Egypt holds some of the world’s most ancient history. Combine that with its beautiful desert landscape and it should rise to the top 10 in your travel bucket list.
Walk through the street of a 5000 year old city. Thousands of generations and hundreds of empires all lived in Egypt.
The best part? You can visit all the wonders that Egypt has to offer at a surprisingly affordable rate.
Egypt is not only for those aspiring archeologists. It has something to offer for those who simply want to wind down and enjoy a relaxing holiday at the beach.
The best time to visit Egypt depends on its climate and your goals for visiting Egypt. You can do just about everything between October and April. June to August is extremely hot but still great for visiting resorts around the Red Sea.
You can experience a variety of accommodations such as:
- Floating Hotels on the Nile
- Off-Grid Desert Lodges
- Royal Luxury Stay in Converted Palaces
- Standard Hotels & Guesthouses with scenic views
The middle eastern style marketplace is a unique experience of basic trading between people. You’ll find colorful spices, handmade lanterns, and fresh falafel bread within arm’s reach
What can you do in Egypt as a tourist?
- Visit pyramids and temples like the famous Pyramid of Giza
- See the hieroglyphics and wall paintings inside the pyramids and temples
- Take quad bike tours around the pyramids
- See the mummy of King Tutankhamun
- Stand beside the giant statues and columns of Karnak Temple
- Watch a sunrise over the temple of Ramses II
You can enjoy travel between locations via camel, jeeps, boat cruises, or any form of modern transport–including walking!
The Desert is not limited to site exploration. You’re presented with even more activities and opportunities like the Black & White Deserts, the Siwa Oasis, and the Great Sand Sea.
The Nile River has relaxing activities to captivate the mind, calm the heart, and soothe the soul. You can cruise through the Nile on floating hotels, visit lit-up temples at night, witness its majestic animals, and have great sunrise and sunset views.
You know about Egypt’s ancient wonders, desert activities, and Nile cruises. And maybe you’re just looking to relax on a Beach. Egypt’s Red Sea domain allows you to go diving, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins at Sataya Dolphin Reef!
Egypt’s traditional bazaars are always bustling with unique crafts, tasty food, and friendly shopkeepers. Consider buying souvenir items like jewelry, artifacts, scarves, or rugs and carpets.
The best way to support any country you visit is to buy things from the locals. It’s a way of giving back to them, hoping to improve their economy. This is the very least we can do to show our gratitude as guests.
Egypt has a rich religious history, from various eras of rulers. You can visit and pay tribute to multiple temples, mosques, churches, and shrines. You can also attend different festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the year.
The most important thing you need in Egypt is food. And Egypt has a wide range of foods such as:
- Shawarma & Egyptian Falafel
(street food favorites)
- Stuffed Pigeon
(filled with wheat or rice)
- Koshari – Egypt’s National Dish
(contains pasta, rice, lentil, fried onions, tomato sauce)
- Ful Medames – Classical Egyptian Breakfast
(mashed fava beans, olive oil, and spices)
- Molokhia
(green soup made from jute leaves)
They’ve also got some refreshing drinks like sugarcane juice, their famous Hibiscus Tea, and Sahlab–a warm, creamy milk drink with nuts and cinnamon!
If you’re a laid-back, easy-going person who doesn’t like the chaos of tour sites or the bustling activity of a bazaar, there are some unique, hidden gems for you too:
- Wadi Al-Hitan – Valley of the Wales
(learn about prehistoric Egypt with fossil remnants)
- Fayoum Oasis
(contains Egypt’s only natural waterfalls)
- Abydos Temple
(unique carvings and hieroglyphics along with well-preserved halls of Osiris’ Temple)
It doesn’t matter who you are and what you’re looking for. You can find it in Egypt. You’ve got everything from desert activities and pyramids to Nile cruises and beach resorts.
Let’s craft you a custom trip to Egypt.
When is the best time for you to visit Egypt?
If you intend to visit Egypt and sightsee pyramids & temples, cruise on the Nile, or hike some trails, your ideal travel time is between October and April.
October – April is the best time to travel for nearly everything because the weather is mild, the crowds are fewer, and you can do just about any activity you want.
Regarding the Red Sea Activities, your best bet is March–June and September–November. These months have warm, clear water, little to no jellyfish, and fewer tourists. They make up the peak diving season.
If you’re looking for desert safaris and adventures, your best time to visit is November–February. You’ll experience fewer tourists, cool daytime weather, and clear skies for stargazing.
If you just want to chill on beaches, May–September tends to be a good time for the North Coast’s Mediterranean beaches. The warmer waters and the crowds are mainly locals, leading to great interactions.
If you want to travel to Egypt on a budget, accommodation can be up to 50% cheaper from June–August. The real price you pay is the extreme heat during these months.
An easier time for kids to visit is between March-May and September–October. The temperatures are warm and manageable, making way for great kids’ activities like:
- Snorkeling
- Camel Rides
- Sound & Light shows at the Temples
Nile Cruises are also perfect for kids. They’ve got amazing air conditioning and many other activities on board. Your kids can stay busy with swimming pools, movie nights, and various other forms of entertainment.
Photographers can visit Egypt year-round because it never runs out of magical, surreal moments. Special Events are also well worth attending for practically anyone. Egypt’s special events can be categorized as Heritage Events, Film Festivals, and Religious Celebrations.
Travel Tips and Essentials
Currency
Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Some of the locals trade in US Dollars (USD), Swiss Francs (CHF), and Euros (EUR) but it’s best to do business and tip them in their local currency.
Language
Most Egyptians understand English. At famous sites, it’s always better to approach a police officer with queries instead of staff or personnel. Tour sites usually have a lot of police patrolling and standing guard.
Etiquette
Cleavage is frowned upon in Egypt. Both men and women wear long, loose clothing to cover their bodies.
Acts of romance should not be displayed in public. Intimate gestures like kissing or caressing each other can be done in private.
Travel
To get around Egypt, book a guide. Guides are well worth the price and save you plenty of time and trouble. You should also get a private car and a driver. Pick a car that’s well-ventilated if you’re traveling in warmer seasons.
Traffic in Egypt is inevitable, so plan your days around it.
Getting Sick
The first major thing travelers experience in Egypt is getting sick. It’s usually a flu or stomach bug of sorts. To avoid getting sick, you should carry medication/electrolytes, take basic hygiene caution, and avoid drinking Egypt’s water or eating anything made/washed with it.
Tipping Culture
On the topic of food, you’ll find that tipping is a big part of Egypt’s culture. Usually, restaurants expect a 10-15% tip, while cafes or janitors would accept 5-10 Egyptian Pounds (the local currency).
Scams
Random people offer to give you directions, special tours, or take a picture of you. Avoid them. They’re all going to expect money in return afterward.
Buying Etiquette
If you wish to buy something, approach the vendor and greet them politely. Speak up and push for your price when negotiating. It’s normal among the locals and they won’t take offense to it.
Taking Breaks
Remember to sometimes slow down, relax, or get a good rest. You need to have good energy levels to enjoy your trip!
Why book with us?
Zahara Travels is a remote, home-based operation. All of your arrangements and preferences are discussed over the phone. Create your dream trip via Email, WhatsApp, or phone calls.
You have step-by-step guidance for your entire trip. We do everything from your first phone call until your return flight back home.
You have access to 24/7 Support. Give us a call at any time during your trip. You’ll be guided and assisted through whatever problems you may encounter.
You can create packages to cater to your preferences. Pick an existing travel package and tell us what else you’d like to do. We’ll make adjustments and craft you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
