People and Country

Mysterious and haunting, the spectacular Pyramids of Egypt symbolize the rich cultural heritage of Ancient Egypt. These ancient wonders, dating back to 2700 to 2500 BC have fascinated visitors ever since tourism began, and still remain a leading destination for travelers.

With Cairo the capital as your base, a tour of the Pyramids starts from the suburb of Giza. The Step Pyramid is the one you're likely to visit first, located in Saggara, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The enigmatic Sphinx in the vicinity of the Pyramid of Khafre has been carved from the bedrock of the Giza highland, and is an awesome sight. The Egyptian Museum showcases   1,20,000 antique pieces from the pre-historic times to the Greco-Roman era, and include the spectacular collection of King Tutankhamen.

Pyramids apart, Cairo has all the trappings of a modern city, and some of the most entertaining night clubs and opera houses. The Khan-el-Khalili souk retains its 14th century aura, and shopping through its intriguing streets can be quite an adventure.

100 km south west of Cairo is Egypt's largest oasis, the Al-Fayoum. Here, soak in the beauty of the lonely sands near Wadi Rayyan, and visit the Qasr Qarun and the Pyramid of Meidum.

There's more to Egypt today than the Sphinx and the Pyramids. With the River Nile as its life source, and the lasting influence of the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic invasions, Egypt has plenty in store for tourists. Besides, the state's concerted effort at developing tourism has opened up a number of coastal resorts, river cruises and desert safaris, adding value to the Egyptian holiday.

Blessed with a location that faces the Mediterranean in the north and the Red Sea to the east, modern Egypt's beaches and diving destinations are gaining recognition. The waters of the Red Sea are tranquil, and home to colored corals and rare marine life.

Sharm-el-Sheikh on the Red Sea on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula is a quaint and colorful resort, with the Bedouins and tents co-existing peacefully with the discotheques, night clubs, golf courses and casinos. The beach is conducive for diving, and the stretch up to Ras Nusrani is dotted with diving sites.

85 km further north of Sharm-el-Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba is Dahab, a Bedouin village that has grown into a modern resort, from where you can access the Ein Khudra oasis, the lagoona (great for kite surfing!) and the Colored Canyon. You can take a day off for a desert safari with a Bedouin guide, or drive to Mt. Sinai , two hours away. Here, you can climb up the summit, and visit the 6th century monastery of St. Catherine.

Taba on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula teems with tourists throughout the year, and is popular for scuba diving and gambling. Hurghuda, Nuweiba Ras Sidr and Mars Alam are other waterside locations frequented by local and foreign tourists.

Luxor

Luxor in central Egypt is popularly referred to as an "open air museum", and figures high on the itinerary of vacationers to Egypt. An overnight journey by train from Cairo takes you to this ancient city. The tourist site covers the City of Luxor itself on the eastern bank of the Nile, Thebes or Waset on the western bank, and Karnak, north of Luxor. The Temple of Luxor, the Karnak temple, tombs at the Valley of the Kings, Asasif, Ramesseum, Medinet Habu, Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Queens and Malkatta Palace are some of the monuments you must not overlook.

Alexandria

Alexandria, 225 km from Cairo is Egypt's largest coastal city along the Mediterranean, and has a rich past, being ruled successively by the Greeks (Alexander the Great founded the city!), the Romans, the Persians and the English. If you start early, you should be able to return to Cairo the same day.

What to see in Alexandria

Pompey's Pillar, the Kom al Sukkfa catacombs and the excavated ruins at Kom al Dikka are symbols from the past, while the Montaza Royal Gardens, Antoniades Park, Shallalat Gardens, Alexandria Zoo, Green Plaza, Fantasy Land and the Maamoura Beach are good spots for recreation. The renovated Alexandria Library with 4.2 million books is one of the greatest literary sites in the world, and definitely to be visited.

And to bring home a little of Egypt, shop for those exquisite papyrus rolls -the styles vary from engraved relief, to painted, to stony. Besides, Egyptian statues, mosaics, mother of pearl, perfumed glass, cotton textiles, copper pieces depicting the pharaohs and folklore, and leather products are just some of the souvenirs you can pick up before you bid Ma'as salaama to Egypt!