Egypt is one of the oldest nation-states. Located between Asia and Africa, Egypt is an amazing destination with temples and tombs of historic importance. Egypt was an ancient home to Pharaohs, who were the first settlers and the most primitive hunter-gatherers. Egyptian mythology is very captivating and many fans of archaeology and history flock into this destination to explore Luxor. Besides, it’s a perfect country where you’ll find a mix of activities combining culture, adventure, and relaxation.
When to visit
The best time to visit is surely between October and April. Summers temperatures soar up to 45 degrees Celsius so it’s not really recommended to visit during this time. The nights can be freezing so, therefore, do not forget to carry warm clothes as well. The season of tourist high is from December to February, so make sure that you’re planning in advance to avoid the surging prices or try for offseason. Cleartrip provides you with that platform wherein you can ‘Set up Fare Alerts’ and get notified whenever there is a dip in the flight rates.
How to Travel
The main airports in Egypt are Cairo International and Luxor International Airport. There are frequent flights between every country and various famous airlines, of which Saudi Arabian Airlines is a peculiar one. It is the third-largest airline in the Middle East providing services which are best-of-its-kind at attractive prices. You can find great deals on Saudi Airline tickets on Cleartrip and enjoy a smooth booking experience. Cleartrip gives you complete information about your flight, with a neat interface that loads in seconds! You can book your flight, track its status, cancel or reschedule it if required without any hassle. Cleartrip also accepts multiple online payment options for whichever one you’re comfortable with paying. And you also get rewarded for every flight booking with instant cashback, discount on hotels, etc.
Is Egypt safe to travel?
Egypt surely has encountered a troubled past of devastating attacks on tourists as well as its citizens. Therefore, matters of safety and security should be taken seriously and travel planning must be done wisely. Avoiding crowded public places, booking hotels with ample security and booking tours with an experienced tour company and staying abreast of the news concerning Egypt could be some of the precautions you could take. However, violent crimes against tourists are fairly low, but always be aware of petty crimes like pickpocketing.
Best places to visit in Egypt
Luxor
It is one of the popular tourist spots in Egypt and acknowledged as one of the world’s largest open-air museums. It houses the rock-cut tombs of the ancient pharaohs and temples like Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak temple. Luxor is the ancient city of Thebes with pharaohs practicing elaborate burial practices. Most of the tombs have been excavated with only a few open to the tourists. The murals and the reliefs of the tomb has a magnificent view with some murals so intensely coloured that it’s hard to believe that it is ancient. Some of the famous tombs are Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
The Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo is the historic core of the city, a living reminder of the city’s past. It is located in the capital of Egypt with wondrous mosques, monuments, and madrassas. Many of them are popular tourist attractions including Sultan Hassan which depicts the Islamic heritage of the city. You’ll also find souks where artisans and coppersmiths have set up their workshops and shopping stalls that sell spices, perfumes, and ceramics. The biggest highlight is Al-Muizz Al-Deen Street which is the most picturesque parts of Cairo especially the Qala’un Complex is very impressive and definitely shouldn’t be missed.
Pyramids of Giza
The three pyramids complex of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and one of the main tourist attractions of Egypt. Known as the Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus they are more than 2000 years old with highly skilled mathematicians, masons, and surveyors who did the amazing job of building it. Most were built as tombs for the burial of the ancient Pharaohs. They have a maze of confusing passages, which were designed to protect the afterlife of the Pharaohs with their treasure.
Abu Simbel Temples
With its enormous rock-cut facade, the great Sun Temple of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel was built in honor of King Ramses II. It is adorned with statues of the Pharaoh himself and had the temple carefully angled and oriented in such a way that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of ascension to the throne and on his birthday. This phenomenon famously came to be known as the Sun Festival of King Ramses II. It is also known for its amazing feat which saw the entire temple shited to another setting. It had disappeared under the water due to the Aswan Dam and revealed, excavated and relocated in a multi-million dollar operation by the UNESCO in 1972.
Egyptian Museum
Cairo’s Egyptian Museum has one of the world’s greatest museum collections. A treasure heap of the Pharaonic world, the beautiful pink mansion is home to dozens of exhibits. In fact, the pyramids tell you only half the story, the other half is housed in this brilliant museum which reveals facts like how Egyptians used to bury their dead, its importance, other artifacts, etc. Don’t miss the royal mummies exhibits, especially the King Tut Exhibit which extols the golden glory of King Tutankhamen.