The Ultimate Guide to Holidays in Egypt

Browse the full itinerary for our nine-day Ultimate Egypt trip here.

This very much depends on a few simple factors, predominantly your tolerance for heat, and for tourists. The summers here are truly scorching, so July and August aren’t really worth thinking about. Hot season lasts from April to October, so do take temperatures into consideration before booking in this time. In terms of climate, November to April is the best time to visit, with temperatures a little cooler.

If you want to avoid the swathes of tourists that come to Egypt every year – or at least experience it at its quietest – then you need to book in shoulder seasons outside of traditional school holiday periods. November and March are often perfect, both for taking advantage of the calmer tourist climate and the cooler geological climate.

The best attractions in Egypt range from absolute, must-see-in-your-lifetime classics to underrated gems often overshadowed by the big guns. Visiting Cairo is a must. It’s a city as ancient as it is massive, and the architectural gems of Moez Street and the vibrant chaos of Khan Al-Khalili bazaar are both joys to behold. In nearby Giza you’ll find the real travel classics – the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Many people focus only on Cairo and Giza, but don’t neglect Egypt’s other famous attraction, the Nile. The world’s largest river flows right through the country, and the best way to take advantage of that is on a river cruise, which allows you to cover vast swathes of desert in maximum comfort, connecting you to the southern regions of Luxor and Aswan.

That’s where you’ll find underrated gems like the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Kom Ombo, the Souq of Luxor, plus the Valley of the Kings, where multiple famous Pharaohs are entombed. Natural beauty, meanwhile, is at its finest throughout the islands of Aswan, which you can explore by kayak or boat along the Nile.

It is perfectly safe to travel to Egypt, and millions of people do so every single year. However, there is a significant terrorism threat, particularly in some parts of the country. At the moment going to North Sinai, South Sinai, as well as the borders with Libya and Sudan, are not advised. Fortunately, pretty much all of the main tourist regions are considered okay to visit, namely Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and basically all of the Nile. It is incredibly important to keep up to date on your government’s travel advice ahead of any trip to Egypt.

Other safety factors worth considering when visiting Egypt are visa requirements and any other entry requirements. Be sure to check latest advice on which vaccinations are worth having – famously Western travellers have had some issues with reactions to the food here. Ensure you have all the necessary jabs and only eat in trusted establishments. Then there are the general rules of travel – watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas, only use reputable transport and accommodation, and always abide by local laws and customs.

Make sure you’re clued up, follow the basic common-sense safety practices and you can enjoy a perfectly calm, totally safe trip to Egypt!

The cost of living here is relatively low, so you shouldn’t have to blow the budget. It is a country that experiences a lot of tourism, so expect flights and accommodation to hike the prices up during peak seasons. Entrance fees can vary depending on the location – although the famous sights are rarely overpriced. Food, transport and general living costs while you’re out there are nice and cheap, so don’t worry too much if you’ve stretched your budget with that fancy hotel.

Egypt is a vast nation and not a particularly easy one to traverse. It’s safe, but still a bit nerve-wracking, while its ancient tourism industry means that there are more than a fair few tourist traps to fall into. That’s why booking a package holiday is always a great idea when visiting Egypt. When it comes to Culture Trip, however, we’re not talking about your traditional idea of package vacations. Our trips are immersive, authentic experiences that cut straight to the heart of a destination, showing a hidden underbelly to famous sights and introducing travellers to amazing places they’d never heard of. Best of all, our trips are all led by knowledgable Local Insiders, armed with a lifetime of cultural insights and local tips.

Our nine-day Egypt itinerary covers all the big sights and attractions, as we wind our way down from north to south. We start in Cairo, with a Giza day trip to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Our guide will show you the very best of Cairo, including an ancient bookbinding store and a stunning Koshari lunch spot. Then it’s down to Luxor, where we’ll visit Karnak Temple in daylight and Luxor Temple at nighttime, so you can see its incredible sandstone structures glowing gloriously in candlelight.

We’ll see a range of ancient burial sights and monuments along the west bank of the Nile, including the Valley of the Kings and the tombs of Ramses V and VI. From there we’ll hop onto a gorgeous luxury river cruiser – our home for the next four nights – from which we’ll explore the Souq of Luxor and the temple of Kom Ombo. Our final full day will also be spent on the Nile, but swapping the cruiser for a kayak to explore the pretty little islands of Aswan, followed by an enriching night of Nubian hospitality and cuisine – the perfect way to end our Egyptian odyssey.

Sold on our Ultimate Egypt tour? Browse the full itinerary and book your spot on a trip today!