world’s most consolidated collections in the Middle East.

A short drive from town takes you to the ancient Giza Pyramids, one of the last remaining relics of the ancient world. Prepare for there to be crowds of other visitors – this is unavoidable but as soon as you set eyes on these vast structures, the crowds are insignificant.

 

 

Luxor

Luxor, formally the ancient city of Thebes is a testament to the power of storytelling, religion and governance. Magnificent temples, intricate paintings and the magical Valley of the Kings are just some of the wonders waiting for those lucky enough to visit this enigmatic treasure trove. Gliding gently beside this magical kingdom, the peaceful waters of the Nile add to the sense of timelessness.

The young Pharaoh,  Tutankhamun is buried here (in a less impressive tomb than hype might otherwise suggest) and all around ancient hieroglyphs send us hidden messages from a past that we may never fully understand.

The Red Sea

Any keen divers should not miss a visit to the Red Sea. Excellent dive boats are available to give divers the best experience of these pristine waters. Miles of sandy coastline make for a restful beach flop at the beginning or end of a cultural exploration of Egypt. Choose from larger five-star resorts around Sharm El Sheikh to smaller boutique style properties on the western shores near Hurghada.

While the Red Sea Riviera is known around the world for its large, glitzy resorts, travel south of Hurghada and some of the best diving, marine parkds and stunning Eastern Desert are far less visited. Ancient ruins and a vast desert make this a great location for those wanting to combine adventure with culture and beach.

Aswan

Once a strategic frontier and trade town of military importance, Aswan is now as slow and peaceful as the languid Nile that flows past it. The river is particularly beautiful in this part of the world with golden sands sweeping towards the indigo water and a patchwork of ancient settlements that pepper the landscape.

One of the best ways to explore is from the water on a local sailboat (known locally as a felucca). Sail to the pretty multi-coloured Nubian houses on Elephantine Island spotting some exceptional birdlife along the way.

Cairo

Egypt’s buzzing, metropolitan city is bursting with extraordinary architecture from beautifully preserved medieval Islamic masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary design. The Ibn Tulun Mosque is worth visiting as it is a stunning example of Islamic architecture, and one of the oldest.

Not to be missed is the Egyptian Museum, which puts into context the rich patchwork of cultures that have come together to make Egypt the extraordinary country that it is today. The Museum of Islamic Art is also well worth seeing and contains one of the world’s most consolidated collections in the Middle East.

A short drive from town takes you to the ancient Giza Pyramids, one of the last remaining relics of the ancient world. Prepare for there to be crowds of other visitors – this is unavoidable but as soon as you set eyes on these vast structures, the crowds are insignificant.

 

 

Luxor

Luxor, formally the ancient city of Thebes is a testament to the power of storytelling, religion and governance. Magnificent temples, intricate paintings and the magical Valley of the Kings are just some of the wonders waiting for those lucky enough to visit this enigmatic treasure trove. Gliding gently beside this magical kingdom, the peaceful waters of the Nile add to the sense of timelessness.

The young Pharaoh,  Tutankhamun is buried here (in a less impressive tomb than hype might otherwise suggest) and all around ancient hieroglyphs send us hidden messages from a past that we may never fully understand.

The Red Sea

Any keen divers should not miss a visit to the Red Sea. Excellent dive boats are available to give divers the best experience of these pristine waters. Miles of sandy coastline make for a restful beach flop at the beginning or end of a cultural exploration of Egypt. Choose from larger five-star resorts around Sharm El Sheikh to smaller boutique style properties on the western shores near Hurghada.

While the Red Sea Riviera is known around the world for its large, glitzy resorts, travel south of Hurghada and some of the best diving, marine parkds and stunning Eastern Desert are far less visited. Ancient ruins and a vast desert make this a great location for those wanting to combine adventure with culture and beach.

Aswan

Once a strategic frontier and trade town of military importance, Aswan is now as slow and peaceful as the languid Nile that flows past it. The river is particularly beautiful in this part of the world with golden sands sweeping towards the indigo water and a patchwork of ancient settlements that pepper the landscape.

One of the best ways to explore is from the water on a local sailboat (known locally as a felucca). Sail to the pretty multi-coloured Nubian houses on Elephantine Island spotting some exceptional birdlife along the way.

Where to stay

These are just a selection of the properties we can personally recommend. Please get in touch to hear more about our full portfolio.

Marriott Mena House

With a backdrop of the Great Pyramids of Giza, this Marriott property may be larger than some but the outstanding view ensures you never forget where you are. This is a fantastic spot to begin or end your discovery of Egypt.

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Sofitel Winter Palace

The Sofitel Winter Palace blends colonial design with the opulent traditions of Pharaonic times. In the 19th-century the palace was created as a winter retreat for the Egyptian royal family and has since welcomed some of the world’s leading writers, politicians and historians through its doors.

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Sun Boat IV

Furnished in a contemporary style with luxurious teak flooring and local textiles, the Sun Boat IV is one of the most stylish vessels on the Nile. There are 36 standard cabins, two presidential suites and two royal suites each with floor to ceiling windows from which to enjoy the passing views of life on the river.

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Get in touch with us now to start planning your journey

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