MAGNIFICENT EGYPT

My first time in Egypt was in March 2022 where I had 3 days off from work and I decided last minute to fly to Cairo to see the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact: the Giza Pyramids!

Second time was in April 2023 when I flew to Cairo and then I took directly another flight to Aswan for a cruise on the Nile river. Yes, I came back after 1 year and I can assure you that Egypt is MAGNIFICENT!

Did you know that…?

• Cairo is less than 2 hours flight from the Greek capital, Athens.
• Cairo is considered to be in “Lower Egypt”. The Nile river runs through entire Egypt and the flow is from South to North. That’s why Cairo and Alexandria are considered to be “Lower Egypt” despite them being in the Northern region of the country. Luxor and Aswan are considered to be situated in “Upper Egypt”, although they are in the South of the country.

Let me start with some general information you should know before you visit Egypt.

• Pyramids are in an area a bit outside Cairo called Giza. And there are buildings around them – don’t imagine a scenery in the middle of the desert or something.
• Accommodation: During the Cruise on the Nile, you sleep/stay inside the ship. In Cairo, you have to choose between Cairo and Giza area. I am not sure what it will be more convenient for you as I chose to stay in Giza because my trip was short, I had to do things in both areas and I wanted to have Pyramids view from my room. Others prefer to be in the Cairo as in Giza you don’t have something else to do. Angel’s tip: My hotel’s name is Egypt Pyramids Inn. While its view is stunning, the area and the hotel itself is not something luxury. Depending on your budget, you can find a variety of luxurious hotels in Giza and Cairo. Angel’s tip: If you search for places to have the pyramids view during breakfast, you can visit my hotel,  “Khufu’s restaurant and 9 pyramids Lounge.
• Be prepared to tip almost for every service & have Egyptian pounds (EGP) with you. They accept Euros / USD too though.
• In public places and temples you pay 5 EGP to use the restrooms.
• You’ll need a visa to enter Egypt. $25 but if you want to avoid the queues do it online (click here) in advance. Otherwise, pay for the visa upon arrival, have a pen with you, fill a form you will find there with your info and wait in the que for customs.  (check my instagram highlight for more)
• Drink bottled water only & avoid salads and ice cubes. Angel’s tip: I even brushed my teeth with bottled water and I was fine thoughout the trip.
• Weather in Egypt is hotter than Europe, I went beginning of April in Luxor/Aswan and temperature was around 35-40 degrees °C. It is not ideal to visit during the summer months / June-July- August are sooo hot.
• Be careful crossing the streets, there are no rules on the roads and it can be really dangerous for Europeans. They drive like crazy – so don’t try to drive either.
• Have in mind that during pick hours, the distances in Cairo are a nightmare. We did like 2 hours for a 20 minutes distance.
• Sockets/Plugs are European type.
  

  The view from the hotel I chose to stay in Giza: “Egypt Pyramids Inn”

Angel’s tip: If you are planning to visit Egypt with an agency that you trust, you will be fine since they will arrange almost everything for you! But if you plan going alone, change your plans please! Otherwise, there is big chance the experience will not be as pleasant or perfect you may imagine! 

While I loveeeee Egypt, it is not an easy country to be around alone without someone local or experienced. People are friendly & kind but scams are quite often!  They will try to sell you things, ask to show you around, guide you, give you something for “free” or ask for more & more tips. It is SOOOO tiring sometimes!! 

What to do? 

1. Reject them, say a firm no with no eye contact .
2. Pretend you don’t speak English. (sorry but..:-))
3. Always agree the price before. My guide told me many tourists end up paying for a camel ride $100 instead of $15. 
4.  Go with an organized tour or have a local guide! Even if you have not planned it in advance, you can book instantly tours for example through @getyourguide.

SOS / Angel’s tip:  I was lucky because the first time I went in 2022 I had the help of 2 wonderful people who are Egyptian guides-Egyptologists & they arranged a wonderful itinerary for me with a local driver! My guide was Michel (Ayoub Michel on facebook) who is local & speaks Greek & I chose him again the second time in April 2023! 

Once again, he arranged the PERFECT ITINERARY for me and I am grateful for this.

Let me show you below what I did each day during both trips:

DAY 1 : ANCIENT WORLD

• Giza Pyramids is a must! One of the 7 Wonders of the ancient world & the only one remaining. Ride a camel and enjoy the magnificent scenery. Angel’s tip: Normal price for a camel ride is 15-20 USD, be careful and close the deal in advance since many will tell you it will be for free or you will discuss the price later. At the end they will charge you 50-100 USD. My guide arranged that too.
• Great Sphinx of Giza is stunning. Did you know that Sphinx is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt & one of the most recognisable statues in the world? Sphinx is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a human & the body of a lion .The face of the Sphinx appears to represent the pharaoh Khafre. According to the classical Greek depiction of the Sphinx, it consists of the body of a lion, the head of a woman, and the wings of a bird. But this one had the head of a man!
• Saqqara Necropolis is an Egyptian village with tombs and the oldest (most probably) pyramid in Egypt & in the world, Pyramid of Djoser. Discover it!

 

• Visit the site of Memphis, the capital of Old Kingdom Egypt.

Angel’s tip: Tasting Egyptian Falafel is a must! I tried it a few times with tahini sauce, and some other with just potatoes and the pita bread. Normally you can put vegetables in it but I didn’t since I was a bit worried for food poisoning! (I have been told to be careful with the water/vegetables/peeled fruits in Africa, and generally anything that is not cooked). In most parts of the Middle East, falafel is made with ground chickpeas. However, in Egypt, they make it with dried fava beans.

DAY 2 : CAIRO CITY

• You cannot leave Cairo without visiting Khan el-Khalili, an open air market/bazaar that you really feel you are in Cairo! Walking downtown Cairo & let yourself explore the city.
• The Egyptian museum, OMG! Really impressive, you feel so overwhelmed in front of such great history. This civilization is enormous… Soon the new Egyptian museum called the “Grand Egyptian museum” will open and it will be awesome for sure!  I want to go back to visit it.
• If you have time, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization as well , quite interesting.
• Visit Coptic Cairo with the amazing churches  & history.
• Admire the Citadel with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali & don’t miss the Al-Azhar mosque, Cairo’s first mosque.
• Visit a Papyrus museum to learn about the ancient practice of recording information on this durable material.
• Have a dinner in a 2-3 hours cruise in the Nile river departing from Cairo port  – there are many options, I chose the “Nile Maxim” & it was great!
  

  My name on a papyrus in Egyptian Hieroglyphs script

DAY 3: ALEXANDRIA

1. The Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), 1 of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The lighthouse is no longer standing, though it did stand for almost 1,500 years. Now, in its position you can see the Citadel of Qaitbay.
2.  Its Great Library – the largest in the ancient world. Alexandria library is the first thing that comes to mind when you refer to Alexandria! It was once the largest library of the ancient world, a treasure of knowledge and wisdom. Then it was destroyed & now since 2002 you can visit the new one. So impressive !!!  Angel’s tip: Be careful: it is closed on Friday & Saturday!
3. The Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Yes, the ancient Roman Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are pretty impressive! Get a guide to explain to you all the history & go underground !

Apart from the above,  things you can do in Alexandria  are :

• walk on the waterfront Corniche Road
• visit one of Alexandria’s major landmarks, the Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
• dive in Alexandria’s Underwater Ruins
• shop in Alexandria’s main souq area (market)
• visit Cavafis house (for Greeks)

Angel’s tip: I will be honest with you, Alexandria was nice but not sure it is worth the 3 hours drive one way, we did from Cairo…. Skip it if you don’t have many days or visit the desert instead.

DAY 4 – 5 – 6 – 7: FLIGHT FROM CAIRO TO ASWAN & NILE CRUISE

It’s time for a cruise on the river Nile. Usually it takes place between the 2 cities: Aswan and Luxor.

This side of Egypt has so many stunning temples that will shock you. An amazing area in “Upper Egypt”, as it is called, that you should certainly explore when you visit the country!

The first and the second day were all spent in Aswan town. Below you can see the stops the cruise ship did and places you can explore.

My recommendations? 

✅ Stroll around Aswan city. 

• Visit Aswan Nubian village on the west bank of the Nile River. Nubian villages are the most colorful and vibrant villages of the entire country painted in all kind of colors. To start farming around the Nile, the Nubians moved from Sudan over 8000 years ago and that’s why they have a darker skin tone. Did you know that they have their own unique language that they never teach to a stranger?

 

• Have a ride with a camel.  You can see many on the way to and inside the Nubian village.

 

• Have a henna tattoo drawn on your hand. Angel’s tip: I paid 10 EGP to a lady our guide suggested.

• Have a coffee/lunch in Kendaka Nubian guest house.
• Go to the botanical garden. Angel’s tip: Look at the baby crocodile I hold in my hands there.

• Take the boat & enjoy the ride to the Philae temple . Ticket is 200 Egyptian pounds (EGP) per person.
• If u love museums, visit the Nile, Aswan and Nubia museums.

✅ Have a day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel temples close to the borders with Sudan.

It is 3.5 hours drive one way, quite tiring trip but the 2 temples in Abu Simbel will reward you for your effort. One of the most impressive I have seen in my life. Angel’s tip: Wear a hat, and have sunscreen and water with you.

• Entrance 260 EGP pp

✅ Visit the Kom Ombo & Crocodile museum.

Another stop of the cruise ship. The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo close to Aswan on the way to Luxor . It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC and it is open till night hours.

The Crodocile museum is a very small museum that features 22 mummified crocodiles of various sizes. The crocodiles are arrayed on a sand hill inside a large glass showcase, allowing visitors to see how crocodiles passed their days in ancient Egypt.

• same ticket for both temple and museum: 160 EGP pp(per person)

✅ Visit the temple of Horus at Edfu .

Edfu Temple is one of the most remarkable and complete ancient Egyptian temples,  dedicated to the worship of the god Horus. The inscriptions on its walls provide information on language, myths and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt.

• ticket 200 EGP pp
• There is a distance from the spot the Cruise Ships berth and the temple. Take ideally a tuk tuk 🛺 as a taxi and not a horse carriage since they are very dirty (but be prepared they drive quickly). I paid 50 EGP round trip with a tip.

✅ Stop in Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air Museum & don’t miss :

• To start your day with an amazing hot air balloon ride at sunrise above the temples of Luxor. All hot air balloons depart from the west bank, near the Valley of the Kings and you can book online through Get Your guide site or through your guide/agency.
• The Valley of the Kings / 260 EGP pp for 3 tombs except Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Rameses V and VI’s tombs. The tomb of Tutankhamun has an additional fee of 300 EGP.
• The Temple of Karnak comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings. It was probably my favorite.

 

• The Hatshepsut temple / 160 EGP pp

• The Luxor temple / 180 EGP pp

• The Avenue of Sphinxes that connect Luxor & Karnak temples
• Colossi of Memnon

NOTES:

Angel’s tip: If you have time after the cruise head to Hurghada (4 hrs drive from Luxor) for relaxing in a beautiful resort, snorkeling  & safari.

Angel’s tip: Many asked me if I arranged this trip alone. No I didn’t as I mentioned above. My amazing guide & friend Michel Ayoub booked everything for me once more. Check my captions on my INSTAGRAM account to find him or just send me a message.

Angel’s tip: I received messages asking for my review for the cruise ship I was. Her name is “Royal Ruby”. A decent, clean, small cruise ship with convenient rooms & kind staff. Rooftop was nice with a small pool (It’s more suitable for kids than adults). I didn’t like the food to be honest but I am not sure if I would love it in another cruise ship since I was told to be cautious and avoid in any case some staff like salads/fruits etc. 📝 PS: If you tip some of the staff in the beginning of the cruise, they will pay more attention to you. For example, all the beers during the meals were warm, we mentioned it to our waiter and ice cold beers were brought to us the next days.

2 WEEKS ITINERARY IN EGYPT

✅ 2 days in Cairo & Giza Pyramids. 

✅ 1 day in Alexandria City Angel’s tip: A bit tiring: 3 hrs drive one way Cairo-Alexandria so skip Alexandria if you don’t have many days

✅ 1 day in Fayum desert/oasis – 2 hours drive one way from Cairo   OR  

in White & Black desert which is far but you can sleep under the stars 

✅ Siwa Oasis the next  2 days 

✅ then fly from Cairo to Aswan

(Or Luxor and you can do the below mentioned rute the other way around)

✅ Take the 3 days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & discover all the amazing villages and temples around. Nubian village, Kom Umbu-Edfu & Aswan!

✅ Have a day trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel temple close to the borders with Sudan (3.5 hours drive one way)

✅ Stop in Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air Museum & don’t miss a hot air balloon ride above the temples, the Valley of the kings, the Temple of Karnak & the rest of the local treasures. 

✅ Go to Hurghada (4 hrs drive from  Luxor) for a relaxing break in a beautiful resort, snorkeling & safari.

✅ Take the 3 hrs ferry from Hurghada to Sharm El-Sheikh that many told me is ideal, like Hurghada, for wonderful resorts, scuba diving, magical seabed and clean waters. 

Angel’s tip: If you don’t have so many days I would suggest to do the “must do” things like the list below , in the north & south side of Egypt. 

✔️Cairo city-Giza pyramids-Siwa Oasis

✔️4 days Nile Cruise with Luxor & Aswan, Abu Simbel & Hurghada to relax.

*Check my highlights and posts on Instagram for more*

IG: angeliki.a_