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In recent years, political turmoil has taken a toll on Egypt’s tourist trade, but there may never be a better time to visit than right now.

World famous sites like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are peaceful, and it’s possible to see them without battling the tourist hordes. Souks are spacious, and many a bargain can be found. The Egyptian people are anxious to show off their country and greet visitors with their characteristic warmth.

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Whether you choose to travel through Egypt, independently, or on a tour, there’s no doubt that you’ll be overwhelmed by the country’s myth, mystery, exotic sites and beautiful landscapes.

Here, 5 top Egyptian travel experiences to dream about.

1) Gaze at one of the Ancient Wonders of the World
The oldest of the 7 ancient wonders, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one that is still relatively intact today. Built around 2560 BC, for the Pharaoh Khufu, it stood 146 metres high and was the tallest building in the world for over 3,800 years!

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2) Stare down the Sphinx
A mythical creature with the body of a lion, and the head of a human, the Great Sphinx of Giza has come to symbolize Egypt as much as the mighty pyramids. At over 73 metres long, 19 metres wide and 20 metres high, “The Terrible One,” is the largest monolithic statue in the world.

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2) Decipher hieroglyphs in Hatshepsut’s Temple
The dazzling Temple of Hatshepsut blends beautifully with the dramatic limestone cliffs that rise above the desert plains of the Valley of the Kings. Composed of 3 imposing terraces, the mortuary tomb is covered with colourful murals, ancient hieroglyphics and sculptural reliefs.

4) Dive in divine Dahab
Egypt’s heavenly Red Sea is known for year-round sunshine, crystal clear waters and coastal reefs full of flourishing sea life.

In Dahab, originally a Bedouin fishing village, tourists can windsurf, swim in the sea, relax on the beach or choose from a plethora of local restaurants. Fantastic scuba diving and snorkelling can be found at the famous Blue Hole diving site. A submarine sinkhole around 130 metres deep, access is through a shallow opening just a few kilometres north of Dahab.

5) Be awed in Abu Simbel
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples are massive and awe-inspiring. Built in the 13th Century BC and dedicated to Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, the 4 colossal seated figures of Ramses on the facade of the larger temple are guaranteed to take your breath away.

Amazingly, the gigantic temples were completely dismantled and relocated to higher ground in the 1960s, when they were threatened with submersion in Lake Nasser.

One of the world’s most striking monuments, they are the 2nd most visited tourist site in Egypt, after the Pyramids of Giza.

Have you visited Egypt? What were your favourite experiences?

*Thanks to First Choice for helping to bring you this post.

Comments:

  • November 15, 2014

    This is a place we have wanted to go for a long time… maybe one day. How long did you travel through Egypt and how long ago were you there?
    Maybe an option this winter for us since nothing is booked for our CNY holiday. If my health improves it may be do-able!

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    • November 16, 2014

      We were there during our RTW in 2012, and we were there for about 3 weeks. It was a good amount of time to be there, we were able to do and see a lot. It wasn’t the easiest traveling we’ve ever done (there’s a shortage of tourists, so a lot of touts around), but it was pretty amazing to be at the Pyramids when they were practically deserted! Have you been sick for awhile? I had a cold that last almost an entire month this fall…could not believe it!

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      • November 17, 2014

        I have not been well since summer and it is one thing after another. Now I have kidney stones and I am in a lot of pain. Walking is the worst! Laying down is the most comfortable. Hard to travel with no energy. We actually just booked our flights home for Christmas instead of exotic. Seeing family is good, but also going to see a dr at home since treatment here is wait and see πŸ™ I would love to get to see the Pyramids without the crowds… that would be pretty awesome. There and Thailand are the top 2 on our list of places to go next. They will have to wait a little longer now.

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        • November 17, 2014

          Oh no!! That’s terrible! πŸ™ Feeling less than 100% when you’re far from home has got to be one of the worst things ever. I hope you feel better soon, and well, the Pyramids have been there for thousands of years, they’ll wait a bit longer for you. πŸ™‚ And Thailand…yes, you definitely have to go and spend a long time – at least 3 weeks, there’s so much to see and do there, the food is amazing and it’s affordable.

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          • November 18, 2014

            Well we have Christmas taken care of now 1 more holiday and that is CNY. It is only 10 days though πŸ™ By then I may be just up for beaching it and regaining my energy. April holiday we plan on using to pack and get things ready to ship home since I haven’t re-signed a contract for another year.

          • November 18, 2014

            Aww, I really hope you feel better soon. 10 days on a beach sounds like a good treatment if you ask me. πŸ˜‰ Heading back to Canada, eh? You guys should check out Korea for work…I think it’s a much better situation than China (more modern country, cleaner, less pollution, healthy food etc…etc…)

          • November 19, 2014

            I have thought about Korea for work. Other bloggers have raved about it. Also a fellow teacher from home went to Korea for 1 year and stayed 5 they loved it so much. We went to Seoul for a holiday a few years back and we liked it. For now we will head home and see where it takes us. My husband doesn’t teach so he wants to go home and do ‘real’ work again πŸ˜‰ He has had odd jobs, helped teach English and did classroom support part time. Who knows we may get itchy feet and want to travel/work again. Did I ask you before do you teach there?

          • November 19, 2014

            Korea can be really amazing for work, provided you have a bit of guidance and get into a good school, because of course, there are those school that are really bad and just in it for the money. And the lifestyle is really amazing. I really love living here. I don’t teach, but most people I know do, and my sister-in-law works at an international school here teaching math.

          • November 21, 2014

            Yes I heard that can be the case… be careful with the school. Like that here too, but sometimes you don’t know until you have signed on and you need to wait it out. Well not even sure if I will keep teaching. With going home and no teaching jobs (even supply is hard to get into these days) and new rules based on seniority I may find something else. If not maybe in a year or two we will go back in search of international work and teaching again.
            Thanks for the info too πŸ™‚

  • November 14, 2014

    Lovely photographs. We’re hoping we can visit Egypt and Jordan in the near future.

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    • November 15, 2014

      Thank you! πŸ™‚ We did Egypt and Jordan one right after the other, and they were great to visit together. There’s so much to see and do in both countries, you’ll have an amazing time!

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  • November 14, 2014

    Definitely on my list. Looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing.

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    • November 14, 2014

      Hey Lucy, I think Egypt is on a lot of traveller’s lists! πŸ™‚ It’s unfortunate that the country is going through so much difficulty right now. πŸ™ Hopefully things will improve for its people soon…

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      • November 14, 2014

        I know…What a pity. This is why I want to wait until things are stable enough, and then visit. Right now it seems kind of risky. I went to Morocco instead. Close enough I guess haha πŸ™‚ It’s definitely a gorgeous country!

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        • November 15, 2014

          Oh, I’m dying to get back to Morocco!! I loved it there…and wanna visit some of the places I missed the first time around. Especially Essouria!! πŸ™‚

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          • November 15, 2014

            I think Essouria it’s everyone’s favorite. I’d also love to go back there for a few days. The desert was fantastic as well! <3

  • November 13, 2014

    Not yet. But one day wanna coming there :). Thanks for sharing.

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    • November 14, 2014

      Hi Nandito. There are a lot of amazing sights in Egypt, that’s for sure. Hope you make it there one day soon. πŸ™‚

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