Overview for Egypt
As you walk through the markets you will be enticed by the aroma of spices and the beautiful smells of fragranced oils and perfumes. Although an arid landscape Egypt also has some of the most spectacular diving in the Red Sea. No diver would come to Egypt without visiting this rich and diverse ecosystem. It has more than 1200 species of fish with some of these species only living in the Red Sea. It is truly a unique and magical experience.
The capital of Egypt is Cairo and it is the largest city in North Africa. It is located in the north and has often been described as the “City of a Thousand Minarets”, due to the predominance of Islamic architecture. The main features of Cairo are the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Sphinx. They stand against the backdrop of the city which is quickly forgotten as you explore this ancient and historic site. While you are in Cairo don’t forget to visit the Egyptian Museum. It is home to an enthralling exhibition of more than 100,000 antiques including the Royal Mummies Hall.
Heading south from Cairo is Luxor, famous for the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Temple. The tombs are uniquely decorated with hieroglyphics and paintings which are very well preserved. If you have the time walk out of the Valley of the Kings to get a bird’s eye view of the Hatshepsut Temple and the West Bank.
Aswan is Egypt’s most southern city and one of the driest inhabited places in the world. It is the perfect place to sail the Nile on a felucca, enjoy an evening meal at a local Nubian village or visit Abu Simbel, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments”. Abu Simbel ranks high on the list of things to do and does not disappoint.
Best Time to Travel
The milder seasons are October to April with December through to February being peak tourist season. May to September is extremely hot and dry with temperature’s reaching into the high 30˚C.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Muslim calendar when all believers fast during daylight hours. Almost everything closes in the afternoon but the evenings are full of festivities as they break their fast. Ramadan will start on 11 August 2010 and continue for 30 days.
View brochures
When to go
The milder shoulder season months of Oct/Nov and Mar/Apr are a good time to visit. Dec to Feb is the peak tourist season, so be prepared for crowds during this time. May to September is extremely hot and dry.