Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Ancient tombs to historic temples, traditional markets to inspiring museums... our Worldwide Travel Expert David's trip to Egypt had it all. Read all about his experience below.

My trip to Egypt started with an easy overnight flight from London to Cairo, before flying onwards to Aswan. The whole process was seamless, with someone to meet you at the airport and help you through immigration – a great start to the trip, especially if you’re not someone who sleeps well on planes!

First off, I have to say that a holiday to Egypt in August is not for the faint-hearted! Temperatures can reach a scorching 40 degrees Celsius by day (night isn’t all that much cooler) and while indoor attractions are definitely still doable, you don’t want to be outside in the sun for too long. If you can bear the heat and you’re looking to beat the crowds, August is for you! If not, I’d recommend visiting in February or March for those seeking some winter sun with less scorching heat.

My first stop was Movenpick Aswan situated on Elephantine Island, a short private ferry journey away from some of Aswan’s most famous attractions. Here, you’re completely surrounded by the Nile, and all rooms offer at least partial river views. The Elephantine Restaurant is a must-visit, with chefs available to prepare dishes just the way you like them, plus there’s amazing views of the Nile, sand dunes and greenery from your table as you eat.

For those looking for a traditional, old-school vibe 5* hotel, consider staying at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, an iconic hotel where heritage meets modernity. It’s where Agatha Christie famously penned ‘Death on the Nile’, and the likes of Winston Churchill have also stayed here, so you know you’re in good hands. By night, I set off on a guided felucca boat tour around the island. These wooden sailing vessels are a centuries-old tradition and offer one of the best ways to take in the Nile and its surrounds. With no engine, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Aswan as it passes you by, watching the sky change colours as the sun sets.

The next day we visited Aswan Dam, which is more than two miles long at its crest, and then headed on to Philae Temple, a temple only accessible by boat. Once referred to as the “Pearl of Egypt”, it captured the imaginations of travellers thanks to its mysterious island location, beauty, and temples; an interesting piece of history worth visiting! In the evening we set out on a walking tour around Aswan, which offers an insight into local life as you head around the nearby markets and learn about Aswan’s past. It’s worth mentioning that pretty much everyone spoke English in Aswan, and everyone I came across was so friendly and incredibly helpful.

Afterwards, we drove northbound, headed for Luxor. Enroute, we stopped to visit Kom Ombo temple (around 1.5 hours from Aswan). This temple is unique as it’s dedicated to two deities: the local crocodile-headed god Sobek, and the first "god of the Kingdom", the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder. I was quickly realising we would never run out of historic sites to visit!

From Kom Ombo, we carried on driving for an hour before reaching the Temple of Edfu, considered to be the best preserved Ancient Egyptian temple of them all. It was a truly breath-taking sight and puts it into perspective just how incredible ancient architecture was and is. If you’re short for time and had to pick just one temple to visit, Edfu would be it.

Arriving at the excellently situated Hilton Luxor, we had time to check in to our rooms and take in the beautiful Nile views from our private balcony or terrace. The spa here is stunning and looks out onto the Nile for a truly relaxing waterside experience.

In Luxor there are so many ancient sites to visit – Karnak Temple has an amazing sound and light show, with projections on the temple columns, recorded messages telling you the history of temple and a walking tour for those wanting to know more (the tour isn’t always in English so be sure to grab headphones to listen to the translated version). Then there’s the Hatshepsut Temple, where the greatest female pharaoh of them all was laid to rest. And of course, the Valley of the Kings – a must-visit for anyone in Luxor and home to the world-famous tomb of Tutankhamun.

Then it was time for the highlight of my trip, a stay on the MS Movenpick Darakum. This 4-night, 5* cruise takes you from Luxor to Cairo on a modern ship, where nothing is too much to ask for. All meals and afternoon teas were included and of an excellent standard, and I loved nothing more than watching the world go by from my big picture window in my spacious cabin. Tours were also included, and you can get off the boat to visit the likes of Abydos Temple, Beni Hasan and more. This was a truly exceptional experience and I have lasting memories of seeing local children jumping into the Nile or waving at you as the boat passed by.

After arriving in Cairo, we set off for a guided tour of the famous Kahn Elkhalili bazaar, a myriad of shops and beautiful squares – it was like a maze! This is a must-do activity, I would honestly say it’s as important a must-see as the pyramids, but I will caveat that it should be done with a guide, or you could very easily find yourself lost.

Mena House Hotel is a great stop for those visiting Cairo and is famed for being one of the closest hotels to the pyramids – even Barack Obama has stayed here. The pyramid view rooms are few and far between so they must be booked well in advance, however, it is most definitely worth it.

Speaking of the pyramids, I have to say that I was truly mind-blown by them, and by the Sphinx. The pictures you see could never do them justice – they are, quite simply, awe-inspiring. Other attractions include the Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamun’s mask, and the National Museum of Egyptian Culture, where you can see the real-life Royal mummies up close.

My takeaway point? Egypt has got to be on your travel bucket list, especially if you’re a history buff. The culture and history are utterly fascinating, the people are friendly and helpful, and there is a seemingly endless number of ancient sites to explore. My only advice – pack some sun cream and make sure you always have plenty of water with you!