Why the most memorable Egypt Tours often go beyond the tourist trail

A first-time visitor to Egypt can be sure to have an itinerary that includes a number of cities. It involves the arrival at Cairo, visiting the Pyramids of Giza, going to Luxor and finishing the trip at Aswan. All of these destinations are worthy of visiting due to the reasons, but there is much more to the best Egypt Tours than just an itinerary like this one. The additional destinations allow visitors to learn more about everyday life of local people.

Crowds and lines in the popular tourist locations are an expected and natural phenomenon. Nevertheless, it does not impair the overall impression about the place but only shows how much people like it. The places will not ruin your Egypt tour, on the contrary, they will only enrich it. The below-mentioned article provides information about several such places, their location in relation to major cities and road conditions.

Dendera is located approximately 60 km from Luxor to the north side, and driving would take about an hour to get there. The temple of Hathor is one of the most well-preserved temples of Egypt, and paintings can be seen on many walls and roofs of this temple. There is a casting of the famous Zodiac in a small chapel since the original one is at the Louvre, Paris. Dendera is sufficient for only half a day, hence this trip can be done in a day's visit to Luxor.

Abydos is further from Luxor. It is located approximately 160 km north from Luxor and driving will take almost three hours to reach this place both ways. The Great Temple of Abydos was originally started by Seti I and completed by Ramses II. The detailed walls with carvings can be seen very sharply, and the Osireion can also be seen next to the main temple. Most of the tour guides recommend the visit of Abydos along with Dendera within 10 hours.

While in proximity to Cairo, Saqqara and Dahshur provide an alternative perspective of the history of pyramids compared to Giza. Saqqara boasts the Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the earliest known stone buildings. At Dahshur, there is the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, which many people find more serene compared to Giza. The two sites are located south of the Giza plateau and may be visited together on the same day via a private driver.

The Western Desert has another face of Egypt that cannot be linked to temples. The Bahariya Oasis is situated some 330 to 370 km to the southwest of Cairo, a five-hour drive from the city. From here, it is possible to undertake 4WD safaris to the Black Desert, characterized by dark volcanic hills, and the White Desert National Park, established in 2002. The white chalk rocks, shaped by winds into unique structures, are the main attraction of this destination. Most trips include an overnight stay at the desert camp, hence the need to wear warm clothes, as winters are harsh in the desert.

In turn, Siwa Oasis is quite distant from Cairo – located 750 km from the city and reached by car through Marsa Matrouh in eight to ten hours. The oasis features salt lakes, plantations of dates and olives, Berber culture with its own language, and the famous Temple of the Oracle, visited by Alexander the Great himself. Due to its remoteness, three days is the shortest duration for making this journey worthwhile. Be sure to consult the latest government recommendations when booking, as regulations may differ for desert routes.

The choice of going to Fayoum is the easier one, given that it is closer to Cairo, and it also has Wadi El Hitan which is recognized by UNESCO for the whale fossils. The Wadi El Rayan reserve, which has lakes and sand dunes in one area, is approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Fayoum. The journey from Cairo can be planned by a personal guide in one day and the roads are shorter compared to those of Siwa and the White Desert.

The large cruise ships follow a set itinerary between Luxor and Aswan, with the expected ports of call including Edfu and Kom Ombo. Dahabiya, which is a typical wooden sailing vessel, accommodates up to 15 people. Its limited capacity allows it to make stops at sites that larger vessels miss out on, including the Temple of Khnum in Esna and the painted tombs in El Kab. Some journeys have swimming stops and brief detours to the Nile village communities. This tour is relaxed and peaceful.

Aswan also has its peace and quietness. It involves a short boat journey to vibrant Nubian villages, which tourists normally do not get to see during their day tours. For tourists who wish to plan ahead for their travel, they should look through Egypt Tour Packages, which combine all the major sites with the minor sites as well. They should ensure that the schedule gives details of all the sites, the travel time, and even the name of the tour guide.

The best trip itinerary begins with the key destinations and then includes a couple of relaxing destinations as well. An eight-day tour can include visits to Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan with Dendera or Saqqara thrown into the mix. A ten or an eleven-day trip allows some time to camp in the desert overnight at Bahariya. A very long drive usually tires out visitors, so try not to have two lengthy driving days in succession.

Weather is another factor to consider. The hot weather in Upper Egypt during the summer months means that wintertime is much preferable for long drives and desert camping as the day is cooler and the nights are cold. Begin your trips at dawn at sites that have outdoor facilities to enjoy the experience free from both weather and crowds. Make sure you arrange a private car, a licensed guide, and a food schedule.

It’s certainly true that the pyramids, Karnak, and Abu Simbel are worthy of their fame, and a visit to Egypt would be incomplete without visiting them. However, the best visits to Egypt include one or two spots that are visited by only a handful of tourists. It might be visiting a peaceful temple like Dendera, spending a night looking up at the desert stars, or just taking an old-fashioned ride down the river on a dahabiya. Plan according to the actual distance between places, allocate sufficient time for each place, and allow room for relaxation too.

This article was written in cooperation with Aya